Judge Thembile Elphus Joyini

Member of the Tribunal since 1 October 2023

Born: Cezu Homestead, Mqanduli, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, 13 October 1960.

Education: B.A., University of South Africa (1989); B Juris, Walter Sisulu University (then University of Transkei) (1993); LL.B, Walter Sisulu University (then University of Transkei) (1995); LL.M (Labour Law), University of South Africa (2000); LL.M (International Law), University of South Africa (2007).

Professional Experience: Case Management Officer, CCMA Johannesburg, South Africa (1996-1999); Commissioner, Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration, Johannesburg, South Africa (1999-2001); Advocate, High Court of South Africa (2007-2023); Principal State Law Adviser (International Law), Office of the Chief State Law Adviser (International Law), Foreign Ministry of South Africa (2008-2012, 2017-2023): Head of South African delegation, Council and Assembly meetings, International Seabed Authority, Kingston, Jamaica (2017-2023), Head of South African delegation, Intergovernmental Conference on the development of an International Legally Binding Instrument under the UNCLOS on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (2018-2023), leading in negotiations on behalf of the African Group under the auspices of the ISA Open-ended Working Group in respect of the development of the payment regime of the draft regulations for exploitation of mineral resources in the area (2022-2023), facilitator of the institutional arrangements in the negotiations and leading in the negotiations on cross-cutting issues on behalf of the African Group in the Intergovernmental Conference that is currently developing/elaborating an international legally binding instrument under the UNCLOS on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (2022-2023); Legal Adviser, Permanent Mission of South Africa to the UN (2013-2016); Coordinator, African Group, Council and Assembly meetings, International Seabed Authority, Kingston, Jamaica (2013-2016); Coordinator, African Group, Sixth Committee, UN Headquarters, New York, USA (2013-2016); Coordinator, Omnibus Resolution on oceans and the law of the sea, UN Headquarters, New York, USA (2016-2017); Judge of the High Court of South Africa, Pretoria (2019).

Member: Legal and Technical Commission, International Seabed Authority (2017-2022, Vice-Chairperson 2020-2022).

Lectures: Numerous presentations on a variety of topics (2016-2022).