UNCLOS establishes separate tribunal for the adjudication of disputes between parties

The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, established by UNCLOS, provides the forum for the peaceful settlement of disputes. Its major caseload tends to be arbitration over detention of ships and their crews for fishing unlawfully (e.g., over-fishing) or other violations within the EEZs. The Tribunal decides the terms of release of the crews and ships (e.g., posting of bonds) while a case proceeds. Arbitration is compulsory in most categories of disputes, but some cases are taken to the International Court of Justice (e.g., maritime delimitation). In 2000, the parties to UNCLOS established a trust fund, similar to that used by the ICJ, "to assist states in proceedings before the Tribunal" in order to overcome financial impediments to seeking judicial arbitration of 79 disputes.