Here are 15 suggested dissertation topics across the four areas of law you mentioned:
International Law of the Sea
1. The effectiveness of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in resolving
modern maritime boundary disputes.
2. Legal challenges of deep-sea mining under UNCLOS: balancing economic interests with
environmental protection.
3. Freedom of navigation vs. coastal state sovereignty: an analysis of South China Sea disputes.
4. Climate change and rising sea levels: legal implications for maritime zones and baselines.
International Maritime Law
5. The role of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in regulating greenhouse gas emissions
from shipping.
6. Legal responses to piracy and armed robbery at sea: effectiveness and gaps in current frameworks.
7. The liability of shipowners for oil spills: evaluating the adequacy of international conventions.
8. Autonomous ships and maritime law: challenges in liability, safety, and compliance.
Marine Insurance Law
9. The doctrine of utmost good faith in marine insurance contracts: is reform necessary?
10. The scope of coverage in marine cargo insurance: legal issues in risk allocation.
11. Impact of sanctions and international trade restrictions on marine insurance claims.
12. Reinsurance in marine insurance: legal and practical challenges.
Law of Banking and Negotiable Instruments
13. The role of central banks in safeguarding financial stability: a comparative legal perspective.
14. Digital currencies and negotiable instruments: adapting traditional banking laws to fintech
innovations.
15. Fraudulent transactions and the liability of banks under the law of negotiable instruments.
Here are the expanded dissertation topics with research questions & objectives:
International Law of the Sea
1. UNCLOS and Maritime Boundary Disputes
Question: How effective is UNCLOS in resolving contemporary maritime boundary disputes?
Objectives: Examine case law; assess UNCLOS dispute resolution mechanisms; propose reforms for
more effective enforcement.
2. Deep-Sea Mining and Environmental Protection
Question: Does UNCLOS adequately balance economic exploitation and environmental
sustainability in deep-sea mining?
Objectives: Review Part XI of UNCLOS; analyze International Seabed Authority regulations;
evaluate environmental safeguards.
3. Freedom of Navigation vs. Coastal Sovereignty
Question: To what extent does UNCLOS reconcile freedom of navigation with coastal state
sovereignty?
Objectives: Analyze South China Sea disputes; evaluate role of tribunals; recommend stronger
compliance mechanisms.
4. Climate Change and Maritime Zones
Question: What are the legal implications of sea level rise on maritime zones under international
law?
Objectives: Review UNCLOS provisions on baselines; examine state practice; explore proposals for
“ambulatory baselines.”
International Maritime Law
5. IMO and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Question: How effective are IMO regulations in addressing shipping’s contribution to climate
change?
Objectives: Review MARPOL Annex VI; analyze compliance; evaluate alternative legal
instruments (e.g., carbon taxes).
6. Piracy and Armed Robbery at Sea
Question: Are current international legal frameworks sufficient to combat piracy?
Objectives: Assess UNCLOS, SUA Convention, and regional frameworks; analyze enforcement
challenges; suggest legal reforms.
7. Oil Spill Liability
Question: Do current liability regimes adequately compensate victims of oil spills?
Objectives: Study the CLC and Fund Conventions; review case studies (Exxon Valdez, Deepwater
Horizon); evaluate adequacy of compensation limits.
8. Autonomous Ships and Maritime Liability
Question: How should maritime law adapt to regulate autonomous vessels?
Objectives: Examine current rules on shipmaster responsibilities; analyze gaps; propose regulatory
reforms for liability allocation.
Marine Insurance Law
9. Utmost Good Faith in Marine Insurance
Question: Should the doctrine of utmost good faith in marine insurance contracts be reformed?
Objectives: Review case law; compare with reforms in UK Insurance Act 2015; recommend
improvements.
10. Scope of Marine Cargo Insurance
Question: How effectively does marine cargo insurance allocate risks between insurers and insured?
Objectives: Review clauses (e.g., Institute Cargo Clauses); analyze disputes; suggest standardization
measures.
11. Sanctions and Marine Insurance Claims
Question: What legal challenges arise in marine insurance due to international sanctions?
Objectives: Study EU/US sanctions regimes; assess insurer liability; evaluate practical compliance
measures.
12. Reinsurance in Marine Insurance
Question: What legal challenges affect the role of reinsurance in marine insurance contracts?
Objectives: Examine contractual structures; analyze disputes in reinsurance recoveries; recommend
reforms.
Law of Banking and Negotiable Instruments
13. Central Banks and Financial Stability
Question: How do legal frameworks empower central banks to safeguard financial stability?
Objectives: Compare US Federal Reserve, ECB, and African central banks; assess crisis responses;
recommend reforms.
14. Digital Currencies and Negotiable Instruments
Question: Can existing banking and negotiable instruments law adapt to digital currencies?
Objectives: Analyze Bitcoin and CBDCs; assess gaps in negotiable instruments law; propose legal
updates.
15. Fraudulent Transactions and Bank Liability
Question: To what extent are banks liable for fraudulent transactions under negotiable instruments
law?
Objectives: Examine common law & statutory rules; analyze case law; recommend stronger fraud
prevention measures.
Subject: Dissertation Topic Ideas
Dear Sir,
I hope you’re doing well. I’d like to share three possible dissertation topics for your guidance:
1. The role of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in regulating greenhouse gas emissions
from shipping.
2. Digital currencies and negotiable instruments: adapting traditional banking laws to fintech
innovations.
3. The effectiveness of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in resolving
modern maritime boundary disputes.
I’m especially interested in the first topic because of its link to international law and climate change, but I’d
be grateful for your advice on which of these would be most suitable and whether they should be refined
further.
Thank you for your time and support.
Best regards,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Student ID]
