Which legal framework applies to actions taken in the territorial seas of a nation?

The applicable legal framework for actions taken in the territorial seas of a nation is primarily guided by customary international law. Customary international law consists of practices and norms that have developed over time and are generally accepted as legally binding among states. The concept of territorial seas is recognized in customary international law, which stipulates that a coastal state has sovereignty over its territorial sea, up to 12 nautical miles from its baseline. This sovereignty allows the state to exercise control over the waters, airspace, and seabed within that zone, subject to certain limitations imposed by international treaties and conventions.

While domestic law governs the specific regulations within a nation’s territorial sea, it operates within the framework established by customary international law. International maritime law includes regulations like UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea), but it is ultimately grounded in customs and practices that emerge as states interact in maritime matters. Military law, on the other hand, pertains specifically to military personnel and operations and does not specifically address the broader legal context of territorial seas.