The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) is an international intergovernmental organization, which is a platform for resolving international disputes.

PCA is not a court in traditional understanding, however it provides services, inter alia, in the field of managing arbitration proceedings. The organization was established in 1899, and in 1913 the Peace Palace was built for it (on the donations of Andrew Carnegie), where still the premises of its International Bureau (Secretariat) are situated. This is the oldest institution designed for the resolution of international disputes.

The PCA has a three-part organizational structure consisting of an Administrative Council that oversees its policies and budgets, a panel of independent potential arbitrators known as the Members of the Court, and its Secretariat, known as the International Bureau, headed by the Secretary-General.

Contracting Parties’ diplomatic representatives accredited to The Netherlands comprise the Administrative Council, under the chairmanship of the Netherlands Minister for Foreign Affairs. This body, in consultation with the Secretary-General, shapes the policy of the organization. It provides general guidance on the work of the PCA, and supervises its administration, budget and expenditure.

Ukraine is a contracting party of the two conventions since 1962.

Under the auspices of the PCA two international cases are currently being considered:

Dispute concerning Coastal State Rights in the Black Sea, Sea of Azov and Kerch Strait (Ukraine v. the Russian Federation). At the moment, the case is on the merits stage.

Dispute concerning the immunity of three Ukrainian naval vessels and the twenty-four servicemen on board (Ukraine v. the Russian Federation). At the moment, the case is on the merits stage.

In addition, the PCA has become a platform for the consideration of numerous applications of Ukrainian investors against the Russian Federation resulting from the temporary occupation of Crimea.