Can there be rule of law at sea? In extending the traditionally terrene ideal seaward, there are a range of conceptual difficulties. These difficulties are outlined, and a recurring thought pattern is set out that is found in the traditions of thought about the rule of law as protecting members of a community from the abuse of power. Drawing on Jeremy Bentham’s scattered remarks about maritime governance, three assumptions underlying this thought pattern, regarding territoriality, community, and protective function, are identified as requiring modification in the maritime context. Achievement of the rule of law at sea is possible, but reflects a number of limitations as compared to its terrene counterpart, limitations related to these three traditional assumptions.

海上能有法治吗？在将传统的陆地理想向海延伸时，存在一系列概念上的困难。概述了这些困难，并阐述了一种反复出现的思维模式，这种思维模式存在于关于法治作为保护社区成员免受权力滥用的思想传统中。根据 Jeremy Bentham 关于海洋治理的零散评论，这种思维模式背后的三个假设，即领土、社区和保护功能，被确定为需要在海洋背景下进行修改。海上法治的实现是可能的，但与陆地法治相比反映了一些局限性，这些局限性与这三个传统假设有关。