Commercial Maritime Law

The title 'Commercial Maritime Law' is a misnomer. There is a patchwork of different commercial maritime laws around the world. However, the title is a true reflection of what many legal scholars and practitioners in the field have long desired: a common framework of commercial maritime law. This book unravels the complexities of bridging the gap between common law and civil law and will discuss whether the title will remain a misnomer despite the countless attempts at harmonisation. Internationally renowned legal scholars and practitioners discuss herein the areas in which the common law and civil law are divided; the impact of these differences on the drafting and ratification of international conventions; the search for a common framework; and the procedural aspects of the common law and civil law divide embedded within commercial maritime law.

The title 'Commercial Maritime Law' is a misnomer. There is a patchwork of different commercial maritime laws around the world. However, the title is a true reflection of what many legal scholars and practitioners in the field have long desired: a common framework of commercial maritime law. This book unravels the complexities of bridging the gap between common law and civil law and will discuss whether the title will remain a misnomer despite the countless attempts at harmonisation. Internationally renowned legal scholars and practitioners discuss herein the areas in which the common law and civil law are divided; the impact of these differences on the drafting and ratification of international conventions; the search for a common framework; and the procedural aspects of the common law and civil law divide embedded within commercial maritime law.

This collection of 20 essays contains recent work by legal scholars, practitioners and judges, all internationally renowned for their expertise in the fields of maritime and commercial law. For maritime lawyers, the book contains absorbing and important studies of the law governing maritime collisions, carriage of goods by sea (examining the meaning of 'actual carriage' in the Hamburg Rules, and the complex web of rules that governs multimodal carriage), and marine insurance (discussing the history of the doctrine of utmost good faith, and jurisdiction clauses in cargo policies). In the area of private international law, there are chapters on the choice of law rules affecting the ownership of ships, and on recent cases where conflict of laws issues have been decided by the Privy Council. For generalist commercial lawyers, there is a wealth of scholarship on the Sale of Goods Act 1979, its provisions and scope, and on the rules of contractual interpretation, their history, content and application in commercial settings. In addition, there are chapters on negotiating damages for breach of contract, illegality, tracing misapplied funds, the application of private law rules to disputes about cryptocurrencies and developments in the law of directors' duties. Taken as a whole, the essays in this collection stand out for their breadth of scholarship, analytical power, depth of understanding, and penetrating insights even into the knottiest problems of maritime and commercial law. They are essential reading for every maritime and commercial lawyer and a fitting tribute to a scholar who has led the way in both fields for many decades.

With reform of warranties, utmost good faith and insurable interest underway, Reforming Marine and Commercial Insurance Law provides a timely and essential analysis of this changing area of marine insurance law. The entire insurance sector is observing and participating in the reform process and this wide interest is reflected in the diversity of extremely high quality contributions to this book. This book evaluates the legal and practical implications of the proposals on commercial and marine insurance contracts. The contributors, from legal practice, the insurance sector, the judiciary and academia, comment critically on the proposals and discuss the viability and future of the reform process.

The Commercial Shipping Handbook is an invaluable reference tool for anyone involved in international trade and a first step towards understanding the framework within which the international movement of goods by sea is conducted. The handbook gives concise explanations of the many activities that comprise shipping, explaining the terms and how they interrelate. Areas covered include: Documents used in international transport by sea e.g. the bill of lading and the charter-party – what they contain, the different types and examples of each Generic types of ships, cargoes, containers and ports Details of all the major maritime associations prominent in contract drafting and policy making, together with a brief explanation of their objectives The many extra costs and surcharges found in shipping, particularly in liner shipping Chartering terms, an explanation of each and their context Clauses appearing in bills of lading, in voyage charters and time charters Technical elements of shipping as they relate to the commercial operation of ships, for example tides and draughts Examples of principal documents Discussing over 1250 commercial shipping terms, this book will be an essential reference for all shipowners, charterers, managers and brokers and will also be of use to legal, insurance and banking professionals.