Maritime Law Course

Lesson 1 • Jurisdiction in Maritime Matters

Defines how jurisdiction is determined over vessels, persons, and incidents at sea. Establishes the territorial and flag-state principles central to all subsequent chapters.

Lesson 2 • Sources and Hierarchy of Maritime Law

Identifies the primary sources of maritime law, including treaties, domestic statutes, and custom. Explains how conflicts between sources are resolved in practice.

Lesson 3 • History and Evolution of Maritime Law

Traces maritime law from ancient trade codes to modern international conventions. Provides context for understanding why current rules exist and how they developed.

Lesson 1 • Flags of Convenience and Open Registries

Analyses the legal and commercial implications of registering under a flag of convenience. Addresses regulatory arbitrage, enforcement gaps, and international responses.

Lesson 2 • Legal Concepts of Ship Ownership

Defines ownership in maritime law, including sole, joint, and corporate ownership forms. Connects ownership structure to liability exposure and operational control.

Lesson 3 • Ship Registration Requirements

Covers the legal requirements for registering a vessel under a national flag. Explains how registration affects legal identity, liability, and access to ports.

Lesson 1 • Bills of Lading: Function and Legal Effect

Explains the triple function of bills of lading as receipt, contract evidence, and document of title. Establishes the contractual baseline for cargo claims analysis.

Lesson 2 • Voyage and Time Charter Parties

Distinguishes voyage charters from time charters and analyses their key clauses. Prepares students to identify risk allocation in standard charter party forms.

Lesson 3 • Carrier Obligations and Liabilities

Defines the carrier's duty of care, seaworthiness obligations, and liability limits under international regimes. Connects these duties to cargo claim disputes.

Lesson 4 • Bareboat and Demise Charters

Examines bareboat charters where the charterer assumes full operational control and legal responsibility. Distinguishes this arrangement from other charter types for liability purposes.

Lesson 1 • Hull and Machinery Insurance

Covers the scope of hull and machinery policies, including covered perils and standard exclusions. Connects policy terms to vessel operation and maintenance obligations.

Lesson 2 • Protection and Indemnity Insurance

Explains P&I club structure, mutual indemnity principles, and the liabilities covered by P&I insurance. Prepares students to identify gaps between hull and P&I coverage.

Lesson 3 • Fundamentals of Marine Insurance

Defines insurable interest, indemnity, and the principle of utmost good faith in marine insurance. Establishes the doctrinal foundation for all subsequent insurance analysis.

Lesson 1 • Collision Liability and Fault Apportionment

Defines the legal basis for collision liability and the rules for apportioning fault between vessels. Builds on jurisdiction and ownership concepts from earlier chapters.

Lesson 2 • Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims

Explains the right to limit liability for maritime claims and the procedural steps to establish a limitation fund. Integrates with collision, cargo, and pollution liability topics.

Lesson 3 • Wreck Removal Obligations

Analyses the legal duties of shipowners to remove wrecks and the international convention framework. Connects wreck removal costs to P&I insurance coverage discussed earlier.

Lesson 4 • Salvage Law and the Salvage Convention

Covers the legal requirements for a valid salvage claim and the factors used to assess salvage awards. Introduces the special compensation regime for environmental salvage.

Lesson 1 • International Seafarer Employment Standards

Surveys the international labour convention framework setting minimum standards for seafarer employment. Establishes the regulatory baseline for all crew-related legal analysis.

Lesson 2 • Crew Injury, Illness, and Compensation

Covers the legal obligations of shipowners when crew members are injured or fall ill at sea. Integrates with P&I insurance coverage and limitation of liability concepts.

Lesson 3 • Seafarer Employment Agreements

Analyses the compulsory content and legal effect of seafarer employment agreements. Connects contractual terms to dispute resolution and enforcement mechanisms.

Lesson 1 • Criminal Liability for Environmental Violations

Analyses when vessel-source pollution triggers criminal prosecution of shipowners, officers, and crew. Integrates with jurisdiction principles and seafarer rights covered in earlier chapters.

Lesson 2 • Oil Pollution Liability and Compensation

Analyses the two-tier international compensation system for oil pollution damage from tankers. Connects liability limits, compulsory insurance, and fund contributions to practical claims.

Lesson 3 • International Pollution Prevention Framework

Surveys the international convention regime controlling operational and accidental vessel-source pollution. Establishes the regulatory structure underpinning all environmental compliance analysis.

Lesson 4 • Hazardous and Noxious Substance Liability

Covers the liability regime for pollution caused by hazardous and noxious substances beyond oil. Extends the compensation framework analysis to a broader range of cargo types.

Lesson 1 • Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments

Examines the rules governing recognition of foreign maritime judgments and arbitral awards. Prepares students to advise on cross-border enforcement strategies.

Lesson 2 • Alternative Dispute Resolution in Maritime Matters

Surveys mediation, expert determination, and other ADR options used in maritime disputes. Equips students to recommend cost-effective resolution strategies alongside litigation.

Lesson 3 • Maritime Arbitration

Analyses the structure and conduct of maritime arbitration, including seat selection and award enforcement. Directly relevant to arbitration clauses in charter parties and carriage contracts.

Lesson 4 • Ship Arrest and Attachment

Covers the legal basis for arresting a vessel to secure a maritime claim and the procedural steps involved. Connects to lien priority and ownership concepts from earlier chapters.