The Syllabus
Course Structure : A. INTRODUCTORY COURSES I. INTRODUCTION TO SHIPS AND SHIPPING (a) Major Categories of Ships (b) Shipping and International Trade (c) Types of Shipping (d) Actors on the Shipping Scene II. TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF SHIPPING (a) Physical Attributes of a Ship (b) Basics of Direction-Finding (c) Basics of Coastal Navigation (d) Elements of Pilotage and Ship Handling (e) Elements of Astro-Navigation (f) Electronic Navigational Equipment and Navaids (g) Navigational Meteorology (h) Elements of Seamanship (i) Communications at Sea (j) Cargo and Cargo Gear (k) Ship Construction and Naval Architecture III. THE ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF SHIPPING (a) The Role of Shipping in International Trade (b) Liner and Tramp Trade (c) The Liner Conference System (d) The U.N. Convention on the Code of Conduct for Liner Conferences (e) The Economic Impact of Open Registry Systems IV. INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL LAW (a) Nature and Origin of Public International Law (b) Sources of Public International Law (i) Customary International Law (ii) International Conventions and Other Treaties (iii) General Principles of International Law (iv) Judicial Decisions and the Writings of Publicists (v) Codification Through Conventions (vi) Relationship Between Customary Law of the Sea and the Conventions on the Law of the Sea (c) Role of "Soft law" in International Law (d) International Law and Municipal Law (e) The Subjects of Public International Law and International Personality (f) Basis of Jurisdiction (g) State Responsibility (h) The Law of Treaties V. INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS (a) International Organizations: (i) Origins of International Organizations (ii) Characteristics of International Organizations (iii) Status of International Organizations in International Law (iv) The Creation of International Organizations (b) Types of International Organizations (i) Universal International Organizations (ii) Regional/Continental Organizations (iii) Special Purpose International Organizations (c) The United Nations (UN) System: (i) Lessons learned from League of Nations Covenant and System (ii) The United Nations and its Subsidiary Bodies and Programmes (iii) UN Charter - Aims and Purposes (iv) Other Constitutive Instruments (v) Admissions and Withdrawals (vi) Organs and Powers - General Assembly; - Security Council; - Economic and Social Council; - Secretariat and other Bodies; - International Court of Justice (vii) Voting Procedures (viii) Dispute Settlement Role (ix) Law-making Role and Powers (x) Enforcement Powers; Sanctions (d) The Specialized Agencies of the United Nations (i) ILO, IMO, FAO, WHO, IAEA etc. Allocation of Responsibilities for Maritime Matters (ii) The International Maritime Organization - History, Aims and Functions; - Structure of the IMO; - Committees of the IMO; - The IMO as a Law-Making Body; - The Process of Development of an IMO Convention (iii) Enforcement Powers of Specialised Agents (iv) Other Agencies and Bodies - UNEP, IOC (UNESCO), UNCTAD - U.N. Office of Ocean Affairs (e) Other Bodies in the Rule-Making Process (i) Industry and Professional Bodies (ii) Non-governmental Environmental Bodies (iii) Regional Commissions for Protection of the Marine Environment from Pollution (f) Co-operation and Co-ordination VI. INTRODUCTION TO SHIPPING LAW (a) Historical Development of Maritime Law (b) Private International Maritime Law: Customs and Conventions (c) Regulatory Maritime Law: International Conventions (d) Admiralty and Shipping Practice (e) Statutory Law on Shipping (f) Law of Contracts: - Warranties, Conditions and Representations; - Fundamental Breach; - Doctrine of Frustration; - Sale of Goods (g) Law of Torts: - Public and Private Nuisance; - Trespass; - Negligence; - Standard of Care; - Negligent Misrepresentation; - Doctrine of Strict Liability; - Misfeasance, Non-Feasance and Statutory Duties (h) Introduction to Commercial Maritime Law and Corporate Law; (i) Property Law; (j) Judicial Remedies in Maritime Law (k) Shipping Institutions B. INTERNATIONAL LAW OF THE SEA (a) Law of the Sea: historical background (b) General Introduction and Elements of the Law of the Sea - First United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea, (UNCLOS I) and Second United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea, (UNCLOS II) - Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea, (UNCLOS III) - 1958 United Nations Conventions on the Law of the Sea - 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982) - Customary Law (c) Baselines (d) Internal Waters and Territorial Sea (e) International Straits (f) Archipelagoes (g) Contiguous Zone (h) Continental Shelf (i) Exclusive Economic Zone: - Juridical nature - Relationship with Continental Shelf - Jurisdictional Aspects - Decommissioning Offshore Installations (j) Fisheries: - Pre-1958 and the 1958 Geneva Convention on Fishing and the Conservation of The Living Resources of the Sea - Anglo-Icelandic Fisheries Case - UNCLOS 1982 Part V, Arts. 61-69; Part VIII, Arts. 116-120 - Relationship to Prevention of Marine Pollution and Other Uses of the Sea (k) Land-locked States and Geographically Disadvantaged States: - UNCLOS 1982 Part V, Arts. 69 and 70 and Part X (l) The High Seas: Legal Status and General Provisions: - 1958 Convention on the High Sea (HSC) - UNCLOS 1982 Part VII - Nationality of Ships - Piracy and Pirate Broadcasting: Enforcement Techniques - Hot Pursuit - Miscellaneous Issues in the Customary Law of the Sea and the UNCLOS 1982 (m) Regime of Islands: UNCLOS 1982 Part VIII (n) Enclosed and Semi-enclosed Seas: UNCLOS 1982 Part VI Part IX Regional Conventions (o) Deep Seabed UNCLOS 1982: Part XI and - Background Annexes III & IV - Customary Law: Declaration of Principles Governing the Deep Seabed - The Machinery; the International Seabed Authority - The Regime (p) Resolutions of UNCLOS: Pioneer Investment Protection; Preparatory Commission: Prospects and Problems; Reciprocal Agreements: Legal Status (q) Marine Scientific Research (r) Development and Transfer of Marine Technology C. INTERNATIONAL MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL LAW (a) Background: Historical Perspective (b) United Nations Conference on the Human Environment (UNCHE) (c) Definitions of "Pollution" and "Conservation" (d) UNEP and its Regional Seas Programme (e) Ad-hoc Conventions on Prevention of Marine Pollution from all Sources (f) Role of IMO: International Convention Relating to Intervention on the High Seas in Cases of Oil Pollution Casualties, 1969 (g) UNCLOS Part XII - Protection and Preservation of the Marine Environment: Allocation of Responsibilities to IMO (h) State Responsibility (i) Inter-relationship Between Prevention of Pollution of the Marine Environment and Protection and Conservation of the Living Resources of the Sea: Recent Conventions and Protocols. D. SHIPPING I. NATIONALITY, REGISTRATION AND OWNERSHIP OF SHIPS (a) Nationality of Ships (b) Vessel Registration (c) National Character and Flag (d) Registration and Ownership of Ships - United Nations Convention on Conditions for Registration of Ships 1986 II. PROPRIETARY INTERESTS IN SHIPS (a) Sales and Purchases of Ships - Sale of Goods Legislation - Title and ownership - Transfers and Transmissions - Shares in Ships - Commercial Practices (b) Ships Mortgages (c) Maritime Liens and Privileges - International Conventions on Maritime Liens and Mortgages: 1926, 1967 and 1993 (d) Bottomry and Respondentia III. ENFORCEMENT OF MARITIME CLAIMS (a) Arrest of Ships (b) In rem and In personam Proceedings (c) Jurisdiction (d) Conflict of Laws (e) Mareva Injunctions, Attachment (f) The 1952 Arrest Convention IV. LAW OF MARINE INSURANCE (a) Historical Development. Statutory Regulation of the Industry. Definition of the Contract of Marine Insurance. (b) Insurable Interest and Subject-matter. Assignment. The Role of Brokers. Formation of the Contract and the Policy. The Doctrine of Uberrimae fidei. Implied and Excess Warranties. Attachment and Duration of Risk of Time. Marine Risks. (c) Principles of Construction and Causation. Measures of Indemnity. Subrogation (d) Hull insurance; - Voyage and Mixed Policies - War and Related Perils - Total Loss and Abandonment (e) Cargo Insurance - War and Related Perils - Total Loss and Abandonment (f) Liability Insurance: The Role of Protection and Indemnity (P and I) Clubs and Other Marine Insurers (g) Principles and contracts of Re-insurance (h) Administration of Compulsory Insurance Regimes (i) State Regulation and Control of the Insurance Industry (j) Marine Insurance Acts V. LAW OF GENERAL AVERAGE (a) Historical Background (b) York-Antwerp Rules (c) Cases on General Average (d) Inter-relationship Between General Average, Marine Insurance and Salvage. VI. CARRIAGE OF GOODS BY SEA Regulation of International Transportation of Goods for Trade and Commerce: (a) International Sale of Goods - the Main Types of Contracts Involved in an International Sale Transaction. The Sale Contract with Special Terms. The Contracts Involved in the Letter of Credit. (b) The Carriage of Goods (i) Bills of Lading - The Nature and Functions of the Bill of Lading as Evidence of the Contract, Receipt for Goods and Documents of Title - Other Documents used in connection with Sea Carriage: Mates, Dock and Wharf Receipts; Through and Combined Transport Bills of Lading; Non- Negotiable Receipts; Waybills; Delivery Order (ii) Liability of the Carrier for Loss of or Damage to Goods - The Hague-Visby Rules: History and Purpose of the Hague Rules; Scope of Application; Basis of the Carrier's Liability and Exoneration of Liability; the Visby amendments and their Rationale - The Hamburg Rules: History and Purpose; Scope of Application; the Main Provisions of the Hamburg Rules - Multimodal Transport of Goods: United Nations Convention on Multimodal Transport of Goods 1980 (c) Charter-parties - The Different Types of Charter-Parties; Bare boat Charter-Parties; Time Charter-Parties; Single and Consecutive Voyage Charter-Parties; Freight Contracts and Other Mixed Forms - The Rights and Obligations of Shipowner and Charterer Under Various Charter Contracts - Cesser Clauses - Bills of Lading under a Charter-Party: in the Hands of a Charterer, a Shipper Other than the Charterer or a Transferee - The Problem of the Identity of the Carrier - Demise Clauses - Incorporation of Charter-Party Terms into Bills of Lading VII. MARITIME LABOUR LAW (a) Manning and Certification - International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 - International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions 147, 73, 5 (b) Engagement, Discharge and Welfare of Seamen - ILO Conventions 55, 56, 130, 22, 23, 98 (c) Discipline (d) Log Books VIII. LAW OF MARITIME SAFETY (a) Ship Safety - International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea 1960 (SOLAS) as amended - International Convention on Loadlines, 1966 - Classification Societies (b) Cargo Safety - Dangerous Goods Regulations under SOLAS (CDG) - International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code - Bulk Cargoes - Timber Cargoes (c) Occupational Safety - Crew Accommodation Regulations - ILO Conventions 92, 134 - Safe Manning (d) Seaworthiness - Statutory Seaworthiness - Unsafe Ships, Unseaworthy Ships (e) Navigational Safety - SOLAS Chapter V - Safety of Navigation - Aids to Navigation and Navigational Aids - Nautical Publications - International Code of Signals - Distress and Urgency Signals International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue, 1979 (SAR) IX. LAW OF MARINE COLLISIONS AND GROUNDINGS (a) Basis of Collision Liability (b) Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (COLREGS) (c) Case Law on Collisions (d) Apportionment of Fault in Collision Cases (e) Groundings and Strandings (f) Vessel Traffic Management (g) Government Liability X. LAW OF SALVAGE AND WRECK (a) Statutory Provisions on Wrecks and Salvage (b) Principles of the Law of Salvage (c) Salvage as a Proprietary Interest (d) Salvorial Negligence (e) Lloyds Open Form of Salvage Agreement (f) International Convention on Salvage, 1989 XI. LAW OF TOWAGE (a) Towage and Salvage (b) Towage Contracts (c) Implical Terms (d) Third Party Liabilities XII. LAW OF MARINE PILOTAGE (a) Legal Status of a Pilot (b) Liability of a Pilot (c) Liability of Pilotage Authorities (d) Pilotage and Towage (e) Pilotage and Port Authorities XIII.LAW OF MARINE POLLUTION (a) Regulatory Conventions (i) International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea by Oil 1954 (as amended) (OILPOL); International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 and 1978 Protocol (MARPOL 73/78) (ii) International Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, 1972 (iii) International Convention on Oil Pollution, Preparedness, Response and Co-operation, 1990 (b) Penal Law Relating to Marine Pollution: Applications of mens rea, strict liability and defence of due diligence. (c) Liability and Compensation (i) Law of nuisance, trespass and negligence in reference to marine pollution (ii) Doctrine of strict liability (iii) International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage (CLC) 1969 and International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage (IOPCF) 1971 (iv) Private Agreements: Tanker Owners Voluntary Agreements Concerning Liability for Oil Pollution (TOVALOP) and Contract Regarding an Interim Supplement to Tanker Liability for Oil Pollution (CRISTAL) (v) United States Oil Pollution Act XIV.MARITIME LIABILITY AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY (a) Concept of liability in Maritime Law (b) Contractual and Tortious liability (c) Apportionment of Liability (d) Strict, Absolute and Fault-based Liability (e) Concept of Limitation of Liability in Maritime Law (f) Conventions on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims, 1957 and 1976 (g) Limitation Calculations (h) Athens Convention Relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea, 1974 (PAL) (i) Limitation of Actions (j) Preparation and Conduct of Maritime Litigation E. MARITIME LEGISLATION GENERAL: (a) The Legislative Process (b) Forms of Legislation (c) Types of Statutes (d) Anatomy of a Statute (e) The Drafting Process (f) Rules of Statutory Interpretation (g) Delegatory Legislation MARITIME: (a) Types of Maritime Legislation (b) Subject Matter of Maritime Legislation (c) Options for Developing Maritime Legislation (d) Nature of International Maritime Conventions (e) Methods of Implementation of International Maritime Conventions (f) Incorporation of Maritime Conventions into National Legislation (g) Drafting Exercises. Back To Contents
Visiting Fellows
Academic Year 1989-1990 Professor E.D. Brown (U.K., University of Wales, Cardiff Law School) Mr T.S. Busha (U.S.A., former IMO Legal Adviser) Dr A. Chircop (Malta, Faculty of Law, Dalhousie University, Canada) Professor A.D. Couper (U.K., University of Wales, Department of Maritime Studies, Cardiff) Ms D. Dion (Canada, Department of Justice, Admiralty & Maritime Law Section) Caption S. Felding (Norway, IMO) Dr R. Ganten (Germany, Department of Justice; former Director International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund) Professor E. Gold (Canada, Dalhousie University, Facultyof Law; Executive Director, Oceans Institute of Canada, IMLI Governor) Mr C. Ingram (U.K., Treasury Solicitor, Department of Transport) Dr B. Kwiatkowska (Poland, Associate Director, Netherlands Institute of the Law of the Sea) Professor E. Mann Borgese (Canada, Dalhousie University) Captain D. Matsatsos (Greece, HELMEPA) Mr L.N. Mbanefo (Nigeria, Member, Comite Maritime International) Dr T.A. Mensah (Ghana, IMO Assistant Secretary General and Director of Legal Affairs and External Relations) Professor J. Micallef (Malta, University of Malta) Dr W. Muller (Switzerland, Titulary Member, CMI, IMLI Governor) Dr D. Nelson (Grenada, UN Office of Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea) M. J.C. Sainlos (France, Director - Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea, Malta) Ms A. Sihtar (Yugoslavia, Ministry of Shipping, Transport and Communications) Admiral M. Stacey (U.K., former Head of U.K. Marine Pollution Unit, Department of Transport) Professor W. Tetley (Canada, McGill University, Faculty of Law) Professor B. Vukas (Yugoslavia, University of Zagreb) M.Jean Warot (France, Vice-President Comite Maritime International, IMLI Governor) Academic Year 1990-1991 Mr T. Busha (U.S.A., former IMO Legal Adviser) Dg G. Carrera (Canada, Marine Consultant) Dr A. Chircop (Malta, Faculty of Law, Dalhousie University, Canada) Professor A./D. Couper (U.K., University of Wales, Department of Maritime Studies, Cardiff) Dr W. Edeson (Australia, Food and Agriculture Organisation, Development Law Service, Rome, Italy) Mr N. Gerassimou (Greece, Advocate) Mr. M. Jacobsson (Sweden, Director, International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund) Professor D.C. Jackson (U.K., Governor, Vice-Chairman Immigration Appeals Tribunal U.K., Institute of Maritime Law, University of Southampton, U.K.) Professor B.Kwiatkowska (Poland, Associate Director, Netherlands Institute of the Law of the Sea) Mr L.N. Mbanefo (Nigeria, Member, Comite Maritime International) Dr T.A. Mensah (Ghana, formerly Assistant Secretary-Genera, IMO) Professor J. Mlynarczyk (Poland, University of Gdansk) Dr W. Muller (Switzerland, Governor, Titulary Member, Comite Maritime International) Dr G. Plant (U.K., Senior Lecturer, London School of Economics, University of London) Professor J. Ramberg (Sweden, University of Stockholm, Secretary General Executive, Comite Maritime International, IMLI Governor) Dr R. Vogel (Germany, Deputy Director, Shipping Division, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, Geneva, Switzerland) Professor F.L. Wiswall (Jr.), (U.S.A., Titulary Member, Comite Maritime International) Academic Year 1991-1992 Mr W. R. Birch Reynardson (U.K. British Maritime Law Association, Titulary Member, Comite Maritime International) Mr A. Boyle (U.K., Lecturer, London School of Economics, University of London) Professor F.J.J. Cadwallader (U.K., University of Wales, Cardiff Law School) Dr G. Carrera (Canada, Marine Consultant) Maitre E. Fontaine (France, Gide Leyette Nouel) Mr M. Jacobsson (Sweden, Director, International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund) Mr N. McGovern (Ireland, Former Chairman, Irish Shippers' Council, Titulary Member, Comite Maritime International) Dr W. Muller (Switzerland, Titulary Member, Comite Maritime International, IMLI Governor) Mr S. Oates (United Kingdom, Legal Adviser, International Labour Organisation, Geneva, Switzerland) Professor A.M.A. Soons (Netherlands, Director, Netherlands Institute of the Law of the Sea) Mr K.E. Usoh (Nigeria, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers' Council) Dr R. Vogel (Germany, Deputy Director, Shipping Division, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, Geneva, Switzerland) Professor F.L. Wiswall (Jr.) (U.S.A., Titulary Member, Comite Maritime International, IMLI Governor) Academic Year 1992 - 1993 Dr K. Aquilina (Malta, Lecturer, University of Malta) Professor F. Berlingieri (Italy, Honorary President, Comite Maritime International) Mr W. Birch Reynardson (U.K., British Maritime Law Association; Titulary Member, Comite Maritime International) M. Ph. Boisson (France, Legal Adviser, Bureau Veritas) Dr C. Debattista (U.K., Senior Lecturer, University of Southampton, Institute of Maritime Law) Professor E. de Bono (Malta) The Rt. Hon. Lord Justice J.F. Donaldson (U.K., former Master of the Rolls, Admiralty Judge, President of BMLA) The Hon Mr Justice J.A. Filletti (Malta) Professor D. Kappeler (Switzerland, Director, Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies) Mr J.S. Lux (U.K., Admiralty Solicitor, Ince & Co.) Dr W. Muller (Switzerland, Titulary Member, Comite Maritime International, IMLI Governor) Professor A. Pardo (U.S.A., Former Ambassador of Malta to the United Nations) Professor D.R. Thomas (U.K., University of East Anglia, Faculty of Law) H.E. Mr G. Weiss (Germany, Head of Delegation of European Community in Malta) Professor F.L. Wiswall (Jr.) (U.S.A., Titulary Member, Comite Maritime International, IMLI Governor) Academic Year 1993 - 1994 Dr K. Aquilina (Malta, Lecturer, University of Malta) Professor F. Berlingieri (Italy, Honorary President, Comite Maritime International) Mr W. Birch Reynardson (U.K., British Maritime Law Association; Titulary Member, Comite Maritime International) M. Ph. Boisson (France, Legal Adviser, Bureau Veritas) Mr C. De La Rue (U.K., Admiralty Solicitor, Ince & Co) Dr A. Fenech (Malta, Fenech & Fenech Associates) The Hon Mr Justice J.A. Filletti (Malta) Dr M. Ganado (Malta, Prof J.M. Ganado & Associates) Dr G. Gauci (Malta, University of Wales, Cardiff) Mr M. Goransson (Sweden, Director Legal Affairs & External Relations - International Maritime Organisation) Mr M. Jacobsson (Sweden, Director, International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund) Mr L.N. Mbanefo (Nigeria, Member, Comite Maritime International) Dr W. Muller (Switzerland, Titulary Member, Comite Maritime International, IMLI Governor) Mr C. Palme (Sweden, Titulary Member, Comite Maritime International) Professor I. Shearer (Australia, Challis Professor of International Law, University of Sydney) Dr R. Vogel (Germany, Deputy Director, Shipping Division, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, Geneva, Switzerland) Dr A. Von Ziegler (Switzerland, Schellenberg & Haissly, Zurich) H.E. Mr G. Weiss (Germany, Head of Delegation of European Community in Malta) Professor F.L. Wiswall (Jr.) (U.S.A., Titulary Member, Comite Maritime International, IMLI Governor) Academic Year 1994 - 1995 Dr K. Aquilina (Malta, Lecturer, University of Malta) Mr W. Birch Reynardson (U.K., British Maritime Law Association; Titulary Member, Comite Maritime International) Mr A. Bishop (U.K., Holman, Fenwick & Willan) Dr W.A.G. Blonk (The Netherlands, Director, Maritime Safety Unit, Directorate-General for Transport, European Union) M. Ph. Boisson (France, Legal Adviser, Bureau Veritas) Ms S. Broadley (U.K., International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund) Dr A. Fenech (Malta, Fenech & Fenech Associates) Dr T. Fenech (Malta, Fenech & Fenech Associates) The Hon Mr Justice J.A. Filletti (Malta) The Hon Dr M. Frendo (Malta, Minister for Transport, Communications & Technology; Lecturer, University of Malta) Dr M. Ganado (Malta, Prof J.M. Ganado & Associates) Dr G. Gauci (Malta, University of Wales, Cardiff) Mr P. Griggs (U.K., Titulary Member, Comite' Maritime International, Senior Partner, Ince & Co) Mr C. Horrocks (U.K., Secretary General, International Shipping Federation) Dr W. Muller (Switzerland, Titulary Member, Comite Maritime International, IMLI Governor) Professor A. Pardo (U.S.A., Former Ambassador of Malta to the United Nations) Mr A. Philip (Denmark, President, Comite' Maritime International) Mr R. Shaw (U.K.,Titulary Member, Comite' Maritime International, Senior Partner, Shaw and Croft Solicitors) Professor F.L. Wiswall (Jr.) (U.S.A., Titulary Member, Comite Maritime International, IMLI Governor) Back To Contents