Description

Crimes committed on board a ship, particularly whilst at sea, pose a more dynamic legal scenario than the same crime committed on land. A ship is subject to the laws of its flag state, but the flag state may be unwilling or unable to respond promptly or to prosecute such crimes. Other states might investigate the crime and prosecute the accused, but the right to do so must be defensible under international law and within the explicit legislative reach of that state. This seminar considers when a non-flag state may claim jurisdiction to prosecute criminal acts committed at sea.

About The Speaker

Professor Kate Lewins is a graduate of University of Western Australia (B Juris 1987, LLB 1988). Kate joined the Law School at Murdoch University in 1997 after working as a Senior Associate in the Transport and Insurance division of Phillips Fox (now DLA Piper). Kate holds a Master of Laws degree from University of Southampton (1991) and a PhD from Murdoch University (2009). Kate’s PhD thesis topic was the interrelation between the Trade Practices Act 1974 and commercial maritime law in Australia.

Kate is the author of International Carriage of Passengers by Sea (Sweet & Maxwell, London 2016) and has produced numerous papers and conference presentations on topics related to carriage of goods and passengers by sea, insurance (both general and marine) and admiralty. Kate is a past General Editor of the Australian & New Zealand Maritime Law Journal, and has been the Director of the International Maritime Law Arbitration Moot since 2006. Kate is an Academic Fellow of the Centre for Maritime Law.

Who Should Attend

Maritime lawyers, criminal lawyers, in-house counsel and legal officers in the shipping industry and affiliated with shipping. Government, Registry and Port representatives.