Description

About the Event

The extent to which charterers can avail themselves of the maritime law privilege of limitation under the 1976 Limitation of Maritime Claims Convention has been the subject of contention in a series of English cases extending across nearly two decades. A series of seven judgments commenced with that of Thomas J in The Aegean Sea in 1998 and, apparently, culminated with that of the Supreme Court in The Flaminia (No 2) in 2025. As a result, the position of English law must be considered settled, but is that position satisfactory? Should courts in other jurisdictions that have adopted the 1976 Convention follow the approach of the English courts?

About the Speaker

Howard Bennett’s research and teaching interests lie in shipping and maritime law, insurance law (with a particular interest in marine insurance law), the law of international trade finance, general contract law, personal property law, and the law of agency. He is the author of The Law of Marine Insurance (2nd ed, 2006) and of Principles of the Law of Agency (2nd edn, 2025), and a member of the authorial teams of Carver on Charterparties (3rd edn, 2024) (also general editor), Vulnerable Transactions in Corporate Insolvency (2003) (also co-editor), Benjamin’s Sale of Goods (12th ed, 2024) (chapters relating to international trade finance), and Scrutton on Charterparties and Bills of Lading (25th edn, 2024). He has contributed essays to collections on marine insurance law, charterparties, and personal property law, and is the author of several articles in leading journals. He is a member of the editorial board of the Lloyd’s Maritime and Commercial Law Quarterly and an honorary member of chambers at 7 King’s Bench Walk.