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What's in a name? Time Charter Trips explored
The time charter trip or "TCT" is a common hybrid, with attributes of both time and voyage charters.
Read moreIs arbitration stifling the common law?
Recent comments by the Lord Chief Justice of England & Wales have reignited a debate over the balance between finality in arbitration and consideration of important points of law by the Courts.
Read moreDown in Flame(s)
What is the value of money? In a recent Commercial Court decision, it was held that the right to redirect the payment of money (or to give it away) is as valuable as the right to have the money paid into one's own bank account.
Read moreKeep your word! Hong Kong Court enforces indemnity for delivery of cargo without original bills
Shipowners are well aware of the perils of releasing cargo without production of an original bill of lading. In particular, they are likely to lose P&I cover in the event of a misdelivery claim.
Read moreArbitrations and anti-suit injunctions – a Hong Kong perspective
In some jurisdictions (notably Mainland China and Australia), local law does not give effect to the incorporation of arbitration clauses into bills of lading.
Read moreThe "NEW FLAMENCO" – back in step
Court of Appeal overturns High Court and holds that a 'capital' benefit obtained following the sale of a vessel on her early redelivery can reduce a damages claim for repudiatory breach of charterparty.
Read moreSpeed & Consumption – good weather daze?
The High Court of England & Wales has overturned an arbitration Award in a rare appeal on a performance dispute[1].
Read moreAnti-suit injunctions – do not delay
The recent judgment of the English Commercial Court in Essar Shipping Ltd v Bank of China Ltd[1] has highlighted the importance of applying for anti-suit injunctions swiftly once the dispute arises.
Read moreBallast Water Management Convention likely to come in 2016
Three countries, Monaco, Indonesia and Ghana, ratified the IMO Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention, during the recent IMO Biennial Assembly Meeting, in London.
Read moreThe "RES COGITANS" – still no relief for shipowners in OW Bunker saga
In an eagerly-awaited decision, the English Court of Appeal has unanimously upheld the conclusion of the Commercial Court (itself affirming a decision of London maritime arbitrators) that a bunker supply contract on the OW Bunker terms is not a "contract of sale of goods" to which the Sale of Goods 1979 Act applies[1].
Read moreDamages for repudiation of a voyage charter
The compensatory principle explored The High Court of England & Wales has reviewed the application of the standard compensatory principle in common law to voyage charters repudiated by their charterers, in an appeal from an arbitral Award[1].
Read moreMarine Insurance: Current Good Faith Rules Continue To Cause Blot On The Landscape?
We have less than twelve months until insurance contracts written under English law will be subject to the new provisions of the English Insurance Act 2015.
Read moreNo relief for late commencement of arbitration
Once upon a time, if one was unfortunate enough to miss a contractual, as opposed to statutory, time limit for commencing arbitration, relief could be sought and often obtained from the High Court under Section 27 of the Arbitration Act 1950.
Read moreWhen is a sale contract not a sale contract?
Most people reading this article would probably say that, even if they could not define a sale contract, they would know one when they saw it.
Read moreNot just a question of timing – Supreme Court rules on the assessment of damages for premature cancellation
The Supreme Court has held that a party could only recover nominal damages for premature cancellation (repudiation) of a sales contract on GAFTA Form 49[1].
Read morePushing the (tonnage) limits
This update highlights two recent changes in tonnage limits – one international, the other in Hong Kong.
Read moreCharterparty arbitration clauses: too much of a good thing?
It is a fact of commercial life that, at least with the benefit of hindsight, contracts are not always drafted clearly.
Read moreEnforcing jurisdiction agreements in the EU – Brussels casts out "abusive litigation tactics"
Disputes over jurisdiction (i.e. where a claim is heard and determined) are commonplace in shipping and international trade.
Read moreNew Compulsory Marine Liability Insurance Gives Shipowners and their Insurers the Blues
The Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks 2007 comes into force later this month (18 April 2015 and 17 May 2015 for Malta and Tuvalu respectively, but 14 April 2015 for all other contracting states, including the UK).
Read moreHong Kong expected to introduce mandatory low-sulphur fuel regulations
Many vessels currently calling to Hong Kong voluntarily burn low-sulphur fuel, in return for financial incentives under a scheme introduced by the Government in 2012.
Read moreAn uncharacteristic appeal: Ocean Victory decision reversed
Charterers (and their insurers) concerned by the first instance decision in The "Ocean Victory" may rest a little easier following the successful appeal which saw Daiichi Chuo overturn a judgment of over US$130 million against them.
Read moreCocaine Haul Leads to Limitations on War Risk Exclusion
It is a sad fact that drug traffickers like to use ocean-going vessels to help them move their product.
Read moreSingapore High Court allows extension of time in collision case despite multiple opportunities to arrest.
Following a collision between ORINOCO STAR and MELODY in Nigerian waters on 20 June 2011 and subsequent unsuccessful settlement negotiations between the parties, owners of the vessel MELODY issued a writ and proceeded to arrest ORINOCO STAR on 6 December 2013.
Read moreOW Bunker update – Hong Kong company applies for winding-up
Hong Kong Court records available publicly today show that a Petition was presented last Friday to wind up O.W. Bunker China Ltd (a Hong Kong company).
Read moreBunker disputes – Bankruptcy of OW Bunker A/S and associated companies
We are receiving numerous enquiries regarding the fallout from the bankruptcy of OW Bunker A/S and certain associated companies.
Read moreContainer weight fraud
Container weights is a hot topic at the moment, with the IMO set to introduce new requirements for the verification of container gross mass.
Read moreCourt rejects "capital" punishment
Appeal considers relevance of ship sale following early redelivery
Read moreNew Safety and Health Guidelines to Protect Seafarers
The International Labour Organisation has agreed guidelines to assist governments in implementing occupational safety and health provisions previously set down in the Maritime Labour Convention 2006.
Read moreHong Kong's top court confirms loss of cover
The importance of complying with insurance warranties
Read moreAI in auditing: Embracing a new age for the profession
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a rather new concept for many (ignoring those versed in 80’s Sci-Fi movies); it’s something many don’t know much about and certainly don’t use in our day-to-day lives (or at least appreciate we are using). However, that’s not the case for everyone. Auditors have long been reaping the benefits of AI, but are auditors just scratching the surface of what AI can offer and what impact will an increased use have on their insurance requirements and claims they face?
Read moreVirtual billboards: the future of immersive advertising?
With the deployment of immersive technologies poised to become the norm, the implementation of infrastructure for "virtual billboards", and the "property digital rights" which they demand, is demonstrating a lucrative gap in the market and huge growth potential.
Read moreThaler v Comptroller [2023] UKSC 49: the UKSC rules that AI cannot be an 'inventor'
To the surprise of no one, the UK Supreme Court (UKSC) has finally ruled that an artificial intelligence (AI) cannot be an inventor for the purposes of UK patent law. This judgment accords with the decisions of the lower courts in the UK and the initial ruling of the UKIPO. It also reflects similar findings from most of courts around the world where the claimant, Dr Thaler, brought similar actions.
Read moreEU AI ACT-ion stations
The EU is forging ahead with its vision for AI. With wrapping up talks on the EU AI Act between the EU governments, the Commission and the parliamentary negotiators imminent, we bring you up to date on the EU's risk based approach, the scope of the Act, a timeline, key points that will form the basis of the discussions and next steps.
Read moreWhat To Know About AI Fraudsters Before Facing Disputes
Fraudsters are quick to weaponise new technological developments and artificial intelligence is proving no exception, with AI-assisted scams increasingly being reported in the news, including most recently one using a likeness of a BBC broadcaster.
Read moreGenerative AI and intellectual property rights—the UK government's position
The IPO is to produce a code of practice by the summer that will provide guidance to support AI firms in accessing copyright protected works as an input to their models.
Read moreUnderstanding and managing the risks in artificial intelligence (AI) technology projects
How do you go about managing the risks and challenges that might arise during the deployment of AI technology?
Read moreAI technology projects – the regulatory landscape
Parties engaged in AI technology projects should be mindful of the regulatory landscape, and the changes taking place within it. A failure to do so could result in an AI solution that is not compliant from a regulatory perspective, the use of which potentially creates risk for the technology provider and user.
Read moreA matter of interpretation – the Supreme Court look at contractual interpretation once more
In their recent Judgment in Sara & Hossein Asset Holdings Ltd (a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands) v Blacks Outdoor Retails Ltd [2023] UKSC 2 the Supreme Court adopted a commercially balanced interpretation of a lease; rejecting the overly textual approach of the Court of Appeal in favour of reading the relevant clause in the context of the lease as a whole.
Read moreOfcom's 'Roadmap to Regulation' underway with its consultation on illegal harms duties under the Online Safety Act
In November, Ofcom, as new online safety regulator, published the first of four major consultations under the Online Safety Act ("OSA"), which sets out its proposals for how "user-to-user" ("U2U") services (essentially any online website or app that allows users to interact with each other) and online search services (i.e. Google, Bing and similar) should approach their illegal content duties under the new legislation. The consultation provides guidance in a number of areas including governance, content moderation, reporting and complaints mechanisms, terms of service, supporting child users, and user empowerment.
Read moreThe Online Safety Bill is set to become law
The Online Safety Bill will shortly become law in the UK as soon as it receives Royal Assent. The legislation will introduce a new regulatory regime for online platforms and search engines which target the UK, imposing wide-ranging obligations on in-scope services with serious consequences for non-compliance.
Read moreThe Online Safety Bill and the risk of unintended consequences
The Online Safety Bill was reintroduced to Parliament late last year, with new amendments receiving scrutiny in the House of Commons in December, before the bill entered the House of Lords in January. The bill continues to evolve, most notably with the government removing the requirement for user-to-user platforms and search engines to prevent adult users from encountering "legal but harmful" content, instead requiring online platforms to provide users with enhanced content controls (i.e., choice as to what content is seen), and imposing further obligations around transparency and enforcement of online platforms' terms and conditions. "Legal but harmful" obligations remain in place for under 18s. The government has recently agreed to introduce criminal sanctions for senior managers who fail to take proportionate measures to protect children from potentially harmful content.
Read moreThe Model Anti-SLAPP Law: an overview
Following the Government's response to the SLAPP consultation in the summer, the UK Anti-SLAPP coalition (a working group that includes English PEN, the Foreign Policy Centre and Index on Censorship, "the Coalition") has this week published a model Anti-SLAPP law, which has been endorsed by a collection of free speech and anti-corruption organisations, journalists, editors and lawyers.
Read moreInterim injunctions and competing public interests (Attorney General v BBC)
In Her Majesty's Attorney General for England and Wales v British Broadcasting Corporation [2022] EWHC 826 (QB), an interim injunction has been granted in favour of the Attorney General (AG) to restrain the BBC from broadcasting the identity and image of an alleged covert human intelligence source for MI5 (known only as ‘X’) who is accused of being abusive to two former partners and using his position with MI5 to terrorise and control one of the women. The injunction was granted on the basis that, while it "represented a very significant interference with the right of the BBC to freedom of expression and the correlative right of the public to receive the information the BBC wishes to publish" [23], such a measure was necessary in order to prevent a real and immediate risk to X’s life or safety, as well as the potential wider impact of publication on national security.
Read moreGovernment "crackdown" on "gagging clauses" is not new, but an important reminder
The use of confidentiality clauses and non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) by employers, whether as standalone agreements, or forming terms within employment contracts, settlement agreements, or COT3 agreements, has been subject to considerable scrutiny in the UK in recent years - despite existing professional obligations on UK regulated lawyers not to advance all-encompassing, unlimited NDAs.
Read moreReforms to working time record-keeping, holiday pay and entitlement, and TUPE consultation
The government has issued its response to the consultation on reforms to retained EU employment law proposed earlier this year.
Read moreSenior executive leaving? Six steps to protect your business
When an executive or key strategic employee departs your organisation, protecting your organisation's business interests is paramount.
Read moreTips On Implementing Menopause Support Policies At Work
The conversation around menopause and its associated challenges is undoubtedly becoming more open and frequent, with people in the public eye speaking out about their experiences and urging women and others experiencing menopause to seek support and treatment.
Read moreRepeal of provisions relating to COVID-19 vaccination under the Employment Ordinance
The Labour Department announced on 12 April 2023 that the provisions under the Employment Ordinance ("EO") relating to a legitimate COVID-19 vaccination request (the "Vaccination Provisions") will be repealed with effect on 16 June 2023, one year after they first came into effect on 17 June 2022.
Read moreExpansion of the Pilot Scheme on Immigration Facilitation for Visitors Participating in Short-term Activities in Designated Sectors
The "Pilot Scheme on Immigration Facilitation for Visitors Participating in Short-term Activities in Designated Sectors" (the "Pilot Scheme") was launched back on 1 June 2022 to last for two years.
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