This course examines the law for the carriage of goods by sea by considering Charterparties and Bills of lading law. Charterparty law concerns the hiring of a ship for the purpose of using it for carriage of goods. What cargo the ship carries, where and when the ship should load and where should this be delivered are issues determined under the charterparty. Commonly used time and voyage charterparty forms will be considered. When the goods are loaded onto a ship a shipping document is issued as a receipt of what has been put onboard. However, some shipping documents, Bills of Lading in particular, may have additional functions. The shipowner is legally bound to deliver the goods to the holder of the Bill of lading. Furthermore, where the goods arrive damaged the bill of lading may be the evidence of the contract of carriage on which the receiver of the goods can sue. In many cases the bills of lading incorporate the charterparty clauses and this provides for further complexity Bills of lading are transferable thus the goods can be sold while transported. Contractual rights are transferred to the holder of the bill of lading by statute and minimum protection against unfair contractual terms is provided under international conventions, such as the Hague-Visby Rules. Students who attend this course will learn how this relevant and practical area of commercial law operates in detail and develop competency in understanding the issues involved in cargo claims.

Exam: The use of GenAI is not allowed.

Applicable to students admitted before Semester A 2022/23 and in Semester A 2024/25 & thereafter

Students must obtain a minimum mark of 40% in examination in order to pass the course. Students are required to use computers to type their answers. During the examination, students will have access to statutory materials and international conventions.

Applicable to students admitted from Semester A 2022/23 to Summer Term 2024

Students must obtain a minimum mark of 50% in examination in order to pass the course. Students are required to use computers to type their answers. During the examination, students will have access to statutory materials and international conventions.