Module Information

Module Identifier
LAM0220
Module Title
Maritime Law
Academic Year
2016/2017
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2
Other Staff

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Seminar 11 x 2 Hour Seminars
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT OF 5,000-6,000 WORDS  80%
Semester Assessment ORAL PRESENTATION  20%
Supplementary Assessment WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT OF 5,000-6,000 WORDS TO BE RESUBMITTED, IF FAILED  80%
Supplementary Assessment ORAL PRESENTATION OR WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT IN LIEU OF ORAL PRESENTATION TO BE SUBMITTED, IF FAILED  20%

Learning Outcomes

On the completion of the module, student should be able to:
1. Demonstrate a detailed knowledge and understanding of and undertake a critical analysis of the key issues of the transportation of goods by sea
2. Display an in-depth understanding of the legislative frameworks for the protection of human lives, the marine environment and the goods in maritime operations
3. Demonstrate an understanding and engage critically in matters of legal complexity of piracy as an ever growing threat for human lives, states financial and security status, interests of private maritime actors and sustainability of universal resources
4. Be able to use a wide range of an evaluate the relevant legal instruments, body of literature and other key materials in the fields that will be discussed in the module and use them effectively in engaging in critical discussions of the subject on an individual and group basis
5. Demonstrate the ability to apply advanced skills and analytical tools to conduct research and express relevant informed arguments
6. Critically analyse and evaluate the key legal issues in the maritime arbitration procedure
7. Demonstrate an ability to engage critically and constructively with the rights of seafarers and the relevant regulatory framework

Brief description

The maritime industry has a pivotal position in the international commerce as it accounts for approximately 80% of transportation of goods. Whilst this is an established area of law, the industry is currently exposed to emerging concerns and threats, such as piracy, protection of the marine environment, arbitration as a developing method of dispute resolution, which give rise to new challenges for regulation and practice. This module will, therefore, provide postgraduate students registered on the International Commercial Law, Environmental Law and Human Rights, Environmental Law and Management schemes with an opportunity to learn about and gain a practical and critical insight of the legal issues that relate to the commercial and criminal aspects of the shipping industry and the transportation of goods by sea. This module will be appealing to students who aim to develop a sound and in-depth understanding of the key issues and regulatory frameworks that govern the operation and hire of vessels, ports, the protection of marine environment, people involved in the maritime industry, shipping documents, criminal aspects of maritime law such as piracy and the procedure of maritime arbitration. The module will enhance the provision of currently available schemes as well as expand their perspectives of study to trading by sea as a prevailing means of transportation of goods.

Content

Lecture 1: (a) Introduction-An overview of the content and main areas of
focus of the module
(b) Legal matters of flag of the vessel
Lecture 2: Charterparties
Lecture 3: Bills of Lading
Lecture 4: Collisions/maritime accidents
Lecture 5: Marine environment (United Nations Convention on the Law of
the Sea- UNCLOS)
International Conventions which relate to the structure,
equipment of the vessel, regulations of ports
Lecture 6: Seafarers’ rights-STCW
Lecture 7: The transportation of goods by sea
Shipping documents (including electronic documents)
Shipper’s-Buyer’s duties/rights, Passing of risk/property in the
goods
Lecture 8: Legal aspects of piracy
Lecture 9: Philosophical and Socio-political aspects of piracy
Lecture 10: Principal concepts and legal framework for alternative dispute
resolution for maritime disputes
Lecture 11: An oral presentation session

Transferable skills

Throughout the module, students will practise and develop their skills of research, analysis, time-management, oral and written presentation. In seminars they will develop their ability to listen, understand and explain subject related topics as well as present a point of view orally and discuss their thoughts with the rest of the class; their assignments will enable them to develop their skills of independent research, analysis, presentation and writing (including data collection and retrieval, IT and time management). All learning throughout the module will be relevant to a career in any legal profession.


Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7