Reinforces Swansea's Position as the Leading Academic Centre on Maritime Law

Annual Colloquium 2007

The Institute of International Shipping and Trade Law, based within the School of Law at Swansea University, held its third international colloquium on Time Charterparties. The two-day event (12-13 July) attracted 65 delegates from 11 different countries. The Colloquium not only provided an excellent opportunity to exchange ideas but also succeeded in encouraging vigorous and informed debate on the subject.

The following distinguished guests presented papers at the event:
Professor Yvonne Baatz (University of Southampton, UK); Professor Howard Bennett (University of Nottingham, UK), Mr David Foxton QC (Barrister, Essex Court Chambers, UK); Mr Christopher Hancock QC (Barrister, Essex Street Chambers, UK); Mr Mark Hamsher (Maritime Arbitrator, UK); Mr Paul Herring (Partner, Ince & Co, UK); Mr Grant Hunter (BIMCO, Denmark); Mr John D Kimball (Partner, Blank Rome LLP, USA); Professor Keith Michel (UCL, UK); Dr Theodora Nikaki (Swansea University, ISTL, UK) Professor Francis Reynolds (University of Oxford, UK); Dr Baris Soyer (Swansea University, ISTL, UK); Mr Andrew Taylor (Partner, Reed Smith Richards Butler, UK); Professor Andrew Tettenborn (University of Exeter, UK), Professor Rhidian Thomas (Swansea University, Director of ISTL, UK); Professor Richard Williams (Swansea University, ISTL, UK).

Sir Anthony Evans, retired Court of Appeal judge and maritime arbitrator, was also amongst the delegates and chaired one of the sessions.

From Left to Right: Mr Paul Herring (Partner, Ince & Co, UK), Sir Anthony Evans (Court of Appeal), Professor Howard Bennett (University of Nottingham, UK)     

Topics covered by the speakers included: construction of time charterparties, ascertaining the charter period, safe ports, seaworthiness, employment orders and indemnities, off-hire clauses, time charterparties and bills of lading, clauses paramount, war, terrorism and frustration, termination of time charterparties, slot charters, cargo claims and Inter-Club Agreement, damages and effectiveness of liens.

Professor Rhidian Thomas, Director of the Institute of International Shipping and Trade Law, commented “the positive response coming from various sectors of maritime law to the events organised by the Institute is very encouraging and the annual colloquia served to cement Swansea’s position as a leading centre of excellence in maritime law”.

The leading publisher in the field, Informa International, and sponsor of the event, published the papers delivered in a book entitled "Legal Issues related to Time Charterparties"  in 2008.