Read on for syllabus content of the Foundation Diploma in Admiralty Law and Practice...

Admiralty law is focused on the ship and is regarded as the ‘wet’ side of maritime law and this Foundation Diploma provides a comprehensive understanding of maritime law including that relating to collisions, salvage, towage and pollution as well as jurisdiction and limitation of liability. 

Written by a faculty of legal experts, the course materials assume no previous qualifications, although students would benefit from some previous basic familiarity with maritime legal concepts.

Being studied by part-time distance education you will learn during the course at your own speed and when it is most convenient for you. You will benefit from full tutorial support from the Course Director via the online course forum, where you will also be able to network and share your learning experience with your fellow students.

The course delivers a comprehensive and practical insight into maritime law and its underpinning commercial, safety and environmental codes and principles, including:

Introduction to Admiralty Law and Practice
   • Maritime claims
   • Beneficial ownership and existing commercial reality in shipping
   • One-ship companies in the shipping business
   • Basic concepts of flag state, flags of convenience and registration of vessels
   • The ISM Code and why it is relevant to the study of admiralty law and practice
   • Basic shipping technology relevant to the study of admiralty law and practice
   • Other relevant terminology

Collisions at Sea – Consequences and Liability
   • Collisions and their consequences
   • The parties potentially liable for the consequences of a collision
   • Pollution liabilities arising from a collision
   • Deciding the governing law and which court has jurisdiction over disputes arising out of a collision
   • Limitation of liability and provision of security for claims
   • Evidence collection
   • The determination of liability
     - Causation
     - Apportionment of liability

Collisions at Sea – Damages
   • Remoteness of damages
     - General principles
     - Kind and extent of damage
     - Mitigation of loss or damage
   • Assessment of damages
     - General principles
     - Total loss and partial loss
     - Loss of profit
     - Detention and dock charges

Salvage
   • Context in which the law of salvage has evolved
   • Underlying principles of the law of salvage
   • Preconditions of the law of salvage
   • The principle of “No Cure No Pay”
   • The advent of Environmental Salvage
   • The pro-rata principle for contribution towards salvage awards
   • Salvors’ negligence
   • Procedural issues for salvage claims

For full syllabus details and course fee information, download the full Foundation Diploma in Admiralty Law and Practice course prospectus here.

Towage
   • Principles of towage
   • The making of the contract and implied terms
   • Relationship of tug and tow to third party claimants
   • Standard Towage Conditions
   • Towage distinguished from salvage
   • Limitation of liability

Liability for Oil Pollution
   • Oil pollution from tankers
   • Application of the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage (CLC)
   • Limitation of liability for oil pollution under the CLC
   • Admissibility and assessment of claims
   • Pollution from ships’ bunkers
   • Limitation of liability for bunker spills
   • Liability of particular parties
   • Response to an incident
   • Criminal liability
   • Current legal developments

General Average – General Principles
   • Basic principles
   • Types of general average loss
   • Substituted expenses
   • Application of the York-Antwerp Rules
   • Adjustment
   • Liability to contribute
   • Concluding remarks

Nature of the Admiralty Jurisdiction
   • Introduction to admiralty jurisdiction and brief historical development
   • Mode of exercise of admiralty jurisdiction
   • Ship arrest and procedure
   • Liens
   • Priorities of claims

Rules and Doctrines Relevant to Admiralty Practice
   • Time limits
   • Forum non conveniens
   • Anti-suit injunctions
   • Arbitration agreements and stays
   • Relevant EU rules and conventions

Limitation of Liability
   • Introduction
   • The 1957 Convention
   • The 1976 Convention
   • Which vessels can limit liability
   • Which parties can limit liability
   • Claims against which limitation of liability can be invoked
   • The limits of liability
   • The 1996 Protocol
   • Procedure – how to invoke limitation of liability
   • How to set up a limitation fund in England: the mechanics
   • Forum shopping

For full syllabus details and course fee information, download the full Foundation Diploma in Admiralty Law and Practice course prospectus here.