Panama plays host

Panama plays host

MARITIME law features significantly on the agenda of this year's Panama Maritime World Conference & Exhibition 2002.

Held this year at the Westin Caesar Park Hotel in Panama City from 24-27 February, 2002, and hosted by the Panama Maritime Law Association, the conference covers a large number of maritime legal issues. Among these is a proposal to review Panama's admiralty law, the use of mediation in maritime cases, and recent developments in cruiseship law.

Day three of the conference is almost entirely devoted to legal matters including the new CMI/UNCITRAL cargo liability regime, and liabilities of marine terminal operators, port authorities and tour operators. The conference also features a mock arbitration, prepared by the Society of Maritime Arbitrators, and looking at the application of the New York Rules.

But, of course, it's not all work. A half-day golf tournament at the Summit Golf Course, a gala dinner and presentation of the Panama Maritime Excellence Awards close the conference.

For more information visit www.panamamaritime.org.

Ince launches ADR guide

LONDON-based Ince & Co has launched a client guide to alternative dispute resolution (ADR). The guide, entitled The Dispute Revolution - A brief guide to mediation and ADR, outlines the benefits and practical implications of adopting mediation and ADR, explains the mechanics and terminology, and gives advice on how to get the best out of the system.

Copies of the guide can be obtained by contacting the marketing department at Ince & Co tel. +44 (0)20 7623 2011. The guide can also be downloaded from www.ince.co.uk.

Managing risk in 1,000 pages

DESCRIBED as a 'unique and first of its kind text', Modern Admiralty Law is the latest publication from Dr Aleka Mandaraka-Sheppard, founder member of the London Shipping Law Centre. The book, aimed at all professionals in the shipping industry, explains the legal principles of admiralty law, putting them into their commercial perspective and suggesting how legal risks should be managed. The consequences of non-compliance with the ISM Code are also looked at with an update of further measures being taken by the EC and IMO with regard to the safety of ships and cleaner seas.

Modern Admiralty Law costs £80.00 and is available through Cavendish Publishing Ltd. Tel. +44 (0)20 7278 8000 Fax. +44 (0)20 7278 8080 E-mail: sal...@cavendishpublishing.com or visit www.cavendishpublishing.com.

Countdown to IMDG

The Transportation of Dangerous Goods by Sea from Port to Port conference will take a detailed look at the impact of the IMDG Code.

Held in London from February 25-26, 2002, the conference will look at the challenges of achieving IMDG Code compliance, the need for maintaining safety standards and giving advice on liability management to reduce claims.

Rules and regulations for classifying, labelling and packaging dangerous goods, defining dangerous shipments, the role of port and terminal operators, training of the master and crew, inspection and investigation of incidents involving undeclared dangerous cargoes, insurance claims, risk management, and the legal responsibilities of everyone involved are just some of the topics to be addressed. Expert speakers include representatives from the International Cargo Handling Co-ordination Association, Lawrence Graham and P&O Nedlloyd.

If you want to know more about IMDG and the 2004 deadline, and you have £850 plus VAT spare to spare (who has?), then visit www.lloydslistevents.com or contact Claire Owen Tel. +44 (0)20 7552 1935 E-mail: clai...@informa.com.

Legal 500

IT may be January 2002, but the 2001 edition of Legal 500 - The Client's Guide to the UK Legal Profession has finally hit our desks. In fact, judging by the size of it, it should have gone straight through. A hardback tome with more than 1,300 pages of the UK's top law firms, barristers chambers and much more besides, it is one of largest and most widely-used reference points to the UK legal community available.

Its only flaw is that, with so much information in it, navigating your way around it can be quite confusing. The Maritime Advocate's advice is to forget the printed version, unless you need to build up your triceps, and stick to the online version at www.icclaw.com.