Shipping and the environment

A FEATURE of the maritime sector is that so many people seem to be drawn to it more by a love of their subject than by its prospective rewards.

Take, for example, Shipping and the Environment (LLP, 1998). Here is a 1,300-page volume on the law and practice by Colin de la Rue (left) and Charles Anderson. There can be few lawyers kept busier by headline oilspills during the six years it took to complete what is now the standard work in its field. So what inspires legal practitioners to write textbooks as well? Georgina Noakes asked Colin de la Rue.

The preface to the book says, 'For the practitioner, the life of the law lies in the people whose affairs it affects.' Is that reflected in the book?

Certainly it seemed more appropriate to tackle the subject from the viewpoints of the various people involved rather than under purely legal headings. Hopefully, that sharpens the focus on things which matter in practice.

Did you see a particular market for a book of this kind?

All agreed there was a gap to be filled. Previous law books were out of date, and in this field it is especially important for legal aspects to be seen in context with other factors - political angles, technical issues, international practices and so on. These are often just as vital, but little had been written about them.

What role does the lawyer have in pollution cases?

There is less litigation than you might think - with multiple claimants there's a premium on keeping out of the courts. But a lot goes on behind the scenes. Apart from gathering evidence, one is normally collaborating closely with local lawyers, technical experts, compensation bodies, media consultants and many others in an effort to minimise the potential problems.

So was it an advantage for the book to be written by practitioners?

Well, at any rate by someone who has worked in this field. Charles and I both have elders and betters whose experience is greater, but who were perhaps constrained from writing by the offices they held or similar reasons. They were very generous in the support they gave.

What was your own reason for writing the book?

I suppose few practitioners would start such a thing without some professional reason in mind. But then, if that's the sole motive, I'm not sure how many would finish. I count myself lucky to have worked with people I really like and admire. That applies particularly to my closest colleagues, but also to others in the field whom I have worked with and learnt from. If I could also contribute to it something useful, then that was something I just had to do.

As they say in the acknowledgments, for some people it is, perhaps, "as much a way of life as a field of law."

WISTA's double celebration

WITH only four months to go until the most marketed date in history is upon us, we could all be forgiven for feeling slightly exhausted with Year 2000 events and memorabilia. But the WISTA (Women's International Shipping and Trading Association) calendar is one celebratory item which is a must for every office next year.

WISTA's year 2000 calendar features paintings on a maritime theme by children from around the world. A total of 37 paintings were submitted, created by the children, relatives and/or acquaintances of WISTA members. An international selection panel, headed by IMO secretary-general Bill O'Neil, chose the final artworks for the calendar at a private viewing in May.

The calendar also doubles as a celebration of the 25th anniversary of WISTA and will be available at its conference, to be held in London from October 6-9, 1999. It is designed to bring WISTA, the shipping industry and the young members of society closer together by encouraging children to be more aware of the sea and of the work of WISTA members.

SS

For further details please contact Nicola Davies at Berwin Leighton
Tel. 0171 623 3144

Letter of the law

JOE Himicki is vice-president of Connecticut-based MT Maritime Management Corp. He is also a member of the Society of Maritime Arbitrators in New York, and is currently studying for a law degree.

He clearly has all the bases covered, but he isn't planning to dispense with the help of lawyers. As the operator of about 25 chemical and products tankers, he recognises the need for confident, decisive and knowledgeable legal advice.

You can read more about Joe's views on lawyers and the law in SHIPPING Lawgram, the first issue of a quarterly newsletter from Lawrence Graham's London office. Other items in Lawgram include an update on the new ship arrest convention, and the first in a series of legal scenarios from hell featuring such characters as Capt Slapdash and his vessel Try Again, owned by Ever Hopeful SA.

Lots of law firms are producing newsletters these days. Not all of them are as readable as this one.