Ship arrest and stocking fillers

HOLDING a conference in the run-up to the end-of-year festivities is always a tricky business. But for those people with a few spare days in the diary amongst the pre-holiday cocktail parties, the Obtaining Security for Shipping conference - which, in the days when they called a space a spade, was called the Ship Arrest conference - could be just the thing. What's more, it is being held in London, so you can even use the visit as an excuse to buy your seasonal gifts from the likes of Harrods and Hamleys. Then again, maybe you don't need an excuse, and you have a genuine interest in ship arrest. Either way, this looks set to be a well-attended and truly international event.

Held at the Inmarsat Conference Centre on 7-8 December, 2000, the lure of London at the height of the festive season has attracted expert speakers from all parts of the world. What delegates will learn is how to obtain security in various jurisdictions, including Russia, China, the US, South Africa, the Netherlands, England, Wales and Spain. Topics under discussion in each case include arresting leased vessels, the need for counter-security, paperwork requirements, damages for wrongful arrest, and judicial sales.

Adding a truly international flavour to the event, speakers include Ignacio de Ros from Spain, Michael Pampallis from South Africa, Olga Baglay from Russia, Arshad Ghaffar and Paul Rodgers from the UK, Yang Shicheng from China, Lennard Rambusch from the US, and Carel van Lynden from the Netherlands.

You would be forgiven for thinking that the programme was little more than a country-by-country blow to ship arrest, detention and enforcement of awards. And, if it wasn't for the additional presentations looking at the 1999 arrest convention, asset tracing, sovereign/state immunity, the views of the P&I clubs, and maritime liens, maybe it would be.

Richard Shaw of the Institute of Maritime Law at the University of Southampton in the UK opens the event by looking at the difficulties of enforcing awards and judgements worldwide, and the entry-into-force prospects of the new arrest convention. Jonathan Lux, partner at Ince & Co, will provide an overview of the various remedies available, including arrest of sisterships, freezing orders, attachment of non-ship assets, and detention. Ince will also be holding a workshop which will examine the practical problems of arresting ships, using case studies, and an open forum to prompt debate and exchange of ideas among delegates.

Looking at maritime liens is Michael Nolan, a barrister at 4 Essex Court. Joe Corless of Oxford-based MRC Business Information Group will explain the processes and benefits of tracing assets. Finally, Ignacio de Ros, a Barcelona-based maritime lawyer, will discuss sovereign/state immunity.

So. International speakers, prime networking opportunities, and the chance to share information and practical experience. Arresting stuff, endorsed, of course, by The Maritime Advocate as the official conference magazine.

How do I register?

Registration forms can be found on the Lloyd's List Events website as www.lloydslistevents.com. Alternatively, customer services can be contacted on:
tel +44 (0)1932 893 888 or
fax +44 (0)1932 893 893.

How much does it cost?

The fee for delegates is £850.00 plus VAT. This includes lunch, refreshments and conference papers, if applicable.

Unable to attend but don't want to miss out?

For those unable to attend the conference, the papers are available for purchase from Lloyds' List Events priced £280.00 for UK orders and £299.00 for non-UK orders. Please contact Julie Fulk:
tel +44 (0)1932 355 244
fax +44 (0)1932 354 576.