Maritime Law

Canadian Maritime Law is a separate and distinct body of law that requires a focused capability and experience. It is the law that governs matters relating to ships and the seas regardless of the court in which proceedings are commenced. It frequently can involve a constitutional law analysis of the division of powers between the Canadian Federal and Provincial Governments.

Our lawyers advise clients from all over the world, including oil and mineral exploration companies, marine regulators, marine insurance brokers and agents, banks and other marine financial institutions, marine insurers, protection and indemnity clubs (P & I Clubs), ship owners and charterers, cargo owners, stevedores, port authorities, shipbuilders and ship repairers, salvors, ship operators and managers, fishing companies and fish processors, freight forwarders, marine average adjusters, ship and charter brokers, marine surveyors and ships’ agents.

Our Maritime Law practice includes:

• Buying, selling and chartering vessels
• Importing vessels to Canadian flag
• Canadian regulatory requirements for vessels operating in Canadian waters
• Shipping Law
• Admiralty Law
• ‘Law of the Sea’ (International Maritime law)
• International Marine Environmental Law
• International Maritime Security Law
• Maritime Legislation Drafting

While our firm’s deep history parallels the development of maritime based industries, it is an evolving body of law and continues to have implications for our clients. At least 80% of world trade is moved across oceans and at some time those goods, vessels and the harbours they use are the subject matter of a marine policy. New shipping lanes contemplated in the Arctic, environmental issues or sovereignty and security matters, or green technology and energy, our Maritime Group proficiency evolves in advance of our client needs.  The strategic importance of world trade remains paramount to governments, manufacturers, farmers, miners, traders, ship owners and port operators all of which we have represented with respect to the varied aspects of Maritime Law.

Our experience includes:

• Buying, selling and chartering vessels;
• Shipbuilding and government procurement;
• Importing vessels to Canadian flag;
• Seeking Canadian regulatory requirements for vessels operating in Canadian waters;
• Managing international marine claims, protection, indemnity  and insurance;
• Identifying and overseeing ship owners’ limitation of liability and maritime liens; and
• Settling maritime personal injury and death.