Identifying parties in contractual shipping documentation

Table of contents

• Original news
• What was the outcome of this case?
• What issues did this case raise?
• To what extent is the judgment helpful in clarifying the law in this area?
• What are the implications for practitioners? What will they need to be mindful of when advising clients?
• Are there still unresolved issues lawyers need to watch out for?

Article summary

Commercial analysis: How will the court approach the identification of parties to a contract where documentary evidence is lacking and particularly where the legal certainty of a term like ‘disponent owners’ is unclear? Head of marine and international trade and partner at Stephenson Harwood LLP Mike Phillips has studied the judgment and concludes that it reminds us of the need to get the basics right every time. Particularly, when it comes to the identity of parties in contractual documentation, identifying parties and third parties by name is always better than identifying them solely by reference to their role.