Theory versus policy in the reform of admiralty jurisdiction
by Hilton Staniland
International Journal of Private Law (IJPL), Vol. 6, No. 4, 2013

Abstract: The enforcement of maritime claims in English admiralty law and jurisdiction is based on the action in rem and the action in personam. The nature of, and relationship between, these actions is traditionally explained on the basis of competing fictions and theories, in particular, the personification theory and the procedural theory, which lead to widely different results in the enforcement of maritime claims. In this respect, many Commonwealth jurisdictions have departed from English law. It is argued that the admiralty jurisdiction and law of Namibia is the same as English law as of 1890; and, in drafting new legislation to repeal and replace the law of 1890, the author contends that the legislation should reflect clear policy objectives and that the competing and unreliable fictions and theories should not serve as a basis for legislative reform. The draft legislation is then subjected to detailed analysis to determine that the policy objectives (serving the interests of both national and international litigants), are achieved.

Online publication date: Fri, 29-Nov-2013

The full text of this article is only available to individual subscribers or to users at subscribing institutions.

 
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.

Pay per view:
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.

Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Private Law (IJPL):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:

    Username:        Password:         

Forgotten your password?


Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.

If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com