Welcome to AdmiraltyLaw.com. This site is about Canadian maritime law, shipping law, marine law, fisheries law, the law of marine insurance and the law of the sea, ships and shipping. There are over 1,000 cases in our database which we have summarized and categorized. In addition, we have commentaries and papers on various topics of maritime and fisheries law and links to relevant statutes and regulations.

This site is maintained by Darren Williams and Robert Anderson of LeagueLaw.com. The Fisheries Pages are maintained by Brad Caldwell of Caldwell & Co. Please contact us with your comments or suggestions.

Readers are urged to consult CanLii for updates to the cases digested on this site.

Agent - Athens Convention - Carrier - Ferry - Servant

Sperling v. Queen of Nanaimo, 2020 BCSC 1852

In Carriage of Passengers by Sea, Uncategorized on November 27, 2020

Précis: The BC Supreme Court could not determine if suppliers of a ferry propulsion system were “agents or servants” of a carrier for the purposes of the Athens Convention

Full Summary

Definition of Navigable Water - Navigable waters - Part of an Aqueous Highway - Riparian

Blackwell v. Genier, 2020 ONSC 1170

In Docks Wharves and Marinas, Injunctions, Other Practice Topics on November 13, 2020

Précis: The definition of “navigable water” in the Canadian Navigable Waters Act has replaced the common law test of navigability that the waterway must be part of an aqueous highway.

Full Summary

Port Worker - Security Clearance - Stare Decisis

Canadian Maritime Workers Council v. Canada (Attorney General), 2020 FC 177

In Other Practice Topics on November 13, 2020 (Updated January 30, 2020)

Précis: The Federal Court rejected Charter arguments where the same arguments had been determined by a higher Court and the arguments were not based on enumerated or analogous grounds.

Full Summary

Cabotage - Coasting Trade - Judicial Review - Marine Activities of a Commercial Nature - Standby

Global Marine Systems Ltd. v. Canada (Transport), 2020 FC 414

In Judicial Review, Other Practice Topics on March 25, 2020

Précis: The Federal Court found that standby activities of a vessel in Canadian waters were marine activities of a commercial nature and a violation of Canadian cabotage laws.

Full Summary

Cargo - Carriage - Freight Forwarder - Himalaya Clause - Shipments - Terms

Labrador-Island Link General Partner Corporation v. Panalpina Inc., 2019 FC 740, 2020 FCA 36

In Limitation Periods in Maritime Law on February 4, 2020 (Updated June 07, 2019)

Précis: The Federal Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal of a decision of the Federal Court which found that a claim brought against a freight forwarder and preforming carrier was subject to a 9 month limitation period and therefore time barred.

Full Summary

Bill of Lading - Cargo - Carriage of Goods by Water - Contract - Stay

Arc-En-Ciel Produce Inc. v. MSC Belle (Ship) 2020 FC 23, 2020 FC 23

In Other Practice Topics, Stays of Proceedings on January 29, 2020

Précis: The Federal Court refused to stay proceedings under section 46 of the Marine Liability Act where a strong cause was shown.

Full Summary

Federal Paramountcy - Federal Public Property - Interjurisdictional Immunity - Stevedoring

R. v. Great Lakes Stevedoring Company Ltd., 2019 ONCJ 895

In Constitutional Issues in Maritime Law, Offences in a Marine Context on December 18, 2019

Précis: The Ontario Court of Justice held that valid provincial law applied to unloading activities of a stevedoring company operating on federal property.

Full Summary

Coverage - Insurance - Policy - Renewal - Waterborne

Midnight Marine Limited v. Aviva Insurance Company of Canada, 2019 NLSC 228

In Admiralty Practice, Marine Insurance on December 17, 2019

Précis: The Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador held the defendant insurer did not have to cover a loss from an excluded risk that was incorporated by reference to the original insuring agreement.

Full Summary

Barges - Injunction - Nuisance - Trespass

Her Majesty the Queen v B & B Barges Ltd., 2019 BCSC 2160

In In Rem Actions and Arrest, Injunctions on December 13, 2019

Précis: The Supreme Court of British Columbia granted an interlocutory injunction against two barges located on Crown land.

Full Summary

Bail. Reasonably Best Arguable - Charter - Lost Profits

Norstar Shipping and Trading Ltd. v. The Rosy (Ship), 2019 FC 1572

In Admiralty Practice, Arbitration/Jurisdiction Clauses in Maritime Law, Bail on December 9, 2019

Prećis: The Federal Court set bail for release of a ship and ordered security for costs relating to a charter dispute that was subject to London Arbitration.

Full Summary