New University centre advances maritime law studies
Crimes at sea, marine pollution, fisheries, shipping and international marine boundaries will be studied at a new University of Queensland research and teaching centre.
The University has established a Centre for Maritime Law which also will focus on areas including marine insurance, governance of the oceans, carriage of goods by sea, international conventions on marine matters, oceans policy, Admiralty jurisdiction, collisions and groundings, salvage, bounty and ransom, pilotage, Port State control, and dispute resolution.
"As 97 percent by volume of Australian export trade is carried out by sea, the law arising from this extensive area of commercial activity is formidable," Centre executive director Dr Michael White QC said.
Dr White and Dr Sarah Derrington head the new Centre, the only one of its kind in the Australasian region.
"The new centre will be a focal point for people with marine interests," Dr Derrington said. "We're not taking the place of law firms but the Centre will look at strategic planning and policy project work not tackled by these groups."
Dr Derrington said the Centre would promote research and develop tuition within the University's T.C. Beirne School of Law in all aspects of maritime law and law of the sea. It aimed to provide the legal profession and academia, law students, government and the marine and shipping industries with detailed information and specialist expertise.
The Centre has commenced a number of programs and initiatives. They include six new postgraduate subjects. It is proposed that international students, including students from Marquette University in Milwaukee, will undertake courses offered through the Centre. A new course in 2000, the interdisciplinary Master of Marine Studies would allow students to do subjects across disciplines, such as science, economics and law through its related Centre for Marine Studies.
As well as offering specialised subjects at undergraduate and postgraduate levels from graduate certificate through to masters and PhD, the Centre's activities will include visits and exchanges with international scholars, an essay competition, continuing education seminars, and interdisciplinary projects with the University's Centre for Marine Studies.
Head of the T.C. Beirne School of Law Professor Tony Tarr said the new centre would enhance the School and support other University courses. Professor Tarr said the legal profession had reacted with enthusiasm to the new centre and he anticipated significant financial support through sponsorships and consultancies.
Dr White, a Master Mariner, former Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Australian Navy and submariner, has practised as a barrister for 24 years. The author of a book on marine pollution in the Australasian region, he has been a visiting scholar to Nantes University, France and Tulane University, USA, both with leading maritime law centres. Centre director Dr Sarah Derrington this year was awarded her PhD on marine insurance law. She has taught in maritime law for some years and is the current course co-ordinator in this area.
Media: Further information: Dr Sarah Derrington telephone 07 3365 3320, or Dr Michael White QC 3365 2120
