In terms of Air Law, this course provides a
general introduction to the Air Law approach
and applies some basic concepts of the Civil
and Common Law traditions to the field of
Air Law. The main topics covered include:
- The nature of the contract of carriage;
- Aircraft manufacturer’s liability;
- State liability for negligent certification of
aircraft;
- Air traffic controllers liability;
- Liability for damage caused by aircraft on
the ground; and
- Contentious and non-contentious work
with respect to airliners, aircraft owners,
and carriers.
The course examines the unification of Private
International Air Law through the adoption
of international conventions. In particular, it
reviews the liability of the air carrier toward
passengers and shippers under the Warsaw
Convention System and under the Montreal
Convention of 1999. This course also
examines the basic framework of several
other conventions, notably the 1952 Rome
Convention on surface damage caused by
aircraft, and the two conventions adopted by the
ICAO in 2009 to replace the Rome Convention
(the Unlawful Interference Convention and the
Ground Damage Convention). Jurisdictional and
choice of law issues in relation to matters not
covered by international agreement, notably
manufacturers’ liability, will be reviewed.
Maritime Law: This course covers principles,
rules, norms, and sources of Maritime Law,
including:
- Acquisition, ownership, registration, and
related sale/purchase agreements of all
kinds of ships, container carriers, feeder
vessels, and modern wreck;
- Master and crew; the operation of
skip, including statutory requirements;
navigation and collisions; salvage; towage;
- Pilotage;
- Oil pollution liability; and
- Charter party dispute; contentions work
with respect to damages to goods,
wrecks, oil spills, marine insurance,
contentious and non-contentious work
with P&I clubs.
Language of Instruction: English (legal terms,
however, are also given in Arabic and French).