Third-Party Liability of Classification Societies: A Comparative Perspective (Hamburg Studies on Maritime Affairs)

✍ Scribed by Jürgen Basedow, Wolfgang Wurmnest

• Publisher: Springer
• Year: 2005
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 138
• Edition: 1
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

With the worldwide upsurge of lawsuits against classification societies, their liability towards third parties has become one of the most contentious issues in contemporary maritime law. Against this background, the authors analyze potential third-party claims and examine to what extent classification societies may limit their liability. The study highlights the development in Australian, English, French, New Zealand, U.S. and German law.

✦ Table of Contents

Contents......Page 10
Preface......Page 6
Summary Contents......Page 8
About the Authors......Page 13
Abbreviations......Page 14
Introduction......Page 17
A. Scope of Activities......Page 21
B. Economic Background of Ship Classification......Page 23
C. Class and Classification Rules......Page 24
D. Classification Surveys......Page 25
E. Conclusion......Page 29
I. Basic Principles......Page 30
II. Liability under the Tort of Negligence......Page 31
B. New Zealand......Page 36
I. Basic Principles......Page 37
II. Liability under the Tort of Negligence......Page 38
I. Basic Principles......Page 41
II. Liability under the Tort of Negligence......Page 42
III. Liability under the Tort of Negligent Misrepresentation......Page 45
I. Basic Principles......Page 48
1. Ship Buyer Cases......Page 50
2. Other Third-Party Cases......Page 52
F. Conclusion......Page 53
I. Legislative Restraint......Page 54
II. Extension of Third-Party Liability in Case Law......Page 55
III. Conclusion......Page 58
B. Contract to Provide Information......Page 59
C. Contract with Protective Effects towards Third Parties......Page 60
1. Classification Agreements......Page 61
2. Legal Basis......Page 62
3. Prerequisites for Expanding the Scope of Protection to Third Parties......Page 63
II. Application to Classification Agreements......Page 65
1. Differences as Compared to Typical Cases of Professional Liability......Page 66
2. Restricting the Group of Claimants......Page 67
3. Limitations of Liability in Martitme Law......Page 68
4. Pure Economic Loss......Page 71
1. Ship Purchasers......Page 74
2. Hull Underwriters......Page 81
3. Shippers and Freight Forwarders......Page 82
5. Crew Members and Passengers......Page 84
D. Claims based on the Doctrine of Culpa in Contrahendo......Page 87
I. Prospectus Liability......Page 88
II. Liability of Agent Availing Himself of Special Relationship of Trust......Page 89
I. Liability under § 823 (1) BGB......Page 90
II. Liability under § 823 (2) BGB......Page 91
III. Liability under § 826 BGB......Page 92
V. Product Liability......Page 93
F. Conclusion......Page 96
I. Misconduct by the Injured Party......Page 98
II. Misconduct by Third Parties......Page 99
I. Background......Page 100
II. Validity of Limitation of Liability Clauses......Page 101
2. Liability Caps and Exclusions for Ordinary Negligence......Page 102
3. Limiting the Personal Liability of Directors, Officers and Agents......Page 107
4. Conclusion......Page 108
2. Liability Limitations and Contracts Having Protective Effects towards Third Parties......Page 109
C. Conclusion......Page 113
Part 5: Conclusion......Page 115
Bibliography......Page 118
Table of Cases......Page 126
Table of Main Statutes......Page 130
C......Page 134
L......Page 135
S......Page 136
W......Page 137