Scope of the Field of Work
The firm’s field of work focuses on the Public International Law of the Sea, as it is codified in international conventions and ratified in Germany, and its implications on private economy. This does not include special matters like maritime commercial law, law of maritime traffic, national mining laws applying to the respective continental shelves, maritime labour laws, laws regulating fisheries except where included within the regulations of UNCLOS III, and all national and regional legal regulations concerning inland waters.
Significant legal sources are, amongst others, German ratification laws of the following international conventions, including those German regulations legislated in implementation thereof:
• United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS III), dated 12/10/1982, including the Agreement on the Implementation of Part XI thereof, dated 07/28/1994, implemented by the act “Ausführungsgesetz Seerechtsübereinkommen 1982/1994”, dated 07/06/1995, BGBl I page 778;
• Statute of the Internationalen Tribunal of the Law of the Sea of the United Nations (ITLOS), agreed upon as Appendix 6 to UNCLOS III and published in the same place;
• Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter („London Konvention“), dated 02/15/1972 and 12/29/1972, publication of entering into force see BGBL (1977) II, page 165;
• Protocol to the London Convention, 11/07/1996, BGBl (1998) II, page 1345;
• International Convention for the Prevention of Marine Pollution from Ships („MARPOL“), 11/02/1973, BGBl (1982) II page 2,
all including any additions and (further) amendments. For direct access to international sources please see „Links“.