Shippers council hosts annual maritime seminar for judges

Segun OladipupoThe Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute is set to host the 16th edition of the Annual International Maritime Seminar for Judges.The event which will be chaired by His Lordship, Hon. Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour, retired justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, holds from 5th to 7th July, 2022.In the release by Rakiya Dhikru-Yagboyaju, Head, Public Relations of the Council, the event, aptly described by stakeholders as the “prime event in the maritime calendar in Nigeria” will take place at Ladi Kwali Centre, Sheraton Abuja Hotel, from 5th – 7th July, 2022, from 9:00am – 5:00pm daily.“As the industry arbiter, it is the mandate of the Council to ensure judicial officers, legal and maritime practitioners as well as Legal Advisers and in-house counsel in the employ of public and private sectors of the economy are abreast of contemporary issues in this special area of the law that has to do with adjudication on maritime matters” the council stated.“The 16th edition, which would have taken place in 2020, was postponed due to the global lockdown caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, promises to be engaging and enriching.

“It is expected to generate tremendous awareness on contemporary developments in shipping and International Trade.The Honourable, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Honourable Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, GCON will serve as the Special Guest of Honour.

While The Honourable Minister of Transportation, Sen. Gbemisola Ruqayyah Saraki will be the Chief Host. An array of eminent jurists, erudite scholars and seasoned Maritime/Legal practitioners from the judiciary, foreign experts from Kenya and Australia will deliver papers aimed at addressing several burning and complex issues bedeviling the maritime industry.Topics include:a. Application of Torts and Bailment in Bill of Lading Contracts;b. Current Issues in Port Operations (Standard Operating Procedure in ports and arising legal issues, Nigerian Customs E-Vin Valuation Method, matters arising);c. Current Issues in Maritime Adjudication and Practice (The Challenges of simple Contracts in the adjudication of maritime claims in Nigeria; ‘Sui Generis’ in Admiralty and the Jurisdiction over Crew wages in Nigeria; and Cargo Clearance & the Limits of Admiralty Jurisdiction.);d. Security of the Maritime Domain (Piracy and Armed Robbery at Sea): Suppression of Piracy and other Maritime Offences (SPOMO) Act, Matters Arising;e. Case Management in the Resolution of Maritime Disputes: Alternative Dispute Resolution, Arbitration and the use of Technology; andf. Stress Management. Participants at the seminar include Justices of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and Judges of the Federal and States High Courts, Legal Advisers, in-house Counsel, Legal and Maritime Practitioners as well as industry stakeholders.Other distinguished dignitaries expected at the occasion include The Chief Justices of The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Sierra Leone and South Africa along with some Justices/Judges of these countries’ respective judiciaries.