sjørett

Sjørett, also known as maritime law or admiralty law, is the body of law that governs activities relating to maritime commerce and navigation. It encompasses a broad range of legal issues that arise on the seas, oceans, and navigable waterways. Key areas of sjørett include contracts related to shipping, such as charter parties and bills of lading, and torts occurring on navigable waters, like collisions between vessels and maritime personal injury claims.

This legal field also addresses the rights and responsibilities of shipowners, seafarers, and passengers. It covers issues such as salvage, which deals with the rescue of ships and their cargo, and general average, a principle where all parties involved in a sea venture share losses incurred to save the whole venture. Furthermore, sjørett regulates marine pollution, the carriage of goods by sea, and the enforcement of maritime liens, which are security interests in a vessel to secure payment for maritime claims.

Jurisdiction in sjørett can be complex, often involving national laws, international conventions, and the specific location where the maritime event occurred. International treaties, such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and various conventions developed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), play a significant role in harmonizing sjørett principles globally. The underlying purpose of sjørett is to ensure the orderly and safe conduct of maritime activities and to provide a framework for resolving disputes arising from them.