Soliciting Maritime Justice: The Unique Career of Maritime Solicitors
A law professional who addresses the law proceedings, including even those conducted in the courts is known as a solicitor. Sometimes solicitors do not present themselves at courts but counsellors and lawyers present the case in the court based on the solicitor’s brief. The term solicitor came into existence in the year 1873 in England and Wales when the Supreme Court was unified and all the legal professionals came to be known under the term Solicitors of the Supreme Court.
Maritime law is a wide arena because of the nature of its coverage area. Admiralty law covers not just commercial activities taking place in the oceans but also deals extensively on the piracy issue. Also the aspects of claims and compensations in case of any accidents and injuries are quite complex and require a thorough understanding.
This is why the scope of the role and responsibilities of maritime solicitors in the encompassing field of maritime law is quite vast. They have to ensure that the application and enforcement of marine law is done in such a manner that there no chances of any loopholes occurring.
A maritime solicitor needs to be aware of the many unique, varied and accepted marine law rules pertaining to different countries. This is will help the solicitor to work more feasibly towards achieving his clients’ interest in the international platform with a better understanding of the subject.
Marine solicitors also need to be ethical along with being professional. This is because if the engaged marine solicitor is unethical and unprofessional, it would harm the best interests of the client ultimately and reflect badly on the entire profession of admiralty lawyers. It is also important for the solicitor practising admiralty law to have experience under his belt. Experienced lawyers will be able to work more conveniently with the established international marine norms and regulations.
Mentioned below are a few areas that come under the purview of a maritime solicitor:
- Cargo Claims
- Bill of Lading Dispute
- Aspects of Insurance and re-insurance
- Quality conflicts pertaining to bunkers
- Aspects of marine salvage
- Agreements pertaining to agency
- Injuries
- Freight forwarding
- Claims of damage to the machinery and the hull of the ship
In order to take up the profession of a maritime solicitor, one needs to take up a Masters program in Law after completing the Bachelor’s program. This is due to the fact that not many institutions across the world offer a specialised course designed for maritime law in the Bachelor’s program.
The profession of being maritime solicitors is one which is very unique. This is why more people need to enter the profession so that it does not become a rare occurrence in the field of admiralty law.
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