Marine Insurance: Cover and Practice

Module overview

London has a strong marine insurance and reinsurance market. The English law on marine insurance developed by the market and by the judiciary have influenced the legal principles of marine insurance globally. This module introduces marine insurance practice and marine cover, and considers the main legal issues arising from claims and the further developments of English law through cases.

We will focus on specific types of risks and losses which a ship owner or a cargo owner will usually seek to cover in the marine insurance market, most notably partial or total loss of property and collision liability insurance under a hull and machinery policy; expenses and liability insurance from a P & I Club and also the range of cover which cargo interests may obtain. The key standard form contracts used in the London market are analysed and evaluated.

This module will also look into some legal principles relating to insurance claims and liability in detail, notably causation and third party issues arising insurance claims including direct claims against insurers and insurers’ subrogated claims against wrongful third parties.

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Analyse relevant legal materials, including statutes, case law and the modern standard form marine insurance contracts.
Appraise and criticise existing debates in marine insurance claims under English law, using appropriate legal research skills.
Apply the legal principles, with appropriate legal authorities, in the solution of complex problems.
Draft legal advice based upon such problems.
Identify and explain the main principles relating to marine insurance coverage and claims.

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Think critically, develop coherent arguments in writing.
Identify and analyse key issues.
Display clarity and objectivity in written discussion demonstrating an awareness of issue of academic integrity.
Distinguish relevant from irrelevant materials.

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

Existing areas of debate about what the law is and what it ought to be, both in England and internationally.
The practice of marine insurance market and the main risks and losses covered by marine insurance and the extent to which English law is influenced by internationally accepted principles.

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

This module is taught through lectures (8x2hours) and seminars (3x2hours). Lectures will introduce the principles and structure of the subject. You are expected to provide the main input to the seminars where the principles introduced in the lectures are applied to hypothetical scenarios.

The most important part of learning is your own independent study. This will, however, be closely guided, and firmly tied into the lectures, seminars and assessment. In the seminars you will have the opportunity to present arguments orally to a group of peers and defend your position under challenge.

Study time
Type	Hours
Blended Learning	22
Independent Study	128
Total study time	150

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

O Gurses (2016). Marine Insurance Law. Routledge.

J Gilman QC, et al ((2020, including 2nd supp)). Arnould: Law of Marine Insurance and Average. Sweet & Maxwell.

Assessment

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Essay

Assessment Type: Formative
Feedback: Individual feedback will be provided.
Final Assessment: No
Group Work: No

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Examination	100%

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Examination	100%

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Examination	100%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External