The 8th Annual UK Ports Conference took place at Hill Dickinson LLP’s office at Broadgate Tower, London on 24th – 25th May. This extended two day event discussed, amongst other things, the changing policy and regulations within the sector and the legal issues that ports face in today’s uncertain world.
Maria Pittordis, Head of Marine, Trade and Energy at Hill Dickinson LLP, presented on the topic of ‘Identifying and managing the legal risks for port operations’. This broad narrative incorporated vital issues for the sector including the importance of stringent health and safety procedures, from a criminal and civil perspective, vicarious liability, corporate manslaughter and liabilities arising from acts of terrorism by third parties.
Drawing on a number of cases, Maria outlined the responsibilities that companies have regarding the welfare of their employees and the potentially severe consequences if these regulations are not adhered to. Maria also discussed how best to mitigate these risks through preventative measures.
Indeed, according to Maria a total of 728 cases were prosecuted for health and safety breaches between 2014 and 2015, including cases where multiple offences were brought, while 586 cases were prosecuted by HSE in England and Wales, an increase of 2% from the previous year, of which 544 convictions (93%) were secured.
A total of £19 million worth of fines were metered out by courts in the year in question, Maria told delegates.
Addressing delegates, Maria said there were a number of common themes when it came to preventing accidents. These included employing a policy of continuous risk assessment and promotion of safety; having and implementing safe systems of work and SMS; maintaining and repairing port premises and equipment; training and educating employees and where appropriate contractors; implementing corrective actions recommended following an accident or near miss; carrying out inspections and audits; as well as complying with legal/statutory obligations regarding operations; and complying with relevant codes of practice and industry standards.
Maria recommended that companies engage emergency planning to include drills and legal issues not just operational aspects of an incident and institute policies, guidelines and training regarding investigations and report writing “to ensure that reports and statements record facts not opinion or assumptions and understanding that causation and corrective actions cannot be identified immediately.”
It was up to directors and senior managers to be aware of legal issues affected by all relevant parties before an incident, Maria warned.
With more than 30 years’ experience in litigation, Maria Pittordis also heads up the Marine Personal Injury team in London. She is a Health and Safety specialist and offers advice and training to clients on their responsibilities.
-ENDS –
For Further Information Please Contact:
Victoria Leporiere, Elaborate Communications Tel: +44 (0)1296 682356
Cara Newton, Hill Dickinson Tel: +44 (0)151 600 8922
Notes to Editor
About Hill Dickinson
Hill Dickinson is a leading and award-winning international law firm with more than 1,150 people including 190 partners operating across 8 offices in the UK, mainland Europe and Asia, servicing the marine trade and energy markets. With strong roots in the shipping industry, the firm delivers advice and strategic guidance spanning the full legal spectrum, from non-contentious advisory work to all forms of dispute resolution.
The Marine Trade and Energy Division is led by Maria Pittordis. In addition to the global shipping team the team boasts:
- a top tier commodities team led by Jeff Isaacs
- the leading yacht practice led by Tony Allen
- the leading marine personal injury and regulatory practice led by Maria Pittordis
- highly praised cargo and logistics team led by Adrian Marsh
- a leading Marine Insurance team led by Rhys Clift
- recent appointment of a leading aviation team
The heads of the international offices are:
Mike Mallin / Damien Laracy in Hong Kong
Tony Goldsmith in Singapore
Patrick Hawkins in Greece
David Reardon in Monaco
The firm has acted on many high profile casualties including the “COSTA CONCORDIA”.
Hill Dickinson’s marine lawyers, consistently rank in the top tier of industry publications such as Legal 500, Chambers and Superlawyer.
Hill Dickinson’s global shipping team acts for the full range of shipowners, cruise and ferry operators, charterers, shipyards, P&I clubs, and port and terminal operators, to underwriters and traders, salvors, and the cargo, logistics and warehousing industries. From shippers, traders, commodities end-users and trade associations such as GAFTA and the RSA, to specialist yacht finance houses and banks, owners and borrowers.
The Legal 500 says: ‘Hill Dickinson has a ‘strong’ commercial and regulatory practice’ with ‘real depth of expertise and a user-friendly approach really makes it stand out from its competitors’.’
For further information about the firm and its partners please visit www.hilldickinson.com
