The carrier\u27s liability in the Draft Convention on the Carriage of Goods (Wholly or partly) (by Sea)

Abstract

Raščlanjuju se odredbe o odgovornosti u novom Nacrtu konvencije o prijevozu stvari (u cijelosti ili djelomično)(morem). Ukazuje se na različite prijedloge i dvojbe njezinih sastavljača u vezi konvencijskog normiranja pojedinih pitanja, te se uspoređuju rješenja Nacrta konvencije s rješenjima postojećih konvencija kojima je uređen prijevoz stvari morem. Analiziraju se odredbe koje govore o principu odgovornosti, teretu dokazivanja i podijeljenoj odgovornosti. Govori se i o ograničenju odgovornosti i gubitku prava na ograničenje odgovornosti, te o kogentnosti odredbi o odgovornosti kao važnim pitanjima koja utječu na režim prijevoznikove odgovornosti. Predmet proučavanja su i recentna rješenja u pogledu opsega odgovornosti, odgovornosti izvršitelja i osoba za koje prijevoznik odgovara, a ukazuje se i na druge važne novine u pravnom uređenju trajanja odgovornosti i ekskulpacijskih razloga. Obrađuje se i multimodalni problem primjene konvencije, te njezin odnos prema drugim konvencijama koje uređuju prijevoz stvari. (...)In this article the author gives a presentation of the provisions of the Draft Convention on the Carriage of Goods (Wholly or Partly) (by Sea) which deal with the carrierʼs liability. Also these provisions are compared with the solutions of the current conventions which regulate the carriage of goods by sea. Different points of view and opposing arguments emphasized during the creation of this most recent unification instrument are pointed out. Basis of liability and exclusions of liability are examined in detail. The object of the examination are also recent solutions in respect of defining and prescribing the liability of the performing party as a person who is directly involved in carriage business. Other important innovations are pointed out, like allocation of liability and burden of proof, carrierʼs liability for failure to provide information and instruction, vicarious liability of the carrier. The article also deals with the limitation of liability and the loss of the right to limitation, as well as with cogency of provisions on limitation as important issues which affect the regime of the carrierʼs liability. The multimodal problem of the field of application is also analyzed, as well as the relation of this instrument towards other conventions which regulate the carriage of goods. The Draft Convention attempts to regulate in a comprehensive and contemporary manner the question of liability for damage from the contract of the carriage of goods by sea. Its codification rules are contemporary and compromising. Numerous provisions from the existing international conventions which regulate the carriage of goods by sea, are adopted in order to retain case law which is established and acceptable to the parties. New institutes are introduced and the existing rules changed in order to satisfy contemporary conditions of maritime activities