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03 July 2019
Introduction
Facts
Decision
Comment
Introduction
The Tribunal of Milan recently published a judgment analysing a common occurrence in shipping matters where a contract of charter is not incorporated into an agreement duly executed by both parties, but instead is contained in a recap fixture exchanged via email.
The decision was issued in the context of an insolvency procedure to which an important Italian steel plant and charterer was recently admitted and is noteworthy as it reaches conclusions (significantly different from prevailing Italian case law) which deserve to be carefully considered when concluding charter parties.
The case concerned a recap fixture contained in an email exchange between a broker and a shipowner.
The recap was quite concise, as it only stated:
The full regulation of the charter was instead contained in another charter party (duly executed), enclosed in the email reporting the fixture, to which reference was made through a specific clause in the recap (ie, "otherwise as per cp dated").
The Tribunal of Milan held that the recap fixture was insufficient evidence of the charter concluded between the parties. As a result, its terms and conditions were considered inapplicable.
In particular, the tribunal stated that:
In conclusion, the tribunal found that the recap fixture had failed to demonstrate a valid and enforceable contract between the parties.
The Tribunal of Milan's judgment is questionable, as it contradicts prevailing Italian case law, which generally considers a recap fixture contained in an exchange of emails as sufficient evidence of the conclusion and the terms and conditions of a contract of charter, especially where the charter was subsequently performed, at least to a certain extent.
In fact, while Article 420 of the Code of Navigation simply requires that a contract be proven in writing, the wider interpretation mentioned above is based on a general favour to the business transactions and the opportunity to affirm the validity of all such agreements which, even if not specifically executed, demonstrate that a charter contract was concluded in accordance with business customs and practice.
Instead, the Tribunal of Milan followed the opposite reasoning by referring to the need that in insolvency procedure cases, there should be a higher level of certainty and evidence.
In any case, the tribunal's decision is significant, as it illustrates the revival of a formalistic approach in the shipping industry and can be taken as a warning, especially for shipowners or charterers that have dealings with Italian companies in financial distress.
In such circumstances, apart from the obvious risk assessment relating to the capability of a counterparty to perform in general, it should be considered that in the event that a dispute matter ends up in court by applying such a formalistic approach, any contract of charter not incorporated into an executed contractual document may not be considered sufficient evidence of the relevant charter.
For further information on this topic please contact Brian Dardani at Dardani Studio Legale by telephone (+39 010 576 1816) or email (brian.dardani@dardani.it). The Dardani Studio Legale website can be accessed at www.dardani.it.
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