Piracy - armed guards revisited and general overview
Friday 20 January, 2012
The recent announcement by the UK Government that weapons will be allowed on UK-flagged vessels is not perhaps as revolutionary as it might first appear. Under the relevant firearms legislation, shot guns and single shot rifles were already permitted, subject to the appropriate certification having been obtained. Rather, the new government guidelines and the headlines they have generated have been about the use of previously prohibited weapons (such as fully automatic “assault” rifles) and equipment. Notwithstanding this change of stance from the discouragement of the deployment of armed guards on ships to a position where accepted, their deployment is subject always to the regime laid down in the Firearms Act 1968. The debate has been given a further boost by the findings of the UK Foreign Affairs Committee (“FAC”), which issued a far-reaching report on 5 January 2012, concluding that the UK Government was right to change its position, but that more guidance was now needed on the lethal use of force and self-defence.
Following the recent publication of the interim guidelines by the Home Office (“HO”), we explore the position (under English law) in respect of the deployment of armed guards.
To read more, please click here.
If you wish to discuss any of the matters raised in this article, or piracy issues generally, please do not hesitate to contact Stephen Askins.
Date: Wednesday 23 - Thursday 24 May, 2012
Location: One Drummond Gate, London
Ince & Co partner Chris Kidd is speaking on “Managing conflicts and disputes”. He is also chairing and moderating some sessions.
Date: Wednesday 23 - Friday 25 May, 2012
Location: London
Ince & Co partner Fionna Gavin will be speaking during the morning of the third day on “Tanker Charterparties - time and voyage”. Which will cover the differences in, and justifications for, tanker chartering.
Date: Thursday 24 May, 2012
Location: London
Ince & Co partner Faz Peermohamed will be speaking during day one of the conference on “Shipping: The Titanic, Prestige, Costa & Pirates”.
Date: Tuesday 29 - Wednesday 30 May, 2012
Location: Cowes, English Channel, Isle of Wight, Solent
Ince & Co will be taking part in the Lutine Lineslip Regatta, a Lloyds Yacht Club Event for the Insurance Industry, in May 2012.
Date: Tuesday 29 May, 2012
Location: British Consulate, Hong Kong
Ince & Co partner Denys Hickey will be speaking at the forum on “Contractual challenges in the LNG distribution supply chain”. The session will cover balancing long term security and flexibility in contracts and identifying and mitigating risks in LNG supply contracts.