Admiralty & Maritime Cases - High Court of Australia

Listing by year

A selection of decisions (with links to full text where available)

2024

14 February 2024: Carmichael Rail Network Pty Ltd v BBC  Chartering Carriers GmbH & Co KG [2024] HCA 4
STATUTES – Construction – Where Sch 1A of Carriage of Goods by Sea Act 1991 (Cth) contained amended Hague-Visby Rules (the "Australian Hague Rules") – Where Art 3(8) of Australian Hague Rules provided that any clause in contract for carriage of goods by sea relieving or lessening carrier's liability for loss or damage to goods otherwise than as provided for in Australian Hague Rules shall be void – Where arbitration clause in bill of lading provided for resolution of disputes between carrier and shipper by arbitration in London under English law – Where arbitration commenced – Where shipper commenced proceedings in Federal Court of Australia and sought to restrain arbitration – Where carrier sought stay of Federal Court proceedings in favour of arbitration – Where carrier undertook to admit in London arbitration that Australian Hague Rules as applied under Australian law were to apply in arbitration – Where Federal Court made declaration by consent to similar effect – Whether arbitration clause in bill of lading rendered inoperative by Art 3(8) – Whether conduct of arbitration would relieve or lessen carrier's liability – Whether carrier's undertaking and Federal Court's declaration should be taken into account – Proper approach to standard of proof under Art 3(8).

2019

Grajewski v Director of Public Prosecutions (NSW) [2019] HCA 8
CRIMINAL LAW – Appeal against conviction – question of law referred to Court of Criminal Appeal – case stated – destroying or damaging property – physical element of offence – where appellant harnessed himself to ship loader – where ship loader shut down due to safety concerns – where ship loader inoperable until appellant removed – where no alteration to physical integrity of ship loader – whether property damaged.

2006

Island Maritime Limited v Filipowski; Kulkarni v Filipowski [2006] HCA 30

2004

Pacific Carriers Limited v BNP Paribas [2004] HCA 35

2003

Blunden v Commonwealth [2003] HCA 73; (2003) 203 ALR 189
Gibbs v Mercantile Mutual Insurance (Australia) Ltd [2003] HCA 39; (2003) 199 ALR 497
Re Maritime Union of Australia; Ex p CSL Pacific Shipping Inc [2003] HCA 43; (2003) 200 ALR 39

2002

Frost v Warner [2002] HCA 1; (2002) 209 CLR 509
Morrison v Peacock [2002] HCA 44; (2002) 210 CLR 274

2000

Smith v ANL Ltd [2000] HCA 58; (2000) 204 CLR 493

1999

Great China Metal Industries Co Ltd v Malaysian International Shipping Corporation, Berhad (1999) 196 CLR 161
Owners of 'Iran Amanat' v KMP Coastal Oil Pte Ltd [1999] HCA 11; (1999) 196 CLR 130

1998

Patrick Stevedores Operations No 2 Pty Ltd v Maritime Union of Australia [1998] HCA 30; (1998) 195 CLR 1

1997

Laemthong International Lines Co Ltd v BPS Shipping Ltd [1997] HCA 55; (1997) 190 CLR 181

1995

Sanko Steamship Co Ltd v Sumitomo Australia Ltd [1995] HCA 50; (1995) 183 CLR 628
Victrawl Pty Ltd v Telstra Corporation Ltd [1995] HCA 51; (1995) 183 CLR 595

1994

Owners of the Ship 'Shin Kobe Maru' v Empire Shipping Co Inc [1994] HCA 54; (1994) 181 CLR 404
Owners of the Ship' Shin Kobe Maru' v Empire Shipping Co Inc [1994] HCA 5; (1994) 120 ALR 12

1993

Baltic Shipping Co v Dillon (The Ship Mikhail Lermontov) [1993] HCA 4; (1993) 176 CLR 344

1991

Bridge Shipping Pty Ltd v Grand Shipping SA [1991] HCA 45; (1991) 173 CLR 231
Dillon v Baltic Shipping Co [1991] HCA 37; (1991) 102 ALR 482

1989

Nissho Iwai Australia Ltd v Malaysian International Shipping Corporation, Berhad [1989] HCA 32; (1989) 167 CLR 219

1988

Oceanic Sun Line Special Shipping Co Inc v Fay [1998] HCA 32; (1988) 165 CLR 197

1987

BP Australia Ltd v Bissaker [1987] HCA 24; (1987) 163 CLR 106

1986

Con-Stan Industries of Australia Pty Ltd v Norwich Winterthur Insurance (Australia) Ltd [1986] HCA 14; (1986) 160 CLR 226
Oceanic Crest Shipping Co v Pilbara Harbour Services Pty Ltd [1986] HCA 34; (1986) 160 CLR 626

1985

Kirmani v Captain Cook Cruises Pty Ltd [No 1] [1985] HCA 8; (1985) 159 CLR 351
Kirmani v Captain Cook Cruises Pty Ltd; Green, Third Party [No 2] [1985] HCA 27; (1985) 159 CLR 461

1982

Faith Shipping Co SA v The Ship 'Mardina Importer' (1982) 42 ALR 484

1981

Van Leer Australia Pty Ltd v Palace Shipping KK [1981] HCA 11; (1981) 180 CLR 337

1980

Baggermaatschappij Boz & Kalis BV (T/A Westham Dredging Co) v Australian Shipping Commission (1980) 30 ALR 387
Shipping Corporation of India Ltd v Gamlen Chemical Co (A/asia) Pty Ltd [1980] HCA 51; (1980) 147 CLR 142
Wood, Re; Ex parte Amalgamated Metal Workers and Shipwrights Union (1980) 54 ALJR 557

1979

China Ocean Shipping Co v South Australia [1979] HCA 57; (1979) 145 CLR 172
Skandia Insurance Co Ltd v Skoljarev [1979] HCA 45; (1979) 142 CLR 375

1978

Port Jackson Stevedoring Pty Ltd v Salmond & Spraggon (Australia) Pty Ltd [1978] HCA 8; (1978) 139 CLR 231

1977

Robinson v Western Australian Museum [1977] HCA 46; (1977) 138 CLR 283

1976

Bistricic v Rokov [1976] HCA 54; (1976) 135 CLR 552
Caltex Oil (Australia) Pty Ltd v The Dredge 'Willemstad' [1976] HCA 65; (1976) 136 CLR 529

1975

New South Wales v Commonwealth [1975] HCA 58; (1975) 135 CLR 337

1974

Aichhorn & Co KG v The Ship (MV) 'Talabot' [1974] HCA 21; (1974) 132 CLR 449
Aichhorn & Co KG v The Ship (MV) 'Talabot' (1974) 48 ALJR 403
Aichhorn & Co KG & Switzerland General Insurance Co Ltd v The Ship (MV) 'Talabot' (1974) 3 ALR 576
Shell Oil Co v The Ship 'Lastrigoni' [1974] HCA 27; (1974) 131 CLR 1

1973

Goldsworthy Mining Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation (Cth) [1973] HCA 7; (1973) 128 CLR 199

1972

Broken Hill Pty Co Ltd v Wanless [1972-73] ALR 875
Fisher v The Ship 'Oceanic Grandeur' [1972] HCA 51; (1972) 127 CLR 312
'Terukawa Maru' (The Ship) v Co-operated Dried Fruit Sales Pty Ltd [1972] HCA 29; (1972) 126 CLR 170
Texada Mines Pty Ltd v The Ship 'Afovos' (1972) 46 ALJR 476, 548 (note)

1970

Geelong Harbour Trust Commissioners v Gibbs, Bright & Co [1970] HCA 16; (1970) 122 CLR 504

1969

Australian Coastal Shipping Commission v Averell [1969] HCA 38; (1969) 122 CLR 348
Bonser v La Macchia [1969] HCA 31; (1969) 122 CLR 177
Union Steamship Co of New Zealand Ltd v Ferguson (1969) 119 CLR 191

1968

R v Gallagher; Ex p Commonwealth Steamship Owners' Association [1968] HCA 87; (1968) 121 CLR 330
The 'Tudor' [1968] 1 Lloyd's Rep 500

1967

Darling Island Stevedoring and Lighterage Co Ltd v Hankinson [1967] HCA 10; (1967) 117 CLR 19
R W Miller & Co Pty Ltd v Australian Oil Refining Pty Ltd [1967] HCA 50; (1967) 117 CLR 288

1966

Meyer Heine Pty Ltd v China Navigation Co Ltd [1966] HCA 11; (1966) 115 CLR 10

1965

Parker v Commonwealth [1965] HCA 12; (1965) 112 CLR 295

1964

Australian Coastal Shipping Commission v PV 'Wyuna' [1964] HCA 76; (1964) 111 CLR 303
Liosatos v Australian National Line [1964] HCA 43; (1964) 111 CLR 282
'Walumba' (Owners) v Australian Coastal Shipping Commission [1964] 2 Lloyd's Rep 387

1962

Australian Coastal Shipping Commission v O'Reilly [1962] HCA 8; (1962) 107 CLR 46
L W Smith Pty Ltd v McErlane [1962] HCA 32; (1962) 107 CLR 368

1959

Darling Island Stevedoring and Lighterage Co Ltd v Hussey [1959] HCA 55; (1959) 102 CLR 482
R v Foster; Ex p Eastern & Australian Steamship Co Ltd [1959] HCA 10; (1959) 103 CLR 256
Williams v Hursey [1959] HCA 51; (1959) 103 CLR 30

1958

Burns Philip & Co Ltd v Nelson & Robertson Pty Ltd (1958) 98 CLR 495
R v Commonwealth Conciliation and Arbitration Commission; Ex p Australian Foremen Stevedores' Association [1958] HCA 59; (1958) 100 CLR 627
R v Spicer; Ex p Waterside Workers' Federation of Australia [No 2] [1958] HCA 17; (1958) 100 CLR 324
The 'President of India' v The Moor Line Ltd [1958] HCA 24; (1958) 99 CLR 185

1957

Board of Management of the Agricultural Bank of Tasmania v Brown [1957] HCA 57; (1957) 97 CLR 503
Darling Island Stevedoring & Lighterage Co Ltd v Long [1957] HCA 26; (1957) 97 CLR 36
R v Spicer; Ex p Seamen's Union of Australia [1957] HCA 16; (1957) 96 CLR 341
R v Spicer; Ex p Waterside Workers' Federation of Australia [1957] HCA 96; (1957) 100 CLR 312
Seamen's Union of Australia v Matthews [1957] HCA 53; (1957) 96 CLR 529

1956

Asiatic Steam Navigation Co Ltd v Commonwealth (1956) 96 CLR 397
F Kanematsu & Co Ltd v The Ship 'Shahzada' [1956] HCA 57; (1956) 96 CLR 477
Gurnett v Macquarie Stevedoring Co Pty Ltd [No 2] [1956] HCA 29; (1956) 95 CLR 106
R v Foster; Ex p Commonwealth Steamship Owners' Association [1956] HCA 43; (1956) 94 CLR 614
Reardon Smith Line Ltd v Australian Wheat Board [1956] HCA 1; (1956) 93 CLR 577
Wilson v Darling Island Stevedoring & Lighterage Co Ltd [1956] HCA 8; (1956) 95 CLR 43

1955

Gurnett v Macquarie Stevedoring Co Pty Ltd [1955] HCA 53; (1955) 95 CLR 99
Marine Board of Launceston v Launceston Corporation [1955] HCA 17; (1955) 93 CLR 472
R v Wright; Ex p Waterside Workers' Federation of Australia [1955] HCA 35 ; (1955) 93 CLR 528
Spiratos v Australasian United Steam Navigation Co Ltd [1955] HCA 39; (1955) 93 CLR 317

1954

Australian Wheat Board v Reardon Smith Line Ltd [1954] HCA 27; (1954) 91 CLR 233
Compagnie Des Messageries Maritimes v Wilson [1954] HCA 62; (1954) 94 CLR 577
Evans v Darling Island Stevedoring Co Ltd 13/04/1954 HCt Unreported
R v Tonkin; Ex p Federated Ship Painters and Dockers' Union of Australia [1954] HCA 38; (1954) 92 CLR 526

1953

Clements v Bull [1953] HCA 61; (1953) 88 CLR 572
R v Australian Stevedoring Industry Board; Ex p Melbourne Stevedoring Co Pty Ltd [1953] HCA 22; (1953) 88 CLR 100
R v Findlay; Ex p Commonwealth Steamship Owners' Association [1953] HCA 81; (1953) 90 CLR 621
R v Foster; Ex p Commonwealth Steamship Owners' Association [1953] HCA 86; (1953) 88 CLR 459
Shaw Savill & Albion Co Ltd v Commonwealth [1953] HCA 24; (1953) 88 CLR 164

1952

R v Hamilton Knight; Ex p Commonwealth Steamship Owners' Association [1952] HCA 38; (1952) 86 CLR 283
R v Kelly; Ex p Waterside Workers' Federation of Australia [1952] HCA 25; (1952) 85 CLR 601

1951

Eastern Asia Navigation Co Ltd v Fremantle Harbour Trust Commissioners and the Commonwealth of Australia [1951] HCA 7; (1951) 83 CLR 353
McRae v Commonwealth Disposals Commission (1951) 84 CLR 377
Swinton v China Mutual Steam Navigation Co Ltd [1951] HCA 54; (1951) 83 CLR 553

1950

Huddart Parker & Co Pty Ltd v Ship 'Mill Hill' [1950] HCA 43; (1950) 81 CLR 502

1947

Burns Philip & Co Ltd v Gillespie Bros Pty Ltd [1947] HCA 3; (1947) 74 CLR 148
Commonwealth v Owner of Motor Vessel 'Armadale' [1947] HCA 18; (1947) 75 CLR 628

1946

Commonwealth Steamship Owners' Association v Waterside Workers' Federation (Aust) [1946] HCA 31; (1946) 73 CLR 66

1945

Australasian United Steam Navigation Co Ltd v Shipping Control Board [1945] HCA 45; (1945) 71 CLR 508
Darling Island Stevedoring and Lighterage Co Ltd v Jacobsen [1945] HCA 22; (1945) 70 CLR 635
Marine Board of Launceston v Minister of State for Navy [1945] HCA 42; (1945) 70 CLR 518
McIlwraith McEacharn Ltd v Shell Co of Australia Ltd [1945] HCA 11; (1945) 70 CLR 175
William Holyman & Sons Pty Ltd v Foy & Gibson Pty Ltd [1945] HCA 40; (1945) 73 CLR 622

1943

Federal Steam Navigation Co Ltd v J Fenwick & Co Pty Ltd [1943] HCA 42; (1943) 68 CLR 553

1942

Huddart Parker Ltd v Cotter [1942] HCA 34; (1942) 66 CLR 624

1940

Adelaide Stevedoring Co Ltd v Forst [1940] HCA 45; (1940) 64 CLR 538
Shaw Savill & Albion Co Ltd v Commonwealth [1940] FCA 40; (1940) 66 CLR 344

1939

Joyce v Australasian United Steam Navigation Co Ltd [1939] HCA 31; (1939) 62 CLR 160
McKenzie v William Holyman & Sons Pty Ltd [1939] HCA 17; (1939) 61 CLR 584
Nagrint v Ship 'Regis' [1939] HCA 6; (1939) 61 CLR 688
Nagrint v Ship 'Regis' [No 2] [1939] ALR 172 (note)

1938

James Patrick & Co Pty Ltd v Union Steamship Co of New Zealand Ltd [1938] HCA 22; (1938) 60 CLR 650
R v Darling Island Stevedoring and Lighterage Co Ltd; Ex p Halliday and Sullivan [1938] HCA 44; (1938) 60 CLR 601
Tasmanian Steamers Pty Ltd v Lang [1938] HCA 30; (1938) 60 CLR 111

1937

Union Steamship Co of New Zealand Ltd v The Ship 'Caradale' [1937] HCA 1; (1937) 56 CLR 277
Union Steamship Co of New Zealand Ltd v The Ship 'Caradale' [1937] HCA 55; (1937) 60 CLR 633
Victoria v Commonwealth [1937] HCA 82; (1937) 58 CLR 618

1936

McArthur v Williams [1936] HCA 10; (1936) 55 CLR 324
Seamen's Union of Australasia v Commonwealth Steamship Owners' Association [1936] HCA 8; (1936) 54 CLR 626

1934

Australian Steamships Pty Ltd v Murphy [1934] HCA 23; (1934) 50 CLR 568
Burns Philip & Co Ltd v Myrhe [1934] HCA 31; (1934) 51 CLR 463
Gerard, Captain & Owners of the Ship v Hipkins (1934) 8 ALJR 344
South Australian Harbors Board v South Australian Gas Co [1934] HCA 45; (1934) 51 CLR 485

1931

Australian Steamships Pty Ltd v Dignan [1931] HCA 19; (1931) 45 CLR 188
Day v Yates [1931] HCA 5; (1931) 45 CLR 32
McKernan v Fraser [1931] HCA 54; (1931) 46 CLR 343
Victorian Stevedoring & General Contracting Co Pty Ltd v Dignan [1931] HCA 34; (1931) 45 CLR 188

1930

Lawrence v Huddart Parker Ltd [1930] HCA 9; (1930) 43 CLR 440

1929

Keane v Australian Steamships Pty Ltd [1929] HCA 5; (1929) 41 CLR 484
Pearson v Fremantle Harbour Trust [1929] HCA 19; (1929) 42 CLR 320

1927

Australian Steamships Pty Ltd v Abbott [1927] HCA 7; (1927) 39 CLR 148
R v Turner; Ex p Marine Board of Hobart [1927] HCA 15; (1927) 39 CLR 411

1926

Commonwealth v Australian Commonwealth Shipping Board [1926] HCA 39; (1926) 39 CLR 1
Hume v Palmer [1926] HCA 50; (1926) 38 CLR 441

1925

Australian Commonwealth Shipping Board v Federated Seamen's Union of Australasia [1925] HCA 27; (1925) 36 CLR 442
Australian Shipping Board v Federated Seamen's Union of Australasia [1925] HCA 3; (1925) 35 CLR 462
Melbourne Harbour Trust Commissioners v Colonial Sugar Refining Co Ltd [1925] HCA 15; (1925) 36 CLR 230

1924

Commonwealth v Limerick Steamship Co Ltd [1924] HCA 50; (1924) 35 CLR 69
Marine Board of Launceston v The King [1924] HCA 2; (1924) 33 CLR 142
Sharp (John) & Sons Ltd v Ship 'Katherine Mackall' [1924] HCA 37; (1924) 34 CLR 420

1923

Burns Philp & Co Ltd v West Australian Steam Navigation Co Ltd [1923] HCA 55; (1923) 33 CLR 135
Commonwealth Steamship Owners' Association v Federated Seamen's Union of Australasia [1923] HCA 40; (1923) 33 CLR 297
Rosenfeld Hillas & Co Pty Ltd v Ship 'Fort Laramie' [1923] HCA 7; (1923) 32 CLR 25
Spain v Union Steamship Co of New Zealand Ltd [1923] HCA 21; (1923) 32 CLR 138
Spain v Union Steamship Co of New Zealand Ltd [1923] HCA 65; (1923) 33 CLR 555
Sydney Harbour Trust Commissioners v Harriott [1923] HCA 14; (1923) 32 CLR 53

1922

Bruhn v Australian Steamships Pty Ltd [1922] HCA 49; (1922) 31 CLR 136
Commonwealth v Melbourne Harbour Trust Commissioners [1922] HCA 31; (1922) 31 CLR 1
Federated Seamen's Union of Australasia v Commonwealth Steamship Owners' Association [1922] HCA 7 ; (1922) 30 CLR 144
Rosenfeld Hillas & Co Pty Ltd v Ship 'Fort Laramie' [1922] HCA 24; (1922) 31 CLR 56

1921

Lady Carrington Steamship Co Ltd v Commonwealth [1921] HCA 49; (1921) 29 CLR 596
Newcastle & Hunter River Steamship Co Ltd v A-G (Cth) [1921] HCA 31; (1921) 29 CLR 357

1920

Bergl (Aust) Ltd v Moxon Lighterage Co Ltd [1020] HCA 41; (1920) 28 CLR 194
Merchant Service Guild of A/asia v Commonwealth Steamship Owners' Association [1920] HCA 39; (1920) 27 CLR 560
Merchant Service Guild of A/asia v Commonwealth Steamship Owners' Association [No 1] [1920] HCA 40; (1920) 28 CLR 278
Merchant Service Guild of A/asia v Commonwealth Steamship Owners' Association [No 2] [1920] HCA 55; (1920) 28 CLR 436
Merchant Service Guild of A/asia v Commonwealth Steamship Owners' Association [No 3] [1920] HCA 67; (1920) 29 CLR 495
Waterside Workers' Federation (Aust) v Commonwealth Steamship Owners' Association [1920] HCA 20; (1920) 28 CLR 209

1919

McGregor v Huddart Parker Ltd [1919] HCA 28; (1919) 26 CLR 336

1918

Commonwealth v Huon Channel & Peninsula Steamship Co Ltd [1918] HCA 18; (1918) 24 CLR 385
Federated Seamen's Union of Australasia v Belfast & Koroit Steam Navigation Co Ltd [1918] HCA 19; (1918) 24 CLR 462

1916

The Steamship Cartela v The Ship Inverness Shire [1916] HCA 15; (1916) 21 CLR 387
Waterside Workers' Federation of Australia v Burgess Bros Ltd [1916] HCA 2; (1916) 21 CLR 129
Waterside Workers' Federation of Australia v Burke [1916] HCA 3; (1916) 21 CLR 140
Waterside Workers' Federation of Australia v Commonwealth Steamship Owners' Association; Ex p Commonwealth Steamship Owners' Association [1916] HCA 49; (1916) 21 CLR 642

1915

Marine Board of Hobart v Commonwealth [1915] HCA 43; (1915) 20 CLR 15
Sydney Harbour Trust Commissioners v Balmain Municipal Council [1915] HCA 76; (1915) 20 CLR 673

1914

Australasian United Steam Navigation Co Ltd v Hiskens [1914] HCA 56; (1914) 18 CLR 646
Australian Steamships Pty Ltd v Malcolm [1914] HCA 73; (1914) 19 CLR 298
Clarke v Union Steamship Co of New Zealand Ltd [1914] HCA 29 ; (1914) 18 CLR 142
Peck v Adelaide Steamship Co Ltd [1914] HCA 31; (1914) 18 CLR 167
Townsville Harbour Board v Scottish Shire Line Ltd [1914] HCA 33; (1914) 18 CLR 306

1913

Fowles v Eastern & Australian Steamship Co Ltd [1913] HCA 31; (1913) 17 CLR 149
Merchant Service Guild of A/asia v Commonwealth Steamship Owners' Association [1913] HCA 40; (1913) 16 CLR 664
Whybrow & Co Pty Ltd v Howard Smith Co Ltd [1913] HCA 35; (1913) 17 CLR 1

1912

Adelaide Steamship Co Ltd v The King [1912] HCA 58; (1912) 15 CLR 65

1911

Sydney Harbour Trust Commissioners v Ryan [1911] HCA 64; (1911) 13 CLR 358
Willcocks v Shire of Wallarobba [1911] HCA 63; (1911) 13 CLR 326

1910

Kalibia (SS), Owners of v Wilson [1910] HCA 77; (1910) 11 CLR 689

1909

Rowe v Australian United Steam Navigation Co Ltd [1909] HCA 25; (1909) 9 CLR 1

1908

Maritime Insurance Co Ltd v Geelong Harbour Trust Commissioners [1908] HCA 37; (1908) 6 CLR 194
Sydney Harbour Trust Commissioners v Wailes [1908] HCA 19; (1908) 5 CLR 879

1906

Balmain New Ferry Co Ltd v Robertson [1906] HCA 83; (1906) 4 CLR 379
Brisbane Shipwrights' Provident Union v Heggie [1906] HCA 4; (1906) 3 CLR 686
Ferrier v Wilson [1906] HCA 77; (1906) 4 CLR 785
Preston v Donohoe [1906] HCA 43; (1906) 3 CLR 1089

1905

Cuming Smith & Co Pty Ltd v Melbourne Harbour Trust Commissioners [1905] HCA 27; (1905) 2 CLR 735
Yorkshire Fire & Life Insurance Co v British & Foreign Marine Insurance Co Ltd [1905] CLR 47; (1905) 3 CLR 196