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The University of Southampton
Institute of Maritime Law

38th Annual Donald O'May Lecture Held Online

Published: 6 November 2020
38th Donald O'May Lecture
Sir David Foxton, Juilan Clark, Sir Bernard Eder, and Dr Alexandros Ntovas on Zoom

On Wednesday 4th November, the Institute of Maritime Law hosted the 38th Annual Donald O’May Lecture, this year with a difference. Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the Institute made the decision to hold the Lecture online via Zoom.

 

Sir David Foxton, of the Commercial Court, delivered an excellent lecture on Why Shipping Law Still Matters, which was well received by all who viewed it. We are also extremely grateful to Julian Clark, Ince, and our own Sir Bernard Eder, for their contribution as both Chair and Vote of Thanks, respectively.

 

Dr Alexandros Ntovas, the Director of the Institute of Maritime Law, wished to say a few words on the event:

 

“Certainly, this year the Annual Lecture have felt differently by being hosted in a virtual environment, as this was demanded by the public health protection measures in place amidst the continuing pandemic. O tempora! O mores! Yet, the Institute of Maritime Law, in having adapted on the ongoing circumstances, remained undeterred and not only kept the annual tradition of 38 years unbroken but has instead reached a new height in counting over 350 registrations and gathering an audience hailing from 34 countries!

 

On behalf of the Institute of Maritime Law, I express our gratitude to the speaker The Honourable Mr. Justice Foxton, for the captivating delivery and profound insights into the process of how shipping law came to achieve its central role in the formulation of English Commercial Law; a theme of particular significance this year in light of the commemorations of the Commercial Court’s 125th anniversary. Our appreciation also goes to Mr Julian Clark, INCE’s Senior Partner, for the unwavering sponsoring support by the firm, as well as his personal commitment to chair this year’s Annual Lecture. Last but not least, we are very proud of our very own member Sir Bernard Eder for offering a de profundis Vote of Thanks!

 

Finally, I wish to acknowledge with appreciation and express the gratitude of the Institute for the generosity of the Annual Lecture’s long-standing sponsors Ince and Informa Law, the support rendered unfailingly by the administration colleagues at the Faculty of Social Sciences and the encouragement of the Law School and the University of Southampton. I would also like to take this opportunity to draw your attention to the release of our Annual Report 2020 that is now available from the Institute’s website.”

 

For anyone that was unable to attend the Lecture, or wants to listen again, the recording can be found here.

 

We hope to see you all again next year, hopefully this time in person!

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