Current Developments in German Maritime Arbitration

Dr. Sabine RittmeisterLawyer at Blaum Dettmers

Rabstein, Hamburg/Germany

Introduction to GMAA

• Foundation of GMAA in 1983• Seat Hamburg/Bremen as Germany‘s largest

port cities• Ad hoc arbitration• Set of clear and simple procedural rules

provided• Cost efficiency and transparency by fixed fee

system for arbitrators• Active role of arbitrators – settlements are

encouraged• Information available from the website

www.gmaa.de

Arbitration Agreement

• GMAA arbitration clause reads:„All disputes arising out of or in connection with this contract or concerning its validity shall be finally settled by arbitration in accordance with the Arbitration Rules of the German Maritime Arbitration Association“• Short form: „GMAA Arbitration“• Legal basis for valid form in sec. 1031 German

Code of Civil Procedure (ZPO):No strict written form but requirement that documentary proof of arbitration agreement must be possible

Arbitration Agreements in Bills of Lading

• Long established rule: consignee is bound by arbitration clause in B/L

• Problem: reference to arbitration clause in C/P by incorporation clause in B/L

Consignee Carrier

Shipper

B/L

C/P

Validity of incorporation clauses

• „Old“ German procedural law: reference possible

„Arbitration clause as per C/P“• Change in law by reform of German Maritime

Law contained in Commercial Code (HGB), entry into force April 2013:

• Arbitration clause must be explicitly set out in the B/L, reference to C/P is not sufficient!

• Ratio: Protection of consignee‘s interests

Thank you for your Attention!

For further questions please contact:

Dr. Sabine RittmeisterBlaum Dettmers RabsteinRechtsanwaltspartnerschaft mbBAlter Wall 5520457 Hamburg / GermanyPhone: +49 – 40 – 36 97 74 0rittmeister@bdr-legal.de