John Trew
Special Adviser, Marine, Cargo & Logistics
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United Kingdom
In this final episode of our mini-series on the total loss of the X-Press Pearl off Sri Lanka in May 2021, our hosts examine the legal fallout from the incident. They unpack the Sri Lankan Supreme Court’s landmark July 2025 judgment—brought as a constitutional “fundamental rights” case—and what it means for shipowners, operators, agents, and state bodies. The discussion covers the parallel criminal proceedings, Sri Lanka’s non-participation in key limitation and pollution conventions, and the Court’s findings on causation and “polluter pays”/absolute liability. They also discuss the controversial interim order for a US$1 billion payment while a Compensation Commission works to assess total damages.
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Special Adviser, Marine, Cargo & Logistics
United Kingdom
Client Manager, Marine, Cargo & Logistics
United Kingdom