CBA-NL Maritime Law

CBA-NL Maritime Law - Maritime Regulatory Law: The 2015 Marathassa Oil Spill in English Bay, Vancouver

Description

Join us on June 18 for a Lunch and Learn reflecting on one of the most interesting maritime regulatory cases in recent years, R v M/V Marathassa. On April 8, 2015, an oil sheen was observed in English Bay near the M/V Marathassa, leading to federal charges and an 80+ day trial. The vessel was ultimately acquitted of all charges, making this case a fascinating study in maritime law, regulatory prosecution, and complex evidence.

More than ten years after the spill, Peter Swanson, founding partner at Bernard LLP, will reflect on his role in the case and walk through the series of decisions that shaped the outcome. This session will explore how the true cause of an oil spill can be far more complex than it first appears — sometimes hidden deep within the steel of a vessel — and what this case teaches about investigations, expert evidence, and defending complex regulatory charges.

This session will be of interest to lawyers practicing in regulatory, litigation, environmental, and administrative law, and anyone interested in how large-scale prosecutions unfold over many years.

Virtual