Jarl Trä AB and Ors v Convoys Ltd - QBD (Com Ct)(Moore-Bick J) - 2 5 June 2003

Carrier sub-contracting handling of cargoes to stevedores on terms entitling stevedores to exercise general lien for all monies due from carrier - Carrier going into liquidation leaving unpaid debts owed to stevedores - Stevedores exercising lien on timber cargoes shipped on carrier's vessels - Cargo owners objecting to exercise of lien - Whether lien validly exercised

The claimants shipped cargoes of sawn timber on vessels operated by a Swedish liner company. Clause 7 of the carrier's standard conditions provided that the carrier "shall be entitled to sub-contract on any terms the whole or any part of the carriage, loading, unloading, storing, warehousing, handling and any or all duties whatsoever undertaken by the Carrier in relation to the Goods."