Inversiones Manria S.A. v. Sphere Insurance Co. Plc and others (The Dora) - Q.B.D. (Com.Ct.) (Phillips J.) - 16 June 1988

Marine insurance - Non-disclosure - Smuggling charges pending

The plaintiffs’ yacht Dora was insured under a marine insurance policy. Various issues arose as to the legal effects of alleged non-disclosure by three of the plaintiff’s servants or agents who were involved with the operation of the yacht. The underwriters contended that they were entitled to avoid the policy inter alia because at the time of the placing of the insurance there were pending against those servants or agents charges of smuggling.