Maritime Law Course
Diploma in Maritime Law
Maritime Law
Our internationally recognised Maritime Law Diploma provides professional-level training in maritime and shipping law. Designed for those working across ports, shipping, insurance or vessel operations, it covers key legal frameworks, commercial regulations and marine compliance obligations.
Delivered online, the course helps you build practical legal understanding, from chartering contracts to cargo claims, liability, crewing, pollution regulations and international conventions. It’s ideally suited to shipping professionals, marine surveyors, legal support staff or anyone managing risk and regulatory issues in the maritime sector.
Professional Maritime Law Certification
Gain legal knowledge relevant to the global shipping industry and work confidently with contracts, claims and compliance matters at sea and ashore.
Contact us below to enrol today, or speak with our friendly course advisors.
Duration:
12 - 18 months
Learn at your own pace
Online Course:
Study from anywhere
Cost:
Diploma: £3,195
Certificate: £2,295
Recognised by: 
Maritime Law Diploma vs Certification
Choose the right path for your career:
Diploma - £3,195
A professional qualification in maritime law. Suitable for those handling legal, contractual or compliance responsibilities within shipping companies, ports, insurance firms or marine agencies.
Certificate - £2,295
For those seeking legal marine training without assessments. Ideal for operational staff, surveyors, claims handlers or junior legal professionals entering the sector.
Maritime Law curriculum: 12 Modules & Career Skills
The course is structured to build legal fluency across the shipping and marine sector. Topics progress from foundational maritime law principles to the practical application of legal knowledge in areas like cargo disputes, vessel registration, crewing issues and jurisdictional risk.
You’ll explore charterparty frameworks, liability exposure, marine insurance obligations, salvage law and legal documentation used in global shipping. The content supports those working in commercial shipping, legal departments, port authorities and maritime services.
1. Introduction To Marine Law
- Legal concepts
- The Law of contract
- The Law of tort
- Liability in contract and tort
- Responsibilities
- Maritime Law
- Admiralty law and jurisdiction
- International Maritime Law
- Shipboard documentation
- Codes of Practice for commercially operated yachts
- The Flag State
- Collision and salvage
- Chartering
- Pilotage and towage
- Governmental control of shipping
- Health and safety
- Carriage of goods by sea
- Pollution
2. Charterparties
- Introduction to chartering
- Charter parties
- Basics of chartering
- Owners (Managers and/or Masters) obligations
- The fixing of ships for charter
- The charter party
- Laytime Demurrage and others
- Carriage of goods by sea
- Schedules
3. Carriage Of Goods By Sea
- The importance of the Bill of Lading
- The contracts of carriage
- The cargo claim
- The terms of the Bill of lading contract
- Statutory terms of the Bill of Lading – The Hague and Hague Visby rules
4. Ownership and Registration
- Ownership
- Shipowner’s obligations
- Registration
- UK Ship register
- Guernsey Registry of British ships
- Jersey ship register
- Isle of Man ship register
- Cayman Islands ship registry
- Maltese ship registry
5. Seafarers and Employment
- Introduction to UK Employment Law
- The impact of employment of MLC 2006
- Recruitment and placement services
- Seafarer employment agreements (SEAs)
- The employment arrangement
- The practicalities of employment
- Hours of work
- Tax and social security obligations
- Emphasis of good practice and doing it right
6. Collision, Salvage and Wreck
- Collision
- Salvage
- Wreck
7. Personal Injuries at Sea
- Passenger Claims
- Employers liability
- Claims procedure
8. International Conventions
- Commercial Shipping and Yachting
- SOLAS
- MARPOL
- COLREGs
- Tonnage
- Load line
- Codes
- International Conventions
- International Codes of Practice
- Directives, Resolutions, Circulars, Guidelines, Regulations, Acts and Manuals
- Notable Maritime Conventions
9. Finance and mortgages
- Finance
- Mortgages
10. Admiralty Jurisdiction
- Admiralty Law and practice
- The Supreme Court Act (now the Senior Court Act)
- Exercise of admiralty jurisdiction
- The admiralty marshall
- Merchant Shipping Act 1995
- Limitation of liability in maritime claims
11. Marine Insurance and Average
- The Marine Insurance Contract
- Other relevant statutes
- Terms of the contract
- Types of marine insurance
- Claims
- Subrogation
12. An Introduction to Lloyds of London and the Yacht Market
- Lloyd’s of London
- Summary of the main types of superyacht insurance
- Broking superyacht insurance risks
- Underwriting superyacht insurance
- Broking and underwriting of protection and indemnity insurance
- Broking and underwriting crew medical and personal accident insurance
- Quotations complete – what next?
- Hull and machinery conditions – The American Yacht form R12
- Handling Superyacht Claims
- The Insurance Act
Hear from our Students
Meet the Course Director
Jonathan Hadley-Piggin
BSc (Hons), MA, Dip Law, MNI, MRIN, ACI Arb, Solicitor
Jonathan Hadley-Piggin is a solicitor and partner in the marine and shipping department at Keystone Law a commercial law firm based in London. Jonathan attended Warsash Nautical College in Southampton sponsored by BP Shipping, where he gained a Class III Certificate of Competency (Deck Officer).
Following time at sea with BP (including during the Iran/Iraq war) he later gained a commission in the Royal Navy and attended Britannia Royal Navy College, then, sponsored by the Navy read for a degree in Maritime Law and Economics at Cardiff University. Jonathan trained at Stephenson Harwood in London, where following qualification he focused primarily on salvage and collision cases, before broadening his expertise to the large yacht world.
Maritime Law Course FAQs
Find out more about the course with our FAQs below.
How do I become a maritime lawyer?
Begin by completing a structured course in maritime legal frameworks like this one from the MTA. Our Maritime Law Diploma provides the knowledge and industry context needed to support roles in legal teams, insurance, shipping or regulatory services.
How much do maritime lawyers earn?
Entry-level legal assistants or claims staff may earn £25,000–£35,000, while experienced legal consultants, insurance managers or chartering specialists can earn £50,000 or more depending on seniority and region.
What qualification will I receive?
You’ll earn a Diploma in Maritime Law from the Maritime Training Academy, an internationally recognised qualification across the shipping, legal and insurance sectors.
Does this course cover shipping contracts and chartering law?
Absolutely; the course includes contract law, charterparties, bills of lading and legal documentation commonly used in shipping law.
Is this course suitable for non-lawyers or operational staff?
Yes it is, this course is designed for both legal and non-legal professionals who deal with regulatory or contractual matters across the marine industry.
Can I complete this maritime law course online?
Yes the course is delivered fully online, allowing you to study flexibly from anywhere in the world with tutor support.
See our FAQ page for more questions answered about MTA courses.
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Why Choose The Maritime Training Academy?
Flexible
Online learning allows you to study in your own time, at your own pace from anywhere in the world. This saves on travel and classroom costs and allows you to fit your studies around your job and progress your career.
Supportive
While the nature of distance learning is independent study, we recognise the importance of support. Students can contact us at any time during their course for assistance and our team of industry experts are always on hand for advice.
Expertise
We have over 50 industry experts writing, developing and advising on our course material. We truly believe that allowing students to tap into their expertise and knowledge is of the utmost importance to fulfil your dream career.
If you would prefer to complete this as a classroom-based course, please contact us.