The IMO International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI) was established under the auspices of the International Maritime Organization, a specialised agency of the United Nations. It is an international centre for the training of specialists in maritime law and the development and dissemination of knowledge and expertise in the international legal regime of merchant shipping and related areas of maritime law and the general law of the sea. Special emphasis is given to the international regulations and procedures for furthering the purposes and objectives of the International Maritime Organization for safety and efficiency of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution. The Institute is currently headquartered in Malta, on the campus of the University of Malta.
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IMLI was established in 1988 under an Agreement concluded between IMO and the Government of Malta and commenced its first academic year in October 1989. It is sited in beautiful premises, on the University of Malta Campus, which was generously made available by the Government of Malta.
The Institute, the first one of its type anywhere, offers a unique course designed to cover the whole spectrum of international maritime law. Its programme consists of numerous modules, which include international law, law of the sea, shipping law, marine environmental law, and legislation drafting. Training at the Institute also fosters excellence in three important areas:
In order to qualify, students – who primarily should come from developing States – are required to have a first law degree. A major and innovative feature of the Institute is that 50 per cent of the places on the course each year are reserved for women candidates.
The duration of the course is one academic year and successful students are awarded a Masters Degree in International Maritime Law.
IMLI students are required to undertake one of the most intensive international maritime law courses available worldwide.
More recently the Institute offers other Programmes of Study, ranging from the Doctor of Philosophy in International Maritime Law to an Advanced Diploma for non-lawyers who wish to understand the major features of international maritime law.
Within the Mediterranean, maritime navigation, trade and commerce have flourished under the influence of widely accepted and respected rules of maritime law, at times codified, as in the “Consolato del Mare”. Malta’s maritime role has ensured that the study and practice of maritime law has flourished amongst the island’s legal profession.
Within the Mediterranean, maritime navigation, trade and commerce have flourished under the influence of widely accepted and respected rules of maritime law, at times codified as in the Consolato del Mare. Malta’s maritime role has ensured that the study and practice of maritime law has flourished amongst the island’s legal profession. Indeed, it is this legal tradition which contributed to the formulation of the Maltese initiative at the 1967 United Nations General Assembly that culminated in the adoption of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Malta also hosts the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC), established under the Mediterranean Action Plan of UNEP and administered by IMO.
It is worth noting that Malta possesses one of the largest registers of ships in the world.
IMLI offers three programmes – LL.M., Ph.D. and Advanced Diploma – and a wide number of short, modular courses.
MASTER OF LAWS (LL.M.) IN INTERNATIONAL MARITIME LAW
The Master of Laws (LL.M.) Programme in International Maritime Law is held over one academic year, beginning in September and running until May of the following year. It covers all areas of shipping law, the law of the sea, marine environmental law, maritime security law as well as legislative drafting. The programme is intensive, and comprises taught courses and research work. Participants are given special training in the techniques of implementation of international maritime conventions and regulations into domestic legislation. The Faculty consists of a Director and full time international staff who are responsible for the general teaching and supervision of the courses. The Faculty is complemented by several eminent personalities including distinguished academics, maritime lawyers and judges of international repute who lecture on various international maritime law topics, in which they are leading experts. Candidates are generally nominated and supported by their Governments, but seats are also allocated to independent candidates. Candidates must have obtained a university degree in law as a condition for enrollment. The Programme is delivered entirely in English, as such, proof of proficiency in the English language is required. Due to the intensive nature of the Programme, the number of admissions is limited for each academic year. Accommodation facilities are available on site. Since the setting up of the Institute 20 years ago, 464 lawyers from 112 States have graduated from the Institute’s LL.M. Programme. Graduates are instrumental in advising their Governments on the need for new or revised laws and regulations in maritime affairs and on their implementation. A high number of IMLI’s alumni occupy senior positions in Governments and shipping companies.
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (Ph.D.) IN INTERNATIONAL MARITIME LAW
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) programme is exclusively research-based and involves the writing and defence of a 100,000-word thesis in an area of international maritime law. A prestigious list of world-renowned experts in maritime law acts as supervisors. This is an external degree which must be completed within three to five years and may be undertaken almost entirely from abroad. A Master’s degree and university education in law are considered as pre-requisites.
ADVANCED DIPLOMA IN INTERNATIONAL MARITIME LAW
The Advanced Diploma Programme in International Maritime Law is designed to benefit professionals (including those in the most senior levels) who are involved in maritime practice both in the private and in the public sectors and who, because of their careers, are unable to be away from their jobs for any length of time in excess of a few weeks per year. The Programme is structured on a credit system. Candidates must earn a sufficient number of credits after following and successfully completing courses on distinct subject areas to allow him/her the award of an Advanced Diploma. The Programme is open to non-lawyers. Candidates are required to possess a degree from a recognized University or other academic institution, or must possess qualifications of comparable standards, including relevant professional or practical experience, or both, recognized for this purpose by the Institute.
SHORT COURSES
Modular, short-term courses are offered throughout the academic year on selected topics of maritime law. These courses are open to non-lawyers. On request, IMLI also provides tailor-made, intensive training courses and seminars to corporate and international organisations.