The Institute of International Shipping and Trade Law (IISTL) was founded in 2000 with the aspiration to promote:

a)  institutional, collaborative and individual research of excellence in shipping and international trade law and to facilitate its dissemination and publication;

b) effective, innovative, contextual, contemporary and intellectually stimulating teaching in shipping and international trade law;

c) strong links with the legal profession, insurance world, arbitration, trading organisations and shipping industry;

d) collaborative relationships with specialist academic centres and with apposite national and international organisations, whether public or private in character;

e)  joint ventures and other forms of co-operation, when advantageous to the achievement of the declared objectives of the IISTL;

f) the generation of income and other forms of support and sponsorship from external bodies to facilitate the achievement of the objectives of the Institute

Over the last decade, the IISTL has gained a world-wide reputation for its contribution to research, policy making, professional training and teaching in the areas of shipping and trade law.  

Shortly after its foundation, the IISTL was recognised by the University’s Research Committee as a University Research Centre. The IISTL members have contributed immensely to the Law School’s most recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE 2008) success, where 95 % of research within the School was recognised to have achieved an international standard. In terms of research, members of the IISTL contribute to their disciplines by publishing books and articles of the highest calibre. In addition, the IISTL has organised several international colloquia and symposia, both in the UK and overseas, providing a forum for various leading and emerging figures in the sector, such as practitioners, judiciary and academics, to discuss contemporary developments affecting shipping and trade. At this juncture, the IISTL’s Annual Colloquia deserve a special mention.

The Annual Colloquia, first launched in 2005, have swiftly established themselves as a highlight of the academic programme concerning maritime law in Europe and beyond. The following issues and developments have received particular attention at these events over the years: marine insurance law and policy, maritime liabilities, time charterparties, voyage charterparties, the Rotterdam Rules and new uses of the sea. The IISTL has developed and maintained close connections with leading maritime organisations and international organisations. These include the International Maritime Organisation, the British Insurance Law Association, the British Maritime Law Association, the Comité Maritime International, as well as maritime research centres at Dalian, Oslo, Rotterdam, Shanghai and in Tromsø.                 

Several members of the IISTL have been actively involved in the debate on reforming numerous aspects of shipping and insurance law, both at the domestic and international levels. Some have also served on Working Groups of inter-governmental organisations and have provided legal advice to key NGOs and institutions.            

The IISTL operates a wide variety of professional courses for directors, managers and employees of shipping corporations, as well as a bespoke training programme for young solicitors working in the City Law firms. The IISTL also works closely with shipping organisations, such as the BIMCO, in organising professional training courses. Several members of the IISTL offer consultancy services on various aspects of maritime and shipping law. Members of the IISTL are also involved in delivering the Law School’s LLM programmes in the realm of maritime and trade law. These programmes have quickly established a global reputation for their academic excellence and practical relevance and continue to attract students from all over the world.                       

The membership of the IISTL has grown considerably over the last decade and today it is proud to be one of the largest specialist research centres in Europe dedicated to shipping and trade law. The IISTL benefits from the services of a Research Assistant. It also owns and operates a substantial research library of specialist materials, which serves IISTL members, PhD students and visiting scholars.