PYSDENS SOLICITORS
PRESS RELEASE 81
K. PYSDEN / S. PEREZ-GOLDZVEIG
www.pysdens.com http://www.thehouseofbranchofgold.com/
OUTER SPACE AND THE LAW: “PYSDENS OUTER SPACE LEGAL PROGRAMME”
The “Virgin Galactic” enterprise recently reported on by the world media brings the issue of obligations and rights of those operating in outer space as far as their customers are concerned into consideration. At Pysdens Solicitors we are well aware that advances in technology will mean that outer space for commercial carriage of goods and passengers for reward is likely to develop at some pace which will lead to the need for the development of an international legal framework in order to regulate this use. However, it may be the case that it will take time to bring such an international legal framework into being in which case private contracts will need to fill the gap for the time being. Interesting issues will arise concerning from when on the ground the initial carriage from earth will be covered to when in the air as covered by the Montreal Convention before it becomes travel in outer space. There is case law already in existence concerning when an air carriage starts on the ground in the UK for the purposes of being covered by the Montreal Convention covering carriage by air for reward between one high contracting state and another but what about when the application of that Convention ends and a different regime begins that applies to the transport as it becomes carriage in outer space which is the same in nature as the high seas as it does not belong to any country? Will a total regime be designed to cover the whole movement from earth into outer space or will the Montreal Convention apply (assuming the carriage crosses an international border first between a high contracting country and another) until the transport moves from air to outer space with a new Convention applying thereafter? Indeed these issues were being considered in March/April of this year as detailed in the Report A/AC.105/942 of the UN Legal Subcommittee of the Committee on the peaceful uses of Outer Space.
We have pleasure in announcing the opening of “PYSDENS OUTER SPACE LEGAL PROGRAMME” which will form part of our transport and logistics research programme.
Disclaimer: This is not legal advice. We cannot advise any party to act based on this report without first consulting a specialised solicitor. The opinions in this report are those of the writers.
Note: In producing this press release by Pysdens Solicitors, the model published in the book entitled “GUIDELINES TO CONSIDERATION IN RESPECT OF COMMERCIAL DEALINGS” by S. Perez-Goldzveig and K.Pysden forming part of the research and development programme “COMMERCIAL GUIDE INITIATIVE” by S. Perez-Goldzveig and K.Pysden being part of“TheHouseofBranchofGold” was used with the authorisation of the authors.
Contact: sam.perez@pysdens.com
Pysdens Solicitors
108 Fenchurch Street
Third Floor
ECRM 5JR
City of London
29/10/10.
