Merchant Shipping(Liner Conferences) Act 1982

Article 24 U.K.

1 U.K. The conciliation procedure is initiated at the request of one of the parties to the dispute.

2 U.K. The request shall be made:

(a) In disputes relating to membership of conferences: not later than 60 days from the date of receipt by the applicant of the conference decision, including the reasons therefor, in accordance with article 1, paragraph 4 and article 4, paragraph 3;

(b) In disputes relating to general freight-rate increases: not later than the date of expiry of the period of notice specified in article 14, paragraph 1;

(c) In disputes relating to surcharges: not later than the date of expiry of the 30-day period specified in article 16, paragraph 4 or, where no notice has been given, not later than 15 days from the date when the surcharge was put into effect; and

(d) In disputes relating to changes in freight rates or the imposition of a currency adjustment factor due to exchange rate changes: not later than five days after the date of expiry of the period specified in article 17, paragraph 3.

3 U.K. The provisions of article 24, paragraph 2 shall not apply to a dispute which is referred to international mandatory conciliation in accordance with article 25, paragraph 3.

4 U.K. Requests for conciliation in disputes other than those referred to in article 24, paragraph 2, may be made at any time.

5 U.K. The time-limits specified in article 24, paragraph 2 may be extended by agreement between the parties.

6 U.K. A request for conciliation shall be considered to have been duly made if it is proved that the request has been sent to the other party by registered letter, telegram or teleprinter or has been served on it within the time-limits specified in article 24, paragraphs 2 or 5.

7 U.K. Where no request has been made within the time-limits specified in article 24, paragraphs 2 or 5, the decision of the conference shall be final and no proceedings under this chapter may be brought by any party to the dispute to challenge that decision.