Swedish Club v. V8 Pool Inc.

The Division Bench of the Bombay High Court in the case of Swedish Club v.V8 Pool Inc., has considered whether post arrest of a vessel, crew wages and P & I Club's payment towards crew wages can be treated as Sheriff's expenses and/or a maritime lien.

BRIEF FACTS

In a nutshell, GP Asphalt- I ("Vessel") was arrested by an order of the Bombay High Court. Post the arrest of the Vessel the:

1. P&I Club ("Club") sought leave form the Court to pay the wages of the crew on board and for an order that such payments be treated as Sheriff's expenses and/or in priority as a maritime lien;
2. Crew on board the Vessel sought an order from the Court for treating their wages (which have accrued post the arrest) as Sheriff's Expenses,