The British Patience - Q.B.D. (Adm.Ct.) (Sheen J.) - 18 November 1983

Payment of light dues - Vessel discharging part cargo at intermediate port

The Corporation of Trinity House is responsible for maintaining the lighthouses in England and Wales. It is authorised to levy light dues in respect of voyages made by ships or by way of periodical payment. The various ways in which light dues are levied on ships are laid down in the Merchant Shipping (Light Dues) Regulations 1981. These Regulations were made under section 5(2) of the Merchant Shipping (Mercantile Marine Fund) Act 1898, as amended (the “Act”). The issue before the Court centred on the construction of the Rules scheduled to the 1981 Regulations.