[1998] 2 Lloyds Rep. 675

Timothy Brenton Q.C. was instructed as amicus curiae in relation to a dispute as to whether a harbour Authority had jurisdiction to distrain a vessel for non payment of mooring fees.

Docks and harbours – Judicial review – Statutory power – Harbour authority distrained upon motor yacht for non-payment of mooring fees – Whether yacht a ship or a vessel “used in navigation” – Whether power to distrain exercisable in respect of private yachts – Whether mooring fees constituted ship’s dues – Harbour, Docks and Piers Clauses Act, 1847, s. 44 – Harbours Act, 1964, s. 26(3).