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United Kingdom Statutory Instruments |
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You are here: BAILII >> Databases >> United Kingdom Statutory Instruments >> The Carriage by Air Acts (Implementation of the Montreal Convention 1999) Order 2002 URL: http://www.bailii.org/uk/legis/num_reg/2002/20020263.html |
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Made | 12th February 2002 | ||
Coming into force in accordance with article 1 |
(6) "The applicable provisions" means -
so far as they relate to the rights and liabilities of carriers, carriers' servants and agents, passengers, consignors, consignees and other persons.
(7) In this Act a reference to an Article of, or Protocol to, any of the Carriage by Air Conventions is a reference to that Article or Protocol as it appears in the Schedule in which it is set out.
(8) If there is any inconsistency between the text in English in Part I of Schedule 1 or 1A and the text in French in Part II of that Schedule, the French text shall prevail.".
(3) In subsection (1) of section 2 (designation of High Contracting Parties) -
(4) After subsection (1) of that section, insert -
(5) For subsection (2) of that section substitute -
(6) In section 3 (fatal accidents), for "Article 17 in Schedule 1 or 1A to this Act" substitute
(7) For subsection (1) of section 4 (limitation of liability) substitute -
(1B) The limitation for each passenger in -
applies to the aggregate liability of the carrier in all proceedings which may be brought against him under the law of any part of the United Kingdom, together with any proceedings brought against him outside the United Kingdom.".
(8) In subsection (2) of that section -
(9) In subsection (3) of that section, for "the said Article 22" substitute "a provision mentioned in subsection (3A)".
(10) After subsection (3) of that section, insert -
(11) In subsection (5) of that section -
(12) In section 4A (notice of partial loss), in subsection (1), for the words from the beginning to "shall", where it first occurs, substitute "References to damage in the provisions mentioned in subsection (2)".
(13) For subsection (2) of section 4A substitute -
(14) In section 5 (time for bringing actions), in subsection (1), for "the Convention or the Convention as amended relates" substitute "any of the Carriage by Air Conventions applies".
(15) In subsection (2) of that section -
(16) In subsection (3) of that section, for the words from the beginning to "shall" substitute "Subsections (1) and (2) and the provisions mentioned in subsection (4)".
(17) After subsection (3) of that section, insert -
(5) If the Montreal Convention applies, "carrier" in this section includes an actual carrier as defined by Article 39 of that Convention.".
(18) In section 6 (contributory negligence) -
(19) After subsection (1) of that section, insert -
(20) In section 7 (power to exclude aircraft in use for military purposes), for "Convention as set out in Schedule 1 or 1A" substitute "the applicable provisions".
(21) For section 8 (action against High Contracting Parties) substitute -
(5) The provisions are -
(6) "Party" means -
(22) In section 10 (application to carriage by air not governed by Convention) -
(23) In section 11 (application to Scotland), in paragraph (b), for "Article 17 in Schedule 1 or 1A to this Act" substitute
(24) In section 14 (interpretation etc), for subsection (2) substitute -
(25) After Schedule 1A there shall be inserted, as Schedule 1B, the provisions set out in Schedule 1 to this Order.
(26) For Part II of Schedule 1A there shall be substituted the provisions in Schedule 2 to this Order.
Amendments of the Carriage by Air (Supplementary Provisions) Act 1962
3.
- (1) The Carriage by Air (Supplementary Provisions) Act 1962 is amended as follows.
(2) In subsection (1) of section 3 (Application of provisions of Acts of 1961 and 1932) for "subsections (2) and (3)" substitute "subsection (3A)(a) and (b)".
(3) In subsection (2) of that section after "carrier" insert "in a case where the Convention or the Convention as amended, as defined in section 1(5) of that Act, applies".
A. K. Galloway
Clerk of the Privy Council
2.
Any other means which preserves the information indicated in paragraph 1 may be substituted for the delivery of the document referred to in that paragraph. If any such other means is used, the carrier shall offer to deliver to the passenger a written statement of the information so preserved.
3.
The carrier shall deliver to the passenger a baggage identification tag for each piece of checked baggage.
4.
The passenger shall be given written notice to the effect that where this Convention is applicable it governs and may limit the liability of carriers in respect of death or injury and for destruction or loss of, or damage to, baggage, and for delay.
5.
Non-compliance with the provisions of the foregoing paragraphs shall not affect the existence or the validity of the contract of carriage, which shall, nonetheless, be subject to the rules of this Convention including those relating to limitation of liability.
Article 4 - Cargo
1.
In respect of the carriage of cargo, an air waybill shall be delivered.
2.
Any other means which preserves a record of the carriage to be performed may be substituted for the delivery of an air waybill. If such other means are used, the carrier shall, if so requested by the consignor, deliver to the consignor a cargo receipt permitting identification of the consignment and access to the information contained in the record preserved by such other means.
Article 5 - Contents of Air Waybill or Cargo Receipt
The air waybill or the cargo receipt shall include:
Article 6 - Document Relating to the Nature of the Cargo
The consignor may be required, if necessary to meet the formalities of customs, police and similar public authorities, to deliver a document indicating the nature of the cargo. This provision creates for the carrier no duty, obligation or liability resulting therefrom.
Article 7 - Description of Air Waybill
1.
The air waybill shall be made out by the consignor in three original parts.
2.
The first part shall be marked "for the carrier"; it shall be signed by the consignor. The second part shall be marked "for the consignee"; it shall be signed by the consignor and by the carrier. The third part shall be signed by the carrier who shall hand it to the consignor after the cargo has been accepted.
3.
The signature of the carrier and that of the consignor may be printed or stamped.
4.
If, at the request of the consignor, the carrier makes out the air waybill, the carrier shall be deemed, subject to proof to the contrary, to have done so on behalf of the consignor.
Article 8 - Documentation for Multiple Packages
When there is more than one package:
Article 9 - Non-compliance with Documentary Requirements
Non-compliance with the provisions of Articles 4 to 8 shall not affect the existence or the validity of the contract of carriage, which shall, nonetheless, be subject to the rules of this Convention including those relating to limitation of liability.
Article 10 - Responsibility for Particulars of Documentation
1.
The consignor is responsible for the correctness of the particulars and statements relating to the cargo inserted by it or on its behalf in the air waybill or furnished by it or on its behalf to the carrier for insertion in the cargo receipt or for insertion in the record preserved by the other means referred to in paragraph 2 of Article 4. The foregoing shall also apply where the person acting on behalf of the consignor is also the agent of the carrier.
2.
The consignor shall indemnify the carrier against all damage suffered by it, or by any other person to whom the carrier is liable, by reason of the irregularity, incorrectness or incompleteness of the particulars and statements furnished by the consignor or on its behalf.
3.
Subject to the provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article, the carrier shall indemnify the consignor against all damage suffered by it, or by any other person to whom the consignor is liable, by reason of the irregularity, incorrectness or incompleteness of the particulars and statements inserted by the carrier or on its behalf in the cargo receipt or in the record preserved by the other means referred to in paragraph 2 of Article 4.
Article 11 - Evidentiary Value of Documentation
1.
The air waybill or the cargo receipt is prima facie evidence of the conclusion of the contract, of the acceptance of the cargo and of the conditions of carriage mentioned therein.
2.
Any statements in the air waybill or the cargo receipt relating to the weight, dimensions and packing of the cargo, as well as those relating to the number of packages, are prima facie evidence of the facts stated; those relating to the quantity, volume and condition of the cargo do not constitute evidence against the carrier except so far as they both have been, and are stated in the air waybill or the cargo receipt to have been, checked by it in the presence of the consignor, or relate to the apparent condition of the cargo.
Article 12 - Right of Disposition of Cargo
1.
Subject to its liability to carry out all its obligations under the contract of carriage, the consignor has the right to dispose of the cargo by withdrawing it at the airport of departure or destination, or by stopping it in the course of the journey on any landing, or by calling for it to be delivered at the place of destination or in the course of the journey to a person other than the consignee originally designated, or by requiring it to be returned to the airport of departure. The consignor must not exercise this right of disposition in such a way as to prejudice the carrier or other consignors and must reimburse any expenses occasioned by the exercise of this right.
2.
If it is impossible to carry out the instructions of the consignor, the carrier must so inform the consignor forthwith.
3.
If the carrier carries out the instructions of the consignor for the disposition of the cargo without requiring the production of the part of the air waybill or the cargo receipt delivered to the latter, the carrier will be liable, without prejudice to its right of recovery from the consignor, for any damage which may be caused thereby to any person who is lawfully in possession of that part of the air waybill or the cargo receipt.
4.
The right conferred on the consignor ceases at the moment when that of the consignee begins in accordance with Article 13. Nevertheless, if the consignee declines to accept the cargo, or cannot be communicated with, the consignor resumes its right of disposition.
Article 13 - Delivery of the Cargo
1.
Except when the consignor has exercised its right under Article 12, the consignee is entitled, on arrival of the cargo at the place of destination, to require the carrier to deliver the cargo to it, on payment of the charges due and on complying with the conditions of carriage.
2.
Unless it is otherwise agreed, it is the duty of the carrier to give notice to the consignee as soon as the cargo arrives.
3.
If the carrier admits the loss of the cargo, or if the cargo has not arrived at the expiration of seven days after the date on which it ought to have arrived, the consignee is entitled to enforce against the carrier the rights which flow from the contract of carriage.
Article 14 - Enforcement of the Rights of Consignor and Consignee
The consignor and the consignee can respectively enforce all the rights given to them by Articles 12 and 13, each in its own name, whether it is acting in its own interest or in the interest of another, provided that it carries out the obligations imposed by the contract of carriage.
Articles 15 - Relations of Consignor and Consignee or Mutual Relations of Third Parties
1.
Articles 12, 13 and 14 do not affect either the relations of the consignor and the consignee with each other or the mutual relations of third parties whose rights are derived either from the consignor or from the consignee.
2.
The provisions of Articles 12, 13 and 14 can only be varied by express provision in the air waybill or the cargo receipt.
Article 16 - Formalities of Customs, Police or Other Public Authorities
1.
The consignor must furnish such information and such documents as are necessary to meet the formalities of customs, police and any other public authorities before the cargo can be delivered to the consignee. The consignor is liable to the carrier for any damage occasioned by the absence, insufficiency or irregularity of any such information or documents, unless the damage is due to the fault of the carrier, its servants or agents.
2.
The carrier is under no obligation to enquire into the correctness or sufficiency of such information or documents.
3.
The carriage by air within the meaning of paragraph 1 of this Article comprises the period during which the cargo is in the charge of the carrier.
4.
The period of the carriage by air does not extend to any carriage by land, by sea or by inland waterway performed outside an airport. If, however, such carriage takes place in the performance of a contract for carriage by air, for the purpose of loading, delivery or transhipment, any damage is presumed, subject to proof to the contrary, to have been the result of an event which took place during the carriage by air. If a carrier, without the consent of the consignor, substitutes carriage by another mode of transport for the whole or part of a carriage intended by the agreement between the parties to be carriage by air, such carriage by another mode of transport is deemed to be within the period of carriage by air.
Article 19 - Delay
The carrier is liable for damage occasioned by delay in the carriage by air of passengers, baggage or cargo. Nevertheless, the carrier shall not be liable for damage occasioned by delay if it proves that it and its servants and agents took all measures that could reasonably be required to avoid the damage or that it was impossible for it or them to take such measures.
Article 20 - Exoneration
If the carrier proves that the damage was caused or contributed to by the negligence or other wrongful act or omission of the person claiming compensation, or the person from whom he or she derives his or her rights, the carrier shall be wholly or partly exonerated from its liability to the claimant to the extent that such negligence or wrongful act or omission caused or contributed to the damage. When by reason of death or injury of a passenger compensation is claimed by a person other than the passenger, the carrier shall likewise be wholly or partly exonerated from its liability to the extent that it proves that the damage was caused or contributed to by the negligence or other wrongful act or omission of that passenger. This Article applies to all the liability provisions in this Convention, including paragraph 1 of Article 21.
Article 21 - Compensation in Case of Death or Injury of Passengers
1.
For damages arising under paragraph 1 of Article 17 not exceeding 100,000 Special Drawing Rights for each passenger, the carrier shall not be able to exclude or limit its liability.
2.
The carrier shall not be liable for damages arising under paragraph 1 of Article 17 to the extent that they exceed for each passenger 100,000 Special Drawing Rights if the carrier proves that:
Article 22 - Limits of Liability in Relation to Delay, Baggage and Cargo
1.
In the case of damage caused by delay as specified in Article 19 in the carriage of persons, the liability of the carrier for each passenger is limited to 4,150 Special Drawing Rights.
2.
In the carriage of baggage, the liability of the carrier in the case of destruction, loss, damage or delay is limited to 1,000 Special Drawing Rights for each passenger unless the passenger has made, at the time when the checked baggage was handed over to the carrier, a special declaration of interest in delivery at destination and has paid a supplementary sum if the case so requires. In that case the carrier will be liable to pay a sum not exceeding the declared sum, unless it proves that the sum is greater than the passenger's actual interest in delivery at destination.
3.
In the carriage of cargo, the liability of the carrier in the case of destruction, loss, damage or delay is limited to a sum of 17 Special Drawing Rights per kilogramme, unless the consignor has made, at the time when the package was handed over to the carrier, a special declaration of interest in delivery at destination and has paid a supplementary sum if the case so requires. In that case the carrier will be liable to pay a sum not exceeding the declared sum, unless it proves that the sum is greater than the consignor's actual interest in delivery at destination.
4.
In the case of destruction, loss, damage or delay of part of the cargo, or of any object contained therein, the weight to be taken into consideration in determining the amount to which the carrier's liability is limited shall be only the total weight of the package or packages concerned. Nevertheless, when the destruction, loss, damage or delay of a part of the cargo, or of an object contained therein, affects the value of other packages covered by the same air waybill, or the same receipt or, if they were not issued, by the same record preserved by the other means referred to in paragraph 2 of Article 4, the total weight of such package or packages shall also be taken into consideration in determining the limit of liability.
5.
The foregoing provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article shall not apply if it is proved that the damage resulted from an act or omission of the carrier, its servants or agents, done with intent to cause damage or recklessly and with knowledge that damage would probably result; provided that, in the case of such act or omission of a servant or agent, it is also proved that such servant or agent was acting within the scope of its employment.
6.
The limits prescribed in Article 21 and in this Article shall not prevent the court from awarding, in accordance with its own law, in addition, the whole or part of the court costs and of the other expenses of the litigation incurred by the plaintiff, including interest. The foregoing provision shall not apply if the amount of the damages awarded, excluding court costs and other expenses of the litigation, does not exceed the sum which the carrier has offered in writing to the plaintiff within a period of six months from the date of the occurrence causing the damage, or before the commencement of the action, if that is later.
Article 23 - Conversion of Monetary Units
1.
The sums mentioned in terms of Special Drawing Right in this Convention shall be deemed to refer to the Special Drawing Right as defined by the International Monetary Fund. Conversion of the sums into national currencies shall, in case of judicial proceedings, be made according to the value of such currencies in terms of the Special Drawing Right at the date of the judgement. The value of a national currency, in terms of the Special Drawing Right, of a State Party which is a Member of the International Monetary Fund, shall be calculated in accordance with the method of valuation applied by the International Monetary Fund, in effect at the date of the judgement, for its operations and transactions. The value of a national currency, in terms of the Special Drawing Right, of a State Party which is not a Member of the International Monetary Fund, shall be calculated in a manner determined by that State.
2.
Nevertheless, those States which are not Members of the International Monetary Fund and whose law does not permit the application of the provisions of paragraph 1 of this Article may, at the time of ratification or accession or at any time thereafter, declare that the limit of liability of the carrier prescribed in Article 21 is fixed at a sum of 1,500,000 monetary units per passenger in judicial proceedings in their territories; 62,500 monetary units per passenger with respect to paragraph 1 of Article 22; 15,000 monetary units per passenger with respect to paragraph 2 of Article 22; and 250 monetary units per kilogramme with respect to paragraph 3 of Article 22. This monetary unit corresponds to sixty-five and a half milligrammes of gold of millesimal fineness nine hundred. These sums may be converted into the national currency concerned in round figures. The conversion of these sums into national currency shall be made according to the law of the State concerned.
3.
The calculation mentioned in the last sentence of paragraph 1 of this Article and the conversion method mentioned in paragraph 2 of this Article shall be made in such manner as to express in the national currency of the State Party as far as possible the same real value for the amounts in Articles 21 and 22 as would result from the application of the first three sentences of paragraph 1 of this Article. States Parties shall communicate to the depositary the manner of calculation pursuant to paragraph 1 of this Article, or the result of the conversion in paragraph 2 of this Article as the case may be, when depositing an instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval of or accession to this Convention and whenever there is a change in either.
Article 24 - Review of Limits
1.
Without prejudice to the provisions of Article 25 of this Convention and subject to paragraph 2 below, the limits of liability prescribed in Articles 21, 22 and 23 shall be reviewed by the Depositary at five-year intervals, the first such review to take place at the end of the fifth year following the date of entry into force of this Convention, or if the Convention does not enter into force within five years of the date it is first open for signature, within the first year of its entry into force, by reference to an inflation factor which corresponds to the accumulated rate of inflation since the previous revision or in the first instance since the date of entry into force of the Convention. The measure of the rate of inflation to be used in determining the inflation factor shall be the weighted average of the annual rates of increase or decrease in the Consumer Price Indices of the States whose currencies comprise the Special Drawing Right mentioned in paragraph 1 of Article 23.
2.
If the review referred to in the preceding paragraph concludes that the inflation factor has exceeded 10 per cent, the Depositary shall notify States Parties of a revision of the limits of liability. Any such revision shall become effective six months after its notification to the States Parties. If within three months after its notification to the States Parties a majority of the States Parties register their disapproval, the revision shall not become effective and the Depositary shall refer the matter to a meeting of the States Parties. The Depositary shall immediately notify all States Parties of the coming into force of any revision.
3.
Notwithstanding paragraph 1 of this Article, the procedure referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article shall be applied at any time provided that one-third of the States Parties express a desire to that effect and upon condition that the inflation factor referred to in paragraph 1 has exceeded 30 per cent since the previous revision or since the date of entry into force of this Convention if there has been no previous revision. Subsequent reviews using the procedure described in paragraph 1 of this Article will take place at five-year intervals starting at the end of the fifth year following the date of the reviews under the present paragraph.
Article 25 - Stipulation on Limits
A carrier may stipulate that the contract of carriage shall be subject to higher limits of liability than those provided for in this Convention or to no limits of liability whatsoever.
Article 26 - Invalidity of Contractual Provisions
Any provision tending to relieve the carrier of liability or to fix a lower limit than that which is laid down in this Convention shall be null and void, but the nullity of any such provision does not involve the nullity of the whole contract, which shall remain subject to the provisions of this Convention.
Article 27 - Freedom to Contract
Nothing contained in this Convention shall prevent the carrier from refusing to enter into any contract of carriage, from waiving any defences available under the Convention, or from laying down conditions which do not conflict with the provisions of this Convention.
Article 28 - Advance Payments
In the case of aircraft accidents resulting in death or injury of passengers, the carrier shall, if required by its national law, make advance payments without delay to a natural person or persons who are entitled to claim compensation in order to meet the immediate economic needs of such persons. Such advance payments shall not constitute a recognition of liability and may be offset against any amounts subsequently paid as damages by the carrier.
Article 29 - Basis of Claims
In the carriage of passengers, baggage and cargo, any action for damages, however founded, whether under this Convention or in contract or in tort or otherwise, can only be brought subject to the conditions and such limits of liability as are set out in this Convention without prejudice to the question as to who are the persons who have the right to bring suit and what are their respective rights. In any such action, punitive, exemplary or any other non-compensatory damages shall not be recoverable.
Article 30 - Servants, Agents - Aggregation of Claims
1.
If an action is brought against a servant or agent of the carrier arising out of damage to which the Convention relates, such servant or agent, if they prove that they acted within the scope of their employment, shall be entitled to avail themselves of the conditions and limits of liability which the carrier itself is entitled to invoke under this Convention.
2.
The aggregate of the amounts recoverable from the carrier, its servants and agents, in that case, shall not exceed the said limits.
3.
Save in respect of the carriage of cargo, the provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article shall not apply if it is proved that the damage resulted from an act or omission of the servant or agent done with intent to cause damage or recklessly and with knowledge that damage would probably result.
Article 31 - Timely Notice of Complaints
1.
Receipt by the person entitled to delivery of checked baggage or cargo without complaint is prima facie evidence that the same has been delivered in good condition and in accordance with the document of carriage or with the record preserved by the other means referred to in paragraph 2 of Article 3 and paragraph 2 of Article 4.
2.
In the case of damage, the person entitled to delivery must complain to the carrier forthwith after the discovery of the damage, and, at the latest, within seven days from the date of receipt in the case of checked baggage and fourteen days from the date of receipt in the case of cargo. In the case of delay, the complaint must be made at the latest within twenty-one days from the date on which the baggage or cargo have been placed at his or her disposal.
3.
Every complaint must be made in writing and given or dispatched within the times aforesaid.
4.
If no complaint is made within the times aforesaid, no action shall lie against the carrier, save in the case of fraud on its part.
Article 32 - Death of Person Liable
In the case of the death of the person liable, an action for damages lies in accordance with the terms of this Convention against those legally representing his or her estate.
Article 33 - Jurisdiction
1.
An action for damages must be brought, at the option of the plaintiff, in the territory of one of the States Parties, either before the court of the domicile of the carrier or of its principal place of business, or where it has a place of business through which the contract has been made or before the court at the place of destination.
2.
In respect of damage resulting from the death or injury of a passenger, an action may be brought before one of the courts mentioned in paragraph 1 of this Article, or in the territory of a State Party in which at the time of the accident the passenger has his or her principal and permanent residence and to or from which the carrier operates services for the carriage of passengers by air, either on its own aircraft, or on another carrier's aircraft pursuant to a commercial agreement, and in which that carrier conducts its business of carriage of passengers by air from premises leased or owned by the carrier itself or by another carrier with which it has a commercial agreement.
3.
For the purposes of paragraph 2,
4.
Questions of procedure shall be governed by the law of the court seised of the case.
Article 34 - Arbitration
1.
Subject to the provisions of this Article, the parties to the contract of carriage for cargo may stipulate that any dispute relating to the liability of the carrier under this Convention shall be settled by arbitration. Such agreement shall be in writing.
2.
The arbitration proceedings shall, at the option of the claimant, take place within one of the jurisdictions referred to in Article 33.
3.
The arbitrator or arbitration tribunal shall apply the provisions of this Convention.
4.
The provisions of paragraphs 2 and 3 of this Article shall be deemed to be part of every arbitration clause or agreement, and any term of such clause or agreement which is inconsistent therewith shall be null and void.
Article 35 - Limitation of Actions
1.
The right to damages shall be extinguished if an action is not brought within a period of two years, reckoned from the date of arrival at the destination, or from the date on which the aircraft ought to have arrived, or from the date on which the carriage stopped.
2.
The method of calculating that period shall be determined by the law of the court seised of the case.
Article 36 - Successive Carriage
1.
In the case of carriage to be performed by various successive carriers and falling within the definition set out in paragraph 3 of Article 1, each carrier which accepts passengers, baggage or cargo is subject to the rules set out in this Convention and is deemed to be one of the parties to the contract of carriage in so far as the contract deals with that part of the carriage which is performed under its supervision.
2.
In the case of carriage of this nature, the passenger or any person entitled to compensation in respect of him or her can take action only against the carrier which performed the carriage during which the accident or the delay occurred, save in the case where, by express agreement, the first carrier has assumed liability for the whole journey.
3.
As regards baggage or cargo, the passenger or consignor will have a right of action against the first carrier, and the passenger or consignee who is entitled to delivery will have a right of action against the last carrier, and further, each may take action against the carrier which performed the carriage during which the destruction, loss, damage or delay took place. These carriers will be jointly and severally liable to the passenger or to the consignor or consignee.
Article 37 - Right of Recourse against Third Parties
Nothing in this Convention shall prejudice the question whether a person liable for damage in accordance with its provisions has a right of recourse against any other person.
2.
within the territory of any single State Party to this Convention by virtue of that State being Party to one or more of the instruments referred to in sub-paragraphs (a) to (e) above.
Article 57 - Reservations
No reservation may be made to this Convention except that a State Party may at any time declare by a notification addressed to the Depositary that this Convention shall not apply to:
[Paragraphs 53 (save for part of paragraph 2), 54 and 56 and the concluding words of the Convention are not reproduced. They deal with signature, ratification, coming into force, denunciation and territorial extent where a State has more than one system of law]"
(2) Le billet de passage fait foi, jusqu'à preuve contraire, de la conclusion et des conditions du contrat de transport. L' absence, l'irrégularité ou la perte du billet n' affecte ni l'existence ni la validité du contrat de transport, qui n'en sera pas moins soumis aux règles de la présente Convention. Toutefois, si, du consentement du transporteur, le passager s'embarque sans qu'un billet de passage ait été deliveré, ou si le billet ne comporte pas l'avis prescrit à l'alinéa 1 (c) du présent article, le transporteur n'aura pas le droit de se prévaloir des dispositions de l'article 22.
(2) Le bullentin de bagages fait foi, jusqu'à preuve contraire, de l'enregistrement des bagages et des conditions du contrat de transport. L' absence, l'irrégularité ou la perte du bulletin n'affecte ni l'existence ni la validité du contrat de transport, qui n'en sera pas moins soumis aux règles de la présente Convention. Toutefois, si le transporteur accepte la garde des bagages sans qu'un bulletin ait été délivré ou si, dans le cas où le bullentin n'est pas combiné avec un billet de passage conforme aux dispositions de l'article 3, alinéa 1 (c), ou n'est pas inclus dans un tel billet, il ne comporte pas l'avis prescrit a l'alinéa 1 (c) du présent article, le transporteur n'aura pas le droit de se prévaloir des dispositions de l'article 22, alinéa 2.
Article 8
La lettre de transport aérien et le récépissé de la marchandise contiennent:
Article 9
L'inobservation des dispositions des articles 5 à 8 n'affecte ni l'existence ni la validité du contrat de transport, qui n'en sera pas moins soumis aux règles de la présente Convention, y compris celles qui portent sur la limitation de responsabilité.
Article 10
(1) L'expéditeur est responsable de l'exactitude des indications et déclarations concernant la marchadise inscrites par lui ou en son nom dans la lettre de transport aérien, ainsi que de celles fournies et faites par lui ou en son nom au transporteur en vue d'être insérées dans le récépissé de la marchandise ou pour insertion dans les données enregistrées par les autres moyens prévus à l'alinéa 2 de l'article 5.
(2) L'expéditeur assume la responsabilité de tout dommage subi par le transporteur ou par toute autre personne à l'égard de laquelle la responsabilité du transporteur est engagée, à raison des indications et déclarations irrégulières, inexactes ou incomplètes foumies et faites par lui ou en son nom.
(3) Sous réserve des dispositions des alinéas 1 et 2 du présent article, le transporteur assume la responsabilité de tout dommage subi par l'expéditeur ou par toute autre personne à l'égard de laquelle la responsabilité de l'expéditeur est engagée, à raison des indications et déclarations irrégulières, inexactes ou incomplètes insérées par lui ou en son nom dans le récépissé de la marchandise ou dans les données enregistrées par les autres moyens prévus l'alinéa 2 de l'article 5.
Article 11
(1) La lettre de transport aérien et le récépissé de la marchandise font foi, jusqu'à preuve contraire, de la conclusion du contrat, de la réception de la marchandise et des conditions du transport qui y figurent.
(2) Les énonciations de la lettre de transport aérien et du récépissé de la marchandise, relatives au poids, aux dimensions et à l'emballage de la marchandise ainsi qu'au nombre des colis font foi jusqu'à preuve contraire; celles relatives à la quantité, au volume et à l'état de la marchandise ne font preuve contre le transporteur qu'autant que la verification en a été faite par lui en présence de l'expéditeur, et constatée sur la lettre de transport aérien, ou qu'il s'agit d'énonciations relatives à l'état apparent de la marchandise.
Article 12
(1) L'expéditeur a le droit, sous la condition d'exécuter toutes les obligations résultant du contrat de transport, de disposer de la marchandise, soit en la retirant l'aérodrome de départ ou de destination, soit en l'arrentant en cours de route lors d'un atterrissage, soit en la faisant délivrer au lieu de destination ou en cours de route à une personne autre que le destinataire initialement désigné, soit en demandant son retour à l'aérodrome de départ, pour autant que l'exercice de ce droit ne porte préjudice ni au transporteur, ni aux autres expéditeurs et avec l'obligation de rembourser les frais qui en résultent.
(2) Dans le cas où l'exécution des orders de l'expéditeur est impossible, le transporteur doit l'en aviser immédiatement.
(3) Si le transporteur se conforme aux ordres de disposition de l'expéditeur, sans exiger la production de l'exemplaire de la lettre de transport aérien ou du récépissé de la marchandise délivré à celui-ci, il sera responsable, sauf son recours contre l'expéditeur, du préjudice qui pourra être causé par ce fait à celui qui est régulièrement en possession de la lettre de transport aérien ou du récépissé de la marchandise.
(4) Le droit de l'expéditeur cesse au moment où celui du destinataire commence, conformément à l'article 13. Toutefois, si le destinataire refuse la marchandise, ou s'il ne peut être atteint, l'expéditeur reprend son droit de disposition.
Article 13
(1) Sauf lorsque l'expéditeur a exercé le droit qu'il tient de l'article 12, le destinataire a le droit, dès l'arrivée de la marchandise au point de destination, de demander au transporteur de lui livrer la marchandise contre la paiement du montant des créances et contre l'exécution des conditions de transport.
(2) Sauf stipulation contraire, le transporteur doit aviser le destinataire dès l'arrivée de la marchandise.
(3) Si la perte de la marchandise est reconnue par le transporteur ou si, à l'expiration d'un délai de sept jours après qu'elle aurait dû arriver, la marchandise n'est pas arrivée, le destinataire est autorisé à faire valoir vis-à-vis du transporteur les droits résultant du contrat de transport.
Article 14
L'expéditeur et le destinataire peuvent faire valoir tous les droits qui leur sont respectivement conférés par les articles 12 et 13, chacun en son propre nom, qu'il agisse dans son propre intérêt ou dans l' intérêt d'autrui, à condition d'exécuter les obligations que le contrat de transport impose.
Article 15
(1) Les articles 12, 13 et 14 ne portent aucun préjudice ni aux rapports de l'expéditeur et du destinataire entre eux, ni aux rapports des tiers don't les droits proviennent, soit de l'expéditeur, soit du destinataire.
(2) Toute clause dérogeant aux stipulations des articles 12, 13 et 14 doit être inscrite dans la lettre de transport aérien ou dans le récépissé de la marchandise.
Article 16
(1) L'expéditeur est tenu de fournir les renseignements et les documents qui, avant la remise de la marchandise au destinataire, sont nécessaries à l'accomplissement des formalités de douane, d'octroi ou de police. L'expéditeur est responsable envers le transporteur de tous dommages qui pourraient résulter de l'absence, de l'insuffisance ou de l'irregularité de ces renseignements et pièces, sauf le cas de faute de la part du transporteur ou de ses préposés.
(2) Le transporteur n'est pas tenu d'examiner si ces renseignements et documents sont exacts ou suffisants.
(4) Le transport aérien, au sens des alinéas precedents, comprend la période pendant laquelle les bagages ou marchandises se trouvent sous la garde du transporteur, que ce soit dans un aérodrome ou à bord d'un aéronef ou dans un lieu quelconque en cas d'atterrissage en dehors d'un aérodrome.
(5) La période du transport aérien ne couvre aucun transport terrestre, maritime ou fluvial effectué en dehors d'un aerodrome. Toutefois, lorsqu'un tel transport est effectué dans l'exécution du contrat de transport aérien en vue du chargement, de la livraison ou du transbordement, tout dommage est présumé, sauf preuve contraire, résulter d'un événement survenu pendant le transport aérien.
Article 19
Le transporteur est responsable du dommage résultant d'un retard dans le transport aérien de voyageurs, bagages ou merchandises.
Article 20
Dans le transport de passagers et de bagages et en cas de dommage résultant d'un retard dans le transport de merchandises, le transporteur n'est pas responsable s'il prouve que lui et ses préposés ont pris toutes les mesures nécessaries pour éviter le dommage ou qu'il leur était impossible de les prendre.
Article 21
(1) Dans le transport de passagers et de bagages, dans le cas où le transporteur fait la preuve que la faute de la personne lésée a causé le dommage ou y a contribué, le tribunal pourra, conformément aux dispositions de sa propre loi, écarter ou atténuer la responsabilité du transporteur.
(2) Dans le transport de merchandises, le transporteur est exonéré, en tout ou en partie, de sa responsabilité dans la mesure où il prouve que la faute de la personne qui demande réparation ou de la personne dont elle tient ses droits a causé le dommage ou y a contribué.
Article 22
(1) Dans le transport des personnes, la responsabilité du transporteur relative à chaque - passager est limitée à la somme de 16 600 Droits de Tirage spéciaux. Dans le cas où, d'après la loi du tribunal saisi, l'indemnité peut être fixée sous forme de rente, le capital de la rente ne peut dépasser cette limite. Toutefois par une convention spéciale avec le transporteur, le passager pourra fixer une limite de responsabilité plus élevée.
(2)
(3) En ce qui concerne les objets dont le passager conserve la garde, la responsabilité du transporteur est limitée à 332 Droits de Tirage spéciaux par passager.
(4) Les limites fixées par le présent article n'ont pas pour effet d'enlever au tribunal la faculté d'allouer en outre, conformément à sa loi, une somme correspondant à tout ou partie des dépens et autres frais du procès exposés par le demandeur. La disposition précédente ne s'applique pas lorsque le montant de l'indemnité allouée, non compris les dépens et autres frais de procès, ne déepasse pas la somme que le transporteur a offerte par écrit au demandeur dans un délai de six mois à dater du fait qui a causé le dommage ou avant l'introduction de l'instance si celle-ci est postérieure à ce délai.
(5) Les sommes indiquées en Droits de Tirage spéciaux dans le présent article sont considérées comme se rapportant au Droit de Tirage spécial tel que défini par le Fonds Monétaire International. La conversion de ces sommes en monnaies nationales s'effectuera en cas d'instance judiciaire suivant la valeur de ces monnaies en Droit de Tirage spécial à la date du jugement.
(6) Les sommes indiquées en Droits de Tirage spéciaux dans le present article sont considérées comme se rapportant au Droit de Tirage spécial tel que défini par le Fonds Monétaire International. La conversion de ces sommes en monnaies nationales s'effectuera en cas d'instance judiciaire suivant la valeur de ces monnaies en Droit de Tirage spécial à la date du jugement. La valeur, en Droit de Tirage spécial, d'une monnaie nationale d'une Haute Partie Contractante qui est membre du Fonds Monétaire International, est calculée selon la méthode d'évaluation appliquée par la Fonds Monétaire International à la date du jugement pour ses propres opérations et transactions. La valeur, en Droit de Tirage spécial, d'une monnaie nationale d'une Haute Partie Contractante qui n'est pas membre du Fonds Monétaire International, est calculée de la facçon déeterminée par cette Haute Partie Contractante.
Article 23
(1) Toute clause tendant à exonérer le transporteur de sa responabilité ou à établir une limite inférieure à celle qui est fixée dans la présente Convention est nulle et de nul effet, mais la nullité de cette clause n'entraîne pas la nullité du contrat qui reste soumis aux dispositions de la présente Convention.
(2) L'alinéa 1er du présent article ne s'applique pas aux clauses concernant la perte ou le dommage résultant de la nature ou du vice proper des merchandises transportées.
Article 24
(1) Dans le transport de passagers et de bagages, toute action en responsabilité, à quelque titre que ce soit, ne peut être exercée que dans les conditions et limites prévues par la présente Convention, sans préjudice de la détermination des personnel qui ont le droit d'agir et de leurs droits respectifs.
(2) Dans le transport de merchandises, toute action en réparation introduite, à quelque titre que ce soit, que ce soit en vertu de la présente Convention, en raison d'un contrat ou d'un acte illicite ou pour toute autre cause, ne peut être exercée que dans les conditions et limites de responsabilité prévues par la présente Convention, sans préjudice de la détermination des personne qui ont le droit d'agir et de leurs droits respectifs. Ces limites de responsabilité constituent un maximum et sont infranchissables quelles que soient les circonstances qui sont à l'origine de la responsabilité.
Article 25
Dans le transport de passagers et de bagages, les limites de responsabilité prévues à l'article 22 ne s'appliquent pas s'il est prouvé que le dommage résulte d'un acte ou d'une omission du transporteur ou de ses préposés fait, soit avec l'intention de provoquer un dommage, soit témérairement et avec conscience qu'un dommage en résultera probablement, pour autant que, dans le cas d'un acte ou d'une omission de préposés, la preuve soit également apportée que ceux-ci ont agi dans l'exercice de leurs functions.
Article 25A
(1) Si une action est intentée contre un préposé du transporteur à la suite d'un dommage visé par la présente Convention, ce préposé, s'il prouve qu'il a agi dans l'exercice de ses fonctions, pourra se prévaloir des limites de responsabilité que peut invoquer ce transporteur en vertu de l'article 22.
(2) Le montant total de la réparation qui, dans ce cas, peut être obtenu du transporteur et de ses préposés ne doit pas dépasser lesdites limites.
(3) Dans le transport de passagers et de bagages, les dispositions des alinéas 1 et 2 du présent article ne s'appliquent pas s'il est prouvé que le dommage résulte d'un acte ou d'une omission du préposé fait, soit avec l'intention de provoquer un dommage, soit témérairement et avec conscience qu'un dommage en résultera probablement.
Article 26
(1) La réception des bagages et merchandises sans protestation par le destinataire constituera présomption, sauf preuve contraire, que les merchandises ont été livrées en bon état et conformément au titre de transport.
(2) En cas d'avarie, le destinataire doit addresser au transporteur une protestation immédiatement après la découverte de l'avarie et, au plus tard, dans un délai de sept jours pour les bagages et de quatorze jours pour les merchandises à dater de leur reception. En cas de retard, la protestation devra être faite au plus tard dans les vingt et un jours à dater du jour où le baggage ou la marchandise auront été mis à sa disposition.
(3) Toute protestation doit être faite par réserve inscrite sur le titre de transport ou par un autre écrit expédié dans le délai prévu pour cette protestation.
(4) A défaut de protestation dans les délai prévus, toutes actions contre le transporteur sont irrecevables, sauf le cas de fraude de celui-ci.
Article 27
En cas de décès du débiteur, l'action en responsabilité, dans les limites prévues par la présente Convention, s'exerce contre ses ayants droit.
Article 28
(1) L'action en responsabilité devra être portée, au choix du demandeur, dans le territoire d'une des Hautes Parties Contractantes, soit devant le tribunal du domicile du transporteur, du siège principal de son exploitation ou du lieu où il possède un établissement par la soin duquel le contrat a été conclu, soit devant le tribunal du lieu de destination.
(2) La procédure sera réglée par la loi du tribunal saisi.
Article 29
(1) L'action en responsabilité doit être intentée, sous peine de déchéance, dans le délai de deux ans à compter de l'arrivée à destination ou du jour où l'aéronef aurait du arriver, ou de l'arrêt du transport.
(2) Le mode du calcul du délai est determiné par la loi du tribunal saisi.
Article 30
(1) Dans les cas de transport régis par la définition du troisième alinéa de l'article 1er à exécuter par divers transporteurs successifs, chaque transporteur acceptant des voyageurs, des bagages ou des marchandises est soumis aux règlis établies par cette Convention, et est censé être une des parties contractantes du contrat de transport, pour autant que ce contrat ait trait à la partie du transport effectué sous son contrôle.
(2) Au cas d'un tel transport, le voyageur ou ses ayants droit ne pourront recourir que contre le transporteur ayant effectué le transport au cours duquel l'accident ou le retard s'est produit, sauf dans le cas où, par stipulation expresse, le premier transporteur aura assuré la responsibilité pour tout le voyage.
(3) S'il s'agit de bagages ou de marchandises, l'expéditeur aura recours contre le premier transporteur et le destinataire qui a le droit à la délivrance contre le dernier, et l'un et l'autre pourront, en outre, agir contre le transporteur ayant effectué le transport au cours duquel la destruction, la perte, l'avarie ou le retard se sont produits. Ces transporteurs seront solidairement responsables envers l'expéditeur et le destinataire.
Article 30A
La présente Convention ne préjuge en aucune manière la question de savoir si la personne tenue pour responsable en vertu de ses dispositions a ou non un recours contre toute autre personne.
[2] 1962 c. 43. Section 4A was inserted by section 3(2) of the Carriage by Air and Road Act 1979 and came into force on 12 October 2000 (S.I. 2000/2768).back
[4] O.J. L 285, 17.10.97, p. 1.back
[6] O.J. L310, 19.11.98, p 21.back