ABSTRACT
The standard clauses providing war risks cover for “Strikers, Locked-out Workmen or Persons taking part in Labour Disturbances, Riots or Civil Commotions” have a lengthy history, but have generated relatively little litigation. In determining the limits of cover, reference will therefore be made to disputes arising outside of the insurance arena. The reported cases are drawn from other areas of international trade and from civil and criminal cases testing the definitions of “riot”, “lock-outs” and “civil commotion”. The strikes clause was taken from the S.G. Form with Institute War and Strikes Clauses attached. It has never been regarded as a well-drafted clause and has given rise to difficulties in its interpretation. If two strikers of an alarming appearance should damage a ship, there would be no cover because two people cannot form a riot; they would need to be joined by more people before there could be a riot, when cover would be given by the War Risks Policy.
