ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses a far the liability of class can, and ought to, extend today: hence its official title, “the liabilities of classification societies”. The possibility therefore remains very much open of a classification society finding itself open to liability claims arising under State law where oil pollution causes damage to property within particular states. As a result, the possibility must remain open of liability of classification societies for negligence, or possibly nuisance where the escape of hazardous or polluting material affects the use or amenity of land. If he who pays the piper calls the tune, the piper for his part must owe his paymaster at least some obligation to play tunefully. Normally a buyer or charterer is interested only in taking a vessel if it is in class: even if he is already bound on principle to buy or charter, that contract will nearly always be subject to a class clause.
