August 28, 2025
Bank Line Ltd v Arthur Capel & Co [1918] UKHL 1, [1919] AC 435
Facts The appellants (Bank Line, Ltd, “the charterers”) entered into a time charter-party with the respondents (Arthur Capel & Co, “the owners”) on 16th February 1915 for the steamship *Quito*. The charter was for a period of twelve months, commencing upon delivery of the vessel at a coal port in the UK. The charter-party stipulated that the vessel was to be delivered by 30th April 1915, and provided the charterers with an option to cancel the contract if she was not delivered by this date (clause 26). The contract also contained a standard exception for “restraint of Princes, Rulers or
