On 10 May 1952, in Brussels, the International Convention relating to the Arrest of Seagoing Ships is signed.

The text unifies rules on judicial arrest of ships for defined maritime claims: collision, salvage, charter, cargo, crew wages, ownership, ship mortgage and more. “Arrest” means detention by judicial process to secure a claim, not execution of a judgment.

Authentic languages: French and English. Depositary: the Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs. Entry into force: 24 February 1956. Registered with the UN by Belgium in 1962 (UNTS vol. 439, I-6330).

A ship may be arrested in any Contracting State’s jurisdiction for a maritime claim; release on bail is allowed. Multiple arrest for the same claim is limited.

The Convention remains a pillar of private maritime law, later supplemented by the 1999 Arrest Convention. The text is on the UNTC and in national implementing statutes.

For shipowners and creditors, Brussels 1952 offered a clear catalogue of claims justifying conservatory arrest at sea.

The Arrest of Ships Convention of 10 May 1952 remains the classic framework for maritime conservatory arrest.

Image: Brussels; Wikimedia Commons. Cropped to 16:9.

Source consulted: 1952 Arrest Convention. Treaty text: Arrest of Seagoing Ships (UNTS 439).