Marine Liability Act — M-0.7 56
o compensation for any incident shall be paid by the HNS Fund for damage in the territory, including the territorial sea of a State Party in accordance with article 3(a), the exclusive economic zone or other area of a State Party in accordance with article 3(b), or damage in accordance with article 3(c) in respect of a given incident or for preventive measures, wherever taken, in accordance with article 3(d), until the obligations under article 21, paragraphs 2 and 4, have been complied with in respect of that State Party for all years prior to the occurrence of an incident for which compensation is sought. The Assembly shall determine in the internal regulations of the HNS Fund the circumstances under which a State Party shall be considered as not having fulfilled these obligations. 3 Where compensation has been denied temporarily in accordance with paragraph 2, compensation shall be denied permanently if the obligations under article 21, paragraphs 2 and 4, have not been fulfilled within one year after the Director has notified the State Party of its failure to fulfil these obligations. 4 Any payments of contributions due to the HNS Fund shall be set off against compensation due to the debtor, or the debtor’s agents. 5 Paragraphs 2 to 4 shall not apply to claims in respect of death or personal injury. Non-payment of contributions Article 22 1 The amount of any contribution due under articles 18, 19, 20 or article 21, paragraph 5 and which is in arrears shall bear interest at a rate which shall be determined in accordance with the internal regulations of the HNS Fund, provided that different rates may be fixed for different circumstances. 2 Where a person who is liable to pay contributions in accordance with articles 18, 19, 20 or article 21, paragraph 5, does not fulfil the obligations in respect of any such contribution or any part thereof and is in arrears, the Director shall take all appropriate action, including court action, against such a person on behalf of the HNS Fund with a view to the recovery of the amount due. However, where the defaulting contributor is manifestly insolvent or the circumstances otherwise so warrant, the Assembly may, upon recommendation of the Director, decide that no action shall be taken or continued against the contributor. Optional liability of states parties for the payment of contributions Article 23 1 Without prejudice to article 21, paragraph 5, a State Party may, at the time when it signs without reservation as to ratification, acceptance or approval, or deposits its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession or at any time thereafter, declare that it assumes responsibility for obligations imposed by this Convention on any person liable to pay contributions in accordance with articles 18, 19, 20 or article 21, paragraph 5, in respect of hazardous and noxious substances received in the territory of that State. Such a declaration shall be made in writing and shall specify which obligations are assumed. 2 Where a declaration under paragraph 1 is made prior to the entry into force of this Convention in accordance with article 46, it shall be deposited with the Secretary-General who shall after the entry into force of this Convention communicate the declaration to the Director. 3 A declaration under paragraph 1 which is made after the entry into force of this Convention shall be deposited with the Director. 4 A declaration made in accordance with this article may be withdrawn by the relevant State giving notice thereof in writing to the Director. Such a notification shall take effect three months after the Director’s receipt thereof. 5 Any State which is bound by a declaration made under this article shall, in any proceedings brought against it before a competent court in respect of any obligation specified in the declaration, waive any immunity that it would otherwise be entitled to invoke. Chapter IV Claims and Actions Limitation of actions Article 37 1 Rights to compen