Carriage by Air Act 1961

1961 CHAPTER 27

An Act to give effect to the Convention concerning international carriage by air known as "the Warsaw Convention as amended at The Hague, 1955 ", to enable the rules contained in that Convention to be applied, with or without modification, in other cases and, in particular, to non-international carriage by air; and for connected purposes.

[22nd June, 1961]

Be it enacted by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

1 Convention to have force of law

(1) Subject to this section, the provisions of the Convention known as " the Warsaw Convention as amended at The Hague, 1955 " as set out in the First Schedule to this Act shall, so far as they relate to the rights and liabilities of carriers, carriers' servants and agents, passengers, consignors, consignees and other persons, and subject to the provisions of this Act, have the force of law in the United Kingdom in relation to any carriage by air to which the Convention applies, irrespective of the nationality of the aircraft performing that carriage ; and the Carriage by Air Act, 1932 (which gives effect to the Warsaw Convention in its original form), shall cease to have effect.

(2) If there is any inconsistency between the text in English in Part I of the First Schedule to this Act and the text in French in Part II of that Schedule, the text in French shall prevail.

(3) This section shall come into force on such day as Her Majesty may by Order in Council certify to be the day on which the Convention comes into force as regards the United Kingdom.

(4) This section shall not apply so as to affect rights or liabilities arising out of an occurrence before the coming into force of this section.

2 Designation of High Contracting Parties

(1) Her Majesty may by Order in Council from time to time certify who are the High Contracting Parties to the Convention, in respect of what territories they are respectively parties and to what extent they have availed themselves of the provisions of the Additional Protocol at the end of the Convention as set out in the First Schedule to this Act.

(2) Paragraph (2) of Article 40a in the First Schedule to this Act shall not be read as extending references in that Schedule to the territory of a High Contracting Party (except such as are references to the territory of any State, whether a High Contracting Party or not) to include any territory in respect of which that High Contracting Party is not a party.

(3) An Order in Council under this section shall, except so far as it has been superseded by a subsequent Order, be conclusive evidence of the matters so certified.

(4) An Order in Council under this section may contain such transitional and other, consequential provisions as appear to Her Majesty to be expedient.

3 Fatal accidents

References in section one of the Fatal Accidents Act, 1846, as it applies in England and Wales, and in Northern Ireland, to a wrongful act, neglect or default shall include references to any occurrence which gives rise to a liability under Article 17 in the First Schedule to this Act.

4 Limitation of liability

(1) It is hereby declared that the limitations on liability in Article 22 in the First Schedule to this Act apply whatever the nature of the proceedings by which liability may be enforced and that, in particular—

(a) those limitations apply where proceedings are brought by a tortfeasor to obtain a contribution from another tortfeasor, and

(b) the limitation for each passenger in paragraph (1) of the said Article 22 applies to the aggregate liability of the carrier in all proceedings which may be brought against him under the law of any part of the United Kingdom, together with any proceedings brought against him outside the United Kingdom.

(2) A court before which proceedings are brought to enforce a liability which is limited by the said Article 22 may at any stage of the proceedings make any such order as appears to the court to be just and equitable in view of the provisions of the said Article 22, and of any other proceedings which have been, or are likely to be, commenced in the United Kingdom or elsewhere to enforce the liability in whole or in part.

(3) Without prejudice to the last foregoing subsection, a court before which proceedings are brought to enforce a liability which is limited by the said Article 22 shall, where the liability is, or may be, partly enforceable in other proceedings in the United Kingdom or elsewhere, have jurisdiction to award an amount less than the court would have awarded if the limitation applied solely to the proceedings before the court, or to make any part of its award conditional on the result of any other proceedings.

(4) The Minister of Aviation may from time to time by order made by statutory instrument specify the respective amounts which for the purposes of the said Article 22, and in particular of paragraph (5) of that Article, are to be taken as equivalent to the sums expressed in francs which are mentioned in that Article.

(5) References in this section to the said Article 22 include, subject to any necessary modifications, references to that Article as applied by Article 25A.

5 Time for bringing proceedings

(1) No action against a carrier's servant or agent which arises out of damage to which the Convention relates shall, if he was acting within the scope of his employment, be brought after more than two years, reckoned from the date of arrival at the destination or from the date on which the aircraft ought to have arrived, or from the date on which the carriage stopped.

(2) Article 29 in the First Schedule of this Act shall not be read as applying to any proceedings for contribution between tortfeasors, but no action shall be brought by a tortfeasor to obtain a contribution from a carrier in respect of a tort to which the said Article 29 applies after the expiration of two years from the time when judgment is obtained against the person seeking to obtain the contribution.

(3) The foregoing provisions of this section and the provisions of the said Article 29 shall have effect as if references in those provisions to an action included references to an arbitration ; and subsections (3) and (4) of section twenty-seven of the Limitation Act, 1939, or, in Northern Ireland, subsections (2) and (3) of section seventy-two of the Statute of Limitations (Northern Ireland), 1958 (which determine the time at which an arbitration is deemed to be commenced), shall apply for the purposes of this subsection.

6 Contributory negligence

It is hereby declared that for the purposes of Article 21 in the First Schedule to this Act the Law Reform (Contributory Negligence) Act, 1945 (including that Act as applied to Scotland), and section two of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland), 1948, are provisions of the law of the United Kingdom under which a court may exonerate the carrier wholly or partly from his liability.

7 Power to exclude aircraft in use for military purposes

(1) Her Majesty may from time to time by Order in Council direct that this section shall apply, or shall cease to apply, to the United Kingdom or any other State specified in the Order.

(2) The Convention as set out in the First Schedule to this Act shall hot apply to the carriage of persons, cargo and baggage for the military authorities of a State to which this section applies in aircraft registered in that State if the whole capacity of the aircraft has been reserved by or on behalf of those authorities.

8 Actions against High Contracting Parties

Every High Contracting Party to the Convention who has not availed himself of the provisions of the Additional Protocol at the end of the Convention as set out in the First Schedule to this Act shall, for the purposes of any action brought in a court in the United Kingdom in accordance with the provisions of Article 28 in the said Schedule to enforce a claim in respect of carriage undertaken by him, be deemed to have submitted to the jurisdiction of that court, and accordingly rules of court may provide for the manner in which any such action is to be commenced and carried on ; but nothing in this section shall authorise the issue of execution against the property of any High Contracting Party.

9 Application to British possessions, etc.

(1) Her Majesty may by Order in Council direct that this Act shall extend, subject to such exceptions, adaptations and modifications as may be specified in the Order, to—

(a) the Isle of Man ;

(b) any of the Channel Islands ;

(c) any colony or protectorate, protected state or United Kingdom trust territory.

The references in this subsection to a protectorate, to a protected state and to a United Kingdom trust territory shall be construed as if they were references contained in the British Nationality Act, 1948.

(2) An Order in Council under this section may contain such transitional and other consequential provisions as appear to Her Majesty to be expedient, and may be varied or revoked by a subsequent Order in Council.

10 Application to carriage by air not governed by Convention

(1) Her Majesty may by Order in Council apply the First Schedule to this Act, together with any other provisions of this Act, to carriage by air, not being carriage by air to which the Convention applies, of such descriptions as may be specified in the Order, subject to such exceptions, adaptations and modifications, if any, as may be so specified.

(2) An Order in Council under this section may be made to apply to any of the countries or places mentioned in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of subsection (1) of the last foregoing section.

(3) An Order in Council under this section may contain such transitional and other consequential provisions as appear to Her Majesty to be expedient, and may confer any functions under the Order on a Minister of the Crown in the United Kingdom or on any Governor or other authority in any of the countries or places mentioned in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of subsection (1) of the last foregoing section, including a power to grant exemptions from any requirements imposed by such an Order.

(4) An Order in Council under this section may be varied or revoked by a subsequent Order in Council.

(5) An Order in Council under this section shall not be made unless a draft of the Order has been laid before Parliament and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament:

Provided that this subsection shall not apply to an Order which applies only to the Isle of Man or all or any of the Channel Islands.

11 Application to Scotland

In the application of this Act to Scotland—

(a) there shall be substituted—

(i) for any reference to a tort, a reference to a wrongful act or a negligent act or omission;

(ii) for any reference to a tortfeasor, a reference to a person who has been or might be held liable for loss or damage arising from any such act or omission;

(iii) for any reference to the obtaining of judgment, a reference to the pronouncing of decree;

(iv) for any reference to the issuing of execution, a reference to the execution of diligence ;

(v) for any reference to an arbitrator, a reference to an arbiter ; and

(vi) for any reference to a plaintiff, a reference to a pursuer;

(b) for section three there shall be substituted the following section—

“3 Fatal accidents.

The reference in Article 17 in the First Schedule to this Act to the liability of a carrier for damage sustained in the event of the death of a passenger shall be construed as including liability to such persons as are entitled, apart from this Act, to sue the carrier (whether for patrimonial damage or solatium or both) in respect of the death.”;

(c) in section five, subsection (1) shall have effect notwithstanding anything in section six of the Law Reform (Limitation of Actions, &c.) Act, 1954; and in subsection (3), for the words from " and subsections (3) and (4)" to the end of the subsection there shall be substituted the words " and for the purpose of this subsection an arbitration shall be deemed to be commenced when one party to the arbitration serves on the other party or parties a notice requiring him or them to appoint an arbiter or to agree to the appointment of an arbiter, or, where the arbitration agreement provides that the reference shall be to a person named or designated in the agreement, requiring him or them to submit the dispute to the person so named or designated. "

12 Application to Northern Ireland

In the application of this Act to Northern Ireland any reference to an enactment of the Parliament of Northern Ireland, or to an enactment which that Parliament has power to amend, shall be construed as a reference to that enactment as amended by any Act of that Parliament, whether passed before or after this Act, and to any enactment of that Parliament passed after this Act and re-enacting the said enactment with or without modification.

13 Application to Crown

This Act shall bind the Crown.

14 Short title, interpretation and repeals

(1) This Act may be cited as the Carriage by Air Act, 1961.

(2) In this Act the expression "court" includes (in an arbitration allowed by the Convention) an arbitrator.

(3) On the date on which section one of this Act comes into force the Acts specified in the Second Schedule to this Act shall be repealed to the extent specified in the third column of that Schedule:

Provided that, without prejudice to section thirty-eight of the Interpretation Act, 1889 (which relates to the effect of repeals), this subsection shall not affect any rights or liabilities arising out of an occurrence before that date.

SCHEDULES

Section 1.

FIRST SCHEDULE THE WARSAW CONVENTION WITH THE AMENDMENTS MADE IN IT BY THE HAGUE PROTOCOL

PART I THE ENGLISH TEXTCONVENTIONFor the Unification of Certain Rules relating to International Carriage by Air

CHAPTER I Scope—Definitions

Article 1

(1) This Convention applies to all international carriage of persons, baggage or cargo performed by aircraft for reward. It applies equally to gratuitous carriage by aircraft performed by an air transport undertaking.

(2) For the purposes of this Convention, the expression international carriage means any carriage in which, according to the agreement between the parties, the place of departure and the place of destination, whether or not there be a break in the carriage or a transhipment, are situated either within the territories of two High Contracting Parties or within the territory of a single High Contracting Party if there is an agreed stopping place within the territory of another State, even if that State is not a High Contracting Party Carriage (between two points within the territory of a single High Contracting Party without an agreed stopping place within the territory of another State is not international carriage for the purposes of this Convention.

(3) Carriage to be performed by several successive air carriers is deemed, for the purposes of this Convention, to be one undivided carriage if it has been regarded by the parties as a single operation, whether it had been agreed upon under the form of a single contract or of a series of contracts, and it does not lose its international character merely because one contract or a series of contracts is to be performed entirely within the territory of the same State.

Article 2

(1) This Convention applies to carriage performed by the State or by legally constituted public bodies provided it falls within the conditions laid down in Article 1.

(2) This Convention shall not apply to carriage of mail and postal packages.

CHAPTER II Documents of Carriage

Section 1—Passenger Ticket

Article 3

(1) In respect of the carriage of passengers a ticket shall be delivered containing:

(a) an indication of the places of departure and destination ;

(b) if the places of departure and destination are within the territory of a single High Contracting Party, one or more agreed stopping places being within the territory of another State, an indication of at least one such stopping place ;

(c) a notice to the effect that, if the passenger's journey involves an ultimate destination or stop in a country other than the country of departure, the Warsaw Convention may be applicable and that the Convention governs and in most cases limits the liability of carriers for death or personal injury and in respect of loss of or damage to baggage.

(2) The passenger ticket shall constitute prima facie evidence of the conclusion and conditions of the contract of carriage. The absence, irregularity or loss of the passenger ticket does not affect the existence or the validity of the contract of Carriage Which shall, none the less, be subject to the rules of this Convention. Nevertheless, if, with the consent of the carrier, the passenger embarks without a passenger ticket having been delivered, or if the ticket does not include the notice required by paragraph (1) (c) of this Article, the carrier shall not be entitled to avail himself of the provisions of Article 22.

Section 2—Baggage Check

Article 4

(1) In respect of the carriage of registered baggage, a baggage check shall be delivered, which, unless combined with or incorporated in a passenger ticket which complies with the provisions of Article 3, paragraph (1), shall contain:

(a) an indication of the places of departure and destination ;

(b) if the places of departure and destination are within the territory of a single High Contracting Party, one or more agreed stopping places being within the territory of another State, an indication of at least one such stopping place ;

(c) a notice to the effect that, if the carriage involves an ultimate destination or stop in a country other than the country of departure, the Warsaw Convention may be applicable and that the Convention governs and in most cases limits the liability of carriers in respect of loss of or damage to baggage.

(2) The baggage check shall constitute prima facie evidence of the registration of the baggage and of the conditions of the contract of carriage. The absence, irregularity or loss of the baggage check does not affect the existence or the validity of the contract of carriage which shall, none the less, be subject to the rules of this Convention. Nevertheless, if the carrier takes charge of the baggage without a baggage check having been delivered or if the baggage check (unless combined with or incorporated in the passenger ticket which complies with the provisions of Article 3, paragraph (1) (c)) does not include the notice required by paragraph (1) (c) of this Article, he shall not be entitled to avail himself of the provisions of Article 22, paragraph (2).

Section 3—Air Waybill

Article 5

(1) Every carrier of cargo has the right to require the consignor to make out and hand over to him a document called an " air waybill"; every consignor has the right to require the carrier to accept this document.

(2) The absence, irregularity or loss of this document does not affect the existence or the validity of the contract of carriage which shall, subject to the provisions of Article 9, be none the less governed by the rules of this Convention.

Article 6

(1) The air waybill shall be made out by the consignor in three original parts and be handed over with the cargo.

(2) The first part shall be marked " for the carrier," and shall be signed by the consignor. The second part shall be marked " for the consignee " ; it shall be signed by the consignor and by the carrier and shall accompany the cargo. The third part shall be signed by the carrier and handed by him to the consignor after the cargo has been accepted.

(3) The carrier shall sign prior to the loading of the cargo on board the aircraft.

(4) The signature of the carrier may be stamped ; that of the consignor may be printed or stamped.

(5) If, at the request of the consignor, the carrier makes out the air waybill, he shall be deemed, subject to proof to the contrary, to have done so on behalf of the consignor.

Article 7

The carrier of cargo has the right to require the consignor to make out separate waybills when there is more than one package.

Article 8

The air waybill shall contain:

(a) an indication of the places of departure and destination;

(b) if the places of departure and destination are within the territory of a single High Contracting Party, one or more agreed stopping places being within the territory of another State, an indication of at least one such stopping place ;

(c) a notice to the consignor to the effect that, if the carriage involves an ultimate destination or stop in a country other than the country of departure, the Warsaw Convention may be applicable and that the Convention governs and in most cases limits the liability of carriers in respect of loss of or damage to cargo.

Article 9

If, with the consent of the carrier, cargo is loaded on board the aircraft without an air waybill having been made out, or if the air waybill does not include the notice required by Article 8, paragraph (c), the carrier shall not be entitled to avail himself of the provisions of Article 22, paragraph (2).

Article 10

(1) The consignor is responsible for the correctness of the particulars and statements relating to the cargo which he inserts in the air waybill.

(2) The consignor shall indemnify the carrier against all damage suffered by him, or by any other person to whom the carrier is liable, by reason of the irregularity, incorrectness or incompleteness of the particulars and statements furnished by the consignor.

Article 11

(1) The air waybill is prima facie evidence of the conclusion of the contract, of the receipt of the cargo and of the conditions of carriage.

(2) The statements in the air waybill relating to the weight, dimensions and packing of the cargo, as well as those relating to the number of packages, are prima facie evidence of the facts stated; those relating to the quantity, volume and condition of the cargo do not constitute evidence against the carrier except so far as they both have been, and are stated in the air waybill to have been, checked by him in the presence of the consignor, or relate to the apparent condition of the cargo.

Article 12

(1) Subject to his liability to carry out all his obligations under the contract of carriage, the consignor has the right to dispose of the cargo by withdrawing it at the aerodrome of departure or destination, or by stopping it in the course of the journey on any landing, or by calling for it to be delivered at the place of destination or in the course of the journey to a person other than the consignee named in the air waybill, or by requiring it to be returned to the aerodrome of departure. He must not exercise this right of disposition in such a way as to prejudice the carrier or other consignors and he must repay any expenses occasioned by the exercise of this right.

(2) If it is impossible to carry out the orders of the consignor the carrier must so inform him forthwith.

(3) If the carrier obeys the orders of the consignor for the disposition of the cargo without requiring the production of the part of the air waybill delivered to the latter, he will be liable, without prejudice to this right of recovery from the consignor, for any damage which may be caused thereby to any person who is lawfully in possession of that part of the air waybill.

(4) The right conferred on the consignor ceases at the moment when that of the consignee begins in accordance with Article 13. Nevertheless, if the consignee declines to accept the waybill or the cargo, or if he cannot be communicated with, the consignor resumes his right of disposition.

Article 13

(1) Except in the circumstances set out in the preceding Article, the consignee is entitled, on arrival of the cargo ait the place of destination, to require the carrier to hand over to him the air waybill and to deliver the cargo to him, on payment of the charges due and on complying with the conditions of carriage set out in the air waybill.

(2) Unless it is otherwise agreed, it is the duty of the carrier to give notice to the consignee as soon as the cargo arrives.

(3) If the carrier admits the loss of the cargo, or if the cargo has not arrived at the expiration of seven days after the date on which it ought to have arrived, the consignee is entitled to put into force against the carrier the rights which flow from the contract of carriage.

Article 14

The consignor and the consignee can respectively enforce all the rights given them by Articles 12 and 13, each in his own name, whether he is acting in his own interest or in the interest of another, provided that he carries out the obligations imposed by the contract.

Article 15

(1) Articles 12, 13 and 14 do not affect either the relations of the consignor or the consignee with each other or the mutual relations of third parties whose rights are derived either from the consignor or from the consignee.

(2) The provisions of Articles 12, 13 and 14 can only be varied by express provision in the air waybill.

(3) Nothing in this Convention prevents the issue of a negotiable air waybill.

Article 16

(1) The consignor must furnish such information and attach to the air waybill such documents as are necessary to meet the formalities of customs, octroi or police before the cargo can be delivered to the consignee. The consignor is liable to the carrier for any damage occasioned by the absence, insufficiency or irregularity of any such information or documents, unless the damage is due to the fault of the carrier or his servants or agents.

(2) The carrier is under no obligation to enquire into the correctness or sufficiency of such information or documents.

CHAPTER III Liability of the Carrier

Article 17

The carrier is liable for damage sustained in the event of the death or wounding of a passenger or any other bodily injury suffered by a passenger, if the accident which caused the damage so sustained took place on board the aircraft or in the course of any of the operations of embarking or disembarking.

Article 18

(1) The carrier is liable for damage sustained in the event ot tne destruction or loss of, or of damage to, any registered baggage or any cargo, if the occurrence which caused the damage so sustained took place during the carriage by air.

(2) The carriage by air within the meaning of the preceding paragraph comprises the period during which the baggage or cargo is in charge of the carrier, whether in an aerodrome or on board an aircraft, or, in the case of a landing outside an aerodrome, in any place whatsoever.

(3) The period of the carriage by air does not extend to any carriage by land, by sea or by river performed outside an aerodrome. If, however, such a carriage takes place in the performance of a contract for carriage by air, for the purpose of loading, delivery or transshipment, any damage is presumed, subject to proof to the contrary, to have been the result of an event which took place during the carriage by air.

Article 19

The carrier is liable for damage occasioned by delay in the carriage by air of passengers, baggage or cargo.

Article 20

The carrier is not liable if he proves that he and his servants or agents have taken all necessary measures to avoid the damage or that it was impossible for him or them to take such measures.

Article 21

If the carrier proves that the damage was caused by or contributed to by the negligence of the injured person the court may, in accordance with the provisions of its own law, exonerate the carrier wholly or partly from his liability.

Article 22

(1) In the carriage of persons the liability of the carrier for each passenger is limited to the sum of two hundred and fifty thousand francs. Where, in accordance with the law of the court seised of the case, damages may be awarded in the form of periodical payments the equivalent capital value of the said payments shall not exceed two hundred and fifty thousand francs. Nevertheless, by special contract, the carrier and the passenger may agree to a higher limit of liability.

(2) (a) In the carriage of registered baggage and of cargo, the liability of the carrier is limited to a sum of two hundred and fifty francs per kilogramme, unless the passenger or consignor has made, at the time when the package was handed over to the carrier, a special declaration of interest in delivery at destination and has paid a supplementary sum if the case so requires. In that case the carrier will be liable to pay a sum not exceeding the declared sum, unless he proves that that sum is greater than the passenger's or consignor's actual interest in delivery at destination.

(b) In the case of loss, damage or delay of part of registered baggage or cargo, or of any object contained therein, the weight to be taken into consideration in determining the amount to which the carrier's liability is limited shall be only the total weight of the package or packages concerned. Nevertheless, when the loss, damage or delay of a part of the registered baggage or cargo, or of an object contained therein, affects the value of other packages covered by the same baggage check or the same air waybill, the total weight of such package or packages shall also be taken into consideration in determining the limit of liability.

(3) As regards objects of which the passenger takes charge himself the liability of the carrier is limited to five thousand francs per passenger.

(4) The limits prescribed in this Article shall not prevent the court from awarding, in accordance with its own law, in addition, the whole or part of the court costs and of the other expenses of the litigation incurred by the plaintiff. The foregoing provision shall not apply if the amount of the damages awarded, excluding court costs and other expenses of the litigation, does not exceed the sum which the carrier has offered in writing to the plaintiff within a period of six months from the date of the occurrence causing the damage, or before the commencement of the action, if that is later.

(5) The sums mentioned in francs in this Article shall be deemed to refer to a currency unit consisting of sixty-five and a half milligrammes of gold of millesimal fineness nine hundred. These sums may be converted into national currencies in round figures. Conversion of the sums into national currencies other than gold shall, in case of judicial proceedings, be made according to the gold value of such currencies at the date of the judgment.

Article 23

(1) Any provision tending to relieve the carrier of liability or to fix a lower limit than that which is laid down in this Convention shall be null and void, but the nullity of any such provision does not involve the nullity of the whole contract, which shall remain subject to the provisions of this Convention.

(2) Paragraph (1) of this Article shall not apply to provisions governing loss or damage resulting from the inherent defect, quality or vice of the cargo carried.

Article 24

(1) In the cases covered by Articles 18 and 19 any action for damages, however founded, can only be brought subject to the conditions and limits set out in this Convention.

(2) In the cases covered by Article 17 the provisions of the preceding paragraph also apply, without prejudice to the questions as to who are the persons who have the right to bring suit and what are their respective rights.

Article 25

The limits of liability specified in Article 22 shall not apply if it is proved that the damage resulted from an act or omission of the carrier, his servants or agents, done with intent to cause damage or recklessly and with knowledge that damage would probably result; provided that, in the case of such act or omission of a servant or agent, it is also proved that he was acting within the scope of his employment.

Article 25a

(1) If an action is brought against a servant or agent of the carrier arising out of damage to which this Convention relates, such servant or agent, if he proves that he acted within the scope of his employment, shall be entitled to avail himself of the limits of liability which that carrier himself is entitled to invoke under Article 22.

(2) The aggregate of the amounts recoverable from the carrier, his servants and agents, in that case, shall not exceed the said limits.

(3) The provisions of paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Article shall not apply if it is proved that the damage resulted from an act or omission of the servant or agent done with intent to cause damage or recklessly and with knowledge that damage would probably result.

Article 26

(1) Receipt by the person entitled to delivery of baggage or cargo without complaint is prima facie evidence that the same has been delivered in good condition and in accordance with the document of carriage.

(2) In the case of damage, the person entitled to delivery must complain to the carrier forthwith after the discovery of the damage, and, at the latest, within seven days from the date of receipt in the case of baggage and fourteen days from the date of receipt in the case of cargo. In the case of delay the complaint must be made at the latest within twenty-one days from the date on which the baggage or cargo have been placed at his disposal.

(3) Every complaint must be made in writing upon the document of carriage or by separate notice in writing despatched within the times aforesaid.

(4) Failing complaint within the times aforesaid, no action shall lie against the carrier, save in the case of fraud on his part.

Article 27

In the case of the death of the person liable, an action for damages lies in accordance with the terms of this Convention against those legally representing his estate.

Article 28

(1) An action for damages must be brought, at the option of the plaintiff, in the territory of one of the High Contracting Parties, either before the court having jurisdiction where the carrier is ordinarily resident, or has his principal place of business, or has an establishment by which the contract has been made or before the court having jurisdiction at the place of destination.

(2) Questions of procedure shall be governed by the law of the court seised of the case.

Article 29

(1) The right to damages shall be extinguished if an action is not brought within two years, reckoned from the date of arrival at the destination, or from the date on which the aircraft ought to have arrived, or from the date on which the carriage stopped.

(2) The method of calculating the period of limitation shall be determined by the law of the court seised of the case.

Article 30

(1) In the case of carriage to be performed by various successive carriers and falling within the definition set out in the third paragraph of Article 1, each carrier who accepts passengers, baggage or cargo is subjected to the rules set out in this Convention, and is deemed to be one of the contracting parties to the contract of carriage in so far as the contract deals with that part of the carriage which is performed under his supervision.

(2) In the case of carriage of this nature, the passenger or his representative can take action only against the carrier who performed the carriage during which the accident or the delay occurred, save in the case where, by express agreement, the first carrier has assumed liability for the whole journey.

(3) As regards baggage or cargo, the passenger or consignor will have a right of action against the first carrier, and the passenger or consignee who is entitled to delivery will have a right of action against the last carrier, and further, each may take action against the carrier who performed the carriage during which the destruction, loss, damage or delay took place. These carriers will be jointly and severally liable to the passenger or to the consignor or consignee.

CHAPTER IV Provisions Relating to Combined Carriage

Article 31

(1) In the case of combined carriage performed partly by air and partly by any other mode of carriage, the provisions of this Convention apply only to the carriage by air, provided that the carriage by air falls within the terms of Article 1.

(2) Nothing in this Convention shall prevent the parties in the case of combined carriage from inserting in the document of air carriage conditions relating to other modes of carriage, provided that the provisions of this Convention are observed as regards the carriage by air.

CHAPTER V General and Final Provisions

Article 32

Any clause contained in the contract and all special agreements entered into before the damage occurred by which the parities purport to infringe the rules laid down by this Convention, whether by decoding the law to be applied, or by altering the rules as to jurisdiction, shall be null and void. Nevertheless or (the carriage of cargo arbitration Clauses are allowed, subject Ito this Convention, if the arbitration is to take place within one of She jurisdictions referred to in the first paragraph of Article 28.

Article 33

Nothing contained in this Convention shall prevent the carrier either from refusing to enter into any contract of carriage, or from making regulations which do not conflict with the provisions of this Convention.

Article 34

The provisions of Articles 3 to 9 inclusive (relating (to documents of carriage shall not apply in the case of carriage performed in extraordinary circumstances outside the normal scope of an air carrier's, business.

Article 35

The expression " days" when used in this Convention means-current days not working days.

Article 36

The Convention is drawn up in French in a single copy which shall remain deposited in the archives of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Poland and of which one duly certified copy shall be sent by the Polish Government to the Government of each of the High Contracting Parties.

Article 40A

(1) [This paragraph is not reproduced. It defines "High Contracting Party ".]

(2) For the purposes of the Convention the word territory means that only the metropolitan territory of a State but also all other territories for the foreign relations of which that State is responsible.

(Articles 37, 38, 39, 40 and 41 and the concluding words of the Convention are not reproduced. They deal with the coming into-force of the Convention.)

Additional Protocol (With reference to Article 2)

The High Contracting Parties reserve to themselves the right to declare at the time of ratification or of accession that the first paragraph of Article 2 of this Convention shall not apply to international carriage by air performed directly by the State, its colonies, protectorates or mandated territories or by any other territory under its sovereignty, suzerainty or authority.

PART II THE FRENCH TEXTCONVENTIONPOUR L'UNIFICATION DE CERTAINES REGLES RELATIVES AU TRANSPORT AERIEN INTERNATIONAL

CHAPITRE Ier Objet—Définitions

Article 1

(1) La présente Convention s'applique à tout transport international de personnes, bagages ou marchandises, effectué par aéronef contre rémunération. Elle s'applique également aux transports gratuits effectués par aéronef par une entreprise de transports aériens.

(2) Est qualifié transport international, au sens de la présente Convention, tout transport dans lequel, d'après les stipulations des parties, le point de départ et le point de destination, qu'il y ait ou non interruption de transport ou transbordement, sont situés soit sur le territoire de deux Hautes Parties Contractantes, soit sur le territoire d'une seule Haute Parthe Contractante si une escale est prévue sur le territoire d'un autre Etat, même si cet Etat n'est pas une Haute Parthe Contractante. Le transport sans une telle escale entre deux points du territoire d'une seule Haute Parthe Contractante n'est pas considéré comme international au sens de la présente Convention.

(3) Le transport à exécuter par plusieurs transporteurs par air successifs est censé constituer pour l'application de la présente Convention un transport unique lorsqu'il a été envisagé par les parties comme une seule opération, qu'il ait été conclu sous la forme d'un seul contrat ou d'une série de contrats, et il ne perd pas son caractère international par le fait qu'un seul contrat ou une série de contrats doivent être exécutés intégralement dans le territoire d'un même Etat.

Article 2

(1) La Convention s'applique aux transports effectués par l'État ou les autres personnes juridiques de droit public, dans les conditions prévues à l'article 1 er.

(2) La présente Convention ne s'applique pas au transport du courrier et des colis postaux.

CHAPITRE II Titre de transport

Section 1—Billet de passage

Article 3

(1) Dans le transport de passagers, un billet de passage doit être délivré, contenant :

(a) l'indication des points de départ et de destination ;

(b) si les points de départ et de destination sont situés sur le territoire d'une même Haute Parthe Contractante et qu'une ou plusieurs escales soient prévues sur le territoire d'un autre Etat, l'indication d'une de ces escales ;

(c) un avis indiquant que si les passagers entreprennent un voyage comportant une destination finale ou une escale dans un pays autre que le pays de départ, leur transport peut être régi par la Convention de Varsovie qui, en général, limite la responsabilité du transporteur en cas de mort ou de lésion corporelle, ainsi qu'en cas de perte ou d'avarie des bagages.

(2) Le billet de passage fait foi, jusqu'à preuve contraire, de la conclusion et des conditions du contrat de transport. L'absence, l'irrégularité ou la perte du billet n'affecte ni l'existence ni la validité du contrat de transport, qui n'en sera pas moins soumis aux règles de la présente Convention. Toutefois, si, du consentement du transporteur, le passager s'embarque sans qu'un billet de passage ait été délivré, ou si le billet ne comporte pas l'avis prescrit à l'alinéa 1 (c) du présent article, le transporteur n'aura pas le droit de se prévaloir des dispositions de l'article 22.

Section 2—Bulletin de bagages

Article 4

(1) Dans le transport de bagages enregistrés, un bulletin de bagages doit être délivré qui, s'il n'est pas combiné avec un billet de passage conforme aux dispositions de l'article 3, alinéa 1 er, ou n'est pas inclus dans un tel billet, doit contenir :

(a) l'indication des points de départ et de destination ;

(b) si les points de départ et de destination sont situés sur le territoire d'une même Haute Parthe Contractante et qu'une ou plusieurs escales soient prévues sur le territoire d'un autre Etat, l'indication d'une de ces escales ;

(c) un avis indiquant que, si le transport comporte une destination finale ou une escale dans un pays autre que le pays de départ, il peut être régi par la Convention de Varsovie qui, en général, limite la responsabilité du transporteur en cas de perte ou d'avarie des bagages.

(2) Le bulletin de bagages fait foi, jusqu'à preuve contraire, de l'enregistrement des bagages et des conditions du contrat de transport. L'absence, l'irrégularité ou la perte du bulletin n'affecte ni l'existence ni la validité du contrat de transport, qui n'en sera pas moins soumis aux règles de la présente Convention. Toutefois, si le transporteur accepte la garde des bagages sans qu'un bulletin ait été délivré ou si, dans le cas où le bulletin n'est pas combiné avec un bMlet de passage conforme aux dispositions de l'article 3, alinéa 1 (c), ou n'est pas inclus dans un tel billet, il ne comporte pas l'avis prescrit à l'alinéa 1 (c) du présent article, le transporteur n'aura pas le droit de se prévaloir des dispositions de l'article 22, alinéa 2.

Section 3—Lettre de transport aérien

Article 5

(1) Tout transporteur de marchandises a le droit de demander à l'expéditeur l'établissement et la remise d'un titre appelé : " lettre de transport aérien " ; tout expéditeur a le droit de demander au transporteur l'acceptation de ce document.

(2) Toutefois, l'absence, l'irrégularité ou la perte de ce titre n'affecte ni l'existence, ni la validité du contrat de transport qui n'en sera pas moins soumis aux règles de la présente Convention, sous réserve des dispositions de l'article 9.

Article 6

(1) La lettre de transport aérien est établie par l'expéditeur en trois exemplaires originaux et remise avec la marchandise.

(2) Le premier exemplaire porte la mention "pour le transporteur " ; il est signé par l'expéditeur. Le deuxième exemplaire porte la mention " pour le destinataire " ; il est signé par l'expéditeur et le transporteur et il accompagne la marchandise. Le troisième exemplaire est signé par le transporteur et remis par lui à l'expéditeur après acceptation de la marchandise.

(3) La signature du transporteur doit être apposée avant l'embarquement de la marchandise à bord de l'aéronef.

(4) La signature du transporteur peut être remplacée par un timbre ; celle de l'expéditeur peut être imprimée ou remplacée par un timbre.

(5) Si, à la demande de l'expéditeur, le transporteur établit la lettre de transport aérien, il est considéré, jusqu'à preuve contraire, comme agissant pour le compte de l'expéditeur.

Article 7

Le transporteur de marchandises a le droit de demander à l'expéditeur l'établissement de lettres de transport aérien différentes lorsqu'il y a plusieurs colis.

Article 8

La lettre de transport aérien doit contenir :

(a) l'indication des points de départ et de destination ;

(b) si les points de départ et de destination sont situés sur le territoire d'une même Haute Parthe Contractante et qu'une ou plusieurs escales soient prévues sur le territoire d'un autre Etat, l'indication d'une de ces escales ;

(c) un avis indiquant aux expéditeurs que, si le transport comporte une destination finale ou une escale dans un pays autre que le pays de départ, il peut être régi par la Convention de Varsovie qui, en général, limite la responsabilité des transporteurs en cas de perte ou d'avarie des marchandises.

Article 9

Si, du consentement du transporteur, des marchandises sont embarquées à bord de l'aéronef sans qu'une lettre de transport aérien ait été établie ou si celle-ci ne comporte pas l'avis prescrit à l'article 8, alinéa (c), le transporteur n'aura pas le droit de se prévaloir des dispositions de l'article 22, alinéa 2.

Article 10

(1) L'expéditeur est responsable de l'exactitude des indications et déclarations concernant la marchandise qu'il inscrit dans la lettre de transport aérien.

(2) Il supportera la responsabilité de tout dommage subi par le transporteur ou par toute autre personne à l'égard de laquelle la responsabilité du transporteur est engagée à raison de ses indications et déclarations irrégulières, inexactes ou incomplètes.

Article 11

(1) La lettre de transport aérien fait foi, jusqu'à preuve contraire, de la conclusion du contrat, de la réception de la marchandise et des conditions du transport.

(2) Les énonciations de la lettre de transport aérien, relatives au poids, aux dimensions et à l'emballage de la marchandise ainsi qu'au nombre des colis, font foi jusqu'à preuve contraire ; celles relatives à la quantité, au volume et à l'état de la marchandise ne font preuve contre le transporteur qu'autant que la vérification en a été faite par lui en présence de l'expéditeur, et constatée sur la lettre de transport aérien, ou qu'il s'agit dénonciations relatives à l'état apparent de la marchandise.

Article 12

(1) L'expéditeur a le droit, sous la condition d'exécuter toutes les obligations résultant du contrat de transport, de disposer de la marchandise, soit en la retirant à l'aérodrome de départ ou de destination, soit en l'arrêtant en cours de route lors d'un atterrissage, soit en la faisant délivrer au lieu de destination ou en cours de route à une personne autre que le destinataire indiqué sur la lettre de transport aérien, soit en demandant son retour à l'aérodrome de départ, pour autant que l'exercice de ce droit ne porte préjudice ni au transporteur, ni aux autres expéditeurs et avec l'obligation de rembourser les frais qui en résultent.

(2) Dans le cas où l'exécution des ordres de l'expéditeur est impossible, le transporteur doit l'en aviser immédiatement.

(3) Si le transporteur se conforme aux ordres de disposition de l'expéditeur, sans exiger la production de l'exemplaire de la lettre de transport aérien délivré à celui-ci, il sera responsable, sauf son recours contre l'expéditeur, du préjudice qui pourrait être causé par ce fait à celui qui est régulièrement en possession de la lettre de transport aérien.

(4) Le droit de l'expéditeur cesse au moment où celui du destinataire commence, conformément à l'article 13 ci-dessous. Toutefois, si le destinataire refuse la lettre de transport ou la marchandise, ou s'il ne peut être atteint, l'expéditeur reprend son droit de disposition.

Article 13

(1) Sauf dans les cas indiqués à l'article précédent, le destinataire a le droit, dès l'arrivée de la marchandise au point de destination, de demander au transporteur de lui remettre la lettre de transport aérien et de lui livrer la marchandise contre le paiement du montant des créances et contre l'exécution des conditions de transport indiquées dans la lettre de transport aérien.

(2) Sauf stipulation contraire, le transporteur doit aviser le destinataire dès l'arrivée de la marchandise.

(3) Si la perte de la marchandise est reconnue par le transporteur ou si, à l'expiration d'un délai de sept jours après qu'elle aurait dû arriver, la marchandise n'est pas arrivée, le destinataire est autorisé à faire valoir vis-à-vis du transporteur les droits résultant du contrat de transport.

Article 14

L'expéditeur et le destinataire peuvent faire valoir tous les droits qui leur sont respectivement conférés par les articles 12 et 13, chacun en son propre nom, qu'il agisse dans son propre intérêt ou dans l'intérêt d'autrui, à condition d'exécuter les obligations que le contrat impose.

Article 15

(1) Les articles 12, 13 et 14 ne portent aucun préjudice ni aux rapports de l'expéditeur et du destinataire entre eux, ni aux rapports des tiers dont les droits proviennent, soit de l'expéditeur, soit du destinataire.

(2) Toute clause dérogeant aux stipulations des articles 12, 13 et 14 doit être inscrite dans la lettre de transport aérien.

(3) Rien dans la présente Convention n'empêche rétablissement d'une lettre de transport aérien négociable.

Article 16

(1) L'expéditeur est tenu de fournir les renseignements et de joindre à la lettre de transport aérien les documents qui, avant la remise de la marchandise au destinataire, sont nécessaires à l'accomplissement des formalités de douane, d'octroi ou de police. L'expéditeur est responsable envers le transporteur de tous dommages qui pourraient résulter de l'absence, de l'insuffisance ou de l'irrégularité de ces renseignements et pièces, sauf le cas de faute de la part du transporteur ou de ses préposés.

(2) Le transporteur n'est pas tenu d'examiner si ces renseignements et documents sont exacts ou suffisants. CHAPITRE III Responsabilité du transporteur

Article 17

Le transporteur est responsable du dommage survenu en cas de mort, de blessure ou de toute autre lésion corporelle subie par un voyageur lorsque l'accident qui a causé le dommage s'est produit à bord de l'aéronef ou au cours de toutes opérations d'embarquement et de débarquement.

Article 18

(1) Le transporteur est responsable du dommage survenu en cas de destruction, perte ou avarie de bagages enregistrés ou de marchandises lorsque l'événement qui a causé le dommage s'est produit pendant le transport aérien.

(2) Le transport aérien, au sens de l'alinéa précédent, comprend la période pendant laquelle les bagages ou marchandises se trouvent sous la garde du transporteur, que ce soit dans un aérodrome ou à bord d'un aéronef ou dans un lieu quelconque en cas d'atterrissage en dehors d'un aérodrome.

(3) La période du transport aérien ne couvre aucun transport terrestre, maritime ou fluvial effectué en dehors d'un aérodrome. Toutefois lorsqu'un tel transport est effectué dans l'exécution du contrat de transport aérien en vue du chargement, de la livraison ou du transbordement, tout dommage est présumé, sauf preuve contraire, résulter d'un événement survenu pendant le transport aérien.

Article 19

Le transporteur est responsable du dommage résultant d'un retard dans le transport aérien de voyageurs, bagages ou marchandises.

Article 20

Le transporteur n'est pas responsable s'il prouve que lui et ses préposés ont pris toutes les mesures nécessaires pour éviter le dommage ou qu'il leur était impossible de les prendre.

Article 21

Dans le cas où le transporteur fait la preuve que la faute de la personne lésée a causé le dommage ou y a contribué, le tribunal pourra, conformément aux dispositions de sa propre loi, écarter ou atténuer la responsabilité du transporteur.

Article 22

(1) Dans le transport des personnes, la responsabilité du transporteur relative à chaque passager est limitée à la somme de deux cent cinquante mille francs. Dans le cas où, d'après la loi du tribunal saisi, l'indemnité peut être fixée sous forme de rente, le capital de la rente ne peut dépasser cette limite. Toutefois par une convention spéciale avec le transporteur, le passager pourra fixer une limite de responsabilité plus élevée.

(2) (a) Dans le transport de bagages enregistrés et de marchandises, la responsabilité du transporteur est limité à la somme de deux cent cinquante francs par kilogramme, sauf déclaration spéciale d'intérêt à la livraison faite par l'expéditeur au moment de la remise du colis au transporteur et moyennant le paiement d'une taxe supplémentaire éventuelle. Dans ce cas, le transporteur sera tenu de payer jusqu'à concurrence de la somme déclarée, à moins qu'il ne prouve qu'elle est supérieure à l'intérêt réel de l'expéditeur à la livraison.

(b) En cas de perte, d'avarie ou de retard d'une parthe des bagages enregistrés ou des marchandises, ou de tout objet qui y est contenu, seul le poids total du ou des colis dont il s'agit est pris en considération pour déterminer la limite de responsabilité du transporteur. Toutefois, lorsque la perte, l'avarie ou le retard d'une parthe des bagages enregistrés ou des marchandises, ou d'un objet qui y est contenu, affecte la valeur d'autres colis couverts par le même bulletin de bagages ou la même lettre de transport aérien, le poids total de ces colis doit être pris en considération pour déterminer la limite de responsabilité.

(3) En ce qui concerne les objets dont le passager conserve la garde, la responsabilité du transporteur est limitée à cinq mille francs par passager.

(4) Les limites fixées par le présent article n'ont pas pour effet d'enlever au tribunal la faculté d'allouer en outre, conformément à sa loi, une somme correspondant à tout ou parthe des dépens et autres frais du procès exposés par le demandeur. La disposition précédente ne s'applique pas lorsque le montant de l'indemnité allouée, non compris les dépens et autres frais de procès, ne dépasse pas la somme que le transporteur a offerte par écrit au demandeur dans un délai de six mois à dater du fait qui a causé le dommage ou avant l'introduction de l'instance si celle-ci est postérieure à ce délai.

(5) Les sommes indiquées en francs dans le présent article sont considérées comme se rapportant à une unité monétaire constituée par soixante-cinq milligrammes et demi d'or au titre de neuf cents millièmes de fin. Ces sommes peuvent être converties dans chaque monnaie nationale en chiffres ronds. La conversion de ces sommes en monnaies nationales autres que la monnaie-or s'effectuera en cas d'instance judiciaire suivant la valeur-or de ces monnaies à la date du jugement.

Article 23

(1) Toute clause tendant à exonérer le transporteur de sa responsabilité ou à établir une limite inférieure à celle qui est fixée dans la présente Convention est nulle et de nul effet, mais la nullité de cette clause n'entraîne pas la nullité du contrat qui reste soumis aux dispositions de la présente Convention.

(2) L'alinéa 1 er du présent article ne s'applique pas aux clauses concernant la perte ou le dommage résultant de la nature ou du vice propre des marchandises transportées.

Article 24

(1) Dans les cas prévus aux articles 18 et 19 toute action en responsabilité, à quelque titre que ce soit, ne peut être exercée que dans les conditions et limites prévues par la présente Convention.

(2) Dans les cas prévus à l'article 17, s'appliquent également les dispositions de l'alinéa précédent, sans préjudice de la détermination des personnes qui ont le droit d'agir et de leurs droits respectifs.

Article 25

Les limites de responsabilité prévues à l'article 22 ne s'appliquent pas s'il est prouvé que le dommage résulte d'un acte ou d'une omission du transporteur ou de ses préposés fait, soit avec l'intention de provoquer un dommage, soit témérairement et avec conscience qu'un dommage en résultera probablement, pour autant que, dans le cas d'un acte ou d'une omission de préposés, la preuve soit également apportée que ceux-ci ont agi dans l'exercice de leur fonctions.

Article 25a

(1) Si une action est intentée contre un préposé du transporteur à la suite d'un dommage visé par la présente Convention, ce préposé, s'il prouve qu'il a agi dans l'exercice de ses fonctions, pourra se prévaloir des limites de responsabilité que peut invoquer ce transporteur en vertu de l'article 22.

(2) Le montant total de la réparation qui, dans ce cas, peut être obtenu du transporteur et de ses préposés ne doit pas dépasser lesdites limites.

(3) Les dispositions des alinéas 1 et 2 du présent article ne s'appliquent pas s'il est prouvé que le dommage résulte d'un acte ou d'une omission du préposé fait, soit avec l'intention de provoquer un dommage, soit témérairement et avec conscience qu'un dommage en résultera probablement.

Article 26

(1) La réception des bagages et marchandises sans protestation par le destinataire constituera présomption, sauf preuve contraire, que les marchandises ont été livrées en bon état et conformément au titre de transport.

(2) En cas d'avarie, le destinataire doit adresser au transporteur une protestation immédiatement après la découverte de l'avarie et, au plus tard, dans un délai de sept jours pour les bagages et de quatorze jours pour les marchandises à dater de leur réception. En cas de retard, la protestation devra être faite au plus tard dans les vingt et un jours à dater du jour où le bagage ou la marchandise auront été mis à sa disposition.

(3) Toute protestation doit être faite par réserve inscrite sur le titre de transport ou par un autre écrit expédié dans le délai prévu pour cette protestation.

(4) A défaut de protestation dans les délais prévus, toutes actions contre le transporteur sont irrecevables, sauf le cas de fraude de celui-ci.

Article 27

En cas de décès du débiteur, l'action en responsabilité, dans les limites prévues par la présente Convention, s'exerce contre ses ayants droit.

Article 28

(1) L'action en responsabilité devra être portée, au choix du demandeur, dans le territoire d'une des Hautes Parties Contractantes, soit devant le tribunal du domicile du transporteur, du siège principal de son exploitation ou du lieu où il possède un établissement par le soin duquel le contrat a été conclu, soit devant le tribunal du lieu de destination.

(2) La procédure sera réglée par la loi du tribunal saisi.

Article 29

(1) L'action en responsabilité doit être intentée, sous peine de déchéance, dans le délai de deux ans à compter de l'arrivée à destination ou du jour où l'aéronef aurait dû arriver, ou de l'arrêt du transport.

(2) Le mode du calcul du délai est déterminé par la loi du tribunal saisi.

Article 30

(1) Dans les cas de transport régis par la définition du troisième alinéa de l'article 1 er, a exécuter par divers transporteurs successifs, chaque transporteur acceptant des voyageurs, des bagages ou des marchandises est soumis aux règles établies par cette Convention, et est censé être une des parties contractantes du contrat de transport, pour autant que ce contrat ait trait à la parthe du transport effectuée sous son contrôle.

(2) Au cas d'un tel transport, le voyageur ou ses ayants droit ne pourront recourir que contre le transporteur ayant effectué le transport au cours duquel l'accident ou le retard s'est produit, sauf dans le cas où, par stipulation expresse, le premier transporteur aura assuré la responsabilité pour tout le voyage.

(3) S'il s'agit de bagages ou de marchandises, l'expéditeur aura recours contre le premier transporteur et le destinataire qui a le droit à la délivrance contre le dernier, et l'un et l'autre pourront, en outre, agir contre le transporteur ayant effectué le transport au cours duquel la destruction, la perte, l'avarie ou le retard se sont produits. Ces transporteurs seront solidairement responsables envers l'expéditeur et le destinataire.

CHAPITRE IV Dispositions relatives aux transports combines

Article 31

(1) Dans le cas de transports combinés effectués en parthe par air et en parthe par tout autre moyen de transport, les stipulations de la présente Convention ne s'appliquent qu'au transport aérien et si celui-ci répond aux conditions de l'article 1 er.

(2) Rien dans la présente Convention n'empêche les parties, dans le cas de transports combinés, d'insérer dans le titre de transport aérien des conditions relatives à d'autres modes de transport, à condition que les stipulations de la présente Convention soient respectées en ce qui concerne le transport par air.

CHAPITRE V Dispositions générales et finales

Article 32

Sont nulles toutes clauses du contrat de transport et toutes conventions particulières antérieures au dommage par lesquelles les parties dérogeraient aux règles de la présente Convention soit par une détermination de la loi applicable, soit par une modification des règles de compétence. Toutefois, dans le transport des marchandises, les clauses d'arbitrage sont admises, dans les limites de la présente Convention, lorsque l'arbitrage doit s'effectuer dans les lieux de compétence des tribunaux prévus à l'article 28, alinéa 1.

Article 33

Rien dans la présente Convention ne peut empêcher un transporteur de refuser la conclusion d'un contrat de transport ou de formuler des règlements qui ne sont pas en contradiction avec les dispositions de la présente Convention.

Article 34

Les dispositions des articles 3 à 9 inclus relative aux titres de transport ne sont pas applicables au transport effectué dans des circonstances extraordinaires en dehors de toute opération normale de l'exploitation aérienne.

Article 35

Lorsque dans la présente Convention il est question de jours, il s'agit de jours courants et non de jours ouvrables.

Article 36

La présente Convention est rédigée en français en un seul exemplaire qui restera déposé aux archives du Ministère des Affaires Etrangères de Pologne, et dont une copie certifiée conforme sera transmise par les soins du Gouvernement polonais au Gouvernement de chacune des Hautes Parties Contractantes.

Article 40A

(1) . . . . .

(2) Aux fins de la Convention, le mot territoire signifie non seulement le territoire métropolitain d'un Etat, mais aussi tous les territoires qu'il représente dans les relations extérieures.

Protocole additionnel Ad Article 2

Les Hautes Parties Contractantes se réservent le droit de déclarer au moment de la ratification ou de l'adhésion que l'article 2, alinéa premier, de la présente Convention ne s'appliquera pas aux transports internationaux aériens effectués directement par l'Etat, ses colonies, protectorats, territoires sous mandat ou tout autre territoire sous sa souveraineté, sa suzeraineté ou son autorité.

Section 14.

SECOND SCHEDULE Repeals

Session and Chapter	Short Title	Extent of Repeal
22 & 23 Geo. 5. c. 36.	The Carriage by Air Act, 1932.	The whole Act.
24 & 25 Geo. 5. c. 41.	The Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1934.	In section one, in subsection (5), the words " or the Carriage by Air Act, 1932 ".
8 & 9 Geo. 6. c. 16.	The Limitation (Enemies and War Prisoners) Act, 1945.	In section two, in the definition of " statute of limitation " in subsection (1) the words "Article 29 of the First Schedule to the Carriage by Air Act, 1932 ".
		In section four, in paragraph (a) the words " Article 29 of the First Schedule to the Carriage by Air Act, 1932 ".
8 & 9 Geo. 6. c. 28.	The Law Reform (Contributory Negligence) Act, 1945.	In section one, subsection (7).
		In section six, subsection (1), and in subsection (2) the words " except the provisions of the last foregoing subsection ".
12, 13 & 14 Geo. 6. c. 67.	The Civil Aviation Act, 1949.	In section forty-two, in subsection (6), the words " the Carriage by Air Act, 1932, or".
		Section fifty-four.
7 & 8 Eliz. 2. c. 46.	The Nuclear Installations (Licensing and Insurance) Act, 1959.	In section four, in subsection (3), the words " or the Carriage by Air Act, 1932 ".
7 & 8 Eliz. 2. c. 65.	The Fatal Accidents Act, 1959.	In section one, subsection (5).
		In section two, in subsection (1), the words " or under the Carriage by Air Act, 1932 ".
		In section three, in subsection (5), the words from " subsection (5) " to " and Northern Ireland ".
ACT OF PARLIAMENT OF NORTHERN IRELAND
1948 c. 23	The Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland), 1948.	In section two, subsection (7).

Table of Statutes referred to in this Act

Short Title	Session and Chapter
Fatal Accidents Act, 1846	9 & 10 Vict. c. 93
Interpretation Act, 1889	52 & 53 Vict. c. 63
Carriage by Air Act, 1932	22 & 23 Geo. 5. c. 36
Limitation Act, 1939	2 & 3 Geo. 6. c. 21
Law Reform (Contributory Negligence) Act, 1945	8 & 9 Geo. 6. c. 28
British Nationality Act, 1948	11 & 12 Geo. 6. c. 56
Law Reform (Limitation of Actions &c.) Act, 1954	2 & 3 Eliz. 2. c. 36