This Order, which is made pursuant to the Consular Relations Act 1968, provides, in relation to ships and aircraft (other than ships of war and military aircraft) of the German Democratic Republic, for limiting the jurisdiction of the courts of the United Kingdom to entertain proceedings relating to the remuneration or any contract of service of the master or commander or a member of the crew. In relation to ships (other than ships of war) of the German Democratic Republic it also provides,

(i) for limiting the jurisdiction of such courts over offences committed on board by the master or a member of the crew;

(ii) for the detention on board of a member of the crew for a disciplinary offence to be treated as not unlawful except in certain cases.

It gives effect to the relevant provisions of the Consular Convention between the United Kingdom and the German Democratic Republic which was signed at Berlin on the 4th May 1976 (Cmnd. 6501).