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demurrage

Defined in 9 dictionaries — Case Law, Cyclopedic (1922), Ballentine's (1916), Bouvier (1914), Black's (1910), Kinney (1893), Stimson (1881), Burrill (1850), Bouvier (1839)

Definitions from Case Law

From 287 U.S. 170 - Brooklyn Eastern District Terminal v. United States · 1932Most cited · 266 citing opinions

The disability of a vessel will not sustain demurrage at the rate of the value of her hire unless an award at such a rate can be seen to be reasonable when the disability is viewed in the setting of the circumstances.

Show all 2 Supreme Court definitions and how they changed over time 1824–1932

The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary

Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922

The delay of a vessel by the freighter beyond the time allowed for loading, unloading, or sailing. 3 Kent. Comm. 203. Payment for such delay. Demurrage is an extended freight or reward to the vessel in compensation for earnings she is compelled to lose. Abb. Adm. (D. C.) 548. The term is also applied to the payment for delay of railroad equipment. DEMURRER (Lat. demorari; old Fr. demorrer, to stay; to abide). In Pleading at Law. An allegation that, admitting the facts of the preceding pleading to be true as stated by the party making it, he has yet shown no cause why the party demurring should be compelled by the court to proceed further. A declaration that the party demurring will go no further, because the other has shown nothing against him. 5 Mod. 232; Co. Litt. 71b. It imports that the objecting party will not proceed, but will wait the judgment of the court whether he is bound so to do. Co. Litt. 71b; Steph. PL 61. A general demurrer is one which excepts to the sufficiency of a previous pleading in general terms; such a demurrer being sufficient if the objection is to matters of substance. Steph. PI. 159. A special demurrer is one which shows specifically the nature of the objection, and the ground of exception. Co. Litt. 72a. In Equity Pleading. An allegation of a defendant, which, admitting the matters of fact alleged by the bill to be true, shows that as they are therein set forth they are insufficient for the plaintiff to proceed upon or to oblige the defendant to answer; or, that, for some reason apparent on the face of the bill, or on account of the omission of some matter which ought to be contained therein, or for want of some circumstances which ought to be attendant thereon, the defendant ought not to be compelled to answer to the whole bill, or to some certain part thereof. Mitf. Eq. PI. (Jeremy Ed.) 107. Demurrers are general, where no particular cause is assigned except the usual formulary that there is no equity in the bill; or special, where the particular defects are pointed out. Story, Eq. PI. § 455. General demurrers are used to point out defects of substance; special, to point out defects in form. In many states, the grounds of demurrer and the requisites of a demurrer are regulated by statute. Thus, in Minnesota a complaint may be demurred to for (1) absence of jurisdiction; (2) lack of legal capacity in plaintiff to sue; (3) another action pending; (4) defect of parties; (5) misjoinder of causes of action; (6) failure to state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action. The demurrer must distinctly specify the ground of objection as being one of those enumerated by Gen. St. Minn. 1878, c. 66, §§ 92, 93. In Practice. Demurrer to evidence is a declaration that the party making it will not proceed, because the evidence offered on the other side is not sufficient to maintain the issue. 28 Ala. (N. S.) 637. Upon joinder by the opposite party, the jury is generally discharged from giving any verdict (1 Archb. Prac. 186); and the demurrer, being entered on record, is afterwards ultimately be brought before a court of error. See 2 H. BI. 187; 4 Chit. Prac. 15; Gould, PL c. 9, pt. 2, § 47. It admits the truth of the evidence given, and the legal deductions therefrom. 14 Pa. St. 275. As to the right so to demur, and the practice, see 4 Iowa, 63. Demurrer to interrogatories is the reason which a witness tenders for not answering a particular question in interrogatories. 2 Swanst. Ch. 194. It is not, strictly speaking, a demurrer, except in the popular sense of the word. Gresl. Eq. Ev. 61. The court are judicially to determine its validity. The witness must state his objection very carefully, for these demurrers are held to strict rules, and are readily overruled if they cover too much. 2 Atk. 524; 1 Younge & J. 132. See, generally, as to demurrer, Bouv. Inst. Index.

Ballentine's Law Dictionary

James A. Ballentine · 1916

Charges for detention of a ship or a freight-car. See 30 Am. St. Rep. 634, note.

Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia

John Bouvier; revised by Francis Rawle · 1914

The delay of a vessel by the freighter beyond the time allowed for loading, unloading, or sailing. Payment for such delay. The amount due by the freighter or charterer to the owner of the vessel for such delay. 5 E. & B. 755; Abb. Adm. Dec. 548; Gronn v. Woodruff, 19 Fed. 144. Demurrage may become due either by the ship's detention for the purpose of loading or unloading the cargo, either before or during or after the voyage, or in waiting for convoy; 3 Kent 159; Van Etten v. Newton, 134 N. Y. 143, 31 N. E. 334, 30 Am. St. Rep. 630; Donaldson v. Mc Dowell, 1 Holmes 290, Fed. Cas. No. 3,9S5; Creighton v. Dilks, 49 Fed. 107; Porter, Bills of L. 356. Where neither the charter nor the bill of lading contained any provisions as to demurrage, and the master made no formal suit until long after, demurrage could not be recovered; Mc Keen v. Morse, 49 Fed. 253, 1 C. C. A. 237; Gage v. Morse, 12 Allen (Mass.) 410, 90 Am. Dec. 155; and it is said the English authorities are uniformly against such a liability; id. 5 El. & B. 755, 589; 10

Black's Law Dictionary

Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910

In maritime law. The sum which is fixed by the contract of carriage or which is allowed, as remuneration to the owner of a ship for the detention of his vessel beyond the number of days allowed by the charter-party for loading and unloading or for sailing. Also the detention of the vessel by the freighter bsyond such time. See 3 Kent, Comm. 203 ; 2 Steph. Comm. 185. The Apollon, 9 Wheat. 378, 6 In Ed. Ill; Fisher v. Abeel, 44 How. Prae. (N. Y.) 440; Wordin v. Bemis, 32 Conn. 273, 85 Am. Dee, 255; Cross v. Beard, 26 N. Y. 85; The J. E. Owen (D. Ct) 54 Fed. 185; Falkenburg v. Clark, 11 R. I. 283. Demurrage is only an extended freight or reward to the vessel, in compensation for the earnings she is improperly caused to lose. Every improper detention of a vessel may be considered a demurrage, and compensation under that name be obtained for it. Donaldson v. McDowell, Holmes, 290, Fed Cas. No. 3,985. Demurrage is the allowance or compensation due to the master or owners of a ship, by the freighter, for the time the vessel may have been detained bsyond the time specified or implied in the contract of affreightment or the charter-party. Bell.

A Law Dictionary and Glossary

George C. Kinney · 1893

demorage. The detention of a vessel by the freighter, beyond the time allowed by the charter-party; the allowance for such detention.

Glossary of Technical Terms, Phrases, and Maxims of the Common Law

Frederic Jesup Stimson · 1881

1. Detention of a ship by a freighter beyond the time allowed in the charter-party. 2. The allowance for such detention.

A New Law Dictionary and Glossary

Alexander M. Burrill · 1850

Demorage. [L. Lat, demoragium.] In maritime law. The detention of a vessel by the freighter beyond the time allowed by the charter party for loading or unloading, or for sailmg.* 3 Kent's Com, 203. The allowance or payment made for such detention or delay. Id, ibid. 2 Steph, Com. 186. Abbott on Ship. [304,] 381.

A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States

John Bouvier · 1839

mar. law. The freighter of a ship is bound not to detain it, beyond the stipulated or usual! time, to load, or to deliver the cargo, or to sail. The extra days beyond the lay days (being the days allowed to load and unload the cargo,) are called the days of demurrage; and that term is likewise applied to the payment for such delay, and it may become due, either by the ship’s detention, for the purpose of loading or unloading the cargo, either before, or during, or.after the voyage, or in waiting for convoy. 3 Kent, Com. 159; 2 Marsh, 721; Abbott on Ship. 192; 5 Com. Dig. 94, n., 505; 4 Taunt. 54, 55; 3 Chit. Comm. Law, 426.: