Femi Ngele

Biography

Femi Ngele is a Master of Law (LLM) Student at Queen Mary University of London (Specialism; International Shipping Law; with additional modules in Private and Public Aviation Law). Her master’s thesis is focused on the relationship between cyber security/risk and marine insurance law. She also completed her LLB, with Second-class honours, upper division in November 2017, from BPP Law School London. She is a German national and speaks fluent English, German and Kiswahili. During her free time, she enjoys reading legal and non-legal fiction, stories on Silicon Valley’s Unicorn Start-Ups and Financial literature with particular interest in the history of the monetary infrastructure and financial crises. When time permits, she also enjoys watching American Political dramas and British period dramas. Following graduation, Femi, aspires to work within the maritime sector with particular interest in regulation and policy. She also harbours the ambition of completing a PHD in Marine Law with a particular focus on Cyber- Security and Artificial Intelligence in the future.

Introduction to research 

The maritime industry is a key contributor to global trade thus effectively, the economy. It is also an industry, like many others, that is reliant on technology (and will become even more so with the rise of autonomous ships) which is developing quicker than any other industry. However, it appears that despite the constant challenges and potential detrimental financial and commercial implications posed by technology to the maritime industry, there is, to date, no adequate or clear legislation or regulation to govern this area of law in general, and particularly in relation to marine insurance cover. This raises numerous commercial and legal questions such as the cover required in marine insurance policies for such risks or indeed how to indemnify a cyber- risk were it to occur; a gap and deficiencies in the market clearly exists. More importantly, the question is, why the industry is so slow to catch up with modern developments. My research paper aims to question and answer all the above questions where possible, with the aim of suggesting workable solutions to this new and growing challenge to the industry.

Why did you choose maritime as your area of study and research?

My interest in maritime law, was gained during the last year of my undergraduate studies. I took an optional module in commercial law with a specific focus on shipping. It is a challenging, albeit interesting area of law, that I embrace with eagerness, frustration and curiosity, yet, enjoy learning more of, every day. In my opinion, maritime law, is in essence International Trade. It captures numerous areas of the law (Employment & Human Rights laws; seafarer wages in Admiralty being an example); the law of contract including marine insurance policies, diplomacy, criminal, constitutional and administrative laws, public international law, where sovereignty over sea waters is an issue etc). Accordingly, it is faced with extensive legal challenges one being, cyber- security. I do not look at maritime law as a specialism, but rather as a multifaceted area of law offering constant challenges, development and growth; aspects of which I believe are important to any professional in law.

 What do you hope to get out of participating in the Maritime Masters programme?

This is a great, exciting and interesting opportunity for me, as it allows me to submit my research paper for evaluation by industry practitioners. A valuable opportunity that will undoubtedly enhance my research paper. The notion that it will be compared to numerous other research papers submitted by my peers is also enthusing. As a competitive individual, I naturally hope that my research paper wins the competition. However, more importantly, my main hope, is that my paper will bring to attention a gap in the industry in relation to this area of law and at the very least, will trigger thoughts and debates on this topic, that may someday, change the law, in this area.