SECTION 1

(1) An action for collision occurring between seagoing vessels, or between seagoing vessels and inland navigation craft, can only be introduced : (a) either before the Court where the defendant has his habitual residence or a place of business; (b) or before the Court of the place where arrest has been effected of the de fendant ship or of any other ship belonging to the defendant which can be lawfully arrested, or where arrest could have been effected and bail or other security has been furnished ; (c) or before the Court of the place of collision when the collision has occurred within the limits of a port or in inland waters. (2) It shall be for the Plaintiff to decide in which of the Courts referred to in § 1 of this article the action shall be instituted. 1 In accordance with article 12 (a), the Convention came into force on 14 September 1955, six months after the date of deposit of the second instrument of ratification. Here follows a list of States which have deposited their instruments of ratification or accession (a) with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belgium, indicating the date of deposit and the date of entry into force of the Convention for each State : Date of entry State Date of deposit into force Spain .............. 8 December 1953 14 September 1955 Switzerland ............ 28 May 1954 (a) 14 September 1955 Yugoslavia ............ 14 March 1955 14 September 1955 Costa Rica (with reservations)* .... 13 July 1955 (a) 13 January 1956 Egypt .............. 24 August 1955 24 February 1956 Holy See ............. 10 August 1956 10 February 1957 Cambodia (with reservations)* .... 12 November 1956 (a) 12 May 1957 Portugal ............. 4 May 1957 4 November 1957 France** ............ 25 May 1957 25 November 1957 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ........ 18 March 1959 18 September 1959 Belgium ............. 10 April 1961 10 October 1961 Argentina ............. 19 April 1961 (a) 19 October 1961 * For the text of these reservations, see p. 230 of this volume. ** A notification of application to the French Overseas Territories, the Trust Territories of Togoland and Cameroon under French administration was received by the Government of Belgium on 23 April 1958 and took effect on 23 October 1958. 221 (3) A claimant shall not be allowed to bring a further action against the same defendant on the same facts in another jurisdiction, without discontinuing an action already instituted.