Legal matters connected with the sea often require the status of Croatian maritime domain, ownership relations, port regimes, concessions and permits, contracts, insurance and operating requirements to be considered together.
We advise owners and users of coastal property, vessel owners, ship operators, marinas and tourism businesses. We also advise concessionaires, investors, port authorities, local authorities and other public-law bodies.
Contact usHow we can help
Maritime domain, boundaries and coastal rights
We analyse the legal status of coastal areas, the established or proposed boundary of Croatian maritime domain (pomorsko dobro), available official acts and the land-register and cadastral position of neighbouring property.
Legal support may include participation in boundary-determination procedures, recording the legal status of the area, arranging registrations and protecting the rights and legal interests of neighbouring owners and other interested parties.
Ports, concessions and permits
We advise on the legal basis required for the intended use of a port or Croatian maritime domain. We review concession plans, tender documentation, planning requirements, decisions, permits and other relevant acts.
We support every stage of the procedure, including the preparation of bids, conclusion and performance of agreements, implementation of investments, calculation of fees and fulfilment of obligations. We represent clients in legal-remedy proceedings and disputes arising from a concession or other legal relationship.
Ships, yachts and maritime contracts
We provide legal support for the purchase, sale, construction, repair, charter and commercial use of ships, yachts and boats.
We draft and review agreements and advise on ownership, registration, security interests, price, deadlines, handover, defects and the parties’ liability. Support may include negotiations, implementation of the agreement and resolution of a resulting dispute.
Marine casualties, damage and insurance
We advise on collisions, vessel damage or loss, personal injury, pollution, third-party liability and other marine casualties.
We review insurance policies and P&I cover, incident records, claims notifications and correspondence with insurers. Legal support may include gathering and legally assessing evidence, making or responding to claims, negotiations and representation in proceedings.
Tourism and hospitality operations
We advise companies and individuals operating in tourism on business organisation, contractual relationships and compliance with administrative and regulatory requirements.
We draft and review agreements between owners, operators, agencies, service providers and other business partners. We also advise and represent clients in inspection, administrative and court proceedings concerning tourism and hospitality operations.
Our work includes procedures for decisions confirming compliance with minimum technical and other prescribed requirements, including minimum requirements for the relevant type and category of hospitality establishment, together with legal remedies in those procedures.
Land designated for tourism purposes and property relations
We advise on determining the extent and legal status of land designated for tourism purposes, structuring ownership and use relations and completing registrations in the land register and cadastre.
We advise local authorities, companies and investors on analysing existing relationships, concluding agreements, setting fees, implementing investments and resolving disputed issues.
How we work
Initial enquiry
The client sends us a short description of the situation, the names of the people, companies or authorities involved, details of the location or vessel, the intended objective and any deadline.
For concessions and tourism projects, it is useful to identify the proposed activity and the current stage of the procedure. For an incident, the date, location and participants should be described.
Review of documents and the applicable legal regime
We review the documents available to the client and identify any additional information or documents that should be obtained.
We connect the documents with the legal status of the area, port, vessel or activity and with any contractual relationships and procedures already under way.
Legal assessment
We identify the available legal routes, principal open issues, risks and steps required to implement the selected solution.
For concessions, investments and agreements, we assess which issues should be resolved before an obligation is assumed. For incidents, we assess liability, available evidence, insurance cover and the appropriate way to pursue or contest a claim.
Scope and implementation
We agree the scope of legal support, the necessary actions and the communication process.
The engagement may include a specific legal review, a legal opinion, preparation of documents, an agreement or bid, negotiations, representation in proceedings or continuing legal support for an operation or project.
What to prepare for an initial enquiry
Basic information
- names of the individuals, companies and authorities involved
- the location, cadastral parcel number, name of the port or berth details
- the name, registration mark and basic vessel details, where relevant
- a short description of the proposed activity, incident or disputed relationship
- the current stage and the objective you wish to achieve
- any important deadline or case reference
Documents available to you
- land-register extract and cadastral and survey data
- official acts, maps and other documents relating to the maritime-domain boundary
- concession plan, tender documentation, decision, permit or agreement
- vessel ownership and registration documents and purchase, construction, repair or charter agreements
- insurance policy, P&I documents, claim notification, reports, photographs and correspondence
- decisions, permits, inspection documents and agreements concerning tourism operations or land designated for tourism purposes
For the initial enquiry, the basic information and documents already available are sufficient. Following an initial review, we will identify anything else that should be obtained.
Typical matters
Coastal property and the maritime-domain boundary
The owner of coastal property is considering a sale, reconstruction or another investment, while the established or proposed maritime-domain boundary affects part of the area in use or influences access and the intended use.
The official acts, land-register and cadastral position and survey documents must be reviewed. Legal support may include presenting facts and legal arguments, participating in the procedure, arranging registrations and protecting rights connected with the neighbouring property.
A concession or permit for a proposed activity
A business intends to conduct an economic activity in a port or on Croatian maritime domain and needs to establish the required legal basis, competent authority and applicable conditions.
Legal support connects the review of concession plans and planning requirements, tender documentation, investment, duration, fees and other obligations. It may include preparing a bid or application, reviewing the agreement and monitoring performance of the assumed obligations.
Purchase, repair or damage to a vessel
A buyer is considering acquiring a vessel, or a dispute has arisen between the owner, seller, repairer, marina and insurer concerning ownership, a defect, repair or an incident.
Ownership and registration data, agreements, invoices, reports, photographs, the insurance policy and correspondence between participants should be reviewed. The contractual, insurance and procedural next steps are then determined from the documents.
Starting or structuring a tourism operation
An owner or investor intends to organise tourism or hospitality operations in owned or leased property, or to appoint another business to manage the operation.
Before operations begin, the legal status of the property, contractual relationships and the required decisions and permits should be aligned.
Related legal guides
Preparing the procedure, tender documentation, decision, agreement, investments, concessionaire obligations and legal protection.
Legal review of ownership, encumbrances and documentation, including specific issues relevant to coastal property.
The spatial plan, land use, access, special regimes and other conditions affecting development potential.
Begin by describing the location, activity, vessel or incident.
In your initial enquiry, identify the people, companies and authorities involved and the relevant location, port, property or vessel, together with the current stage and any deadline. On that basis, we will agree the documents required and the next step.