The straight bill of lading: past, present, and future

An oft-criticised decision in The Rafaela S found a straight bill of lading to be a `bill of lading or similar document of title' under the Hague Rules and presumably under common law. This article seeks to contribute to the debate by arguing that the straight bill of lading is unlikely to be a document of title in common law. However, it may be regarded as a bill of lading or similar document of title under the Hague-Visby Rules.The article further analyses the future of the straight bill of lading in light of the Rotterdam Rules.