Great Lakes Insurance SE v. Raiders Retreat Realty
The Facts
Great Lakes Insurance issued a marine insurance policy to Raiders Retreat Realty that contained a clause selecting New York law. When a coverage dispute arose, Raiders Retreat argued Pennsylvania law should apply and that under Pennsylvania law the clause was unenforceable. Great Lakes argued federal admiralty law governed and the clause was enforceable.
The Application
When Great Lakes sought to enforce the New York choice of law clause in its marine insurance policy, the Court resolved the threshold question by holding that federal admiralty law (not Pennsylvania state law) determines the enforceability of choice of law provisions in maritime contracts. Under this federal standard, the clause was enforceable because the parties' selection of New York law neither conflicts with federal maritime law nor offends fundamental public policy. This rejected Raiders Retreat's strategy of invoking Pennsylvania law to avoid the contractual choice of law clause, establishing that maritime parties cannot circumvent their negotiated choice of law by appealing to state law principles. The decision thus gave effect to the parties' agreement while ensuring uniform treatment of maritime contracts across state lines.
The Conclusion
**Great Lakes Insurance v. Raiders Retreat Realty established that choice of law clauses in maritime contracts are governed by federal admiralty law, not state law, and are generally enforceable.** The ruling promotes uniformity in maritime commerce and prevents parties from using state law to escape valid contractual choice of law provisions in insurance and other maritime agreements.
No circuit court data for this case.
Case Analysis
Overview
A marine insurance company sought to enforce a choice of law clause selecting New York law in an insurance policy, and the question arose whether federal admiralty law or state law governed the enforceability of the clause. The Supreme Court held 9-0 that federal admiralty law, not state law, governs the enforceability of maritime contract choice of law clauses, and that such clauses are generally enforceable under federal admiralty law.
Facts
Great Lakes Insurance issued a marine insurance policy to Raiders Retreat Realty that contained a clause selecting New York law. When a coverage dispute arose, Raiders Retreat argued Pennsylvania law should apply and that under Pennsylvania law the clause was unenforceable. Great Lakes argued federal admiralty law governed and the clause was enforceable.
Issue
Whether federal admiralty law or state law determines the enforceability of a choice of law clause in a maritime contract, and whether such clauses are enforceable under the applicable body of law.
Rule
Maritime contracts fall within federal admiralty jurisdiction. The choice of law for substantive rules governing maritime contracts is a question of federal admiralty law, not state law. Federal admiralty law generally enforces choice of law clauses in maritime contracts so long as the chosen law does not conflict with federal law or violate fundamental public policy.
Analysis
When Great Lakes sought to enforce the New York choice of law clause in its marine insurance policy, the Court resolved the threshold question by holding that federal admiralty law, not Pennsylvania state law, determines the enforceability of choice of law provisions in maritime contracts. Under this federal standard, the clause was enforceable because the parties' selection of New York law neither conflicts with federal maritime law nor offends fundamental public policy. This rejected Raiders Retreat's strategy of invoking Pennsylvania law to avoid the contractual choice of law clause, establishing that maritime parties cannot circumvent their negotiated choice of law by appealing to state law principles. The decision thus gave effect to the parties' agreement while ensuring uniform treatment of maritime contracts across state lines.
Conclusion
**Great Lakes Insurance v. Raiders Retreat Realty established that choice of law clauses in maritime contracts are governed by federal admiralty law, not state law, and are generally enforceable.** The ruling promotes uniformity in maritime commerce and prevents parties from using state law to escape valid contractual choice of law provisions in insurance and other maritime agreements.
Notes
OT2023. Added via SCOTUS bulk import 2026-05-14
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