Wharfinger - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition wharfinger

Definition :

Wharfinger, is defined as 'the occupier of a wharf' or 'a person who owns a wharf', Ramanatha Aiyar's The Law Lexicon; Board of Trustees of the Port of Bombay v. Sriyanesh Knitters, (1999) 7 SCC 359.

It is defined as the occupier of wharf and it is further stated that as a rule, wharfingers have a general lien for the balance of their account, Jowitt's Dictionary of English Law; Board of Trustees of the Port of Bombay v. Sriyanesh Knitters, (1999) 7 SCC 359.

This term is defined in s. 49 of the Port of London Act, 1908, as follows:

The expression 'wharfinger' means the occupier of a wharf, quay warehouse, or granary adjoining the Port of London mainly used for warehousing the goods, imported into the Port of London, of persons other than the occupier of such premises.

See also Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, s. 492.

Wharfingers, who transport goods of their customers by lighter from importing ships, do not come under liability as common carriers, Consolidated Tea, etc., Co. v. Oliver's Wharf, (1910) 2 KB 395. As a rule, they have a general lien for the balance of their account, Consult Chitty or Addison on Contracts.

The owner or occupatio of a wharf; one who keeps a wharf to receive merchandise for forwarding or delivery to a consignees.-Black's Law Dictionary, 7th Edn., p. 1589.