Marine Archaeology Legislation Project

This report was commissioned by English Heritage from the School of Legal Studies at the University of Wolverhampton.

• It reviews in depth the genesis and the nature of the present legal framework relating to maritime archaeology in England and Wales. It also considers what advantages and difficulties have resulted from the United Kingdom's continued adherence to this structure.
• Examines previous proposals for reform of the legal structure surrounding underwater cultural heritage.
• Identifies and examines the options available for reform of the existing legislative framework surrounding marine archaeology.
• Sets out to consider the consent regimes applied, and issues arising from them, in relation to ‘development’ and related operations in the marine environment which have the potential to adversely affect marine heritage.