This purpose of this essay is twofold.First, it seeks to clarify what exactly a maritime lien is.It does this by examining the history of maritime liens and the rationale behind them.Second, it comparesthe Supreme Court of Canada’s decision in Todd Shipyards Corporation v Altema Compania Maritima SA (‘The Ioannis Daskalelis’)and the Privy Council’s decision in Bankers Trust International Ltd v Todd Shipyards Corporation (‘The Halcyon Isle’). Both decisions would undoubtedly influence the High Court should the Court grant special leave to a case concerning the recognition and enforcement of foreign maritime liens.After examining the state of the law in Australia, the essay concludes that – although a new international convention on maritime liens that had the popular support of the world’s littoral states would be ideal – the High Court should follow the Supreme Court of Canada rather than the Privy Council.