This chapter analyses the legal framework in a timeline, giving context to the evolution of the different branches of international law related to the subject with sparkles of history. Each relevant maritime accident or disaster has been followed by the negotiation of a maritime law convention. Contributions from environmental law are also introduced, such as the precaution environmental principle which produced a change of paradigm cantered in avoiding damage, not any more in damage reparation and compensation. The responsibility principle, which states that damage shall be compensated without limitation, will also be analysed. Finally, the International Human Rights vision is introduced.