+44 (0)20 79290268

  • Shipping disputes and contracts

    Day to day shipping involves understanding the allocation of risk between the various stakeholders. Often disputes arise when that risk allocation is misunderstood and we have a wide range of real-world experience to make sure that you understand the legal consequences of short term decision making. Our aim is to help to resolve disputes without damaging important commercial relationships.
    Learn more

  • Admiralty

    We have handled many high profile casualties including groundings in sensitive waterways, fires, collisions as well as hijackings and kidnappings. We fully understand the issues that arise such as pollution, GA and transhipment of cargo. It is critical that the risk that you have taken on is insured. We have particular experience in advising on insurance issues in complex environments and war zones where vessels are captured or seized by local military or law enforcement agencies.Whatever your role in the oil or offshore industry we can provide advice in both contentious and non-contentious matters.
    Learn more

  • Piracy and security

    The world does not get any safer and it is difficult not to transit across waters where coastal states are subject to internal conflict and where your vessels are not potentially exposed to collateral damage from attacks by warring factions or criminal gangs.

    Learn more

  • Marine insurance

    Whatever your role in a maritime venture you will want to make sure that your commercial risk is insured. We provide contentious and advisory services to all stakeholders.

    Learn more

  • Offshore

    Whether you are an oil, drilling, or service company or an insurer we are experienced in reviewing contracts and in dispute resolution.

    Learn more

  • International trade

    When goods are delayed or their condition differs from what is expected, parties to sale contracts need on the spot advice as to what can and can’t be done against the counterparty and possibly against a transport provider, and as to what practical and legal steps to take to minimise exposure and to secure the best possible recovery.

    Learn more

  • Aviation

    We fly high! Aviation lawyers with an intimate understanding of the industry, and an approach that prioritises speed, straight talking and flexibility. Providing solutions that work for you.

    Learn more
  1. Shipping disputes and contracts
  2. Admiralty
  3. Piracy and security
  4. Marine insurance
  5. Offshore
  6. International trade
  7. Aviation
Shipping disputes and contracts

Shipping disputes and contracts

Day to day shipping involves understanding the allocation of risk between the various stakeholders. Often disputes arise when that risk allocation is misunderstood and we have a wide range of real-world experience to make sure that you understand the legal consequences of short term decision making. Our aim is to help to resolve disputes without damaging important commercial relationships.
Learn more
Admiralty

Admiralty

We have handled many high profile casualties including groundings in sensitive waterways, fires, collisions as well as hijackings and kidnappings. We fully understand the issues that arise such as pollution, GA and transhipment of cargo. It is critical that the risk that you have taken on is insured. We have particular experience in advising on insurance issues in complex environments and war zones where vessels are captured or seized by local military or law enforcement agencies.Whatever your role in the oil or offshore industry we can provide advice in both contentious and non-contentious matters.
Learn more
Piracy and security

Piracy and security

The world does not get any safer and it is difficult not to transit across waters where coastal states are subject to internal conflict and where your vessels are not potentially exposed to collateral damage from attacks by warring factions or criminal gangs.

Learn more
Marine insurance

Marine insurance

Whatever your role in a maritime venture you will want to make sure that your commercial risk is insured. We provide contentious and advisory services to all stakeholders.

Learn more
Offshore

Offshore

Whether you are an oil, drilling, or service company or an insurer we are experienced in reviewing contracts and in dispute resolution.

Learn more
International trade

International trade

When goods are delayed or their condition differs from what is expected, parties to sale contracts need on the spot advice as to what can and can’t be done against the counterparty and possibly against a transport provider, and as to what practical and legal steps to take to minimise exposure and to secure the best possible recovery.

Learn more
Aviation

Aviation

We fly high! Aviation lawyers with an intimate understanding of the industry, and an approach that prioritises speed, straight talking and flexibility. Providing solutions that work for you.

Learn more

Latest knowledge

All knowledge
NEWS & KNOWLEDGE

TOWCON 2008 and the coronavirus

On 11 March 2020 the World Health Organisation designated the Covid 19 virus as a pandemic. We have since received a number of enquiries specifically about where the parties to a TOWCON 2008 contract stand in respect of Clause 27 . This slightly odd clause combines a war risk clause with, effectively, a force majeure […]

CONTINUE READING
image
“Best Management Practice” – The English High Court Considers obligations on a Master   »

On 5th July 2011, the laden tanker Brillante Virtuoso was off the coast of Yemen drifting in darkness in some of the most dangerous waters of the world. Shortly before midnight, it was boarded by armed men who put in motion a chain of events that would see the owner condemned by the High Court […]
2020-02-04T114122Z_344891233_RC2NTE9VEUJT_RTRMADP_3_CHINA-HEALTH-SUPPLYCHAIN
Coronavirus – Issues and effects in relation to laytime and demurrage   »

Copyright: cns photo via REUTERS As China grapples with the growing tragedy brought upon them by the coronavirus, the shipping industry and container operators in particular, are already feeling the down-turn in business caused by the shutting of major manufacturing plants. In procedures that were seen around the time of the Ebola outbreak, ports and […]
Screenshot 2020-01-21 at 16.26.11
Nigerian Piracy – Have we reached a tipping point?   »

There seems to be no sense that Nigeria piracy is slowing and in the past month we have seen a step change in tactics as the pirates have upped the ante by taking hostages from laden vessels in numbers not seen before[1]. At the same time, reports have come in that the three crew members […]
NEWS & KNOWLEDGE

Keith Harper chaired the Management and Prevention of Containership Fires seminar

Keith Harper, Master Mariner Solicitor Consultant at Tatham & Co, chaired the Management and Prevention of Containership Fires seminar which took place on 6th December in London. This seminar was part of the 22nd Salvage and Wreck Conference.   2019 saw an unprecedented number of container fires incidents. On average a fire broke out every week, […]

CONTINUE READING
Settlement negotiation
Making without prejudice (save as to costs) offers   »

This article looks at the pitfalls of negotiating a settlement and how best to increase your chances of avoiding being ordered to pay your opponent’s costs. Sometimes resort to the courts or arbitration is unavoidable. Fortunately for clients’ pockets, and a solicitor’s blood pressure, this is quite a rare event. One factor that encourages parties […]

Featured case studies

All case studies

Grounding and T/L in Brazil – caution needed when taking on Uncle Sam

VIEW THE CASE STUDY

Trading to Yemen

We have particularly good experience in dealing with vessels caught up in complex environments made difficult or dangerous by war, geo-political issues or simply a capricious judicial system.

VIEW THE CASE STUDY

West Africa – Anatomy of a Kidnapping

There is anecdotal evidence that the gangs operating off West Africa (and it remains the case that most kidnappings are carried out by Nigerian gangs) have become more sophisticated. It is believed that attacks are carried out by one gang and the victims then “sold” to another who carry out the negotiations.

VIEW THE CASE STUDY