Ionna Vitta has joined us (from Penningtons) as a partner and is based in Athens, servicing the firm’s Greek clientele. Paul Haworth is a British Master Mariner with 16 years’ seagoing experience and a solicitor, qualified in 2009, specialising in Admiralty and crisis response.
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.
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Admiralty law and casualties
Admiralty law and casualties
We have handled many high profile casualties including groundings in sensitive waters, fires, collisions as well as hijackings and kidnappings. We fully understand the issues that arise such as pollution, GA and transhipment of cargo. We provide a casualty response expertise: assisting in forum selection, ship arrest, limitation of liability, evidence collection and analysis and contract selection from LOF through to bunker removals and wreck removal.
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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 moreMarine 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.
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Offshore
Whether you are an oil, drilling, or service company or an insurer we are experienced in reviewing contracts and in dispute resolution.
Learn moreInternational 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.
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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.
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Featured case studies
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.
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.