Members of Chambers advise and represent clients in disputes arising from the carriage of goods by sea, international commodity sales, and associated trade finance arrangements.
Our work in this area spans the full range of shipping and commodities disputes, including:
· Charterparty disputes (time, voyage and demise charters)
· Hire disputes and withdrawal
· Bills of lading claims
· Cargo damage and shortage
· Demurrage and laytime disputes
· War risks and sanctions disputes
· Bunker quality and quantity disputes
· Sale of goods under CIF, FOB and other international trade terms
· Letters of credit and other documentary credit disputes
· GAFTA and FOSFA arbitrations
· Commodities trading disputes (agricultural products, metals and energy)
· Ship sale and purchase
· Marine insurance
We appear in the Commercial Court and Business and Property Courts, as well as in London arbitrations under LMAA, LCIA, ICC and trade association rules. Members also accept instructions in relation to applications for urgent interim relief, including freezing injunctions and anti-suit injunctions in support of London arbitration agreements.
Members of Chambers have also provided expert evidence on English law in foreign court proceedings, including in China, the Maldives and the Netherlands.
We act for shipowners, charterers, cargo interests, commodity traders, P&I Clubs and their members, and insurers.
Recognising that shipping and commodities disputes arise at all levels of value and complexity, we are able to offer experienced counsel at competitive rates, and are happy to discuss flexible fee arrangements including fixed fees and damages-based agreements where appropriate.