Marine, trade and energy

The highly specialised marine industry demands total commitment, expertise and focus from its advisers to resolve both litigious and non-litigious issues. With a wealth of experience in advising on all aspects of international marine law, our marine, trade and energy practice enjoys an unrivalled reputation in its field.

Our global team works closely with marine surveyors, investigators and loss adjusters to provide a comprehensive legal service to clients who range from ship and yacht owners, charterers, underwriters, P&I clubs, commodities end-users and trade associations to port operators, banks and other financial institutions.

We are market leaders in advising on crew and supernumerary accidents, from the highest profile casualties and major maritime losses to personal injury claims and day-to-day commercial disputes arising under shipping contracts. In the immediate aftermath of an incident, our dedicated emergency response lawyers provide prompt and effective assistance in relation to crisis management.

Our trade finance team combines an in-depth knowledge of the law with a business-focused approach to the commercial realities of structured trade and commodity finance. We are skilled at mitigating risk in today’s challenging markets and providing tailored financing options and innovative security packages designed for our clients’ specific commercial requirements. 

Consistently acknowledged as a trusted adviser to oil majors and the offshore industry, our energy practice acts for insurers and reinsurers, shipowners, offshore contractors, rig owners and other offshore installations. Our service is underpinned by creative thinking and workable solutions in this fast-moving arena.

We advise on all aspects of international energy transactions, including the regulatory approval process, corporate matters, engineering, procurement and construction contracts, long-term off-take agreements and terminal use agreements, contracts of carriage by sea, supply and transportation agreements, operation and maintenance agreements, corporate, structured and project finance, and securities offerings.

Our team also acts on a wide range of disputes including complex high-value joint venture litigation, offshore casualties, and regulatory and planning disputes. We have represented leading oil companies in the Supreme Court and are experts in running high value and complex commercial litigation cases before the English courts and in arbitration.