Chris Ward
Knowledge lawyer
Services
International trade
Chris is a knowledge lawyer who supports the firm’s marine, trade and aviation teams, with responsibilities that include the organization of training for fee earners, and drafting and maintaining the department’s precedent documentation.
He specialises in the shipping and insurance sectors and has experience across a broad range of charter party and bill of lading disputes and maritime incidents. Chris frequently advises on matters of disputed hire and demurrage, stevedore damage, force majeure, cargo damage and shortage, speed and performance, collisions and groundings. His instructions include a piratical cargo theft, a bill of lading fraud, the termination of a pool agreement involving an extensive bunker consumption reporting fraud, a series of container floods and fires, and toppled container stacks. Chris has seen cases through arbitration and English and foreign proceedings. His areas of particular expertise include liquid cargo claims, unsafe ports, and the developing field of electronic bills of lading.
As a seasoned litigator, I am often relied on as a sounding board by members of our shipping and aviation teams. I provide our lawyers with supporting precedents and case authorities, and ensure that they are kept abreast of cutting-edge developments in the law.
Chris joined Penningtons Manches Cooper in 2022 having spent 12 years in other maritime litigation roles. He has worked with another leading UK shipping law firm, and in-house at both an International Group P&I club and a commercial marine insurer. Chris regularly lectures and writes for the legal press.
Recent work highlights
200 years of maritime law
Business interruption claim
Arbitration Act 2025
What people are saying
Highly qualified, with an eye for every single detail, client orientated and dedicated professionals, always meeting tight deadlines.
Related news and insights
