Joe Riley
Managing associate
Sectors
Shipping
Joe is a managing associate and master mariner in the shipping team. He provides commercially focused and practical legal advice to shipowners, charterers, and international salvors on both ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ shipping matters, including collisions, salvage, and general average, as well as unsafe port claims, speed and performance disputes, demurrage disputes, off-hire disputes, and cargo claims.
During his career so far, Joe has gained a wealth of experience acting for and representing clients in matters subject to the jurisdiction of both the High Court and London Arbitration.
Having previously sailed as a captain for over a decade, my experience and insight gained as a master mariner is something that is often invaluable when supporting clients across the sector.
Prior to studying law, Joe spent 13 years at sea, during which he sailed in the rank of captain onboard various vessels, including the AMSA ETV and the Trinity House vessel ‘Patricia’. While at sea, he also sailed onboard offshore survey and geophysical drilling vessels under charter to oil majors including BP, Shell, and Equinor, as well as passenger ro-ro vessels operated by Stena Line, and tankers operated by BP.
After coming ashore, Joe was awarded the Graduate Diploma in Law from the University of East Anglia with distinction. He qualified in December 2020 and before joining Penningtons Manches Cooper, he spent six years at a boutique shipping practice, focusing mainly on dry shipping matters.
Recent work highlights
Container vessel fire
Stricken vessel salvage
Singapore Straits collision
Collision and wreck removal
Unsafe port claim
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