Mark Sachs

Partner

Mark has a broad practice in shipping, commodity and commercial litigation. He has conducted arbitrations in London, Singapore, China, Hong Kong and Stockholm, either as counsel or lead partner, and has expertise in trade and commodity finance and hedging.

A fluent Mandarin Chinese speaker, Mark studied in China and is adept at working with Chinese evidence, both oral and written. He was one of the first foreign maritime lawyers to work in China in the late 1980s. He also has considerable wet shipping experience, having handled all types of casualties around the world, and has litigated shipbuilding, construction and mining disputes. For over 25 years, Mark has acted for Japan-based marine insurers and has been instructed in several high-profile marine casualties on behalf of that market.

I am passionate about solving client problems by understanding the detail and listening. With my experience in shipping and trade I bring broad industry knowledge to find the best legal solution.

Mark Sachs, Partner

His first degree was in Chinese literature (first class) from the University of British Columbia, followed by an LLB. He is qualified as a barrister and solicitor in British Columbia and was admitted as an English solicitor in 1998. Mark opened the firm’s Singapore office in 1996.

Recent work highlights

Commodity arbitration

Acting as counsel in a commodity arbitration (awards 2023-2024) concerning a large term contract (more than 20 buyers).

Trade commodity fraud

Advising on a Singapore trade commodity fraud claim arising out of letters of credit incorporating letter of indemnity terms (judgment 2024).

Suez Canal collision

Working as lead partner in NYK Orpheus Corp and another (the ‘Panamax Alexander’, the ‘NYK Orpheus’, and the ‘NYK Falcon’) [2023] Lloyds’ Rep 83.

China-related reported cases

Acting as the lead partner in the following reported cases: CR Sugar Trading Ltd. v. China National Sugar & Alcohol Group Corp [2003]; Pioneer Freight Futures Company Ltd. v Cosco Bulk Carrier Company [2011], [] ; Essar v. Bank of China [2016].

English arbitration-related reported case

Advising on Westwood Shipping Lines and Weyerhaeuser NR Company v. Universal Schifffahrtsgesellschaft mbH [2012] EWHC 1394 and [2012] EWHC 3837, involving a large contractual claim arising out of the financial crisis in 2008.

Reported cases in Canada

Acting as counsel in FFS HK Ltd. v. West Coast Fuel Transportation Ltd., the ‘P.T. 25’; Mazda Canada Inc. v the ‘Cougar Ace’; Red Back Mining Inc. et al v. Geyser Ltd. et al; Pan Liberty Navigation Co. Ltd. v. World Link (HK)Resources Ltd.