What people say about us

Throughout the transaction process, we were able to rely on timely and effective guidance from the Penningtons Manches team and would like to thank them for their support on this important strategic milestone for our business.

Cepta Kelly, Legal director, Rayner Group

Strengths: ‘They explain complex and sophisticated matters with clarity. The firm's service levels are also consistently high, as is the responsiveness.’

‘The team is always very reactive and able to anticipate problems.’

Notable practitioners

Darryl Kennard: ‘Darryl is a highly experienced shipping lawyer who is able to provide very clear and practical legal advice and to guide clients confidently through highly complex and difficult claims.’

George Mingay: ‘George has considerable experience in international trade and shipping matters. He's also able to see the big picture and advise clients accordingly.’

Chambers UK - 2023 edition

The [shipping] practice is led by Darryl Kennard, whose work encompasses both wet and dry shipping matters, and charterparty specialist Alex McIntosh. Tony Riches was promoted to partner in April 2022 and specialises in admiralty law and charterparty disputes. Wet shipping expert Nick Donnelly and James Severn, who focuses on small commercial vessels as well as maritime injuries and fatalities, are further key contacts.

‘Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP provide a breath of maritime expertise giving the client standout advice.’

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP has ‘a wealth of knowledge in the soft commodities market‘. The firm provides ‘good, strong and professional advice after weighing up all options‘. George Mingay (who is ‘always willing to discuss and explain situations in an easy friendly way‘) and Mark Sachs lead the international trade and commodities practice, which acts for a diverse roster of clients. Its work spans soft commodity, metals, mining, oil and gas, and trade finance cases. Mingay chairs the Arbitration and Mediation Committee of the MMTA; Sachs is fluent in Mandarin and frequently handles arbitrations in London, Singapore, China, Hong Kong and Stockholm.

The Legal 500 - 2023 edition

Penningtons Manches Cooper is active across a range of shipping matters including admiralty disputes, dry shipping disputes and shipbuilding work. The practice is led by Tim Kelleher, who has over 35 years' experience in this area, and Darryl Kennard, who is active in both wet and dry shipping disputes. Alex McIntosh is another key contact, recognised for his work on charterparties; he is well-regarded by clients.

Darryl Kennard has excellent knowledge and experience in his field – he is efficient, proactive and solution driven.

Alex McIntosh is always available, quick to respond and very proactive. He knows the law and is very practical. Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP has built an international trade and commodities group that acts for clients across the supply chain including producers, trading companies, banks and end users. Practice heads George Mingay (who has 'a level-headed approach to litigation and arbitration') and Mark Sachs, along with key partner Lisa Hillary, work closely with the firm's shipping and trade finance groups, as well as specialists in the firm's offices in Singapore, Paris and Madrid. Their work covers soft commodities, metals, mining and oil and gas matters, with Mingay particularly prominent in sugar disputes.

George Mingay is an excellent lawyer – technically adept and always pragmatic.

The Legal 500 - 2021 edition

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP is highly active in the full range of contentious shipping work…Darryl Kennard is frequently instructed by shipowners, underwriters and salvage companies on wet and dry shipping disputes. Another key individual is Tim Kelleher, who has 35 years of experience of the marine industry. Alex McIntosh focuses on contractual disputes. Wet shipping specialist Nick Donnelly and James Severn are also names to note.

‘The Penningtons shipping team is excellent. Their lawyers combine a strong foundation in the law with legal creativity, and a high level of commercial and litigation acumen.’

 The international trade and commodities group at Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP is heavily involved in cases concerning soft commodities, metals, mining, oil and gas and trade finance. The firm acts across the supply chain, from producers through to trading companies and end-users, though it is particularly focused on acting for trading companies and financing banks. George Mingay (who is 'measured, thoughtful and calm under pressure') and Mark Sachs jointly lead the 'quick, practical and knowledgeable' team, in which key partner Lisa Hillary plays a central role.

The Legal 500 - 2022 edition

Strengths: ‘The team are excellent and extremely efficient,’ says a client.

Another reports: ‘Penningtons Manches Cooper were excellent and I was impressed by the depth of their expertise.’

Sources say: ‘They are highly professional, remain calm in all circumstances and smooth with clients. They are didactic and explain legal mechanisms whilst remaining focused on essentials and getting straight to the point.’

Notable practitioners
George Mingay demonstrates deep knowledge of the physical commodities space. He regularly advises clients on disputes, with experience advising on arbitrations.

‘George Mingay has technical expertise, is very commercial and can distil information well.’ ‘He is extremely fast with a wide-ranging knowledge of law.’

Darryl Kennard: ‘He is very good dealing with complex matters and is very easy to communicate with. He knows the market, is very proactive and finds a solution quickly.’

Chambers UK - 2022 edition

The strong relationships you are able to develop with your clients and your colleagues make this such a rewarding place to build a career.

Matthew Briggs, Associate

With an international reach, the team is 'well-known in the sector for its shipping and trade knowledge and expertise' and 'regularly punches above its weight'. It handles a broad range of instructions including casualties, major losses and commercial disputes; the team is 'particularly strong in pure shipping disputes, with a wealth of knowledge and experience'. Tim Kelleher is noted for his disputes expertise and team head Darryl Kennard, who is 'energetic and knowledgeable', specialises in wet work including salvage, loss and collision claims. 

The Legal 500 - 2020 edition

Offers expertise in physical commodities matters to a client roster that includes financing banks and trading companies. Advises on contentious and non-contentious commodities matters, with complementary ability in civil fraud. Draws on a wealth of experience handling soft commodity cases.

Works with clients on wet and dry shipping matters, with acknowledged ability in contract disputes, maritime casualties and marine insurance matters. Other areas of expertise include pollution and marine personal injury matters. Notable global presence in Europe, Singapore and São Paulo. Also offers expertise in yachts.

Strengths: A client reports: 'They provide a quick response and have great in-depth knowledge of the market.'

Another client comments: 'We have been impressed with their knowledge, thoroughness and accessibility. They have guided us very well through the process.'

Notable practitioners
George Mingay is a key contact at the firm.

Darryl Kennard is known for expertise in handling wet and dry shipping matters. He often advises on collision and salvage matters, and he also has experience in charter party and bill of lading claims.

Chambers UK - 2021 edition

Mike Cole has a particular interest in TUPE matters and business reorganisations. Clients 'would gladly recommend him to a close friend without a moment's pause. Eugene Wojciechowski is praised by clients for his commercial approach'. Daff Richardson 'tends to look at things very sensibly and comes back with a pragmatic response.

Chambers UK – 2014 edition

Sources also praise the firm's practice in IT and telecommunications matters, including outsourcing and software licensing.

IAM Licensing 250 – the World's Leading Patent and Technology Lawyers

Sam De Silva is a highly commercial lawyer with unflappable negotiation skills.

Craig Fenton, Managing director, Accenture

I would not hesitate to recommend that Sam De Silva be an integral part of any pitch team for complicated outsource or contractor deals. Besides being an excellent legal representative, he has superbly honed commercial skills and strengths.

David Honey, Director, Fujifilm UK

Sam De Silva is an expert in the outsourcing field and has provided me with the support and expertise I require to compile new contracts and deal with feedback from existing ones. He is quick to respond and will always put himself out to do his best to meet a deadline, no matter how short.

Sam Buckle, Strategic solution account director at NCR Corporation

Joanne Vengadesan and the Penningtons Manches team provided clear, pragmatic advice, within the rapid response times required to meet our deadlines. We felt well supported in negotiations.

COO, Indian defence technology organisation

Sam De Silva has worked for us at Eckoh plc on a number of occasions and has proven to be a true asset to the business. Sam will set a realistic deadline of price and timing and will always ensure that he meets those expectations. Sam is a personable guy but a hard negotiator when those difficult discussions take place. I would have no hesitation in recommending Sam.

Adam Moloney, Group finance director, Eckoh Plc

Amadeus Software approached Penningtons Manches for the first time in 2013 and has been extremely pleased with the quality and level of service. Here at last we have found solicitors who respond quickly, who have extensive legal knowledge of the IT industry, and who produce high quality results on time and within the estimates originally quoted.

Daniel Morris, Director, Amadeus Software Limited

Jane Mitchell: 'She is wise and knowledgeable - she knows all there is to know." 

Ruth James: 'Exceptionally smart - someone who sees straight through the chaos and cuts through the nonsense.'

Chambers UK - 2016 edition

'Their preparation is immaculate and their advice to clients is always spot-on. They are really very impressive.'

Chambers UK - 2017 edition

Jane Mitchell: 'She brings admirable clarity and focus to the issues.' 

'Ruth James is a stellar personality with a good client manner and an eye for the bigger picture as well as being attentive to detail.'

Chambers UK - 2019 edition