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
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
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
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 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.
‘Highly professional and experienced people, able to understand and analyse quickly the problem, providing replies without losing time with details, going straight to the point, anticipating issues which may be raised by counterparties, with the ability to clearly explain complex matters involving various different jurisdictions, and able to work under pressure remaining calm.’
The Legal 500 - 2022 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
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.
The team is very ready to roll up their sleeves and get into the detail. It is adept at handling technically complex problems and developing pragmatic solutions. It has a very thorough understanding of the commodities business.
George Mingay has always been fully engaged, always available and anticipated issues excellently, as well as clearly being extremely knowledgeable in all matters of the process. George is excellent at explaining detailed legal process in a very accessible way.
The Legal 500 - 2021 edition
Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP is a firm that is highly attuned to the logistics of shipping and trade, thanks to its specialist focus on those areas. Its trade finance practice comprises a small, hands-on team that handles bespoke deals requiring a high level of technical knowledge and experience in the sale, transport and insurance of commodities. Grant Eldred leads the practice, in which contentious and transactional matters are handled by an integrated group. Eldred specialises in banking law including bilateral and syndicated secured and unsecured lending, trade finance and banking regulation and compliance. Lisa Hillary handles disputes arising under sale contracts, charterparties and bills of lading as well as the international trade of commodities and marine insurance, and George Mingay is recommended for disputes within the commodities sector relating to oil and gas, metals and mining, and soft commodities.
The international trade and commodities group is well known for its sector expertise and its diverse client base. The firm has long-standing relationships with the key trade associations and frequently handles Grain and Feed Trade Association and Federation of Oils, Seeds and Fats Associations arbitrations. It is also now legal adviser to the Refined Sugar Association. Practice heads George Mingay, Mark Sachs and Lisa Hillary work closely with the firm's shipping and trade finance practices, as well as teams in Singapore and Brazil, which are key hubs for the commodities industry. Mingay focuses predominantly on matters in the sugar market, while Sachs frequently handles arbitrations involving Chinese entities and commodity derivatives.
The Legal 500 - 2020 edition
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Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC311575 and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority under number 419867.
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