Shipping Law
Chambers has a long tradition of involvement in a wide variety of shipping and maritime disputes. Traditionally we have concentrated on "dry" work, with the core of Chambers' practice being charter-party and bills of lading disputes as well as related aspects of international trade. In recent years this has broadened to include disputes relating to ship building, ship finance, ship sale and purchase and the other more modern contracts found in the shipping world such as pool agreements, slot charters etc.
Members of Chambers have had involvement in the long-running "Solitaire" arbitration concerning the conversion of a sophisticated pipe laying vessel, and in the ongoing Fiona Trust dispute, as well as Lauritzencool v Lady Navigation and Abu Dhabi Investments v Clarksons.
Maritime law is an area where Chambers' shipping expertise overlaps with our expertise in Commercial and Competition and EU law. Examples include Arkin v. Borchard Lines, a dispute regarding the abuse of a dominant position through collective predatory pricing and Viking Lines v. International Trades Federation regarding the movement of free trade within the EU.
Members of Chambers are also frequently appointed as Arbitrators or as Mediators in relation to shipping disputes.
Recent cases of note include:
- Scottish & Newcastle -v. Ghalanos (House of Lords)
- Arkin v. Borchard Lines (Commercial Court)
- "Happy Ranger " (Court of Appeal and Commercial Court)
- Associated British Ports v. Ferryways NC & MSC Belgium (Commercial Court)
- Abu Dhabi Investments v Clarksons (Commercial Court)
- Lauritzencool v Lady Navigation (Commercial Court)
