The Legal 500

Clyde & Co’s Piraeus-based practice has the capability to advise on both wet and dry claims through respected partners Martin Hall and Alex McIntosh. Collectively they advise on bill of lading and charterparty disputes, as well as salvage and collision claims for clients such as Transmed and Golden Union Shipping.

Holman Fenwick Willan LLP’s expertise in both wet and dry shipping disputes was further strengthened by the addition of casualty investigator Tim Howse to the Piraeus team. Highlights in 2010 included advising on several shipbuilding contract quality and compliance disputes, while on the wet side the practice advised shipowners, hull underwriters and P&I clubs in connection with LOF salvage claims arising from the grounding of a supramax vessel in the Philippines. Dimitris Exarchou was promoted to the partnership.

Ince & Co is one of the few international firms with a Greek office that is able to advise on both Greek and English law matters, thanks to George Iatridis’ local law team. Jonathan Elvey and Robin Parry advise on charterparty, recovery and casualty claims for clients including Capital Ship Management and Aegean Marine Petroleum Network.

Sarantitis Law Firm’s shipping litigation team, led by George Latsis, has been advising Piraeus Bank on several claims arising from loan facilities, as well as advising shipping corporations on claims arising from crew accidents.

Theo V. Sioufas & Co. Law Offices’ name partner Theo Sioufas is hailed as a fierce presence in the Greek maritime courts. The practice attracts a loyal following among local clients, and has been undertaking an increasing amount of arbitration work.

Timagenis Law Firm’s ability to handle cross-border disputes and major arbitration makes it a formidable force among Greek and international shipping firms. In 2010, the firm represented a Greek shipping company in a claim for damages arising from the sale of a defective vessel. Senior partner Gregory Timagenis’s reputation as an arbitrator saw him act in the first arbitration to be conducted under the rules of the Piraeus Association for Maritime Arbitration.

Bairactaris & Partners has a ‘sound grasp of Greek shipping law matters’, thanks to name partner Vangelis Bairactaris and Christina Gennadopoulou’s broad-based litigation expertise. Highlights for 2010 included advising Credit Europe Bank on proceedings against borrowers relating to loan defaults.

Deucalion Rediadis & Sons has a fine reputation thanks to name partner Deucalion Rediadis, allowing this boutique to punch above its weight in handling charterparty and other dry disputes, as well as wet work for P&I clubs.

Hill Dickinson LLP’s four-partner shipping practice has extensive experience on contentious matters, ranging from international trade disputes to salvage and collision claims. In 2010, Patrick Hawkins advised Hellenic Carriers on salvage and damages claims relating to the grounding of a ship in the Amazon river, while Maria Moisidou acted for the claimants in a $40m arbitration.

Basil Spiliopoulos heads KGDI Law Firm’s well-respected litigation practice, and his expertise in salvage and collision claims garners instructions from several international P&I clubs.

Under litigation partner Marie Kelly’s leadership, Norton Rose’s practice has developed its good reputation for charterparty, shipbuilding and general maritime disputes. 2010 saw it advise on arbitration proceedings relating to a charterparty dispute, and on disputes between owners and shipyards.

With the shipping industry mired in the doldrums of a global slump throughout 2009 and most of 2010, Reed Smith’s litigation practice has had an active year. George Panagopoulos advised on a shipbuilding dispute before the High Court in London and it is this cross-border capability that makes the group a significant asset to clients, who also value John Reece’s expertise.

The loss of George Iatridis to Ince & Co was a blow to V&P Law Firm’s contentious shipping capability, but Alexandros Kalantzis continues to handle charterparty and bill of lading disputes.

Antony Antapassis – George Albouras Law Office’s name partner Antony Antapassis is president of the Greek Maritime Law Association and a member of the International Maritime Conciliation and Mediation Panel. The practice advises on both dry and wet matters.

Law Offices of Basil T Patkos is a more prominent player on the finance side of shipping matters, but also handles bill of lading and charterparty disputes for shipowners.

Calavros and Partners offers a broader commercial litigation practice that also covers shipping matters, with a niche capability in employment matters for shipping unions.

Potamitisvekris’ litigation expertise covers everything from international trade disputes to LMAA arbitrations, thanks to Johnny Vekris and Konstantinos Papadiamantis. In 2010, the practice acted for PL Shipping in a dispute over a shipbuilding contract.

Scorinis Law Offices’ experienced George Scorinis advises on charterparty disputes and arbitration.

Tsibanoulis & Partners Law Firm’s commercial litigation practice handles contractual disputes for shipping sector clients.