The Legal 500

Within M&A - smaller deals up to £50m, Ince & Co is a second tier firm,

Shipping, energy and aviation are core sectors for Ince & Co’s five-partner team. Nick Gould and Stephen Jarvis are key contacts.

Within Fraud - commercial and regulatory investigations, tier 4

Despite its traditional focus on shipping and insurance, Ince & Co is ‘unusually good’ when it comes to litigating international fraud cases, aided by its broad base of international trade contacts. Stuart Shepherd is ‘excellent with clients’ and ‘on top of the detail’; Rebecca Axe is ‘very good indeed’; and Jonathan Goldfarb is also singled out as a ‘details man’. Cases include in the Fiona Trust shipping litigation.

Within Commercial litigation, tier 5

Ince & Co is best known for its first-class insurance and shipping practice, but also competes with the best on general commercial disputes, as well as in other niche areas such as aviation and energy. One of the firm’s recent highlights has been advising the claimant in the hugely complex and high-value Fiona Trust case. The top-notch team includes leading individuals such as Peter Rogan, Ben Ogden and Denys Hickey.

Within International arbitration, tier 5

Ince & Co is another firm with a strong focus on shipping, insurance and commodities claims, through which it has gained a great deal of experience in international arbitration. Group head Steven Fox is especially well regarded.

Within Mediators

Within Mediators

Within Overview,

Thus far, the main beneficiaries have been those firms with strong backgrounds in banking and commodities, sectors which were the first victims of the fallout of the credit crunch and the resultant downturn. The former category is largely made up of Magic Circle and major City firms, such as Allen & Overy LLP, Clifford Chance, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, Linklaters LLP, Herbert Smith LLP, Lovells LLP, Simmons & Simmons, and Slaughter and May, all of which have excellent track records in financial services related disputes. In the latter, firms with strong experience in areas such as shipping, including Clyde & Co LLP, Ince & Co, and Holman Fenwick Willan LLP, have benefited from an uptick in disputes, thanks largely to major fluctuations in commodities prices.

Within Public international law, tier 4

Ince & Co has in-depth experience across shipping and international law. The firm has represented leading industry organisations in issues relating to safety, liability and the environment in the maritime sector, as well as handling work in the energy, insurance and aviation sectors. Colin de la Rue and Charlotte Breide are ‘excellent, diligent and knowledgeable’.

Within Asset finance and leasing, tier 6

Ince & Co has a well-regarded ship finance practice with a growing market profile. David Baker (‘accessible, knowledgeable and good at handling clients on a personal level’) leads a seven-partner team that has been involved in a number of high-value syndicated financings, particularly in the LNG sector, where it has been advising the lead arrangers of a US$600m syndicated loan facility to finance the construction of two LNG vessels.

Within Commodities and futures - commodities, Ince & Co is a first tier firm,

Sitting alongside complementary shipping and insurance capabilities, Ince & Co’s ‘absolutely first-class’ commodities practice focuses on the oil and gas sector, but also handles coal, biofuels and soft commodities such as sugar. It has represented oil trader Gunvor International in numerous disputes, while other oil industry clients include Statoil and Vitol. The team has also secured new engagements for Itochu and Midland Metals. Litigator Stuart Shepherd ‘always gives valuable advice’, and leads the international trade and commodities business group. Denys Hickey is ‘very good and always available’, and Joe O’Keeffe and the ‘very experienced’ partner Ian Cranston are also recommended.

Within Commodities and futures - futures, Ince & Co is a third tier firm,

Alongside commodity trading and shipping expertise, Ince & Co is recommended for freight futures contracts and disputes, and oil derivative products. Denys Hickey is ideal for ‘a big case worth fighting’.

Within Overview,

High-ranking practices outside the Magic Circle include Ashurst LLP, for acquisition finance and derivatives; Denton Wilde Sapte LLP, for restructuring, asset finance and trade finance; Lovells LLP, for Islamic and trade finance; Norton Rose LLP, for asset finance and Islamic finance; SJ Berwin LLP for investment funds; and Simmons & Simmons, for hedge funds and derivatives. Clyde & Co LLP, Holman Fenwick Willan LLP, Ince & Co and Reed Smith account for the top tier of the commodities ranking, a practice area which relies heavily on a complementary shipping practice.

Within Insurance - corporate and regulatory, tier 4

Ince & Co maintains a solid client base in the insurance broking, syndicate management and insurance company sectors, and recently advised an airline on its appointment as an appointed representative of a UK medical/travel insurer. Key contacts include Peter Rogan and Stephen Jarvis.

Within Insurance and reinsurance litigation, Ince & Co is a first tier firm,

Ince & Co’s clients appreciate its ‘exceptional service’. It has a number of excellent practitioners, such as the ‘knowledgeable’ Allan Hepworth; the ‘very responsive and efficient’ Tony George; and Alan Weir, who ‘knows the market’. The practice ranges from marine and energy insurance to political and trade credit risks. The ‘practical and able’ Jan Heuvels and ‘elder statesman’ Peter Rogan represented Allianz Life in complex multi-party proceedings in connection with the run-off of its corporate member at Lloyd’s, and Rebecca Axe successfully represented the underwriters in Commercial Court litigation arising from the transportation of items to and from a Fabergé Exhibition in the US.

Within Overview,

London is a global hub for the insurance/reinsurance industry. Some lawyers are reaping the benefits of the challenging economic conditions; the upheaval in the financial markets has led to significant claims activity and insurance companies are now more likely to contest an insurance claim. While there has been a slow down in deal activity, strategic deals are still being done, with Part VII transfers continuing to dominate this area. On the regulatory side, Clifford Chance, Lovells LLP and Reynolds Porter Chamberlain LLP are among the leading firms. Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP, Clyde & Co LLP and Ince & Co remain strong on the insurance/reinsurance litigation front, with Herbert Smith LLP and Mayer Brown International LLP also having made considerable strides in this sector. The separate table for policyholder work reflects the fact that some law firms have a dedicated practice representing corporate entities on insurance matters.

Within Personal injury - defendant, tier 4

Ince & Co’s two-partner team is led by Charlotte Davies, specialising in high-value cases for clients in the marine, offshore oil and gas, transport, hotel, and aviation industries. Significant clients include Volvo Car UK Ltd, Steamship Mutual, Axa Global Risks and Elf. Gillie Belsham is also recommended.

Within Professional negligence, tier 5

Ince & Co’s team is led by the ‘experienced’ David Rutherford. Praised for its ‘ability to handle large, complex matters’, it advises professionals in the legal, insurance, accountancy, financial, engineering and shipbroking sectors.

Within Oil and gas, tier 5

Ince & Co recently advised London and international insurers on the alleged expropriation of an oil major’s South American hydrocarbon interest. Clients are appreciative of the hard work put in by Andrew Iyer’s team.

Within Commercial property

Within Environment, tier 5

Ince & Co is a leader in marine environmental affairs, representing the likes of the International Maritime Organisation, the International Chamber of Shipping, and the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund. Current matters include developing international ship recycling laws, and defending a crew involved in a crude-oil spillage. Colin de la Rue leads the practice.

Within Aviation, tier 5

Complementing Ince & Co’s aviation insurance practice is an increasing flow of regulatory work for airlines such as Emirates, Etihad Airways and KLM. Practice head Gillie Belsham’s profile in the insurance market is growing thanks to her work on the Bristow/Sikorsky helicopter crash for Sikorsky and its insurers, Global Aerospace. She has been working alongside Nick Burgess on the 2006 crash of an ADC Airlines aircraft in Nigeria.

Within Overview,

Despite riding a crest of high activity in chartering, futures and trading, the shipping industry crashed in the latter stages of 2008, due in part to spiralling shipping and freight costs. Shipping firms have reported an increase in contractual disputes, directed particularly at shipyards, as shipowners look to discharge their obligations to pay for newbuilds. Piracy’s profile is on the rise, and has driven work at a number of firms with a growing focus on this historic bane of the industry. High-profile insolvency work has also grown as a result of market difficulties. Of the firms operating in the shipping industry, Holman Fenwick Willan LLP and Ince & Co continue to lead the way.

Within Rail, tier 7

Insurance litigation specialist Gillie Belsham is recommended at Ince & Co.

Within Shipping , Ince & Co is a first tier firm,

Ince & Co has seen an increase in shipbuilding and piracy-related instructions. The practice advised Gearbulk, in connection with the buyers’ rights on termination of a shipbuilding contract. Colin de la Rue acts in major oil spills from ships; Paul Herring is noted for charterparty disputes, and sale and purchase contracts; James Wilson advises in marine casualties; and Faz Peermohamed leads the worldwide casualty team. Shipping litigator Graham Crane heads the dry practice.