The 36 Group includes 36 Stone, a dedicated shipping and international trade set, whose members have had extensive experience relating to shipping contractual documents including charterparties, contracts of affreightments, bills of lading, ship building, ship sale and purchase contracts. Members of chambers are regularly instructed in high value claims in areas such as Singapore, Hong Kong and India. Vasanti Selvaratnum KC’s practice embraces all aspects of maritime law, while Colin Ong KC is a member of the Brunei, English and Singapore law. Ravi Aswani has a busy shipping practice spanning both wet and dry disputes, including areas such as ship building and ship repair.
Shipping and commodities in Asia Pacific: The English Bar
36 Stone
Testimonials
Set
‘They are consistently my go-to set. Their juniors are also excellent and they are very experienced in shipping and commercial matters. The quality of leaders such as Vasanti is reflected in the calibre of the juniors. The clerks are also great – very responsive and willing to engage sensibly on fees etc.’
’36 Stone is a diverse and well regarded set. I know and have high regard for Elizabeth Blackburn (pollution at sea) Charles Debattista (shipping) and Mary Thomson (shipping and insurance) as well as Mr Wright.’
Clerking
‘The clerks are great! Always highly responsive and willing to engage sensibly on fees. It is very useful to know that there is someone I can pick up the phone to on these types of issues in particular and have a sensible conversation, which is not something I can say of every clerks room!’
‘Excellent.’
4 Pump Court
The ‘great‘ 4 Pump Court is a leading set in maritime dispute resolution, with members bringing their expertise to shipping and commodities cases which are often high value, complex disputes. Members are frequently instructed in regions such as China, Hong Kong and Singapore. One of the chambers’ leading cases is the ongoing Noble Chartering v Priminds Shipping Hong Kong Co – also known as The Tai Prize - in which James Leabeater and Rani Noakes acted for the appellant and Alexander Wright KC acted for the respondent in a case which raised issues of general importance to the shipping industry concerning whether a voyage charterer warrants the accuracy of statements, such as in bills of lading, made as to the apparent order and condition of cargo - the matter went in to the England and Wales Court of Appeal in 2021.
Testimonials
Set
‘4 Pump Court is a great English barrister chambers and there are several KCs and junior barristers who have a lot of dealings with the Great China region. When there comes with thorny and sophisticated English law issues and demand for excellent advocacy, we always bear in mind this set.’
Clerking
‘They are quick and professional. I am used to work with Carl Wall and he is a professional clerk.’
‘Carl Wall is fantastic and very experienced. He is always available and very user-friendly. I would highly recommend Carl.’
Quadrant Chambers
Quadrant Chambers continues to be a leading set within shipping and commodities in the Asia Pacific region, with barristers frequently representing all parties in various disputes. The chambers is uniquely positioned to offer their shipping expertise at all levels and matters, from dry and wet shipping matters to marine insurance and fraud. Simon Rainey KC and Nigel Jacobs KC are both highly regarded for their work in the shipping sphere, dealing with issues involving limitation of liability and unsafe ports. In the English courts, Caroline Pounds was successful in her role in Navig8 Chemicals Pools Inc v Aeturnum Energy International Pte Ltd where she acted on behalf of the claimant seeking to enforce performance of the defendant’s obligations under a Letter of Indemnity in respect of the cargo without production of the original bill of lading. Lionel Persey KC has a wide-ranging practice, including private international law and arbitration matters in the shipping context.
Testimonials
Set
‘Excellent all round chambers.’
‘Excellent. My first choice of UK counsel, extremely helpful.’
‘Very good. Our first choice of the UK chambers.’
‘Leading shipping set.’
‘I think Quadrant is the strongest set for shipping and trading counsel. The clerks are very helpful, counsel themselves are very flexible and willing to work to the demands of a case and client (including while on holiday or over weekends if the urgency requires). I think counsel at Quadrant are also generally good at saying if they do not have capacity instead of taking on the work and not being able to deliver in a timely fashion.’
Clerking
‘Clerks are excellent. Simon Slattery is particularly helpful.’
‘Very good.’
‘Always prompt responsive, very good quality.’
‘Paul Bloxham is very responsive and helpful.’
‘Efficient and friendly.’
Twenty Essex
Twenty Essex is well-regarded in Singapore for the work conducted in shipping and maritime issues such as letters of indemnity, unsafe port claims, enforcement of parent company guarantees, mis-delivery disputes and oil trading disputes. Timothy Young KC and Simon Milnes KC were against David Lewis KC and Alistair Wooder in an arbitration concerning delay to platform supply vessels which pushed them past the deadline to comply with the new MARPOL standards in 2016.
Testimonials
Set
’20 Essex Street is a very strong shipping and commercial arbitration set.’
‘Chambers is excellent. Very strong across the shipping and energy space. Good availability of counsel at all levels and responsive to requests for support.’
‘Helpful and professional.’
’20 Essex is pretty good all round in the shipping and commodities field.’
Clerking
’20 Essex Street have a very strong clerks’ room and excellent service.’
‘Happy with the support provided by the clerks. Friendly and approachable.’
‘Anthony Carroll is very responsive, flexible and accommodating of clients’ requests and demands, and ensures a seamless service provided by the Chambers.’