Next Generation Partners

Rising Stars

Transport and shipping in East Anglia

Birketts LLP

The Ipswich office of Birketts LLP is home to a transport and shipping practice from which ‘the service from is professional, friendly and pragmatic‘. The firm assists shipping and logistics clients with the full spectrum of matters, including commercial, contractual, customs and duty issues. Practice co-head Henry Adams has broad expertise in dry shipping; Alex Davey leads the litigation practice, often acting in cargo disputes; and head of regulatory and corporate defence Matthew Gowen frequently advises operators and trade bodies. Davey and newly promoted partner Tom Hodges have a ‘straightforward, no nonsense approach'. Mediator and dry shipping litigation specialist Nicholas Woo and senior associate Sarah Holsgrove also play pivotal roles in the practice.

Practice head(s):

Henry Adams; Alex Davey; Matthew Gowen


Other key lawyers:

Nicolas Woo; Tom Hodges; Sarah Holsgrove


Testimonials

‘The service from Birketts is professional, friendly and pragmatic. They have a wide range of skills within the business. The service is excellent.’

‘Tom Hodges and Alex Davey are straightforward, no nonsense approach with the focus on swift practical solutions in the best interest of the client.’

Key clients

JJA SA


Petromar


Atlantic Trading and Marketing Inc


National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh PA


Pequod Associates Ltd.


Work highlights


  • Actin for Petromar in a claim for damages arising from alleged contamination of cargoes of gasoil and gasoline in the High Court.
  • Acted for time charterers Navision Shipping A/S in a dispute arising from loss of time due to an arrest of the vessel at a discharge port.
  • Acted for JJA, a large French home furnishings distributor and retailer, in defending a claim for container demurrage brought against them by Maersk for around €3.1m. The matter settled at the pleadings stage.

Ashtons Legal

The practice at Ashtons Legal is heavily involved in road transport regulatory matters, in which it undertakes a high volume of hearings before Traffic Commissioners. The group frequently represents operators and transport managers in public inquiries. Tim Ridyard in Bury St Edmunds has vast expertise in dispensing regulatory advice, and representing operators in the goods and passenger road transport sectors, frequently appearing before the Magistrates and Crown Courts. Ridyard maintains an operator licensing focused practice.

Practice head(s):

Tim Ridyard


Key clients

Mick George Limited


Nick Brown Transport Ltd


B P Mitchell Haulage Contractors Ltd


Work highlights


  • Advising a group comprising numerous companies engaging in environmental, waste and engineering activities on reviewing and auditing compliance and applying for new operator’s licences for some subsidiaries. The firm carried out due diligence exercises on all new subsidiaries within the Group.
  • Advising large regional company and operator in relation to hearing called by Traffic Commissioner in relation to fatal accident involving employee crushed by vehicle in fleet. The firm assisted the client with representations and the submission of vast quantity of compliance paperwork, which led to Traffic Commissioner taking no further action after case review.
  • Advised a large multi-sector Group in respect of all road transport operator licensing needs within the Group. The firm is assisting the client with the review of all road transport regulated operations.

Prettys Solicitors LLP

Prettys Solicitors LLP in Ipswich provides corporate, commercial and property advice to clients in the haulage, distribution and intermodal sectors. Practice head Ian Waine acted for Maritime Transport Ltd in a multimillion-pound development agreement for the lease of the 6.8 hectare Intermodal Rail Freight Terminal at Segro Logistics Park, Northampton Gateway. Matthew Cole provides transport sector clients with employment advice, while corporate partner Daniel Billson handles a broad range of issues, including the sales and acquisitions of businesses.

Practice head(s):

Ian Waine


Other key lawyers:

Matthew Cole; Daniel Billson


Key clients

Bacton Transport Services Ltd


Fryers Transport Ltd


Harwich Haven Authority


Maritime Transport Ltd


Trinity House Corporation


Work highlights


  • Advised Maritime Group Limited in connection with the commercial contract aspects of a multi-million pound development agreement for lease of the 6.8 hectare Intermodal Rail Freight Terminal at Segro Logistics Park, Northampton Gateway