Hall Of Fame

Shipping litigation in Greece

HFW

Combining strong litigation smarts with ‘exceptional understanding and knowledge of commercial shipping’, HFW is well-placed to provide ‘dynamic, strategic and results-oriented’ advice to P&I clubs and shipping companies across a wide range of disputes, including as it relates to charterparties, bills of lading and shipbuilding contracts. Dimitri Vassos and Dimitris Exarchou  are both the main contacts for this dry shipping work (which accounts for a substantial volume of the deal flow), with Vassos also adept at handling more wet mandates, including as it relates to salvage, groundings and collision cases. Clients also benefit from the firm’s integrated approach and ability to co-ordinate with key international offices, including London, on large scale arbitrations, in particular.

 

Practice head(s):

Dimitri Vassos; Dimitris Exarchou


Other key lawyers:

Constantinos Bitounis; Steffi Gougoulaki; Freya Salt; Lauren Cogley


Testimonials

‘They are extremely responsive and solutions oriented and have an exceptional understanding and knowledge of the commercial shipping aspects.’

‘They are very dynamic, strategic and results oriented.’

Hill Dickinson LLP

Strengthened by some recent hires, including Dimitris Anassis and Martin Hall from Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP and Clyde & Co, respectively, Hill Dickinson LLP‘s five-partner team has the strength-in-depth to handle a tremendous volume and range of disputes, including a significant number of major multi-jurisdictional mandates – where it is able to draw from the expertise of lawyers based in other key offices, including London. Hall’s arrival further strengthens the team’s ‘highly skilled and experienced marine casualty’ offering, which not only includes ‘very knowledgeable and talented’ lawyers, including Ian Teare (who like Hall splits his time between London and Piraeus) but also some expert master mariners. On the dry shipping front, dual UK and Greek-qualified partner Maria Moisidou is adept at handling a myriad litigation, mediation and arbitrations relating to, inter alia, P&I matters, marine insurance, charterparty disputes and cargo claims. Timon Karamanos, who co-heads the team alongside Moisidou, has a similarly broad dry offering and has developed a particularly strong reputation for his ability to successfully conduct negotiations to avoid unnecessary escalation. The ‘highly skilled and commercial’ Alexander Freeman, who was recently promoted to partner, continues to grow his reputation in the sector, including as it relates to matters impacting the tanker industry. At an associate level, Mara Zermasli, who recently joined from Reed Smith LLP, and Vassilis Mavrakis are also recommended.

Practice head(s):

Maria Moisidou; Timon Karamanos


Other key lawyers:

Jasel Chauhan; Ian Teare; Martin Hall; Dimitris Anassis; Alexander Freeman; Vassilis Mavrakis; Harris Kouppas; Anastasia Alexaki; Mara Zermasli


Testimonials

‘In our opinion, the most experienced law firm in marine casualty work. The firm has some highly skilled and experienced marine casualty work practitioners backed up by a very capable team of master mariners etc.’

‘The firm is very collaborative, commercial and accessible.’

‘Ian Teare is a very knowledgeable and talented marine casualty work practitioner.’

Key clients

Tsavliris Salvage Group


Five Oceans Salvage


Thenamaris


Navios Maritime Holdings


Omicron Ship Management


North Standard P&I


UK P&I Club


Steamship Mutual P&I Club


Gard P&I Club


The Swedish P&I Club


The London P&I Club


Skuld P&I Club


West P&I Club


Britannia P&I Club


Hellenic Petroleum


Work highlights


Timagenis Law Firm

‘Locally rooted but with an international mindset’, Timagenis Law Firm has developed a strong reputation among domestic and foreign stakeholders, including owners and insurers, across a myriad of litigation and arbitration, where it is appreciated for its ‘relentless and dogged drive’ to obtain a favourable result. As well as conventional wet and dry disputes, including charterparty matters and marine pollution cases, the firm is also well-versed in handling finance and commercial disputes in the sector, including for banks on debt enforcement issues and for parties engaged in shipping shareholder disputes. Drawing upon his ‘exceptional’ knowledge of both English and Greek laws and procedures, ‘outstanding’ dual qualified partner Yiannis Timagenis is a firm favourite among clients and provides ‘commercially oriented and practical solutions’, including on asset tracing and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards. Gregory Timagenis, who co-heads the team alongside Yiannis, has ‘built a track-record of international proportions’, and as well as making regular appearances before the Greek Supreme Court has also successfully appeared in cases spanning ‘almost every continent, as well as in the open waters where International Law prevails’. US and Greek-qualified partner Christos Timagenis, who ‘knows the shipping industry inside out’ is another practitioner within the team with outstanding international exposure, and provides ‘tailored and practical advice’ across a range of multi-jurisdictional disputes and is also qualified to practice before the Supreme Court of Greece.

Practice head(s):

Gregory Timagenis; Yiannis Timagenis


Other key lawyers:

Christos Timagenis; Mariangela Vlachou; Zoi Timagenis


Testimonials

‘The team provides a high quality service and a detailed-oriented approach.’

‘Locally rooted but with an international mindset, the team is well-equipped to service foreign clients and help them navigate the Greek market.’

‘They have exceptional knowledge of both Greek and English maritime and commercial law. Moreover the team demonstrated tremendous practical knowledge of local procedures as well as a relentless and dogged drive to obtain the right result for our mutual client.’

Gregory Timagenis has built a track-record of international proportions, with a command of legal knowledge and successful appearances in cases that have spanned almost every continent, as well as in the open waters where International Law prevails.’ 

‘Christos Timagenis is the definition of a top-notch lawyer. Due to his vast experience and his detailed oriented approach, he is the first person I call for any shipping corporate, taxation or litigation matter raised.’

‘Christos Timagenis knows the shipping industry inside out. He provides tailored and practical advice in the field, including in related litigation. A go-to lawyer for shipping matters.’

‘Yiannis Timagenis is an expert in employment and data protection matters related to the shipping industry.’

‘Yiannis Timagenis is outstanding. His knowledge of both English and Greek laws and procedures was especially valuable. He worked incredibly hard, kept us updated at all relevant times, and provided advice in a cost-effective manner.’

Key clients

Eurobank


Environmental Protection Engineering


Lloyd’s Register Group


Queensway Navigation Co. Ltd


UK P&I Club


North P&I Club


Work highlights


LCI Law

Combining ‘deep legal knowledge and a commercial approach’, nascent commercial and shipping boutique LCI Law has quickly made in-roads into the market since establishing in May 2022, picking up new clients as well as leveraging existing relationships gained through the experience of the founding partners’ strong individual practices at their previous firm Ince & Co. Now also aided by a new office in London, the team provides a wide range of shipping disputes expertise in relation to contracts governed by both Greek and English law. Dual qualified managing partner Antonis Lagadianos heads up the English law litigation facet of the practice and has ‘impressive experience’ representing P&I Clubs and ship owners across a range of high-profile contractual disputes and casualty matters, and is noted for his ability to provide guidance not only on purely legal matters but also in a strategic context. George Iatridis co-heads the team alongside Lagadianos and is in charge of the Greek law part of the practice.

Practice head(s):

Antonis Lagadianos; George Iatridis


Other key lawyers:

Evangelos Catsambas; Anastasia Dola


Testimonials

‘They are client-oriented, efficient and cost-effective.’

‘They combine deep legal knowledge and a commercial approach.’

Antonis Lagadianos is a lawyer with impressive experience. He is always ready to respond to our queries and concerns, not only regarding the legal aspect of any matter but also as far as concerning the strategy that we will follow.’

Key clients

Danaos Corporation


Starbulk S.A.


Technomar Shipping Inc


Cyprus Sea Lines Co Ltd


TMS Bulkers


Navios Shipmanagement Inc.


Eurobulk Ltd


Equinox Maritime Ltd.


Indagro S.A.


Gard P & I (Bermuda) Ltd.


The UK Defence Club/UK P&I Club


The NorthStandard Club


Trithorn Bulk A/S


Gleamray Maritime Inc


Mystic Cruises


Louis Cruises


Naftomar


Attica/Blue Star Ferries


The London Club


Primebulk Shipmanagement Ltd


Work highlights


Norton Rose Fulbright

Although it is better known for its financing prowess, particularly since the recent departure of John Liberopoulos to set up his own firm Libra Law, the 'very knowledgeable' team at Norton Rose Fulbright is able to harness deep industry knowledge and leverage wide-ranging overarching disputes and commercial/financing prowess to good effect across a myriad contractual disputes for owners and financial institutions in the sector. In this context, the team, which can leverage vast international resources, is particularly effective representing clients in multi-jurisdictional disputes excelling in providing 'global advice which is co-ordinated locally'. Yianni Cheilas heads up the overarching shipping group and although he is primarily a transactional lawyer, does handle work for banks and funds for example on enforcement matters and vessel arrests. 

Practice head(s):

Yianni Cheilas


Other key lawyers:

Ieronymos Bikakis; John Agapitos


Testimonials

‘The team provides meticulous and efficient advice.’

The very knowledgeable team excels in providing global advice which is co-ordinated locally.’

 

Key clients

Alpha Bank A.E.


ABN AMRO Bank N.V.


Piraeus Bank A.E.


ING Bank N.V.


HSBC Bank plc


DVB Bank SE


Nordea Bank Finland plc


National Bank of Greece S.A.


Eurobank Ergasias S.A.


Credit Suisse AG


Citigroup


Bank of America Merill Lynch


Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V.


National Australia Bank


Korean Development Bank


Fortress Credit Advisors LLC


LMZ Shipping S.A.


Fomentos Armadora S.A.


Equinox Maritime Ltd.


Latsco Shipping Limited


Latsco LNG LLC


Costamare Inc.


Avin International SA


Empire Bulkers Limited


Hellenic Carriers Corporation S.A.


Arcadia Shipmanagement S.A.


Atlas Maritime Inc.


Safe Bulkers Inc.


Alassia NewShips Management Inc.


Cromar Insurance Brokers Ltd


Safety Management Overseas AS


International Trade SA


Skandinaviska Enskilda Bank (AB)


AB Maritime Inc.


Technomar Shipping Inc


Goldenport Shipmanagement Ltd.


Cymona Maritime Holdings Inc.


Byzantine Maritime Corp.


Work highlights


Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP

Acting on its own and also forming a part of an integrated global team that includes key offices in London and Singapore, Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP has good traction among P&I clubs, shipowners and operators, representing them across a range of cross-border disputes relating to marine casualties, charterparties, bills of lading, cargo claims, sanctions, sale and purchase disputes. The team is currently led from London by Darryl Kennard following the sad and untimely death in June 2023 of former team head and shipping luminary Douglas Bateson.

Practice head(s):

Darryl Kennard (London)


Other key lawyers:

Alex McIntosh; Nick Donnelly; Evelyn Komaki; Helen Walsh


Testimonials

‘Helen Walsh has a very strong commercial understanding.’

 

Key clients

Gard


The UK Defence Club / The UK P&I Club


West P&I Club


The Swedish Club


Britannia P&I Club


The London P&I Club


The American P&I Club


The Steamship Mutual P&I Club


Work highlights


Reed Smith LLP

Reed Smith LLP provides ‘practical and business savvy advice’ to domestic and international clients, including owners, P&I clubs, trading companies and shipyards, both in cases before the Greek and English courts, and in large international arbitration hearings. Splitting her time between London and Athens, ‘technically brilliant’ team head Sally-Ann Underhill leads from the front, providing ‘an excellent and cost-effective service’ to clients in relation to charter party disputes and insurance claims, among others.

Practice head(s):

Sally-Ann Underhill


Other key lawyers:

Dimitris Athanasopoulos


Testimonials

‘They provide practical and business savvy advice. Additionally, the depth of knowledge that each possesses in their field is quite impressive, which enables them to respond quickly to follow up questions from the client and anticipating possible variations of an issue.’

‘Sally-Ann Underhill is a technically brilliant lawyer who understand the commercial issues and delivers an excellent and cost-effective service.’

‘Sally-Ann Underhill is a highly skilled and reputable shipping litigation partner.’

Work highlights