At Clyde & Co LLP, Jai Sharma in Guildford heads up the marine cargo casualty practice at the firm. Noted for his 25 years of experience in the marine claims industry, Sharma has advised on more than 300 marine casualties for cargo underwriters during his career.
Shipping in South East
Lester Aldridge LLP
Lester Aldridge LLP fields a dedicated marine law team, which is known as LA Marine, and was established more than 20 years ago. It is a major player in the logistics, shipping, leisure marine and superyacht sectors. Led by Russell Kelly, the practice provides extensive support to clients on matters such as commercial contracts, finance transactions and regulatory investigations and prosecutions. In addition, the firm is highlighted for its strong track record in dry shipping arbitration and litigation. Linda Jacques handles a varied portfolio of contentious work, including cases involving collisions, the loss of cargo and loss of life on ships. She is also notably experienced in contractual disputes.
Practice head(s):
Russell Kelly
Other key lawyers:
Linda Jacques; Jennie Harris; Lucy Goff
Testimonials
‘Great industry knowledge, great client care skills, very on top of the law in their area.’
‘Linda Jacques – clients rightly have huge confidence in her. Knows her field and has great expertise.’
‘High responsiveness, very creative, excellent business acumen and industry knowledge, good value for money.’
‘Linda Jacques. Thorough sector knowledge and understanding, business acumen, very responsive, creative and supportive, friendly.’
‘Linda Jacques is proactive and prompt to provide support whenever needed.’
‘When it comes to marine matters, the team of marine specialists at Lester Aldridge are the best in business. They are proactive, knowledgeable and always available and happy to help.’
‘They are proactive , knowledgeable and always available and happy to help.’
‘I can only really comment on Linda Jacques, whose experience in arbitration is particularly clear in her tactical awareness. She is also particularly pleasant to work with and shows great understanding of her clients’ needs.’
Blake Morgan LLP
Marine law specialist Louise Fuller joined Blake Morgan LLP from Lester Aldridge LLP in April 2020. With the firm mainly undertaking matters concerning yachts and superyachts, Fuller specialises in sales and purchases of yachts, as well as disputes. Elsewhere, the group advises on commercial contracts issues and casualty-related matters such as salvage and the recovery of yachts.
Practice head(s):
Louise Fuller
Key clients
Red Paddle
Oyster Yachts
Premier Marinas
Theyachtmarket.com
Work highlights
- Handling the worldwide trade mark portfolios and brand protection work for a number of clients in the marine sector, including infringement claims and copyright and passing off matters and patent infringement involving competitors with a cross-border dynamic.
Thomson Snell & Passmore
Thomson Snell & Passmore has a transport and logistics practice, which draws upon the firm's strengths across a number of disciplines, including commercial, corporate, dispute resolution, employment and regulatory. In the marine sector specifically, James Cradick is experienced in shipping disputes, such as those involving ship arrests, and charterparty and bill of lading matters. In 2020, his work included acting for AXA XL in longrunning litigation against Taiwanese freight forwarders. Another key individual is Joanne Wright, who has commercial property expertise.
Practice head(s):
Joanne Wright; James Cradick
Testimonials
‘We regard this firm as one of the top firms for this work nationally. It has established and new clients doing high quality international shipping and transport work regularly.’
‘James Cradick is the main contact who has great people/client skills, is good with counsel, has strong legal and procedural skills and offers a great service.’
‘Despite being a fairly small regional team, they have the expertise and the quality to go toe to toe with the leading City firms. They provide the standard of service one expects from a specialist City firm, but at more reasonable rates.’
‘James Cradick is an experienced and canny dispute resolution lawyer, knows how to run major international arbitration; leads his team effectively and decisively while giving his clients sensible commercial advice.’
Key clients
AXA XL
Gefco UK Ltd
Inca Invest SAC
Brakes (A Sysco Company)
Work highlights
- Acting on behalf of leading commodity traders in the grain sector in $12m dispute with Dubai-based trading house in connection with termination of various consignments of milling wheat shipped out of Bourgas port in Bulgaria.
- Acting on behalf of ship owners in a seven-figure ICC arbitration arising from alleged damage to a vessel during repair.
- Advising Russian traders on liabilities under sale contracts of products shipped from St Petersburg to USA which are now subject to liens being exercised by US banks.
Verisona Law
Verisona Law's excellent marine practice is led by Tim Reynolds, who has more than three decades of experience in this space. His team advises individuals, companies and individuals on all the contentious and non-contentious aspects of the production, ownership and use of yachts and small commercial craft. It also has expertise in the development and disposal of shoreside properties and businesses, as well as coastal and marine planning matters.
Practice head(s):
Tim Reynolds
Testimonials
‘Tim Reynolds was very prompt in his dealings with me. This was the first time I have required a lawyer for the situation I was in. Tim was very easy to talk to always direct and to the point. Took a while for situation to be resolved. Tim was always quick to respond and arrived at an acceptable conclusion. I would recommend his company for their attention to resolve my problem in a speedy, very efficient manner.’
‘Tim Reynolds specialises in marine matters. He is exceptional, and somewhat unusual in that he has extensive practical and legal knowledge in this field. He has extensive experience and undertaken successful legal matters and court appearances. Many cases involving multimillion pound claims. An outstanding marine solicitor with exceptional knowledge.’
‘One of a small number firms with lawyers specialising in contentious and non-contentious yachting work.’
‘Tim Reynolds is an exceptionally experienced yachting solicitor. He is clear-minded, pragmatic and very knowledgeable.’
‘Verisona offers excellent value for money to clients with maritime claims which are detailed and complex in nature, coupled with excellent contract writing skills.’
‘Tim Reynolds is unique in the industry in that he brings a lifetime’s experience of practical yacht construction coupled with first-hand knowledge of how shipyards operate. As a lawyer he has the ability to distil key information to form compelling arguments with excellent attention to detail. Highly tenacious in character.’