BRUS CHAMBERS, Advocates & Solicitors

ArbitrationShipping & Shipping Litigation; Infrastructure Arbitration and Commercial Arbitration Oil, Gas & Energy) & Arbitration

Mr. Pritish Das, a distinguished practicing partner at Brus Chambers, is widely acknowledged as one of the foremost legal minds in India, with an illustrious practice encompassing shipping law, commercial arbitration, infrastructure-related litigation, contract interpretation, corporate advisory, and the enforcement of arbitral awards and foreign decrees. His standing as a legal luminary is reinforced by his recognition in Lloyd’s List of the Top 100 Most Influential People in the Maritime Industry and by his consistent ranking among the Top 10 Lawyers in the Market. These accolades underscore not only his professional excellence but also his sustained contribution to the evolution of maritime and commercial jurisprudence. Mr. Das is ranked by Legal500 as Next Generation Partner for shipping and arbitration work in India

Areas of Core Expertise

Mr. Das’s legal practice reflects a confluence of deep theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience in the management and resolution of complex, high-value disputes across shipping, infrastructure, and commercial domains. He is particularly acclaimed for delivering strategic, commercially viable outcomes to clients engaged in contentious and transactional legal engagements.

Shipping and Maritime Law

In the domain of admiralty and maritime law, Mr. Das has consistently demonstrated superior legal capability and procedural dexterity. His expertise spans:

• Charter Party Disputes: He routinely advises and acts in matters involving both time and voyage charter parties, including claims arising out of deviation, dead freight, demurrage, off-hire, and “deemed earned” freight provisions. His interpretation of charterparty clauses is methodical and commercially attuned, ensuring robust legal protection of client interests.
• Bills of Lading and Carriage Contracts: Mr. Das provides comprehensive advice regarding the rights and liabilities of carriers, consignees, and shippers, including claims concerning delivery without production of bills, misdelivery, and damage to cargo.
• Shipbuilding and Offshore Energy Disputes: His command over the technical and legal aspects of shipbuilding contracts, rig disputes, delay claims, collisions, salvage operations, and limitation actions is particularly well-regarded.
• Arrest and Enforcement: Mr. Das has successfully obtained urgent and ex parte arrest orders for vessels at Indian ports, often in collaboration with Dr. Shrikant Hathi or Ms. Binita Hathi. His in-depth understanding of the Admiralty Act and jurisdictional coordination ensures effective security and expeditious relief for clients.
• Specialised Maritime Litigation: He is adept at handling complex matters involving marine casualties, total loss claims, seismic surveys, towage contracts, and fire and explosion-related damages at sea, with thorough consideration of international maritime conventions.

Infrastructure Disputes and Commercial Arbitration

Mr. Das’s reputation as a formidable arbitration practitioner extends beyond maritime disputes into infrastructure, construction, and commercial arbitration. He acts in high-stakes disputes involving EPC contracts, BOT agreements, joint ventures, and performance guarantees. His approach is distinguished by:

• Detailed Contractual Analysis: Rigorous legal dissection of agreements to determine breach, force majeure applicability, and liability allocation.
• Strategic Enforcement: Regularly appearing before High Courts and arbitral forums for enforcement of domestic and foreign awards, including under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, and the New York Convention.
• Problem-Solving Orientation: With a keen eye for pre-litigation planning, he advises on dispute avoidance and early resolution strategies.

Corporate and Contractual Advisory

A cornerstone of Mr. Das’s advisory work lies in contract strategy and risk management. He is often retained to:

• Conduct comprehensive legal audits of commercial agreements;
• Negotiate high-value transactions;
• Assess contract enforceability in multi-jurisdictional settings;
• Formulate dispute resolution mechanisms that are both protective and practical.

His ability to identify latent legal risks and translate complex contractual language into executable business decisions has made him a trusted counsel to domestic and international clients.

Claims Recovery and Multijurisdictional Litigation

Mr. Das has built a stellar track record in claims recovery and enforcement, where his aptitude for executing legal remedies across jurisdictions has ensured the realisation of client claims. From maritime lien enforcement to recognition of foreign awards, he deploys a precise and calculated legal strategy to recover assets or monetary entitlements.

He is particularly effective in shipping-related disputes concerning:

• Collisions and Groundings
• Maritime Claims and Liens
• Salvage and General Average Claims
• Ship Mortgage Enforcement
• Insurance and Reinsurance Litigation

Distinguishing Attributes

• Strategic Depth: Mr. Das’s ability to anticipate procedural and substantive challenges allows him to structure legal arguments that are resilient under scrutiny.
• Collaborative Excellence: His seamless coordination with founding partners Dr. Shrikant Hathi and Ms. Binita Hathi strengthens his litigation and arbitration practice, particularly in cross-border shipping matters.
• Thought Leadership: Regularly consulted by clients and industry professionals for his legal opinions, Mr. Das is a frequent speaker and advisor on maritime law, arbitral procedure, and enforcement mechanisms.

Global Recognition and Enduring Impact

His recognition in Lloyd’s List and industry accolades reflect not only his subject matter expertise but also his global standing in the legal community. Pritish Das remains at the forefront of India’s maritime and arbitration bar, offering legal services that combine intellectual rigour, strategic foresight, and practical execution.

In a legal environment defined by complexity and cross-border interplay, Mr. Pritish Das has emerged as a leading authority, delivering high-value legal solutions to clients in India and abroad. His unmatched command over shipping law, arbitration, litigation, and contract strategy makes him a cornerstone of the dispute resolution practice at Brus Chambers and an invaluable ally for clients navigating the dynamic and demanding contours of commercial law.

Completed his 5 year law course with first class and is now enrolled as advocate with the Bar Council of Maharashtra & Goa

English, Hindi, Bengali

Bar Council of Maharashtra & Goa

Completed his 5 year law course with first class and is now enrolled as advocate with the Bar Council of Maharashtra & Goa