BRUS CHAMBERS, Advocates & Solicitors

Ship Arrest; Shipping and Shipping Arbitration and Litigation; Infrastructure and Infrastructure Arbitration and Litigation

Dr. Shrikant Hathi, Managing and Practicing Partner at Brus Chambers, commands an esteemed reputation as an unparalleled authority in shipping law, infrastructure development, and cross-border project work. With a legal career that has consistently set the benchmark for excellence, Dr. Hathi has emerged as one of India’s most distinguished lawyers, both nationally and internationally. Since 2005, he has been perennially ranked as a Leading Individual in shipping law by The Legal 500, and in 2016, he was inducted into The Legal 500 Hall of Fame, an honor reserved for the elite few who have demonstrated exceptional and sustained performance in their field. He is considered as the best in shipping work in India. This recognition affirms Dr. Hathi’s standing as the most preferred counsel in matters pertaining to maritime disputes, international arbitration, and complex infrastructure mandates.

Unrivaled Expertise in Admiralty and Shipping Law

Dr. Hathi is widely recognized for his extraordinary legal acumen in admiralty and maritime law. His nuanced understanding of shipping-related disputes, coupled with his strategic foresight, makes him the go-to legal advisor for high-stakes litigation and transactional matters in the sector.

His areas of practice in shipping law include, but are not limited to:

• Admiralty and Maritime Litigation: He represents clients in contentious matters involving ship arrests, maritime liens, cargo claims, charter party disputes, and enforcement of judgments and arbitral awards within India’s admiralty jurisdiction.
• Shipping Arbitration: Dr. Hathi handles complex arbitration proceedings involving bills of lading, time and voyage charter parties, marine insurance claims, demurrage disputes, bunker claims, and general average claims before prominent international and domestic arbitral tribunals.
• Transactional Shipping Law: He regularly advises on ship finance, vessel sale and purchase agreements, flag registration, bareboat charters, and compliance with flag-state and port-state control regimes. His transactional work extends to international trade structuring, including documentary credit arrangements, letters of credit, and bills of exchange.
• Dry and Wet Shipping Matters: His expertise spans collision liability, salvage, pollution, limitation of liability, and a variety of contractual and tortious disputes involving maritime stakeholders.

A trusted advisor to shipowners, charterers, insurers (including P&I Clubs), cargo interests, and maritime financiers, Dr. Hathi is consistently recognized by Legal500; Euromoney Expert Guides as one of the World’s Leading Lawyers in Shipping & Maritime and is ranked as India’s top shipping lawyer by India Business Law Journal (IBLJ), Worldlawyers Whos Who etc .

Preeminence in Infrastructure and Project Advisory

Dr. Hathi’s legal excellence is not confined to maritime law. He is equally celebrated for his expertise in infrastructure, energy, and project finance. His client roster includes multinational corporations, financial institutions, energy conglomerates, and sovereign entities, all of whom rely on his insights for the successful execution of projects in these critical sectors.

His expertise includes:

• Infrastructure and Construction Law: Advising on legal strategy for public and private infrastructure projects, including roadways, bridges, airports, railways, and urban development. He assists in project structuring, procurement, regulatory compliance, risk mitigation, and contract negotiation.
• Energy and Natural Resources: Dr. Hathi is adept in handling legal matters related to oil and gas, LNG, renewable energy, and mining projects—from exploration and production to distribution. He advises on EPC contracts, production sharing agreements, and energy trading arrangements.
• Project Finance and Dispute Resolution: He structures complex financial instruments and oversees the resolution of disputes arising out of project delays, cost overruns, contractual breaches, and force majeure events. His dual strength in transactional and dispute resolution work ensures holistic client service.

Dr. Hathi’s sophisticated handling of mega infrastructure ventures and strategic project advisory has made him an indispensable counsel for corporates navigating the complexities of cross-border project implementation and regulation.

Global Recognition and Dual Jurisdictional Practice

Dr. Hathi’s influence transcends domestic boundaries. He holds dual qualifications, practicing law in both India and the United Kingdom. He is an Advocate-on-Record at the Supreme Court of India and a Solicitor regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) in the United Kingdom. Additionally, he holds a Doctorate in Law (Ph.D.), which further reinforces his academic and professional distinction.

His leadership roles on the global stage include:

• President, Shippinglawyers.NET: A prestigious international network of maritime law firms collaborating on transnational maritime litigation and advisory matters.
• President, Worldlawyers.NET: A global consortium of law firms offering a cross-border legal framework for multinational clients.

These affiliations highlight Dr. Hathi’s capability in managing multi-jurisdictional disputes and cross-border advisory with seamless coordination and legal precision.

Authority in Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution

Dr. Hathi is a highly sought-after legal strategist in international arbitration, particularly in shipping, infrastructure, and energy-related disputes. His practice encompasses institutional and ad hoc arbitrations governed by a multitude of arbitration rules and frameworks.

He has appeared before:

• Leading International Arbitration Institutions: Including the LCIA, SIAC, SCC, HKIAC, ICC, CIETAC, DIAC, LMAA, SCMA, AAA-ICDR, PCA, ICSID, and others.
• Domestic Arbitration Forums: Including the Indian Council of Arbitration (ICA), Mumbai Centre for International Arbitration (MCIA), and ad hoc tribunals governed by the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996.

His approach integrates arbitration proceedings with litigation support where required, especially in matters concerning interim relief, enforcement of foreign awards, and setting aside of arbitral decisions.

Dr. Hathi is recognized for formulating dispute resolution strategies that are both legally sound and commercially viable, offering clients clarity and control over proceedings.

Dr. Hathi is an accomplished legal author and commentator. His seminal works include:

• “Maritime Practice in India”: A definitive text on Indian admiralty law, covering both procedural and substantive aspects of maritime practice.
• “Ship Arrest in India”: A pioneering publication that explains the evolving jurisprudence on ship arrest, maritime claims, and the enforcement of maritime security under Indian law.

These publications, widely referenced by the legal fraternity, courts, and academia, are available through www.admiraltypractice.com and other professional portals. His contributions to the development of maritime jurisprudence in India are considered foundational.

Dr. Hathi is widely praised for his strategic, client-focused approach. Clients consistently describe his services as “exceptional,” commending his ability to demystify legal complexities and present commercially advantageous solutions. His hands-on involvement in each matter, from strategy formulation to execution, ensures consistency, accountability, and results.

His enduring relationships with clients—ranging from global corporations and government bodies to individual shipowners and contractors—reflect the trust he has built through decades of dedicated practice.

Hallmarks of Professional Excellence

• Legal500 Hall of Fame Inductee (2016) for sustained excellence in shipping law.
• Recognized by Euromoney Expert Guides as among the World’s Leading Maritime Lawyers.
• Recognised by Worldlawyers Whos Who as the best in Shipping work in India
• Awarded by India Business Law Journal as India’s top shipping and project lawyer.
• Dual Qualification: Practicing Solicitor in both India and the United Kingdom.
• Global Strategic Alliances: President of two international legal networks, fostering cross-border collaboration.

Dr. Shrikant Hathi’s career is a paradigm of legal excellence, strategic insight, and unwavering commitment to his clients’ interests. As the Managing and Practicing Partner at Brus Chambers, he has redefined the standards of legal service in shipping, international arbitration, and infrastructure projects. Through his exemplary leadership, scholarly contributions, and expansive global affiliations, he continues to serve as a trailblazer in the Indian and international legal landscape.

Brus Chambers, under Dr. Hathi’s stewardship, stands as a beacon of expertise and professionalism, offering clients globally competitive legal services rooted in precision, strategy, and integrity.

Dr. Shrikant Hathi has had a distinguished legal career spanning decades, primarily as the Managing and Practicing Partner at Brus Chambers in Mumbai, India. His career began after completing his B.Com, LL.B., and LL.M. from Government Law College, Mumbai. He was admitted as an Advocate with the Bar Council of Maharashtra & Goa in 1992.

Key milestones in his career include:

1992: Admitted as an Advocate with the Bar Council of Maharashtra & Goa. 2002: Admitted as a Solicitor with the Bombay Incorporated Law Society, India. 2004: Admitted as an Advocate on Record with the Supreme Court of India. 2004/2005 onwards: Consistently ranked as a "Leading Individual" in shipping law by The Legal 500. 2005 onwards: Consistently ranked by Euromoney Expert Guides as one of the "World's Leading Lawyers" in Shipping & Maritime, and later also for Energy & Natural Resources. 2010: Admitted as a Solicitor with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) in the United Kingdom, enabling him to practice in both India and the UK. 2011 onwards: President of Shippinglawyers.NET and Worldlawyers.NET, international networks of law firms. 2013: Completed his Ph.D. in Law. 2016: Inducted into The Legal 500 Hall of Fame, an honor for sustained excellence in shipping law.

Throughout his career, Dr. Hathi has specialized in:

Shipping and Admiralty Law: This includes ship arrest, maritime litigation, shipping arbitration, and transactional shipping law (ship finance, vessel sale/purchase, flag registration). He is considered a leading expert in both "dry" and "wet" shipping matters. Infrastructure and Project Advisory: He advises on legal strategy, project structuring, procurement, regulatory compliance, risk mitigation, and contract negotiation for infrastructure, energy (oil & gas, LNG, renewable), and mining projects. International Arbitration and Dispute Resolution: He handles complex arbitration proceedings under various international and domestic rules and frameworks, often integrating them with litigation support.

He is also a notable legal author, having co-authored definitive texts such as "Maritime Practice in India" and "Ship Arrest in India and Admiralty Laws of India." His reputation is built on his strategic, client-focused approach and his ability to handle complex cross-border legal matters with precision.

English, Hindi, Bengali

Bar Council of Maharashtra & Goa as Advocate

Supreme Court of India as Advocate on Record

Incorporated Law Society as practicing Solicitor in India

Solicitors Regulation Authority as practicing Solicitor in United Kingdom

Dr. Shrikant Hathi has had a distinguished legal career spanning decades, primarily as the Managing and Practicing Partner at Brus Chambers in Mumbai, India. His career began after completing his B.Com, LL.B., and LL.M. from Government Law College, Mumbai. He was admitted as an Advocate with the Bar Council of Maharashtra & Goa in 1992.

Key milestones in his career include:

1992: Admitted as an Advocate with the Bar Council of Maharashtra & Goa. 2002: Admitted as a Solicitor with the Bombay Incorporated Law Society, India. 2004: Admitted as an Advocate on Record with the Supreme Court of India. 2004/2005 onwards: Consistently ranked as a "Leading Individual" in shipping law by The Legal 500. 2005 onwards: Consistently ranked by Euromoney Expert Guides as one of the "World's Leading Lawyers" in Shipping & Maritime, and later also for Energy & Natural Resources. 2010: Admitted as a Solicitor with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) in the United Kingdom, enabling him to practice in both India and the UK. 2011 onwards: President of Shippinglawyers.NET and Worldlawyers.NET, international networks of law firms. 2013: Completed his Ph.D. in Law. 2016: Inducted into The Legal 500 Hall of Fame, an honor for sustained excellence in shipping law.

Throughout his career, Dr. Hathi has specialized in:

Shipping and Admiralty Law: This includes ship arrest, maritime litigation, shipping arbitration, and transactional shipping law (ship finance, vessel sale/purchase, flag registration). He is considered a leading expert in both "dry" and "wet" shipping matters. Infrastructure and Project Advisory: He advises on legal strategy, project structuring, procurement, regulatory compliance, risk mitigation, and contract negotiation for infrastructure, energy (oil & gas, LNG, renewable), and mining projects. International Arbitration and Dispute Resolution: He handles complex arbitration proceedings under various international and domestic rules and frameworks, often integrating them with litigation support.

He is also a notable legal author, having co-authored definitive texts such as "Maritime Practice in India" and "Ship Arrest in India and Admiralty Laws of India." His reputation is built on his strategic, client-focused approach and his ability to handle complex cross-border legal matters with precision.