With a particularly active shipping practice, Mills Oakley has a longstanding reputation for its marine insurer representation and transactional practice. The team’s varied case load includes advising on contract negotiations, biodiversity matters and litigation, including charterparty disputes and damaged cargo. Spearheading the practice in Sydney, Frazer Hunt is a key contact for marine insurers and is a specialist in commercial litigation. Maurice Lynch is lauded for his strong knowledge of contracts of carriage and charter agreements, while Andrew Crean is recommended for his expertise in advising inshore and offshore clients on contractual matters.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘One of the leaders in the industry in the marine and logistics space. They are knowledgeable, honest and have integrity.’
‘The team are knowledgeable, honest, have integrity, and know their audience when relaying information. They are patient, easy to deal with and always willing to help.’
'The absolute quality and dependability of the partners. Absolute market leaders in their field.'
'Frazer Hunt and Maurice Lynch are outstanding. Quality advice, promptly and expertly delivered - always.'
'A leading marine practice in Australia - both on coverage and recovery.'
- 'Frazer Hunt, Maurice Lynch and Henry Holland have been at Mills Oakley for a number of years. They are respected by the marine insurers in the market who engage them. They are seen as technically excellent, but also commercially minded.'
- 'Kasia Czarnota is fantastic. Kasia is across complicated matters and is able to articulate issues in an easy-to-understand manner. I certainly think that this is a lawyer with a very bright future.'
- 'The team have a thorough knowledge of most international jurisdictions. They are adaptable and solutions minded.'
Key clients
- Chubb Insurance Australia Limited
- AXA XL
- Soar Harmony Shipping Ltd
- Port Authority of New South Wales
- Fremantle Port Authority
- AAI Limited
- Nordic Hamburg Shipmanagement GmbH
- Cal Sky Inc
- Polar Latitudes LLC
- KTL Australia Pty Ltd
- Liberty Special Markets
- Logwin Air + Ocean Australia Pty Ltd
Work highlights
Representing the property insurers (Chubb Insurance Australia Limited) of Pusan Newport Co. Ltd in respect of damage to five quay cranes and a berth at the Port of Busan, Korea during an allision with the vessel MV “Milano Bridge” on 6 April 2020.
Acting for the owner of the vessel “Yangtze Fortune” (Soar Harmony Shipping Ltd) which was judicially sold pursuant to orders of the Federal Court of Australia following its arrest due to the failure by its demise charterer to pay debts of in excess of USD$10,000,000.
Defending a claim made against Pacific Trim Pty Ltd, which installed new clears onto the MY “Mischief”, the single largest charter yacht operating in Sydney Harbour.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Frazer Hunt
Other key lawyers
Maurice Lynch; Andrew Crean; Henry Holland; Kasia Czarnota