In 2024, Stephenson Harwood launched a new maritime, trade and offshore practice group to combine its ship finance, shipping, trade and commodities expertise across its office network. A key part of this is the London team, led by global head of trade and commodities Jonathan Spearing, who is ‘razor-sharp, commercially astute’. Spearing and the ’reliable and effective’ Peter Bennett have a market-leading practice in commodity financing fraud cases, as well as matters concerning physical commodity and financing transactions. Together, they manage the relationship with key client Mercuria Energy Trading. Emma Skakle is ‘highly qualified, detail-oriented and responsible’. Her busy practice encompasses disputes in the international trade, shipping and natural resources markets, including ICC, LCIA, FOSFA, GAFTA, and LMAA matters, as well as High Court litigation, and mediation. Haris Zografakis has decades of experience in hard, soft and energy commodities on both disputes and advisory work, with an increasing focus on matters concerning the decarbonisation of supply chains and the environmental attributes of new fuels.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Service of the firm is really outstanding: quick response, deep knowledge of the market and great authority in the legal issues involved. Great in advising the client.'
- 'Peter Bennett. Really an expert in this area, particularly skilled in arbitration strategy and tactics; always available, reliable and – above all - effective, he conducts all the trial phases with precision and appropriateness.'
- ‘Emma Skakle is a highly qualified, detail-oriented and responsible person.'
- 'Emma Skakle and her team are a class act. Thoroughly on top of the detail, strong on the law, and with a clear-eyed sense of what is needed to move a case forward. Not a surprise to find her retained by high-profile and demanding clients.'
- 'Emma Skakle (partner) - brilliant, calm and sensible. Keeps on top of a case and ensures that clients are presented with clear advice and good-quality work. Sophie Morrison (associate) - extremely capable and dependable. Produces work of a high standard, with a good eye for detail.'
- 'The SHL team is very responsive, well informed about any details of the case and contributes at every stage of the proceedings additional value for the client as regards strategy how to proceed and legal arguments in the arbitration proceeding. The SHL team did this in a very efficient way.'
Key clients
- Mercuria Energy Trading S.A.
- Vedanta Resources and subsidiaries/related companies
- Phillips 66
- Macquarie Bank
- Steag
- Base Resources Ltd
- BASF Intertrade
- Elinoil
- Mabanaft Energy Trading Inc
- Sahara Energy Resources
- Wilmar Sugar Pte Ltd
- Holbud Limited
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Jonathan Spearing
Other key lawyers
Peter Bennett; Emma Skakle; Haris Zografakis; Sophie Morrison