HFW‘s shipping practice stands out as a leading player in the maritime sector, renowned for its comprehensive expertise across wet and dry, green shipping, and cybersecurity. Under the leadership of global head Paul Dean, the team excels in handling high-profile casualties, cargo claims, as well as transactional work. Noteworthy practitioners include Andrew Chamberlain, a wet shipping expert, and Jean Koh, who specialises in dry shipping work and has extensive expertise in matters relating to the Asian market. Crisis management experts Claire Womersley and Richard Neylon, alongside maritime casualty specialist Michael Ritter, are pivotal in addressing major incidents. Core contacts for maritime disputes are Paolo Ghirardani and Jim Cashman, while Alex Kemp excels in container ship casualties and war risk claims. Marine insurance matters fall under the advisory portfolio of Jenny Salmon, and Rory Butler is active across both dry and admiralty work. Elinor Dautlich left the firm January 2024.

Praised for its ‘valuable input’ and ‘market-leading expertise’, Hill Dickinson LLP adeptly handles both wet and dry matters for a diverse client base, spanning sanctions and yachts as well as transactions and insurance work. The firm is also frequently engaged for high-profile international disputes and represents clients in both arbitration and before various courts. Tony Goldsmith is the practice head and offers extensive expertise in shipping casualties, while Ian Teare specialises in wet litigation and is particularly sought after by the Greek shipping market. Tony Allen predominantly handles yachting matters, and Adrian Marsh stands out for his experience relating to marine insurance policies and cargo recovery. Dry shipping and admiralty work forms part of David Pitlarge‘s advisory portfolio. Siiri Duddington excels in commercial litigation and insurance disputes, while Beth Bradley is recognised for her work with P&I clubs and shipowners. In team news, Stephen Mackin, who has a focus on the carriage of liquid cargoes by sea, joined the firm in May 2024 from Clyde & Co, and Mark Johnson joined in August 2024 from Haynes and Boone CDG, LLP.

Reed Smith LLP‘s shipping practice commands market recognition for its comprehensive expertise across maritime issues, representing insurers, shipowners, and commodities companies in multiple jurisdictions. Under the leadership of Richard Hakes, the team boasts specialists such as casualty and admiralty expert Richard Gunn and dispute resolution authorities Alex Andrews and Charles Weller. Alexander Sandiforth specialises in the transportation and trading of bulk commodities, and is regularly instructed to advise on shipbuilding and offshore matters. Thor Maalouf offers a broad spectrum of commercial shipping advice including charterparties and electronic bills of lading, while Stephen Kirkpatrick acts for charterers, shipowners, and insurers. Andrew Taylor has longstanding experience across the full shipping spectrum, including sale and purchase as well as casualty responses.

Active across the whole range of shipping issues and lauded for its ‘star individuals‘, Campbell Johnston Clark is sought after by a vibrant client roster consisting of shipowners, shipyards, insurers, and financiers. Alistair Johnston leads on the litigation side of the practice and regularly handles high-profile casualties, while James Clayton oversees the transactional work. Maria Borg Barthet supplements her extensive shipping practice with expertise in commodities, and Amy Lindemann is well versed across maritime financings and transactions.

Clyde & Co stands out for its comprehensive shipping practice, regularly securing instructions on high-profile disputes in the maritime space, especially in relation to insurance litigation. Jai Sharma excels in salvage and GA claims related to cargo casualties, while David Bennet complements his expertise in contentious shipping work with a focus on oil and gas as well as international trade. The team also includes Simon Culhane, who handles disputes in the Commercial and Admiralty Courts, and Will Trustram, whose advisory work includes the drafting of shipping documents such as charterparties and bills of lading alongside acting for clients in international arbitration and litigation. Andrew Nicholas regularly provides coverage advice to clients and represents them in cargo claims. Stephen Mackin  left the firm in May 2024.

Kennedys is renowned for its marine insurance practice, attracting both domestic and international insurers for its expertise in a comprehensive array of dry and wet shipping matters. The team, led by Christopher Dunn, excels in marine cargo insurance, while Patrick Foss handles claims pertaining to a variety of issues such as hull, war, and ports and terminals in addition to onshore and offshore energy disputes. Michael Biltoo is noted for his proficiency in contentious dry shipping work, as well as advising on vessel sales and charterparty contracts. Policy coverage advice, contractual work, and the defence of cargo damage claims form part of Shaan Burton's practice.

Praised for its ‘genuine shipping pedigree’, Stephenson Harwood‘s capabilities cover the entirety of shipping issues, ranging from casualties and bunker disputes to offshore construction and shipbuilding. The practice is also active across marine insurance and FPSO matters, and draws on shipping experience within other teams, such as intellectual property and corporate, when necessary. Dora Mace-Kokota leads the team and is noted for her expertise in maritime finance and ship sale and purchases. Alex Davis specialises in marine insurance, acting for a host of blue-chip clients in coverage matters relating to shipyard liability, cargo, and war risks, amongst others. Offshore and shipbuilding matters are frequently handled by Sean Gibbons and Max Lemanski, while Kirsty MacHardy focuses on maritime disputes.

Wikborg Rein’s shipping and offshore practice leverages strong connections with the Norwegian and Greek markets, excelling in matters such as casualties, sanctions, and charterparty disputes. Team lead Chris Grieveson fields a vibrant maritime practice that covers both wet and dry shipping, including bareboat charter disputes, the detention of vessels, and shipbuilding. Michael Volikas focuses on disputes, while Jonathan Goldfarb specialises in projects and finance, particularly within the LNG sector. Rob Jardine-Brown advises clients on the full shipping lifecycle, with emphasis on contentious matters; disputes also lie at the heart of Ian Chetwood‘s advisory portfolio.

Newcastle-based shipping boutique Mills & Co handles a steady stream of contentious maritime matters, where the firm represents clients in arbitrations and before various courts such as the Admiralty Court. P&I Clubs, shipowners, and charterers regularly engage the firm on cases including collisions and pollution, though the firm is also active in the non-contentious space in work relating to shipbuilding, shipping contracts, or sale and purchase. Mark Doyle is particularly experienced in LMAA arbitrations, often acting on behalf of owners and charterers as well as P&I clubs. Casualty work is an area of focus for Guy Mills, and Andreas Welz is praised for his ‘excellent knowledge of admiralty matters’.

With a practice that covers all major areas of shipping, Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP fields a diverse client base comprising P&I Clubs, shipowners, underwriters, and oil majors. Marine casualties are a particular area of strength for the firm, including those resulting in criminal penalties, with sanctions and decarbonisation being further key advisory fields. Darryl Kennard heads the practice and handles matters arising out of accidents as well those relating to charterparties and bills of lading. Alex McIntosh focuses on shipping contracts, and Nick Donnelly predominantly handles wet matters, especially claims pertaining to casualties and collisions.

Shipping boutique Preston Turnbull has a well-established reputation for both its dry and wet work, which includes representing clients in major disputes up to the Supreme Court and in arbitration proceedings. The firm further complements its maritime expertise with strengths in the commodities sector, where it acts for a number of major oil companies and global traders. Contentious work is a main area of focus for Andrew Preston, while Elizabeth Turnbull has significant experience handling matters involving Spain and Latin America, especially in regards to disputes.

A ‘strong London team allied with Scandinavian support’, Schjodt LLP continues to provide full-service support to a number of key stakeholders in the maritime world, which regularly seek out the firm for advice on matters such as shipbuilding, charter party disputes, and cargo claims. Jeremy Biggs heads the department, advising on both wet and dry shipping with a focus on Greece and Turkey. Shipowners, offshore contractors, and insurers regularly turn to Christian Dwyer for his in-depth expertise, while Jonas Adolfsson receives praise for his ‘brilliant legal mind.’

BDM Law LLP's shipping practice offers comprehensive maritime expertise, handling cargo claims, collisions, and offshore matters in addition to environmental issues and sanctions-related work. Bob Deering is particularly experienced in container ship casualties and has strong ties across markets in the USA, India and Middle East, while Nick Burgess 'has a real flair for the tactics of litigation'. David McInnes is particularly sought out by Italian clients, and Pavlo Samothrakis handles both disputes and non-contentious maritime matters.

Birketts LLP’s shipping team, recognised for its expertise in contentious shipping matters, represents charterers, shipowners, and commodities companies in both wet and dry disputes. The team, based across Ipswich, Bristol, and London, has a strong presence in international markets, with instructions stemming from the US, Latin America, and Africa, amongst others. Henry Adams, whose expertise encompasses marine insurance and dry shipping, leads the team jointly with Alex Davey, who also heads up the firm’s litigation department. Alex Penberthy and Clarissa Dumolo joined from legacy firm Ince & Co in September 2023.

DWF is renowned for its expertise in maritime disputes, including cargo contamination, casualties, and port and terminal issues. The team, led by the firm’s global head of the transport sector Jonathan Moss, is a popular choice for charterers and insurers and increasingly also for the area of yachts and super yachts. Radhika Ruparelia is another key member of the team and is experienced with a variety of disputes, such as cargo claims, alongside handling sanctions or piracy-related matters.

Floyd Zadkovich provides advice across a broad range of shipping issues including sanctions and charterparties as well as matters relating to damaged vessels or cargo. Founding partner Luke Zadkovich helms the practice and is well versed in maritime disputes as well as project and contract work such as ship sales and purchases, while Calum Cheyne is another key contact handling contentious shipping work.

Haynes and Boone CDG, LLP fields niche expertise regarding the transportation of liquid carbon dioxide by sea, and is particularly well versed in offshore oil and gas matters. With a diverse client portfolio including state entities, charterers, shipyards, and oil companies, the practice is also active in other areas of shipping such as charterparty disputes, insurance claims, or salvage. Led by Andreas Silcher, the team also features William Cecil, who focuses on shipbuilding contracts, as well as dispute resolution partner Andreas Dracoulis. Mark Johnson joined Hill Dickinson LLP in August 2024.

Keystone Law excels in marine and shipping law, covering disputes and shipbuilding as well as other commercial matters, while its Isle of Man offices enhance the firm’s capability in security registration and flagging matters. The team features shipping litigators Fei Mao and Richard Johnson-Brown, yacht specialist Jonathan Hadley-Piggin, and marine technology expert Anastasia Papadopoulou. Dispute partner Linos Choo joined the firm in May 2024.

Hailed as a ‘well-established team with many years experience’, Nautica Law‘s key areas of focus are litigation and arbitration, with the practice handling disputes ranging from cargo claims and charterparty issues to those relating to detention or bills of lading. Practice head Tim Houghton is particularly well versed in dry shipping, where he regularly acts for clients including P&I clubs, shipowners, and commodity traders.

Alongside its strong ship finance practice, Norton Rose Fulbright handles a variety of other maritime matters including disputes, ship conversion, and sanctions. Philip Roche is sought after by clients for his expertise in risk management and contentious issues, and leads the team jointly with Charlotte Winter, who focuses on finance-related litigation in the shipping sector. Another key member with a specialism in disputes is Ieronymos Bikakis.

Squire Patton Boggs leverages its international network to advise clients in both the dry and wet shipping spheres, where the firm provides its expertise from offices such as Hong Kong, Singapore, and London. Chris Swart acts as practice head, handling commercial disputes in the shipping sector, where he represents clients in both arbitration and litigation.

Shipping boutique Waterson Hicks fields particular strengths in speed and consumption disputes, though the firm also counts other maritime disputes amongst its areas of expertise in addition to dry shipping, admiralty, and transactional matters. Under the leadership of John Hicks, the team's client portfolio includes a host of Greek shipowners, supported by the firm's continuous presence in Piraeus.

Hailed as a ‘fantastic all round practice in all aspects of shipping’, Watson Farley & Williams LLP complements its strong ship finance practice with capabilities in maritime disputes, shipping contracts, and sanctions-related advice. George Macheras is noted for his expertise regarding the enforcement of ship mortgages as well as handling insolvency and restructuring work. Ship and offshore vessel construction form part of Mike Phillips‘ areas of focus alongside contentious ship finance, while Robert Platt specialises in commercial contracts and contentious matters within the shipbuilding and offshore sectors. Nikki Chu joined from Stephenson Harwood in March 2024.

Shipping boutique Winter & Co Solicitors LLP specialises in contentious work, ranging from charterparty and shipbuilding disputes to vessels trapped in Ukraine. Founding partner Glenn Winter heads the practice and has longstanding experience in the shipping industry, having acted in numerous disputes on behalf of insurers, cargo specialists, and shipbuilders. The firm further expanded their expertise with the additions of shipping specialists Paul Griffiths and Joanna Steele, who joined from legacy firm Ince & Co in October 2023.

Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP fields a shipping team based in Hull, whose workstream consists of matters such as cargo and personal injury claims as well as commercial contracts and ship finance. Practice head Dominic Ward focuses on dry shipping and is particularly well versed in regard to multi-party charterparty disputes. Andrew Oliver is renowned for his expertise in UK fisheries law, and Gavin Farquhar, who joined the firm in May 2024 from Pinsent Masons LLP provides particular expertise in relation to offshore matters and vessel purchases.

DAC Beachcroft LLP provides clients with support across maritime issues such as sanctions and admiralty, while being a popular choice for insurers and P&I clubs. Practice head Anthony Menzies regularly handles claims and cross-border disputes, while offering particular expertise with matters pertaining to Latin America and the Caribbean.

HCO Legal is a go-to firm for clients such as insurers and shipowners, handling claims related to vessel, dock, and cargo damage, along with contractual disputes. Founding partner Ben Horn is noted for his expertise in arbitrations and leads the dry shipping practice; he handles a broad range of maritime disputes including those relating to sale and purchase as well as charterparties.

At Weightmans LLP, the marine practice handles both disputes and commercial work, advising clients on matters such as sale and purchase, regulatory issues, and casualties. Led by Liverpool’s Mike Burns, whose advisory portfolio includes bill of lading claims and cargo recoveries, the group is also known for its expertise pertaining to ports and terminals liability.