Admiralty & Maritime Disputes

What this covers

We act in maritime claims: cargo loss and damage, freight and demurrage, charterparty and bill of lading disputes, collision, salvage, bunker and supply claims, and crew wage claims, together with the arrest and release of vessels.

Arrest of vessels

The most powerful tool in a maritime claim is the arrest of the vessel, which secures the claim before the ship leaves the jurisdiction. It has to be done quickly and on properly prepared material. We also act on the other side, to obtain release against security.

Cargo and charterparty claims

Claims under bills of lading and charterparties are document-heavy and often subject to foreign law or arbitration clauses. We identify the governing regime early, because it decides where the claim can be brought at all.

What helps

• The bill of lading, charterparty or supply contract
• Survey reports, tally sheets and photographs of the damage
• The vessel’s particulars and its expected movements
• Correspondence with owners, agents or insurers

Where it is heard, and how long it takes

Admiralty matters are brought in the Admiralty jurisdiction of the High Court Division. An arrest application can be moved urgently, sometimes within a day. The substantive claim runs its ordinary course thereafter, and many settle once security is in place.