Chambers Review
Provided by Chambers
Shipping & Commodities - UK
What the Team is Known For
4 Pump Court is an excellent set, home to members who exhibit strong capabilities in both wet and dry shipping disputes. The chambers provides a wealth of expertise in shipbuilding, cargo claims and sanctions, regularly advising on overseas jurisdictions. Members counsel clients in Mainland China and Hong Kong on marine and construction work. The set's work highlights include acting in Palmali v Litasco, a long-running Commercial
Court claim by a Turkish shipping company against Litasco for the breach of a long-term contract of affreightment raising issues of Swiss, Russian and Maltese law. Interviewees highlight the set as offering "extensive hands-on experience in the shipping industry" and as having a team of "excellent barristers throughout the seniority range, who also have a good grasp of commercial realities".
Carl Wall and Stewart Gibbs are the senior clerks.
Strengths
I had the privilege of working with practice director Paul Bloxham, and he’s not only incredibly helpful and responsive but also genuinely friendly and a pleasure to work with.
The clerks at 4 Pump Court are highly efficient and reliable. They respond swiftly to requests and skilfully connect us with the right specialists, especially in complex cases.
The clerks are really professional and proactive.
Notable practitioners
Sean O'Sullivan KC is a highly commended barrister with expertise in dry shipping matters including demurrage, charter party and sale of goods disputes. He stands out for his deft handling of shipbuilding disputes in litigation and arbitration.
Sean is an excellent KC and will give you clear and concise advice on difficult issues.
He is extremely smart and has a sharp awareness of business dynamics, quickly understanding the commercial positions of all parties involved.
He is fantastic, one of those people that makes everything seem reasonable.
Ed Jones is a well-regarded junior who is sought out by shipping firms for salvage and frustration cases. He is experienced in representing clients in both the Admiralty and Commercial Courts, and frequently appears as sole counsel.
Ed Jones is a standout junior.
Ed works hard, is very good on paper and is also very clear. He has a nice style when presenting oral arguments.
James Watthey has a recognised capacity in both wet and dry shipping matters. He is particularly notable for his work in superyacht disputes and his close relationships with shipping lines, P&I clubs and overseas clients. He is also increasingly active in commodities disputes.
James just gets it and understands what clients want.
James managed a complex and dynamic application with exceptional care and skill.
Thomas Steward has an expansive practice that includes instructions relating to shipbuilding, charter parties and cargo disputes. He handles both wet and dry matters, as well as cases concerning international trade issues. In addition to being an effective litigator, he regularly appears in arbitration proceedings.
He is a fantastic advocate and really growing into his own in this field.
Thomas has good commercial awareness coupled with excellent delivery on his feet.
Thomas is an excellent barrister and has been impressive.
Alexander Wright KC is an outstanding silk with a dynamic practice covering matters such as charter party, contract of affreightment and international carriage of goods disputes. He is also instructed in complex shipbuilding disputes and a range of wet shipping matters. He maintains an impressive practice in China, acting for shipyards.
Alex is user-friendly, very responsive and very good with clients.
He is truly excellent in the shipping space.
He is highly intelligent and diligent, consistently providing strong, reliable support to our team.
Nick Vineall KC is often highlighted for his technical acumen. He has particular experience in offshore construction and shipbuilding disputes. He has recently been involved in a growing number of arbitration appeals.
From the moment we first collaborated with Nick, he became our go-to counsel for all such matters.
Rani Noakes is an adroit junior noted for her expertise in shipping and commodities matters. She regularly acts in complex arbitrations and court proceedings, frequently as sole counsel. She has experience handling charter party and bill of lading disputes, along with a plethora of wet shipping and shipbuilding concerns.
Rani has a very good, approachable style and her advocacy was excellent.
Robert Scrivener is a notable junior with a practice that spans multiple jurisdictions. He is acts on a range of matters in the shipping industry such as vessel construction issues, charter party disputes and LMAA arbitrations.
He is a very bright guy who assists in high-value cases.
Gideon Shirazi's practice spans both wet and dry shipping work, and he often represents ship owners and manufacturers. He is also experienced in complex commodities contract work. Shirazi is very well versed in shipping-related arbitrations.
Gideon has been very helpful to us, especially with his ability to think outside of the box and come up with creative solutions to a case.
Gideon is one to watch, an excellent hands-on junior.
James Leabeater KC is an excellent silk with notable capability across dry shipping, shipbuilding and offshore construction disputes. He regularly appears in both the Commercial Court and arbitration forums. His caseload concerns a diverse selection of matters including shipbuilding, charter parties and cargo work.
James is an excellent advocate with strong commercial awareness.
Anna Hoffmann's practice encompasses a broad range of shipping matters. She has acted on high-profile cases. She also regularly advises on cargo disputes and onboard incidents.
Anna delivers great work and is very responsive and friendly.
Anna works very well in a team and plays her role very well. She is a really nice person to deal with.