Shipping
UK Guide 2025 : Scotland
Band 1
Contact number
0131 228 3777About
Provided by Brodies LLP
Our experience and specialist legal, industry and local knowledge allow us to provide informed advice to this economically vital area of our economy. This gives clients the confidence to engage us for every type of project, incident or dispute in this sector.
We understand the industry and clients' objectives and ambitions and recognise the issues that can arise. We handle admiralty claims, emergency response, shipbuilding, charterparties, logistics, fatal personal injury and disease claims, marine insurance, regulatory investigations, fatal accident inquiries and defence. We also advise on every stage of a vessel or project's lifecycle, from finance, construction, sale or purchase to chartering, and the myriad of operational issues and challenges that arise for all parties in the maritime environment.
Identification and management of risk is central to our advice, based on considered, analytical thought as well as a very practical focus on mitigating risk and resolving disputes. We draw on expertise of a multi-disciplinary team.
We act on behalf of a national and international client base with business operating in, from or to Scotland - working with owners, charterers, P&I clubs, banks, underwriters and port authorities to name but a few. We act for clients operating in the merchant, ferries, yachts, ports, logistics, offshore and renewable energy sectors.
Chambers Review
Brodies has an esteemed practice representing Scottish and international clients in a broad range of shipping matters, including both contentious and non-contentious work. The team's areas of expertise include loss of life and injury claims, as well as ship sale and purchase and shipbuilding matters. It regularly handles work for P&I clubs, insurers and operators including representation in construction and development financing matters. In addition, the team has a strong presence in the offshore oil industry.
Work Highlights
- Brodies represented RSA Insurance in a claim following the capsize of RV Petrel in Leith in March 2023.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"They provide good, practical advice on how to approach complex claims. It is an experienced team."
"They knew not only the legal requirements back to front, but also how to approach matters in terms of tone, detail and contacts, to deliver the best result under considerable time pressure."
"They have an exceptionally proactive approach, anticipating issues before they arise and using effective relationships to manage the process to a very positive conclusion."
"They provide good, practical advice on how to approach complex claims. It is an experienced team."
"They knew not only the legal requirements back to front, but also how to approach matters in terms of tone, detail and contacts, to deliver the best result under considerable time pressure."
"They have an exceptionally proactive approach, anticipating issues before they arise and using effective relationships to manage the process to a very positive conclusion."
Notable Practitioners
Head of the shipping and transport team at Brodies, Duncan MacLean is a pre-eminent name in the market. He has an impressive clientele of international P&I clubs that he represents in a range of contentious matters, as well as assisting with significant transactional work.
"He is extremely proficient, knowledgeable and personable."
"He is a fantastic adviser who is not only clearly an expert in his field of law, but also crucially understands the best way to deliver a successful outcome in a sector of great regulatory complexity."
"He knows what he's doing. He does huge P&I work and is hugely experienced. He is regarded as the the best solicitor in the Scottish shipping market."
Malcolm Mackay handles a wide range of issues in the maritime industry, primarily acting for owners and insurers. He is additionally adept at advising P&I clubs and oil and gas clients.
Fehmida Hanif is a senior associate in the firm's shipping and transport team. She often acts on behalf of insurers in litigation in the Commercial Court.
"Fehmida is always responsive and provides a high level of service. She is professional, polite, approachable and takes the time to explain her legal advice."
"Fehmida is commercially aware and considers the merits of the claim when advising on the action to take on a claim. She manages a claim very well."
Victoria Anderson is a senior associate with expertise acting for clients within the shipping industry. Her expertise lies in representing corporate and individual clients in health and safety investigations and prosecutions, particularly in the shipping, offshore, and oil and gas industries.
"She is proficient, professional and knowledgeable."
Ranked Lawyers at
Brodies LLP
Scotland