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Watson Farley & Williams

Asset Finance: Shipping Finance

UK Guide 2026 : UK-wide

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Watson Farley & Williams

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About

Provided by Watson Farley & Williams

Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) is a global leader in asset finance, with specialist lawyers operating across all 19 of its international offices. The firm boasts more dedicated asset finance partners than any other international law firm, offering unmatched depth of experience, sector expertise and sophistication in its legal solutions.

Aviation

WFW boasts the largest dedicated aviation finance legal team in the world. With a world-class reputation, the team regularly advises on some of the industry’s most high-profile and award-winning transactions. The team’s expertise covers everything from commercial aircraft, engines, corporate jets and helicopters, to satellites and alternative assets (such as slots and loyalty programmes).

Maritime

WFW has the largest dedicated maritime finance legal team in the world. The firm advises across all segments of the shipping industry, including wet and dry bulk, containers, drilling rigs, offshore support vessels, cruise ships, yachts and ferries. The team also has extensive experience in adjacent sectors such as offshore oil and gas, LNG and ports and logistics.

Rail

WFW’s rail finance practice is rapidly expanding, providing legal counsel to key stakeholders including operators and financiers. The team handles a wide range of transactions, including acquisitions, refinancing and sale and leaseback deals, and is recognised for its deep sector-specific legal insight.

Clients (10)

  • CIT
  • DVB Bank
  • Teekay Tankers Ltd
  • Sovcomflot Group of Companies
  • BNP Paribas
  • HSH Nordbank
  • Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank
  • ING Bank
  • Golar LNG
  • Macquarie Bank Limited

Industries (3)

  • Maritime
  • Aviation
  • Rail

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Asset Finance: Shipping Finance - UK-wide

Band 1

What the Team is Known For
Watson Farley & Williams has a highly regarded shipping finance practice with additional capability in aviation financing matters. The firm works on large cross-border financing structures for shipping and offshore clients, including asset sales, structured securitisations, and sale and leasebacks. It is regularly sought after for its advice in relation to matters concerning offshore oil and gas, LNG, and ports and logistics. The firm's aviation financing expertise includes work relating to commercial aircraft, corporate jets and helicopters.
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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Watson Farley & Williams advised HSBC UK on the financing of Bibby Marine’s zero-emission electric Commissioning Service Operation Vessel.

  • Watson Farley & Williams advised multiple parties on the merger of Tata SIA Airlines with Air India.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Watson Farley & Williams has the resources and expertise to provide tailored legal solutions to stakeholders on financing and leasing across the full swathe of transportation assets.

    Asset Finance: Shipping Finance respondentUK

  • They have a strong understanding of client needs and priorities, and are commercial and highly effective negotiators.

    Asset Finance: Shipping Finance respondentUK

  • They deliver exceptional legal expertise combined with commercial practicality; the combination of both is exceedingly rare.

    Asset Finance: Shipping Finance respondentUK

  • Watson Farley & Williams has tremendous strength in depth and is always responsive and flexible to our requirements.

    Asset Finance: Shipping Finance respondentUK

  • Shipping is clearly in the DNA of Watson Farley & Williams. They have a wealth of knowledge when it comes to vessel building agreements, vessel finance, operation agreements and time charters.

    Asset Finance: Shipping Finance respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Lindsey Keeble
    Lindsey Keeble

    Lindsey Keeble

    Lindsey Keeble is managing partner of the firm. She has an established practice in shipping finance and advises clients on ECA-backed debt financing facilities and loan refinancings.

    • Lindsey is a visionary lawyer.

      Asset Finance: Shipping Finance respondentUK
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  • Jim Bell
    Jim Bell

    Jim Bell

    Jim Bell is global head of aviation at the firm. He has notable experience working on structured and asset finance transactions and advises on the acquisition and financing of aircraft.

    • Jim has extensive experience across diverse areas, including aviation finance, M&A and leasing, among others.

      Asset Finance: Shipping Finance respondentUK

    • Jim looks for resolutions. He is very flexible and very proactive in terms of how to move forward on transactions in a way that's acceptable to the counterparty.

      Asset Finance: Shipping Finance respondentUK

    • Jim is very helpful when we need some quick advice on something.

      Asset Finance: Shipping Finance respondentUK

    • Jim is a trusted partner and is always available to us to discuss and provide advice on a range of issues.

      Asset Finance: Shipping Finance respondentUK
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  • Dominic Pearson
    Dominic Pearson

    Dominic Pearson

    Dominic Pearson is an experienced lawyer recognised for his work in aviation finance. He represents creditors, banks and lessors in fleet transactions, sale and leaseback transactions, and airline restructurings.

    • Dominic is technically excellent and is my go-to for random information or issues that arise.

      Asset Finance: Shipping Finance respondentUK

    • He understood our needs, was available and was really pragmatic.

      Asset Finance: Shipping Finance respondentUK

    • Dominic Pearson is knowledgeable and a person who knows what's happening in the market and in the general laws applied to aviation.

      Asset Finance: Shipping Finance respondentUK
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  • Kate Silverstein
    Kate Silverstein

    Kate Silverstein

    Kate Silverstein advises owners, lenders and charterers on a wide range of financing matters. She is experienced in Chapter 11 cases, refinancings and acquisitions. She often works on cross-border transactions.

    • She is always responsive and proactive. We can trust that she is driving the deal forward and fully aware of our priorities.

      Asset Finance: Shipping Finance respondentUK

    • I trust Kate to provide solid advice and turn to her whenever I can on a live transaction.

      Asset Finance: Shipping Finance respondentUK

    • We are very happy with Kate's service, insight, knowledge and problem-solving capabilities.

      Asset Finance: Shipping Finance respondentUK
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  • Kavita Shah
    Kavita Shah

    Kavita Shah

    Kavita Shah has prowess in maritime asset finance, often representing creditors. She is experienced in portfolio acquisitions, refinancing and credit facilities.

    • The exceptional, dedicated Kavita Shah is creative and knowledgeable, making her our trusted adviser for both new money and refinancing work.

      Asset Finance: Shipping Finance respondentUK

    • Kavita manages to be strong without confrontation and is highly focused on client satisfaction.

      Asset Finance: Shipping Finance respondentUK

    • Kavita is very much strong on human resilience and finding a way to manage strong characters.

      Asset Finance: Shipping Finance respondentUK
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  • Louise Mor
    Louise Mor

    Louise Mor

    Louise Mor is a well-regarded rail finance practitioner with experience of a broad range of matters including refinancing exercises, acquisitions, and sale and leaseback issues.

    • Louise is an excellent business partner.

      Asset Finance: Shipping Finance respondentUK

    • Louise is very approachable, hands-on and a true expert who has both the legal expertise as well as the sector knowledge.

      Asset Finance: Shipping Finance respondentUK
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  • Patrick Moore
    Patrick Moore

    Patrick Moore

    Patrick Moore has a comprehensive aviation practice, often representing banks, operators and other investors. He handles a range of transactions, including acquisitions, financing and leasing of aircraft, as well as due diligence for M&A matters.

    • Patrick is particularly good at managing difficult and demanding projects and has the ability to inject these with the necessary pragmatism.

      Asset Finance: Shipping Finance respondentUK

    • He has got a good mix of technicality and is very competent but is also quite commercially savvy.

      Asset Finance: Shipping Finance respondentUK
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Ranked Individuals at Watson Farley & Williams (7)

UK-wide

Members

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Watson Farley & Williams has rankings in the following guides

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