Ian Teare

Practice Areas

With his background in naval architecture at degree level, Ian has always practiced law in areas where his technical expertise could be brought to bear. His core practice areas are in the marine sphere, especially collisions and salvage cases, in which he regularly attends on site for the purpose of collecting evidence, subsequently handling the case to its conclusion.

Ian is also regularly involved in charterparty and bill of lading disputes which have a technical angle, including off hire, cargo loss and damage, general average claims and so on.

Career

After completing his Degree in Nautical Studies (Naval Architecture), Ian joined the London office of a leading admiralty law firm, as a Marine Manager. While gaining experience in marine casualty investigation and litigation, including high profile cases like the Sea Empress in 1996, Ian undertook the required courses of study to qualify as an English Solicitor which he achieved in 2000.

Upon qualification, Ian moved to Athens to continue his admiralty practice with Norton Rose. He returned to London in 2005 and was promoted to Partner at Norton Rose in 2009. Having been involved in two major casualties in Asia and Australia (the collision and sinking of the bulk carrier B.Oceania in the Malacca Straits and the grounding and total loss of the container ship, Rena, in New Zealand), Ian relocated to the Singapore office of Norton Rose Fulbright (NRF) in mid-2012. Throughout his time in Asia, Ian maintained strong links with the Greek shipping market, regularly attending casualties across a broad geographical range, including Egypt, India, China, Japan, Taiwan and across South East Asia.

Leaving NRF at the end of 2016, Ian led the Singapore office of Wikborg Rein for four years before joining Hill Dickinson and returning to London. Since returning to London, Ian has continued to work extensively in the Greek market, splitting his time between the Firm’s offices in London and Athens. He also has responsibility for leading the Firm’s UK Shipping Team.

Personal

Outside of work, Ian is actively involved in projects which combine rowing with charitable causes. In 2015, Ian was one of the founding organisers of a project in Singapore (“Mission RASI”) which involved the acquisition of two Cornish Pilot Gigs which were the deployed in a 24 hour, 140 km, endurance row around Singapore. The event raised about S$750,000 in support of the Mission to Seafarers.

Since returning to the UK, Ian has become closely involved with the charity, London Youth Rowing, which supports youngsters from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Work Highlights

The Demise Charterers of FMG Sydney v The Owners of MSC Apollo [2023] EWHC 328 (Admlty). Acted for the Owners and Insurers of this VLOC in English High Court proceedings relating to a collision with the container ship “MSC APOLLO”, off Tianjin, China, in 2019.

Regulus Ship Services PTE Ltd -v- Lundin Services BV [2016] EWHC 2674 (Comm). Acted for Lundin petroleum in relation to a dispute under a TOWCON agreement relating to the towage of an FPSO from the Mediterranean to Indonesia. This case required the Court to determine the meaning of the term “light ballast condition” for towage purposes.

Atlasnavios Navegacao LDA v The Ship 'Xin Tai Hai' (No 2) [2012] FCA 1497. Acting for the Owners and Insurers of the bulk carrier, “B.OCEANIA”, in relation to the collision and subsequent sinking of B.OCEANIA, which happened in the Malacca Straits. The case involved significant court proceedings in Australia in relation to forum shopping.

Vicky 1 and Front Ace [2008] EWCA Civ 101. Acting alongside Simon Rainey KC in English Court proceedings relating to collision quantum, especially issues relating to the calculation of loss of use after a collision.

Archimidis – LOF Salvage Arbitration. Acting on behalf of the Contractors in the arbitration proceedings relating to the salvage of the laden container vessel.

Expert in these Jurisdictions

England

Languages Spoken

English (native)

Education