Ranking tables
Shipping: Litigation (International Firms) | Global
China
Rankings overview for Departments
Senior Statespeople
- Jim JamesHill Dickinson Hong Kong
Eminent Practitioners
Ik Wei Chong Clyde & Co15 Years Ranked- Chris HowseHowse Williams
Band 1
Band 2
- Nicholas Poynder HFW7 Years Ranked
- Peter Murphy HFW15 Years Ranked
- Damien LaracyHill Dickinson Hong Kong
- David CoogansHowse Williams
- Rosita LauInce
Band 3
Band 4
- Elizabeth Sloane Stephenson Harwood2 Years Ranked
- Henry Fung Holman Fenwick Willan9 Years Ranked
Jason M Toms Stephenson Harwood16 Years Ranked
Matthew Lam Clyde & Co8 Years Ranked- Paul Ho Stephenson Harwood10 Years Ranked
Ronin Zong Wikborg Rein Advokatfirma AS, Shanghai representative office (Norway)1 Years Ranked
Ruaridh Guy Squire Patton Boggs3 Years Ranked- Shirley Li Stephenson Harwood Shanghai Representative Office6 Years Ranked
- William LeungHowse Williams
Up and Coming
Associates to watch
- Felix CheungHill Dickinson Hong Kong
All Departments profiles
Band 1
1 HFWShipping: Litigation (International Firms)2025 | Band 1 | 14 Years RankedHFW boasts an outstanding shipping disputes team with a strong bench of experienced lawyers advising on both wet and dry cases. The team is regularly instructed on major casualties, including collision and fire claims as well as cargo claims and charter party disputes. The firm also offers shipping finance capabilities, including on syndicated loans and leasing deals. The group provides impressive cross-border coverage from its offices in Hong Kong and Shanghai. HFW is instructed by leading maritime companies, including ship owners, general insurance companies, financial institutions and P&I clubs.
1 Reed Smith Richards ButlerShipping: Litigation (International Firms)2025 | Band 1 | 14 Years RankedReed Smith has a comprehensive shipping practice that is well regarded in the market for its expertise in all facets of shipping finance and litigation. Its impressive disputes practice covers cargo claims and charter party disputes, regularly acting for ship owners, charterers, insurers and P&I clubs as well as cargo owners. Reed Smith is a respected choice for contentious wet shipping matters, including casualties, collisions and wreck removal. The firm continues to handle complex financings for shipping companies and lessors. The team's mandates include the sale and purchase of ships, leasings and restructuring mandates.
1 Stephenson HarwoodShipping: Litigation (International Firms)2025 | Band 1 | 14 Years RankedStephenson Harwood has a leading ship finance team, well reputed for its expertise in a range of transactions. The firm frequently services prominent banks and leasing companies through its offices in Hong Kong and Mainland China, particularly on complex sale and leaseback transactions, syndicated and asset-backed loans and contracts of affreightment. On the litigation side, the team is highly sought after for cargo and contract disputes, and bill of lading and restructuring cases. Stephenson Harwood is regularly instructed by insurance companies, P&I clubs, shipping companies and financial institutions as well as offshore institutions looking for full-service shipping advice.
Band 2
2 CMSShipping: Litigation (International Firms)2025 | Band 2 | 6 Years RankedCMS has a high-calibre team in the shipping field, which is well regarded for its shipping litigation practice. The firm is noted for its particular strength in damages and cargo disputes. The team advises clients on the contentious shipping issues arising out of transactions and restructuring procedures. CMS is further noted for its expertise in sale and leaseback transactions. The group handles work for ship owners, charterers, insurers and P&I clubs, and financial leasing companies.
Band 3
3 Clyde & CoShipping: Litigation (International Firms)2025 | Band 3 | 14 Years RankedClyde & Co houses an established international shipping practice with a solid reputation for handling shipping disputes. The group leverages an experienced team of lawyers throughout Hong Kong and Mainland China. The team frequently handles significant cargo, reparation and insurance claims arising out of ship collisions and casualties as well as salvage operations and investigations. The firm is regularly entrusted by leading P&I clubs, charterers, leasing companies and ship owners, and advises clients from its Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai offices to give comprehensive Greater China coverage.
Band 4
4 DLA Piper LLPShipping: Litigation (International Firms)2025 | Band 4 | 14 Years RankedDLA Piper has a well-established contentious practice and is instructed by shipyards, ship owners, financial institutions and insurers in a wide range of shipping mandates. The team handles litigation and international arbitration proceedings relating to cargo, insurance and shipbuilding disputes, as well as charter party claims. It is regularly mandated by clients to assist with disputes relating to payment, share arrangement and contractual default during trade. DLA Piper counts on resources across its Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai bases.
4 Wikborg Rein Advokatfirma AS, Shanghai representative office (Norway)Shipping: Litigation (International Firms)2025 | Band 4 | 4 Years RankedWikborg Rein Advokatfirma has a noteworthy team of seasoned shipping finance and litigation specialists. The firm acts predominantly on behalf of financial leasing companies, and also represents shipbuilding groups, offshore companies, P&I clubs and cruise giants. The team provides guidance on matters in relation to joint ventures, restructuring, and sale and leaseback transactions. It also assists with litigation and arbitration procedures concerning salvage, oil pollution and shipbuilding, as well as contractual and charter party disputes.