Schjodt LLP > London, England > Firm Profile

Schjodt LLP Offices

Schjodt LLP
Becket House, 36 Old Jewry
London
EC2R 8DD
England
Visit website 020 7795 4775

Schjodt LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Dispute resolution > Commodities disputes Tier 2

Schjodt LLP‘s London office is part of the international network of Scandinavia’s largest Magic Circle firm and its specialist commodities team is frequently involved in large and complex disputes in the Commercial Court and in London arbitration. ‘The London team is resourceful and responsive, switched on to clients’ needs‘, note clients, further highlighting the firm’s ‘excellent knowledge of the energy and commodities sector, and industry-leading and sector-specific knowledge‘. Clients praise the ‘invaluable experience and commercial nous‘ of Jeremy Biggs, who leads the trade and commodities practice and handles both shipping and commodities matters. ‘Experienced, smart and pragmatic litigator‘ Carl Walker is a key adviser to some of the world’s largest trading houses, as well as numerous other commodities traders.

Practice head(s):

Jeremy Biggs

Other key lawyers:

Carl Walker; Eleanor Dickens; David Choy; Guy Fountaine; Hector Witt

Testimonials

‘I work with Carl Walker and Eleanor Dickens. They are a first-class commodities team – hugely responsive and an excellent support for the barrister team.’

‘Strong depth of expertise, combined with appropriate levels of engagement by partners and senior associates.’

‘Carl Walker is a hands-on partner, with real expertise in commodities disputes. Jeremy Biggs is at the top of his game. David Choy shows absolute dedication to his clients and the case, and is a good communicator.’

‘Carl Walker is an experienced, smart and pragmatic litigator. Eleanor Dickens is an intelligent and diligent case-handler.’

‘Carl Walker and Hector Witt have been constantly available to our company and provided an outstanding service over the past 12 months.’

‘Excellent legal services – highly responsive when required, and superbly commercial and practical in advising.’

‘Jeremy Biggs and Guy Fountaine get straight to the point and explain complex legal matters clearly and insightfully. They apply invaluable experience and commercial nous to providing vital support and legal advice.’

‘The Schjodt London team is resourceful and responsive, switched on to clients’ needs.’

Key clients

Glencore

Trafigura

Platinum Corporation FZE

Gaslog

Alvari Pte Ltd

Petroineos

COFCO

BB Energy

Puma Energy

Caledonia Minerals

Work highlights

  • Successfully acted for Glencore in Commercial Court proceedings and obtained judgment in the client’s favour in relation to a dispute over an oil storage contract.

Transport > Shipping Tier 3

A ‘strong London team allied with Scandinavian support’, Schjodt LLP continues to provide full-service support to a number of key stakeholders in the maritime world, which regularly seek out the firm for advice on matters such as shipbuilding, charter party disputes, and cargo claims. Jeremy Biggs heads the department, advising on both wet and dry shipping with a focus on Greece and Turkey. Shipowners, offshore contractors, and insurers regularly turn to Christian Dwyer for his in-depth expertise, while Jonas Adolfsson receives praise for his ‘brilliant legal mind.’

Practice head(s):

Jeremy Biggs

Other key lawyers:

Christian Dwyer; David Gardner; Jonas Adolfsson; Carl Walker; James Drummond

Testimonials

‘In my view they are by far and away the best shipping team in any London law firm. In my experience their team is made up of first-rate lawyers who have serious industry expertise.’

‘They are all at the very top of their game – working for some of the biggest names in the sector and doing the difficult work for those clients.’

‘Excellent quality of counsel, highly responsive and commercially minded, providing reliable and incisive legal advice, which is invaluably clear and concise.’

‘Jonas Adolfsson has a brilliant legal mind coupled with an outstanding ability to swiftly understand the underlying legal and practical issues of each case. His advice is always exceptionally clear and on point.’

‘Strong London team allied with Scandinavian support.’

‘They combine perfect maritime legal knowledge with commercial solutions. In addition to maritime cases they are also able to provide legal advice on other areas, so a one-stop shop.’

Key clients

BW Offshore

Gaslog

Modec

Ocean Yield

C Transport Maritime

D’Amico Shipping Group

Stealth Maritime / Vafias Group

Trafigura Maritime Logistics

Star Bulk Shipping

NGM Energy / Moundreas

Petroineos

BB Energy

Altera Infrastructure

BW LNG

Weco Tankers

Evergreen

Gard

Maersk

Work highlights

  • Acting for Trafigura, the successful claimants in the Miracle Hope, in respect of a USD $76m Charterparty LOI claim.
  • Acting for Evergreen, Time Charterers of the Ever Given, and advising them in respect of all issues arising from the vessel’s grounding while transiting the Suez Canal.
  • Acting for 3 Defendants in a USD $32m fraud claim in the English High Court in relation to shipping derivatives contracts.

Denmark > Shipping and transport

Schjødt Advokatpartnerselskab supports clients in transitioning to sustainable maritime operations by assisting with emission reduction strategies, regulatory compliance, risk management, and dispute resolution. The practice is co-led by Jeremy Biggs and Jens V. Mathiasen, who advise clients on a broad range of complex shipping matters, including wet and dry shipping, shipbuilding, and the sale or purchase of vessels. Christian Thiele is another key member.

Practice head(s):

Jeremy Biggs; Jens V. Mathiasen

Other key lawyers:

Christian Thiele

Testimonials

‘Jens Mathiasen is by far the best shipping lawyer in Denmark, which is why we moved our business to Schjødt with Jens. He has a solid understanding of shipping business fundamentals and an extraordinary ability to support us with either a light touch, or with force and confidence when the situation dictates.’

‘The Schjødt practice in Denmark is relatively new, but consists of very senior shipping lawyers. The Denmark office is led by Jens Mathiasen, one of the best shipping transaction and deal lawyers in Denmark.’

‘The individuals in the Schjødt team have a broad and yet very detailed experience within their respective areas of responsibilities, and they make sure to include internal or external specialists in their work, if necessary, ensuring that you as a customer always receive top professional guidance and lawyer assistance.’

‘The partners in Schjødt’s shipping department are hands-on and sharp, and always very accessible.’

‘The Schjødt team is a highly professional lawyer team with vast competences and extraordinary knowhow and experience within their field of expertise.’

‘The team is very knowledgeable and possesses a strong can-do attitude. Their experience within especially shipping is second-to-none.’

‘Jens Mathiasen is likely the best shipping lawyer in Denmark, with strong Scandinavian ties, which ensures you always get the best and right service.’

‘High knowledge within their field. Dedicated.’

Key clients

A.P. Møller – Mærsk A/S

Dampskibsselskabet Norden

Esvagt

Work highlights

  • Advised Maersk on legal matters following the loss of 46 containers from the Mayview Maersk off the coast of Denmark on 21 December 2023.
  • Advised Scandlines on converting two passenger ferries to electricity.
  • Advised Esvagt A/S on projects enhancing offshore wind sector operations, including long-term charter agreements, shipbuilding contracts, and joint ventures.

Schjodt LLP > Firm Profile

With an uncompromising dedication to professional expertise, business understanding and client service, Schjødt aims to be the first choice when the stakes are high and important values are in play.

With its 330+ legal professionals across offices in Oslo, Lonodn, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Stavanger, Ålesund and Bergen, Schjødt is internationally recognised and respected as one of Scandinavia’s top-tier law firms and the only firm with a full-service offering in all Scandinavian markets in addition to strong UK law capabilities. To ensure the best qualified and most suited lawyers for any given matter, all assignments are allocated and staffed by department heads.

The firm strives to maintain a continuous high level of knowledge amongst its colleagues; therefore, the firm has an internal educational institution, Schjødt Academy, that is continuously tailored to develop the skills of its legal professionals and staff.

The London office of Schjødt was established as a part of the merger with Michelet & Co, initially focusing on projects and disputes in the oil and gas sectors. Since then, the office has grown rapidly into a broad service practice offering advice on corporate acquisitions, all types of debt and equity finance, projects and disputes in the shipping and offshore sectors. The office has particular expertise in the developing areas of offshore practice, including LNG, floating production, and renewables. The office is situated in the heart of the City of London, close to the Royal Exchange and Cheapside, and offers cutting-edge English law advice to both Scandinavian and international clients.

Practice areas worldwide: asset management and investment funds, banking and finance, capital markets, China desk, construction, corporate compliance and crisis management, data protection and privacy, defence, security and aerospace, digital innovation and TMT, dispute resolution, employment and pension, EU and competition, financial services, fisheries and aquaculture, German desk, insurance, intellectual property, life sciences, litigation and arbitration, media, mergers and acquisitions, mining and minerals, oil and gas, private equity and venture capital, public contracts, public procurement, real estate, renewable energy, restructuring and insolvency, sanctions and export control, shipping and offshore, sustainability law, tax, trade and industry, transport, and white-collar crime.

Main Contacts

Department Name Email Telephone
Shipping & Oil Services Jeremy Biggs [email protected] +44 204 551 0329
Shipping & Oil Services Jonas Adolfsson [email protected] +44 208 078 9499
Commodities Carl Walker [email protected] +44 208 078 9501
Banking & Finance Gervais Green [email protected] +44 738 772 2459

Staff Figures

Number of lawyers : 20
Number of administration employees : 3

Languages

English

Memberships

World Law Group
Nextlaw

Other

London Head of office : Mr. Jeremy Biggs - [email protected]

Diversity


Schjødt is recognised and respected as one of Scandinavia’s top law firms, with a particular reputation for legal excellence – a reputation on which we will not compromise. While pursuing legal excellence and across every part of our business, we strive to create an inclusive environment that embraces differences and fosters inclusion. We believe that valuing diversity and offering inclusiveness is a competitive differentiator enabling us to achieve our vision to create unmatched value for both our clients and colleagues.

We embrace a diverse workforce and therefore aim to recruit and retain a workforce that is representative of our society’s diversities, for example with respect to various nationalities, ethnicities, ages, sexual orientation, beliefs, status, and (dis)abilities.

Schjødt’s diversity commitment is based on our core values and focuses on equal opportunity, respect, inclusiveness and flexibility throughout the whole firm. We actively strive to create an inclusive workplace for all.

We maintain that employees shall be promoted on their merits and based on objective standards, and no employees shall experience that their background, belief or lifestyle affects their opportunities within our firm. We treat co-workers with dignity, fairness and respect and will not tolerate any form of discrimination, bullying, or harassment based on differences of background, belief or lifestyle. We likewise welcome clients, vendors, and all other visitors equally regardless of their background or appearance.

To achieve a diverse and inclusive environment, we recognize the value of recruiting employees with different backgrounds, knowledge, and experience. We are committed to ensure that gender is not a barrier to career opportunities and advancement. We provide a representation of all genders throughout all recruitment processes and we believe that through gender-balanced leadership and talent pipelines, we can better represent our customers’ needs. Therefore, we actively ensure that gender diversity and equal treatment across gender lines is prioritized particularly in our pay and promotions processes.

Schjødt recognizes that traditionally duties outside of the workplace have hindered lawyers’ advancement. We affirmatively encourages employees to assume these duties, and we work to compose a workplace with employees who have a variety of life circumstances. We recognizes the need to ensure that employees feel valued and are not hindered in living a full life, no matter their background or needs, while still receiving the opportunity to participate and advance their career with Schjødt. People are our most valuable asset and we strive to make flexible working arrangements available where appropriate, as we appreciate that not everyone can and will work the same hours or in the same way.

In Denmark we are a part of Dansk Industri’s Diversity Pledge.