Del Rosario Pandiphil

The firm: The Philippine maritime industry is a dynamic and ever-growing business in which DelRosarioLaw has played, and continues to play, a major part. The firm acts for multinational shipping clients on controversies involving labour, personal injury, vessel arrest, collisions, salvage, oil pollution, damage/loss of cargoes, bunker claims, charter party/bill of lading disputes, protection and indemnity (P&I), hull and machinery (H&M) and freight demurrage and defence (FD&D) work, ship finance, sale and purchase documentation, registrations, management and crewing.

Co-managing partner Ruben T Del Rosario, former charter president of the Philippine Maritime Voluntary Arbitrators Association, is regularly invited to speak at national and international fora on issues related to amendments to the standard terms and conditions of the POEA contract and other matters relating to Filipino crew claims.

DelRosarioLaw’s labour practice acts on a full range of matters involving Filipino seafarers’ claims and industrial relations disputes. With Filipinos making up over 25% of all seafarers worldwide, labour claims and suits for death, disability, illness, illegal dismissal and other related claims are significant.

DelRosarioLaw represents, among others, the International Group of P&I Clubs as well as insurance companies and cruise lines.

In response to the growing needs of clients, Del Rosario Pandiphil, Inc, the firm’s paralegal affiliate, handles all seafarers’ medical claims. Del Rosario Pandiphil is also now the Philippine network partner of the Through Transport Club, the largest club for ship, terminal and depot operators, container lessors and freight forwarders, and is a member of, and insured with, the ITIC Club.

Areas of practice: The firm’s corporate practice has significantly grown in recent years to accommodate the increased business and outsourcing activities of its clients in the Philippines. These include direct foreign investments, company formations such as RO/ROHQ, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and general corporate work.

The firm’s tax and immigration practice has likewise grown to support the growing corporate clientele to ensure compliance with the ever-developing local regulatory environment.

Major international law firms regularly refer cases to DelRosarioLaw, trusting it to ably handle their representation in the Philippines. The litigation and dispute resolution practice of the firm continually expands to various fields of law to cope with the ever-expanding business concerns of its clients.

In recent years there has been a significant increase in matters pertaining to intellectual property. The firm’s IP clients include international giants Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Sony.

Co-managing partner Arturo T del Rosario Jr, besides specialising in maritime law, also holds the position of president of the International Property Association of the Philippines and spearheads DelRosarioLaw’s work covering trade mark and patent applications and disputes.