BRUS CHAMBERS, Advocates & Solicitors

Shipping; Commercial Arbitration and Litigation

Ms. Joni Oraon, Legal Analyst at Brus Chambers, is an exceptionally accomplished legal professional whose practice is firmly rooted in the highly specialised and complex domain of maritime and shipping law, with a particular emphasis on litigation and arbitration. Her reputation as a formidable shipping and arbitration expert is well-established among clients and peers, both within India and internationally. Known for her unwavering commitment to excellence, Ms. Oraon brings strategic depth and sectoral precision to each mandate, consistently delivering results that are both legally sound and commercially astute. She is ranked as the Leading Associate for shipping and arbitration work in India by Legal500.

Her practice extends across the entire gamut of admiralty, shipping, and marine-related commercial disputes. Ms. Oraon possesses a remarkable ability to distill intricate legal and factual issues, providing clients with pragmatic and result-oriented solutions in contentious and transactional maritime matters. Her nuanced understanding of the shipping industry’s commercial realities further enhances the strength of her advocacy.

Core Competencies in Admiralty and Maritime Law

Ms. Oraon commands particular distinction in handling matters involving arrest and release of vessels at Indian ports, an area where procedural precision and strategic timing are crucial. Whether acting for claimants seeking to secure maritime claims through urgent arrest proceedings, or defending shipowners against wrongful arrest actions, she ensures that client rights are vigorously protected in accordance with the Admiralty Act and relevant procedural laws.

She is routinely engaged for disputes arising under bills of lading, charter party agreements (both time and voyage charters), and bunker supply contracts. Her ability to interpret intricate charterparty clauses and advise on demurrage, off-hire events, and “deemed earned” freight provisions has earned her significant recognition. Her advisory extends to FOB and CIF contracts, letters of credit disputes, and claims concerning breach of obligations such as safe port warranties, seaworthiness, and unauthorised delivery of cargo.

Ms. Oraon also handles marine insurance disputes involving cargo damage, short delivery, and coverage disputes under various insurance policies. Her portfolio includes representation in claims under “through” bills of lading and multi-modal transport documents. Her clients include cargo interests, shipowners, charterers, P&I Clubs, freight forwarders, and maritime insurers.

Her experience in shipbuilding and repair disputes, as well as in contentious sale and purchase transactions of vessels, reflects her expertise in both transactional advisory and dispute resolution. She has successfully advised on contractual breaches involving delay in delivery, specification defects, and performance warranties in ship construction and repair contracts.

Arbitration and Litigation Practice

Ms. Oraon is widely regarded for her adept handling of shipping arbitration, including LMAA and ad hoc arbitrations, as well as proceedings before institutional tribunals. She represents clients in disputes involving P&I settlements, enforcement of security under mortgage deeds, and arbitration clauses embedded in carriage, chartering, or shipbuilding contracts.

Her litigation practice complements her arbitration expertise. She regularly appears before High Courts in admiralty jurisdictions and has played a key role in shipping-related civil suits, maritime lien enforcement, cargo loss claims, and ship finance disputes. Her familiarity with procedural law and substantive maritime principles enables her to advance her clients' cases with clarity and confidence.

Further, Ms. Oraon is proficient in port infrastructure disputes and marine terminal project arbitrations. Her practice includes advising on port regulations, EPC contracts for marine works, and port-user concession agreements. She regularly advises on marine asset financing, ship registration, flagging issues, and regulatory clearances for vessel operations in Indian waters.

Sectoral Distinction and Recognition

Ms. Oraon’s grasp of core maritime doctrines—such as maritime liens, demurrage and laytime, safe port warranties, and seaworthiness—positions her as a sectoral expert. She is lauded for her meticulous approach, particularly in ship arrest matters and in arbitrations concerning complex technical facts.

Clients trust her to navigate legal terrain involving:

• Maritime claims and liens
• Seaworthiness and safety compliance
• Marine insurance loss and indemnity
• Demurrage and delay analysis
• Shipbuilding quality and delivery disputes

Infrastructure Arbitration and Commercial Projects

Ms. Oraon extends her expertise into infrastructure arbitration, particularly in marine and port infrastructure projects. She advises on construction contracts, development agreements, and disputes under PPP and BOT models. Her understanding of financing structures and regulatory frameworks relevant to infrastructure and maritime logistics adds significant value to her representations.

Ms. Joni Oraon is an indispensable member of the dispute resolution and shipping practice at Brus Chambers. Her exceptional legal insight, coupled with her diligence and strategic clarity, make her one of the most capable and respected practitioners in the field of maritime and shipping law. She is available for advisory, drafting, strategic dispute resolution, and representation in litigation and arbitration, both in India and globally.

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