Hailed for its ‘commercially minded’ approach, Stephenson Harwood fields a team of ship finance specialists, who are well-equipped to act for commercial lenders, export credit agencies, and major operators. The firm shows strength in shipping disputes, including bill of lading claims, sale of goods contracts, and voyage charter cases, with Shanghai and Hong Kong-based head Evangeline Quek being an expert in complex arbitration proceedings. Elizabeth Sloane primarily represents shipowners and charterers, while Andrew Rigden Green provides an ’excellent service’ in international trade matters. Jason Toms is a maritime litigator, and Hongkai Zhou is also cited as key.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Stephenson Harwood has built a team strong across various practices that are very relevant to our business, and has kept a consistent culture across those teams, so that we can rely on the firm to propose a team for a matter that we know will suit our business needs. The team has been developing in such a way that lawyers I have used at other firms have joined the firm and I feel it is a 'one stop shop' in terms of the legal expertise I need.’

  • ‘I always turn to Andrew Rigden Green when I need practical, accurate and commercial advice. He has advised us on a range of different matters, from cargo and offhire disputes to sales & purchase matters, and has always provided excellent service, support and advice.’

  • ‘Strong team in dry shipping, finance leasing disputes.’

  • ‘Evangeline Quek is highly efficient and responsive, and can always be relied on even for urgent work. She is able to combine her legal knowledge with understanding of commercial considerations. Supervises junior associates appropriately to provide quality advice at reasonable rates.’

  • ‘Stephenson Harwood are rightly recognised as part of the first rank for shipping disputes. There breadth and depth of experienced is unparalleled.’

  • ‘Elizabeth Sloane: tenacious and ferociously intelligent.'

  • ‘Evangeline Quek is able to understand client's concerns and address them smoothly. We can also count on Andrew Rigden Green to provide objective and practical advice and guidance in relatively complicated matters.’

Key clients

  • China Development Bank
  • China Development Bank Financial Leasing
  • Everbright Fortune International Leasing
  • ICBC Financial Leasing Ltd.
  • Michharry and Company Nigeria Limited
  • The People’s Insurance Co of China (Hong Kong) Ltd
  • The Export-Import Bank of China
  • CMB Financial Leasing Ltd.
  • Pantainer (H.K.) Limited
  • Panalpina World Transport (Japan) Ltd
  • Maersk Line
  • Societe Generale

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Evangeline Quek

Other key lawyers

Elizabeth Sloane, Andrew Rigden Green, Paul Ho, Jason Toms, Hongkai Zhou, Elton Chan