Shipping

CMS

Client Satisfaction

While it is best known for its shipping litigation expertise, CMS also has a strong core of senior shipping specialists who frequently advise on restructuring and insolvency-related disputes, shareholder and director disputes, and shipping finance matters. Andrew Horton co-leads the team with an outstanding record in Asia Pacific shipping work, particularly in international trade disputes matters. Co-head Steven Wise is experienced in advising on a full range of contractual and tortious disputes, especially those regarding charterparties, bills of lading, sale and purchase contracts, and insurance policies. The team expanded its shipping litigation and arbitration credentials with the hire of Fontaine Lai as an associate from the Swedish Club, and in October 2023 it welcomed Richard Oakley, a master mariner who joined from Ince & Co.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘This is a team that is focusing solely on what it is good at and it delivers consistently excellent results.’
‘No one in HK is better at fighting and settling a cargo claim than Andrew Horton.'
'Steven Wise is unique in his ability to grapple with complex legal questions and yet deliver clear and concise advice to clients.'

Work highlights

Acting for the insurer and their assured in a case involving the shipping of a cargo which exploded whilst the vessel was in Thailand.
Acting for a shipping company in a series of claims against a company for failure to pay freight and damage under 16 separate voyage charter parties.
Acting for a shipping company as disponent owners in relation to disputes arising under a voyage charter relating to non-payment of freight, issuing of bills of lading, alleged deviation, and arrest of vessel in Kenya by the sub-charterers.