4 Pump Court continues its active presence in the shipping sector, where the set frequently handles a high-profile caseload, drawing on its expertise in construction and insurance-related disputes where necessary. James Leabeater KC acted on behalf of Shell and Fluor in Shell v Greenpeace, which dealt with the boarding and occupation of a vessel carrying an FPSO unit by Greenpeace supporters in 2023; Anna Hoffmann appeared on behalf of Greenpeace in this case. A fire onboard a yacht spreading to other vessels in a Corfu marina was the subject of the The Big Kahuna, handled James Watthey. James Hatt was instructed by the defendant insurers in an admiralty limitation claim surrounding another fire-related incident, in which a yacht sank in the Torquay marina.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'Service is excellent, Carl Wall and Paul Bloxham both responsive and practical.'
  • 'My main contact is James Tanner. Always willing to help, always finds a solution and goes above and beyond.'
  • 'The clerks are extremely responsive and offer us a first-class service. They have the best clerks of all the London shipping sets.'
  • '4 Pump Court is a very good commercial set.'
  • 'Very good strength in depth - there is always someone who can be instructed on any given subject.'
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Juniors

Rising stars
Rising stars at the Bar are defined as barristers between four and eight years’ call who are seen as up-and-coming members of the Bar in their respective practice areas by clients and peers alike. They will already be instructed in high-profile, complex, and high-value contentious and non-contentious matters, working with and opposite more experienced leading counsel.