England - London • Dispute resolution

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP

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Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP is known for ‘speed, availability, wide legal knowledge, and pragmatism’. The firm’s international trade and commodities group is known for its presence in commodities, shipping and trade finance matters, with its work spanning soft commodities, metals, mining, and oil and gas. ‘Availability and approachability are key selling points of the firm and he is a standout example’, say clients of George Mingay, who leads the practice with vastly experienced shipping and commodities partner Mark Sachs. The have recently acted for numerous of soft commodity clients on GAFTA and FOSFA arbitration proceedings in arbitration and in respect of related litigation and potential challenges under the Arbitration Act 1996.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Speed, availability, wide legal knowledge, pragmatism.’

  • 'The team is very diverse with a lot of experience.'

  • 'George Mingay makes himself available to educate and impart his knowledge. He is very experienced in commodity disputes and arbitration, and is always available.'

  • ‘Availability and approachability are key selling points of Penningtons, with George Mingay as a standout example.’

  • ‘Experience of knowledge of the arbitration process and sugar arbitrations in particular.’

Key clients

  • Czarnikow
  • The Refined Sugar Association
  • The Sugar Association of London
  • British Coffee Association
  • Bank of China
  • Agricultural Bank of China
  • Piraeus Bank
  • National Bank of Greece
  • Bank ABC
  • RJH Trading Limited

Work highlights

  • Advising on a trade finance dispute relating to a syndicated loan under a Master Risk Participation Agreement where the security held in collateral provided in respect of commodities proved insufficient in value and volume.
  • Acting for an overseas government procurement agent responsible for the import of refined petroleum products and more than 20 Purchasers under a term procurement contract with the Respondent Seller.
  • Advising a number of soft commodity clients on GAFTA and FOSFA arbitration proceedings in arbitration and in respect of related litigation/potential challenges under the Arbitration Act 1996.

Lawyers

Leading individuals

George Mingay

George Mingay

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP

George is a partner in the international trade and commodities group in the London office. He is an expert in the resolution of disputes within the commodities sector relating to oil and gas, metals and mining, soft commodities and trade finance. His expertise extends to the resolution of disputes in the English courts and under international arbitration rules – including those of the ICC, UNCITRAL and the LCIA ��� and trade arbitration rules – including those of FOSFA, GAFTA, the RSA and SAL. He also advises clients on non-contentious, regulatory and compliance issues. George has advised national oil companies, international trading companies and other clients across the supply chain on disputes arising from drilling rig and FPSO contracts, sale and purchase agreements, and commercial and agency contracts. He frequently deals with non-payment, breach of warranty claims, quality and condition issues and many other contentious matters. George spent six months seconded to the in-house legal department of Shell International in London. He regularly presents internationally at industry events on commodities, the law of the sea, oil and gas, and arbitration generally. He has served on numerous occasions as an honorary legal adviser at the Royal Courts of Justice CAB on a pro bono basis.

Mark Sachs

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP

Mark has a broad practice in shipping, commodity and commercial litigation. He has conducted arbitrations in London, Singapore, China, Hong Kong and Stockholm either as counsel or lead partner. He also has considerable wet shipping experience having handled all types of casualties. He has litigated shipbuilding, construction and mining disputes. A fluent Mandarin Chinese speaker, Mark studied in China and is adept at working with Chinese evidence, both oral and written. He was one of the first foreign maritime lawyers to work in China in the late 1980s.  In London arbitration he was the lead partner in a significant arbitration arising out of a cancellation dispute involving the vessel Atalanta. This has generated consequential High Court litigation in Westwood Shipping Lines and Weyerhaeuser NR Company v Universal Schifffahrtsgesellschaft mbH [2012].

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

George Mingay, Mark Sachs