Mills & Co

Specialist commodities and international trade firm Mills & Co in Newcastle competes strongly with London firms for key roles in commodities disputes, and it frequently acts for major trading houses, among them Vitol. The firm focuses on both shipping and commodities law, so handles claims arising under both charterparties and sale contracts. Clients describe 'a very practical firm in terms of availability, delivery, advice and billing'. The key partners are Neville Hopper (who is 'very good in considering matters comprehensively and describing the risks involved') and Jonathan Green, who frequently handles LMAA, GAFTA, FOSFA, Sugar, LCIA and ICC arbitrations, as well as High Court proceedings. Hopper recently acted for the chairman of an appeal board in an arbitration subject to the rules of the Federation of Cocoa Commerce, who was named as a defendant to High Court proceedings by a party challenging an FCC Appeal Award.