With a practice that covers all major areas of shipping, Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP fields a diverse client base comprising P&I Clubs, shipowners, underwriters, and oil majors. Marine casualties are a particular area of strength for the firm, including those resulting in criminal penalties, with sanctions and decarbonisation being further key advisory fields. Darryl Kennard heads the practice and handles matters arising out of accidents as well those relating to charterparties and bills of lading. Alex McIntosh focuses on shipping contracts, and Nick Donnelly predominantly handles wet matters, especially claims pertaining to casualties and collisions.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Highly qualified, with an eye for every single detail, client orientated and dedicated professionals, always meeting tight deadlines.’
‘Extremely knowledgeable team. Friendly, always at the other end of the phone if needed whether its to provide ad-hoc advice or a new instruction. Comprehensive, practical advice at reasonable rates.’
‘The shipping team is excellent.’
‘We work with the partner Paul Crane and have done so for over a decade (also including his previous firms) with our most important and high value cargo cases and charterparty cases. He is highly efficient and tactical and always with an eye to seek the best solution for his clients.’
‘While we have mostly used the firm for salvage work, when we have needed broader expertise it has been mad available very quickly. Our partner always takes time top personally ensure his colleagues are brought up to speed efficiently and quickly.’
‘Nick Donnelly is extremely commercial and he feels and acts more like an extension of the in-house team. He has a long-terms view of the relationship and will always do everything to settle a claim and minimise our costs, understanding how the business works and how we achieve long term goals rather than short term case-by-case benefits.’
‘This particular area of law (sanctions law advice in the shipping industry) is a distinct one and the team at PMC certainly know their stuff.'
'It is the particular expertise that PMC has in passenger shipping which makes the practice unique for me personally. They have a particular strong team in the passenger shipping sector who are highly capable with dealing with everything from complex passenger claims to casualties to investigations by maritime authorities.’
Key clients
- Condor Ferries Ltd
- Gard P&I
- Multraship
- NYK Orpheus Corporation
- West of England P&I
- NorthStandard P&I
- MSC Cruises
- Carnival
- Scotline Limited
- Intrada Shipmanagement Limited
Work highlights
- Acting on 3 sets of actions before the Courts for the Owners and Managers of the general cargo vessel SCOT CARRIER, which was involved in a fatal collision with the dredging vessel KARIN HOEJ in December 2021.
- Acting for the owner and hull underwriter in respect of a total loss by fire of a 20m motor yacht, which was destroyed in a fire when moored at a marina in Corfu, Greece.
Lawyers
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Darryl Kennard