Stephenson Harwood

Alex Davis

Alex is the marine and international trade practice group leader and also heads the marine insurance sub-group. Alex has acted for major London Lloyd’s and company market insurers as well as Continental insurers on a wide range of marine insurance based matters. He regularly advises his clients on complex coverage issues on hull, cargo, war, port risk, shipyard liability, general liability and mortgagee interest policies. He has significant experience of acting primarily for International Insurance markets handling major casualties, collisions, salvage, and wreck removals. He regularly contributes to major publications such as Lloyd’s List on relevant issues and has recently co-presented a paper on marine cyber risk at the IMCC with Rod Johnson. He has particular expertise in relation to NOAs, CTLs and issues arising thereafter having led one of the main cases resulting in the development of the law in this area. He is also a recognised as leading practitioner on mortgagee interest coverage issues. He has advised geo-seismic operators and their insurers on risk management issues and advises the London market on pre-inception risk issues. He is listed as a leading individual in marine insurance in the major legal directories.

Sean Gibbons

Sean specialises in shipping, shipbuilding and offshore disputes and also advises shipyards and shipowners on negotiations for new contracts.  He is recognised by The Legal 500 as a leading individual and has been praised by both, The Legal 500 and Chambers, for his commercial perspective when advising clients. Sean advises a diverse range of clients, including shipowners and charterers, P&I and defence clubs, shipyards and banks. He has extensive experience of High Court litigation and arbitration (LMAA, LCIA and ICC) in relation to disputes under charterparties, bills of lading, MoAs and shipbuilding contracts covering vessels/superyachts and offshore structures of all types.  Sean also advises in contract negotiations relating to newbuildings. He is regularly instructed in matters involving investigation and defending of fraudulent cargo claims made against shipowners, insurers and banks and has spent extensive time in West African countries investigating such claims. As a result, Sean is a specialist in obtaining freezing/inspection/disclosure orders and anti-suit injunctions in the English courts, especially as a part of the asset tracing process. Sean also advises ship finance banks in relation to enforcement of mortgages. This includes the provision of both legal and practical advice on the strategic options available to enforce the lenders’ security. Sean is a core member of the Stephenson Harwood yacht and superyacht team and regularly advises on contentious and non-contentious matters in the sector.

Kirsty MacHardy

Kirsty is an experienced litigator specialising in a wide range of shipping matters, acting principally for major owners, charterers, P&I Clubs and banks located in Europe and worldwide. Kirsty advises on all aspects of shipping disputes including disputes arising under shipbuilding contracts, MoAs, charterparties including for LNG vessels, bills of lading, shipping investments and joint ventures and problem loans/work-outs.  She has significant experience in handling large-scale litigation in the High Court and arbitration, including successfully taking cases to the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. On non-contentious shipping matters, Kirsty frequently advises clients on drafting bills of lading and charterparty standard clauses, negotiating and drafting shipbuilding contracts and refund guarantees and drafting and advising on MoAs for the sale and purchase of second-hand tonnage. Kirsty also has very significant expertise on advising on sanctions applicable to certain trades.