Shipping & Commodities

Elizabeth Blackburn KC is an experienced and highly regarded silk with specialist expertise in wet shipping disputes. Her diverse practice includes marine insurance, pollution, collision and salvage actions as well as shipbuilding and international maritime law. She is also regularly appointed as an arbitrator.

"Elizabeth is a very experienced and highly capable KC."

"Elizabeth Blackburn is incredibly experienced, user-friendly and fantastic on her feet."

"Elizabeth Blackburn is an excellent silk who makes phenomenal points."

Ravi Aswani is an excellent practitioner with a wide-ranging shipping, commodities and international trade practice. He has notable experience acting as an advocate, arbitrator and mediator. He has undertaken an interesting selection of cases over the years, relating to such matters as shipbuilding and repair, collisions, damaged cargoes and violated charter party agreements.

"Ravi is very commercial, pragmatic and effective. He is a champion and has created a strong name for himself."

"Ravi provides insightful advice. He has a firm grip of the detail and he easily identifies the focal point of disputes. He is extremely user-friendly and a pleasure to work with."

"Ravi is a very experienced senior junior. He is very thorough and he drafts incredibly well."

Vasanti Selvaratnam KC is an experienced barrister with considerable ability in wet and dry shipping matters as well as commodities disputes. She is capable of taking on knotty legal issues such as the force majeure principle and interim relief applications. She regularly acts as an arbitrator.

"Vasanti is a very capable and experienced KC."

"Vasanti is incredible. She wins massive cases and is a fantastic KC."

Mark Jones is a prominent junior with a strong international trade, commodities and shipping practice regularly handling charter party disputes, collisions and general average. He has further expertise in complex shipbuilding and ship sale and purchase disputes. He also advises on marine insurance and piracy and hijacking cases. A skilled litigator, he also frequently appears in arbitration proceedings.

"Mark has impressive powers of persuasion and a forensically robust cross-examination style. Clients appreciate his accessible style and user-friendly approach."

"Mark Jones presents points well and predicts risks."

"He gives good input and service."

Charles Debattista is highly respected for acting as both advocate and arbitrator in shipping matters such as charter party, letters of credit and ship management disputes. He is particularly well known for his large advisory practice.

"Charles is excellent to work with. He is intelligent and good at the crossover between commodities and shipping."

"Charles is a seasoned player. He utilises his previous experience as an arbitrator to add value and discuss cases."

"Charles is very quick to get to the nub of issues."

Rachel Toney is a highly commended junior with ability across wet and dry shipping matters including collisions, indemnity claims and charter party actions. She offers niche expertise in shipping-related employment and personal injury claims. Toney has a flourishing shipbuilding and superyacht disputes practice. She also routinely acts as a mediator and arbitrator.

"Rachel has a good reputation in the shipping market."

"Rachel rolls up her sleeves to help clients on maritime matters. We are grateful for her expertise."

Kishore Sharma has a notably broad and impressive practice in the shipping space, advising on insurance issues, commercial fraud and carriage of goods, among others.

"Kishore is extremely tenacious with a forensic approach that leaves no stone unturned."