Shipping
UK Guide 2025 : UK-wide
Band 2
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
(020) 7329 4422About
Provided by Stephenson Harwood LLP
Stephenson Harwood is recognised as having one of the world’s leading shipping practices. With offices in key trading hubs we offer comprehensive, specialist shipping advice with a reputation for strength in depth and a strong commercial focus.
Stephenson Harwood’s lawyers are market leading and uniquely specialist in ship finance, marine insurance, maritime litigation and arbitration, corporate and tax services. Whether you’re a major ship finance bank, the world’s largest shipping or offshore company, marine insurer, IG P&I club or the world’s leading shipyard, our team has the specialist experience to understand your business needs and the capacity to deliver the service you require.
From our offices in Dubai, Hong Kong, London, Paris, Piraeus, Singapore and Seoul, we routinely act in high-profile disputes involving complex legal and commercial problems throughout the world. With our long track record of representing best in class maritime companies all over the world, you can be sure of the highest quality of service every time.
Chambers Review
Stephenson Harwood has a highly thought-of shipping practice that works across the full breadth of shipping matters. The firm has a particular focus on shipbuilding and charter party disputes. In addition, the team is noted for its experience in the offshore sector as well as its ship finance expertise. The team also handles FPSO disputes and casualty matters.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"They have a strong wider team, both in terms of expertise and capacity."
"They are quick to understand the complexity and bring the required level of sophistication to the matters at hand. I feel like I am their number one client at all times."
"Stephenson Harwood provides a great service and great advice."
"They have a strong wider team, both in terms of expertise and capacity."
"They are quick to understand the complexity and bring the required level of sophistication to the matters at hand. I feel like I am their number one client at all times."
"Stephenson Harwood provides a great service and great advice."
Notable Practitioners
Stuart Beadnall is widely regarded for his expertise in shipbuilding. He is additionally noted for his offshore oil and gas and LNG practice, with particular expertise in FPSO matters. Beadnall has experience in numerous international markets, including Korea and Norway.
Alex Davis leads the firm's marine and international trade practice. He specialises in marine insurance matters, advising on a range of insurance matters including complex cargo claims.
"Alex is a heavy hitter."
Max Lemanski has considerable experience in FPSO matters. He counts offshore contractors, ship owners and P&I clubs among his clients.
"Max is very commercial, extremely intelligent and very user-friendly. He is a known entity for all the right reasons."
"He is a very commercially astute, focused and resourceful relationship partner. He is not afraid to roll up his sleeves."
Cristan Evans is experienced in advising clients on bills of lading and charter party disputes. He acts for a range of clients including charterers and ship owners.
Joseph O'Keeffe is well recognised for his specialism in marine insurance matters and regularly acts for insurers.
Nicholas Barber is head of the casualty response group at the firm. He is noted for his experience in casualty matters, and he frequently advises owners, insurers and P&I clubs. Barber also offers expertise in contractual disputes.
"There's no one else I would want for casualty work."
"He is very affable and pleasant to work with. He fights hard for his clients."
"Nicholas is extremely good at challenging shipping causalities."
Sean Gibbons frequently handles contractual shipping disputes and also acts for yacht brokerages. He has notable strength in shipbuilding matters and has a client base that spans ship owners, shipyards and banks.
"Sean is a fantastic lawyer. He is unrivalled in knowledge and a pleasure to work with."
Kirsty MacHardy is head of transportation and trade at Stephenson Harwood. She counts shipbuilders, owners and charterers among her clients. She is equipped to advise on non-contentious shipping matters as well as shipping disputes.
"Kirsty is sharp and has a good sense of the client's needs."
"Kirsty MacHardy has a great manner with clients. She is very capable and gets fantastic results for her clients."
Ranked Lawyers at
Stephenson Harwood LLP
UK-wide
Members
Provided by Stephenson Harwood LLP
Haris Zografakis
Kirsty MacHardy