Clients praise Birketts LLP large transport practice for its ‘fast response time, availability, proactive approach, and pragmatic strategy’. The Ipswich-based team includes head of shipping and international trade Henry Adams, head of dispute resolution Alex Davey, and head of regulatory and corporate defence Matthew Gowen, as well as vastly experienced shipping expert Nicholas Woo. Emerging partner talent Tom Hodges, who handles aspects of shipping, commodities, and marine insurance work, and Sarah Holsgrove, who handles charterparty disputes for owners, charterers and traders, are also key practitioners. Hodges has a particular focus on East Asian markets, notably Singapore, Japan and South Korea. The health and safety expertise of Norwich-based Julie Gowland is invaluable in HSE investigations, inquests and prosecutions following serious and fatal accidents that affect transport and logistics clients.
Transport and shipping in East Anglia
Birketts LLP
Responsables de la pratique:
Henry Adams; Alex Davey; Matthew Gowen
Autres avocats clés:
Nicholas Woo; Sarah Holsgrove; Tom Hodges; Julie Gowland
Les références
‘Strengths: fast response time, availability, proactive approach, pragmatic strategy, cost-efficient, knowledgeable about insurance market and type of clients, fee competitive and transparent in that respect.’
‘Henry Adams: what stands out with him is the personal contact he maintains and his willingness to provide brief comments and advice by telephone.’
‘I believe that the firm’s approach to assisting clients is truly unique. They strive to provide concise advice whenever possible and only charge for their services when they have made a substantial contribution to the workload. The firm has expressed that they do not wish to use clients’ money on minor matters, as their focus is on building trust, understanding, and long-term relationships rather than simply generating profit like a typical corporate entity.’
Principaux clients
Bundaberg Brewed Drinks Pty and BBD USA LLC
Barbuss Global
SIACI Saint Honoré
Kolmar AG
Total Energies
Filhet-Allard Maritime
Tokio Marine HCC
Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty SE
HDI Global SE
MS Amlin
XL Insurance Company SE
Principaux dossiers
- Instructed by Bundaberg Brewed Drinks Pty and BBD USA LLC to pursue a claim for unjust enrichment against freight forwarders who failed to use sums paid to them for shipping services.
- Instructed by Barbuss Global to pursue a claim against an Indonesian shipper of a cargo of nickel ore which liquified during transit, causing the vessel the “Emerald Star” to sink.
Ashtons Legal
The small team at Ashtons Legal focuses on road transport, regulatory and business defence matters, and clients receive ‘very quick responses and exemplary service’. Lead partner Tim Ridyard in Bury St Edmunds is ‘a pleasure to work with’. He frequently represents operators and transport managers at Public Inquiry and other hearings before Traffic Commissioners and in criminal courts. The firm predominantly acts for a national roster of companies in the transport and logistics business, and much of its work concerns operator licensing, drivers’ hours, construction, licensing, driver employment issues and compliance.
Responsables de la pratique:
Tim Ridyard
Les références
‘We get a very quick response when we need to gain advice from Ashtons Legal. They always come back in time before any deadlines are required and provide an exemplary service for us.’
‘Tim Ridyard is our lead council on all matters and is a pleasure to work with.’
Principaux clients
RSK Group Ltd
Mick George Limited
Roger Warnes Transport Ltd
FA Hawkins Ltd
Nick Brown Transport Ltd
B P Mitchell Haulage Contractors Ltd
Principaux dossiers
- Retained to provide advice to very large group with turnover in excess of £1bn comprising numerous companies in diverse environmental, waste and engineering activities. The work continues to centre on due diligence, reviewing and auditing compliance and applying for new operator’s licences for subsidiaries.
- Retained as an outsourced legal adviser by a regional water utility to provide ongoing road transport advice for fleet management, operator licencing, testing, driver licensing and training, vehicles and drivers’ hours rules.
- Representing a company with regard to a large drivers’ hours records and falsification investigation conducted by DVSA leading to prosecution. Involves advising on systems compliance, analysis of evidence and large number of drivers interviewed.
Prettys Solicitors LLP
Prettys Solicitors LLP in Ipswich fields a multi-disciplinary approach to support clients in the transport sector. Ian Waine has a long track record in non-contentious corporate and commercial matters, notably for clients in the haulage sector. Sarah Lewis also handles M&A deals for clients in the motor industry, while Daniel Billson is also a key member of the corporate and commercial team. Matthew Cole is frequently called upon to provide employment law advice to the transport and maritime sectors. The firm is an associate member of the Felixstowe Port Users Association, to which it provides ad-hoc support.
Responsables de la pratique:
Ian Waine
Autres avocats clés:
Daniel Billson; Sarah Lewis; Matthew Cole
Principaux clients
Call Assist Ltd
Maritime Transport Ltd
Chassis Cab
Principaux dossiers
- Co-advised longstanding clients the Williams family in their capacity as the shareholders of Maritime Group Limited (MGL) on its sale in 2024.