The team at Lester Aldridge LLP is a ‘first port of call’ for an array of marine and shipping matters, offering both transactional and contentious expertise. Former practice head Russell Kelly has moved to a consultancy role, and is replaced by the experienced Philippa Langton, based in Southampton, who has a strong background in commercial shipping, focusing on charterparty, marine insurer, and other contractual disputes. Linda Jacques, based in Bournemouth, is another key name to note for her expertise in logistics, arbitration proceedings, and commercial shipping issues. In Southampton, Lucy Goff is well regarded for her practice in the yacht and superyacht industry, while Jennie Harris has an expanding practice in work relating to ports and harbours.

The ‘capable and pragmatic’ transport and logistics team at Thomson Snell & Passmore acts for a range of clients across the sector including freight forwarders, ship owners, warehouse operators, and underwriters. The practice is particularly adept at handling disputes in respect of goods in transit, claims subject to CMR rules, cargo claims under bills of lading and charterparties as well as acting for cargo owners in warehousing disputes, particularly where liens are being exercised over cargo. James Cradick, based in Thames Gateway, and Joanne Wright, based in Tunbridge Wells, both lead the practice.