Marine Law

Trading and shipping ventures involve lots of financial and legal risks. This can often lead to misunderstandings, giving rise to disputes and disagreements which need to be resolved quickly, efficiently and cost effectively.

Setfords can step in and help with such cases, as well as provide other marine law services like drafting contracts, estate and project management, investigating or pursuing claims or recoveries, and so much more.

Learn more about how our marine lawyers can help you below.

0330 173 6768

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Marine Law Specialisms

How exactly can our marine solicitors help? Check out our main specialisms below.

Insurance
Insurance
Our marine law solicitors have acted for insurers and insureds on various marine insurance matters, both domestically and internationally. These include:
- Hull and machinery
- Cargo
- Liability
- Kidnap and ransom
- Professional indemnity
- Political risks
International Trade and Shipping/Transport
International Trade and Shipping/Transport
Setfords’ marine solicitors have experience dealing with international trade and shipping/transport matters, such as:
- Trading disputes involving oil, gas and other commodities
- A wide range of shipping transactions including charter party disputes and cargo claims, collisions and salvage
- Sale and purchase of ships and other sea going vessels, including oil rigs
- Fraudulent aspects of shipping transactions
Property and Port Land
Property and Port Land
Maritime law also extends to disputes relating to maritime property like ships, cargo and cargo vessels, plus issues on land, such as legal considerations around protection for those working in harbours, ports, and shipyards.
Our marine law solicitors can deal with all the above legal issues, ensuring you get the desired resolution as quickly as possible.
Marinas and Boatyards
Marinas and Boatyards
Setfords’ shipping lawyers have experience in the following marinas and boatyard legal matters:
- UK and European joint ventures
- Advice on the tendering process for marina sites
- The purchase and development of unusual sites, such as a quarry and an operational ferry service including an ancient pier and train
- Site assembly
- Advice when dealing with the Environment Agency on river-based marinas
- Project managing representation of objectors at local plan and port planning inquiries
- Instructing King’s Counsel at planning inquiries
- Managing pre-planning agreements and planning application process, s106 and other planning agreements
- Negotiating local authority, port authority, harbour commissioners and crown leases of the foreshore, sea bed and the bed of inland lakes and tidal and rivers, and the carrying out of major and minor works
Public International Law and Marine Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS)
Public International Law and Marine Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS)
Public International Law involves all aspects of national, regional and international shipping regulation, safety and compliance, including marine pollution.
Setfords’ shipping lawyers have significant experience in Public International Law cases, meaning you’ll be in safe hands should you require legal assistance in this area of law.
Dispute Resolution
Dispute Resolution
Our dispute resolution services include dealing with matters like:
- Negotiation, compromise & early neutral evaluation of claims
- Litigation in the commercial court/admiralty court, including personal injury
- Alternative dispute resolution (ADR), including arbitration, conciliation and mediation
- Jurisdictional disputes
- Security and enforcement proceedings including ship arrests
- Insolvency proceedings including recovery of assets
- Injunctions
- Supervising legal proceedings in foreign/overseas jurisdictions

Insurance

Our marine law solicitors have acted for insurers and insureds on various marine insurance matters, both domestically and internationally. These include:

Hull and machinery
Cargo
Liability
Kidnap and ransom
Professional indemnity
Political risks

International Trade and Shipping/Transport

Setfords’ marine solicitors have experience dealing with international trade and shipping/transport matters, such as:

Trading disputes involving oil, gas and other commodities
A wide range of shipping transactions including charter party disputes and cargo claims, collisions and salvage
Sale and purchase of ships and other sea going vessels, including oil rigs
Fraudulent aspects of shipping transactions

Property and Port Land

Maritime law also extends to disputes relating to maritime property like ships, cargo and cargo vessels, plus issues on land, such as legal considerations around protection for those working in harbours, ports, and shipyards.

Our marine law solicitors can deal with all the above legal issues, ensuring you get the desired resolution as quickly as possible.

Marinas and Boatyards

Setfords’ shipping lawyers have experience in the following marinas and boatyard legal matters:

UK and European joint ventures
Advice on the tendering process for marina sites
The purchase and development of unusual sites, such as a quarry and an operational ferry service including an ancient pier and train
Site assembly
Advice when dealing with the Environment Agency on river-based marinas
Project managing representation of objectors at local plan and port planning inquiries
Instructing King’s Counsel at planning inquiries
Managing pre-planning agreements and planning application process, s106 and other planning agreements
Negotiating local authority, port authority, harbour commissioners and crown leases of the foreshore, sea bed and the bed of inland lakes and tidal and rivers, and the carrying out of major and minor works

Public International Law and Marine Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS)

Public International Law involves all aspects of national, regional and international shipping regulation, safety and compliance, including marine pollution.

Setfords’ shipping lawyers have significant experience in Public International Law cases, meaning you’ll be in safe hands should you require legal assistance in this area of law.

Dispute Resolution

Our dispute resolution services include dealing with matters like:

Negotiation, compromise & early neutral evaluation of claims
Litigation in the commercial court/admiralty court, including personal injury
Alternative dispute resolution (ADR), including arbitration, conciliation and mediation
Jurisdictional disputes
Security and enforcement proceedings including ship arrests
Insolvency proceedings including recovery of assets
Injunctions
Supervising legal proceedings in foreign/overseas jurisdictions

Setfords’ Approach to Marine Law

Setfords’ shipping lawyers are well-versed in all things marine law, and will listen, think, and give you the best possible legal advice.

We’re not like other law firms — all of our marine law solicitors are experts, meaning you’ll never get legal advice from an under qualified junior.

In addition, our unique support system ensures that our marine lawyers focus fully on their clients, and not on internal billing targets or office administration. As a result, Setfords’ clients are always the number one priority.

Contact a Marine Solicitor Today

Marine Law FAQs

What is marine law?
Also known as maritime law or the laws of the seas, marine law is a body of laws, conventions and treaties dealing with maritime business and other nautical matters. These include contracts, torts, injuries, and other offences taking place on open water.
What is the difference between admiralty and maritime law?
Despite the vastly different names, both admiralty law and maritime law essentially mean the same thing. That said, admiralty law was historically about disputes and claims arising from sea-based contracts and torts, while maritime law was more about worker’s rights at sea. However, as admiralty law began to encompass the latter issues, both terms began being used interchangeably.
Who enforces maritime law?
The United Nations via the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) issues conventions that are enforceable by the coast guards and the navies of most signatory countries. This organisation was formed in 1974 and has 175 members.

Speak to a Marine Law Solicitor on 0330 173 6768

3 Easy Steps To Getting Started

At Setfords our service is designed for your peace of mind. With highly qualified legal professionals at hand, our process will keep you updated every step of the way.

1. Call or complete our simple enquiry form

2. Our team will contact you to discuss your matter

3. Instruct for same-day file setup

Marine Law

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Marine Law