Waterson Hicks

Waterson Hicks is a City-based legal practice established in 1990, with recognised expertise in shipping law and a strong presence in both London and Piraeus. The firm’s team includes lawyers with almost 40 years of experience in the sector and is known for delivering commercial and specialist advice to a broad international client base. Clients include major shipowning groups, P&I clubs, state-owned organisations, leading oil companies, energy traders and insurers.

The firm provides a comprehensive range of services with particular focus on dry shipping, admiralty, marine insurance, commodities, ship sale and purchase, and transactional work. Its dry shipping practice encompasses charterparty disputes, cargo claims, speed and consumption disputes, MOA disputes, contracts of affreightment, shipbuilding disputes and ship management. Admiralty work covers the full spectrum of maritime claims, including collisions, salvage, towage, total losses, marine insurance disputes, general average, explosions, fires, groundings, strandings, pollution, environmental damage and wreck removal, with notable expertise in marine crisis management.

Waterson Hicks also advises on ship sale and purchase transactions, covering contractual documentation and financing arrangements for the acquisition, disposal and registration of vessels, as well as shipbuilding contracts, loan agreements, refinancing, and corporate registrations. In the area of insurance and reinsurance, the firm has significant experience in policy and claims disputes involving marine hull and liability, charterers’ liability, P&I and reinsurance policies.

The firm acts for state oil companies, trading houses, oil majors and independent businesses in the international commodities market, handling sale and purchase agreements, physical commodity contracts, trade association arbitrations, regulatory advice, and sanctions compliance. Its transactional expertise includes drafting and advising on joint venture agreements, shareholder agreements, share purchase agreements, investment and participation agreements, corporate constitutional documents, and agency and management agreements.

Other offices: Piraeus

Staffing:
1 UK partner
5 UK fee-earners