Instruct Andrew

To instruct Andrew please contact our clerks on +44 (0)20 7842 5555 or email [email protected].

Andrew is an experienced advocate in high value and complex commercial litigation and international arbitration in major global arbitration and disputes centres.  He is sought after for his oral advocacy and cross-examination skills.  He frequently appears against KCs and leading international arbitration counsel.

He has been described in the directories as a “first class” advocate who is “exceptionally bright”, “incredibly sharp, always a few steps ahead of the competition and extremely well prepared” and as a barrister who “shows exceptional legal prowess” as a “robust yet charming advocate that wins the trust of the judge with ease.”

He is known for his versatility across several areas of commercial dispute with particular experience of:

  • international commercial arbitration,
  • injunctions (including anti-suit injunctions and freezers),
  • Commercial Court litigation,
  • construction and engineering,
  • energy (including oil & gas, offshore, solar, wind, nuclear and biomass) and mining,
  • shipbuilding and offshore,
  • shipping, and
  • commodities

He is ranked by Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners in several fields including: international arbitration (Legal 500 UK), energy (Legal 500 UK), shipping & commodities (Chambers & Partners UK; Legal 500 Regional International Arbitration; Chambers & Partners Global); construction, energy and infrastructure (Legal 500 Regional International Arbitration) and shipping (Legal 500 UK).

He has acted as lead advocate in international arbitration, in the Commercial Court and in the Court of Appeal. He has also acted as junior counsel in the UK Supreme Court. He has been an active member of the London Circuit Commercial Court Users’ Committee for many years.

He has acted in arbitrations in e.g. London, Singapore, Beijing, Hong Kong, Paris, Geneva and Stockholm under various sets of rules including ICC, LCIA, SIAC, HKIAC, CIETAC, UNCITRAL, SCMA, HKMAG, GAFTA, and FOSFA rules, as well as ad hoc arbitration and arbitration pursuant to LMAA Terms.  He acted as junior counsel for the LMAA before the Supreme Court in Halliburton v Chubb.  He is a UK Delegate to the ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR.

He has rights of audience in the DIFC (Dubai, UAE) and the AIFC (Astana, Kazakhstan).  He often works in French (he is bilingual).  He is also recognised by the directories as “popular for China-related work” and “very familiar with China” and “is highly regarded for handling disputes from major Asia Pacific arbitral centres”.

Andrew is happy to accept appointments as arbitrator.

Andrew is ranked as counsel for international arbitration (Legal 500 UK), energy (Legal 500 UK), shipping & commodities (Chambers & Partners UK; Legal 500 Regional International Arbitration; Chambers & Partners Global); construction, energy and infrastructure (Legal 500 Regional International Arbitration) and shipping (Legal 500 UK).

Comments in Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners have included:

  • “Andrew shows exceptional legal prowess, unwavering dedication, and an unparalleled commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for clients”
  • “Andrew is incredibly sharp, always a few steps ahead of the competition and extremely well prepared. He leaves no stone unturned in preparation which is essential in fraud cases.”
  • “He is a robust yet charming advocate that wins the trust of the judge with ease.”
  • “Andrew Stevens is sought after for his expertise in advising on major infrastructure disputes in the nuclear, wind, solar, water and oil and gas sectors”
  • “A first-class young advocate who shows great attention to detail and has good cross-examination skills”
  • “Andrew Stevens is highly regarded for handling disputes from major Asia Pacific arbitral centres”
  • “Andrew is exceptionally bright and able to get to the nub of the issue quickly.”
  • “Andrew is excellent – very conscientious and on top of the detail of matters very quickly. Very good drafting skills and easy to work with.”
  • “Professional, hardworking and capable of handling very difficult cases”
  • “In demand for his capabilities in international shipping arbitrations”
  • “He is excellent at getting on top of the detail in a case quickly and providing clear and succinct advice”
  • “Extremely able”
  • “Exceptional on the details”
  • “He has a profound understanding of laws in shipping and international trade”
  • “Determined and insightful”
  • “Dedicated to his work and immensely approachable”
  • “He can quickly grasp the key point of the dispute and understands the client’s needs”
  • “Very clever, client-friendly, responsive and quick”
  • “Extremely thorough and very measured and reassuring when dealing with solicitors”
  • “Popular for China-related work; very familiar with China and a very good choice for work with Chinese elements”
  • “Punches above his weight”

Andrew is regularly instructed in commercial disputes in litigation especially before the Commercial Court and Circuit Commercial Court.

The subject matters of such cases vary greatly and have included finance, guarantees, tech, fraud, shipbuilding, shipping, and commodities.

He is particularly sought-after for his experience in injunction matters before those courts (see drop down section on “Injunctions”) including anti-suit injunctions, freezing injunctions, mandatory or prohibitory injunctions and s.44 injunctions in support of arbitration.

He is a long-standing member of the London Circuit Commercial Court Users’ Committee which meets regularly with the judges in charge of the Commercial Court and the LCCC to review rules and practices in the court.

He regularly gives training seminars to solicitors on handling cases in the Commercial and Circuit Commercial courts and on the Commercial Court Guide.

Featured Commercial Litigation (including banking, finance and fraud) cases

Commercial Court – US$20 million claim under loan agreement involving allegations of fraud; Worldwide Freezing Injunction (aka Mareva injunction) and asset disclosure order in successful without notice application before Henshaw J, continued by Cockerill J at return date hearing against a silk at One Essex Court (Sole counsel – against silk at the return date hearing).

Commercial Court – Anti-suit injunction (granted by Sir Robin Knowles) to restrain pursuit in an EU member state of a claim for €25m in breach of High Court jurisdiction clauses and arbitration clauses in various slot charter terms. (Sole counsel)

Commercial Court – Part 8 claim acting for NASDAQ listed entity seeking declaration regarding proper construction of terms of a deed of guarantee (ex tempore judgment by Sir Robin Knowles). (Sole counsel)

Commercial Court: Anti-suit injunction application to restrain pursuit in China of litigation where policy wording contained a London arbitration clause. (Sole counsel)

Commercial Court – A >US$70m claim and US$43m counterclaim under a commercial agreement to finance and build 10 cruise ships (With Simon Croall QC).

Commercial Court – US$5m claim for failure to deliver Gasoil cargo. Application for service out. (Sole counsel)

Commercial Court – Amyr Trading Co Inc v Eternus Group Inc [2024] EWHC 2955 (Comm) – Andrew was sole counsel against a KC on a return date hearing. He successfully argued for the discharge of a s.44 without notice injunction preventing his client from discharging a cargo of Venezuelan hydrocarbons on grounds of lack of disclosure and urgency where there was an LCIA arbitration clause. (Sole counsel against a KC)

Commercial Court – Jiangsu Guoxin Corp Ltd (formerly Sainty Marine Corp Ltd) v Precious Shipping Public Co Ltd [2021] 1 Lloyd’s Rep. 413 (Butcher J) – Andrew was lead counsel (against a QC) for a Chinese energy company and shipyard challenging two LMAA awards (US$20 million).

Commercial Court – US$22m claim against freight forwarder under various contracts and a guarantee.  Appeared as sole counsel at CMC.

Commercial Court – BV Scheepswerf Damen Gorinchem v Marine Institute (“CELTIC EXPLORER”) [2015] Lloyds Rep 351 (Flaux J) – Andrew challenged an award under s.68 on the grounds of excessive delay and mere copying and pasting of claimant’s skeleton argument in the award (With Nick Vineall QC).

Commercial Court – Successful action to enforce a CIETAC arbitration award relating to the sale of chemicals from China to the EU. (Sole counsel)

Commercial Court – Urgent, out-of-hours prohibitory injunction application under s.44 to prevent the removal and potential loss of a high value asset prior to a London-seated arbitration. The injunction was granted out of hours and upheld at the return date with a costs order. (With Chirag Karia QC)

Commercial Court – Andrew advised a manufacturer of smart phones in a claim against a distributor. (Sole counsel)

Commercial Court (Shorter Trials Scheme) – Acting for a Korean defendant against a Chinese party claiming RMB 6.4m under a letter of indemnity. (Sole counsel)

Commercial Court – Advised respondent Asian business representative in alleged fraud where a freezing injunction had been obtained ex parte. (Sole counsel)

London Circuit Commercial Court – Acted for defendants in a claim for breach of a franchise agreement and liability under a deed of surety.

Mercantile Court (now London Circuit Commercial Court) – Acted for claimant buyer in claim for damages for late delivery of fuel oil under FOB contract.

Commercial Court – Acted for a defendant facing an application for committal for contempt of court; issues of valid service and retrospective permission to serve out.

Commercial Court – Advised defendant in £1m claim under FX swap for trade finance involving parallel proceedings in the French courts.

Advising a South American holding company on potential claims for breach of fiduciary duty etc. against a director arising out of acts in relation to an oil exploration licence and agreements with competitor companies (involving related actions in the US and Nevis).

Andrew is highly regarded and sought after as counsel for complex and high value international arbitration around the world.

He is very experienced arbitration counsel.  He has experience of arbitrations under e.g. ICC, LCIA, SIAC, HKIAC, CIETAC, UNCITRAL, SCMA, HKMAG, GAFTA, FOSFA and DIAC rules, as well as ad hoc arbitration and arbitration pursuant to LMAA Terms.

Legal 500 has for many years ranked him band 2 for “London Bar – International Arbitration: Counsel”.

He is also ranked by Legal 500 “Regional International Arbitration – The Bar – Construction, Energy and Infrastructure” and likewise for “Shipping and Commodities.

Directories comments have noted that he “excels” in and is “highly regarded for handling disputes from major Asia Pacific arbitral centres”.

In recent years he has been instructed by UK and international/overseas law firms (in e.g. Paris, Dubai, PRC, Germany, India and Singapore) as counsel (as lead advocate, co-counsel, or purely for his cross-examination skills) in arbitrations arising out of e.g.

  • mining,
  • construction,
  • energy, oil and gas, and renewables,
  • tech,
  • biopharma,
  • life sciences,
  • joint ventures,
  • shareholder disputes and pre-emption rights,
  • shipbuilding,
  • superyachts,
  • shipping, and
  • commodities

He also has significant experience of actions in the Commercial Court (and even the Court of Appeal and the UK Supreme Court) in support of arbitration under the Arbitration Act 1996.

Andrew is one of the authors of the 6th edition of The Arbitration Act 1996 a Commentary (Edited by Bruce Harris). He is responsible for a number of chapters on sections of the Act as well as the chapter on anti-suit injunctions and anti-arbitration injunctions, which he drafted.

He is in his second term as a UK Delegate to the ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR.

He is a Supporting Member of the LMAA, a member of HKIAC HK45, and the LCIA Users’ Council.

  • s.24 – Halliburton v Chubb [2020] UKSC 48 (UK Supreme Court) – Andrew represented the LMAA in its intervention before the Supreme Court in a s.24 challenge to an arbitrator. The Supreme Court accepted the LMAA’s submissions in establishing the common law test for the duty of disclosure by arbitrators (HFW, led by Nick Vineall QC)
  • Anti-suit injunction (to restrain pursuit of a €25m claim in an EU member state court) on behalf of a major global corporation in support of arbitration and High Court jurisdiction clauses in underlying contracts. (Sole counsel, Commercial Court)
  • s.44 – Amyr Trading Co Inc v Eternus Group Inc [2024] EWHC 2955 (Comm) – Andrew was sole counsel against a KC and successfully argued for the discharge of a s.44 without notice injunction preventing his client from discharging a cargo of Venezuelan hydrocarbons on grounds of lack of disclosure and urgency where there was an LCIA arbitration clause. (Keystone, sole counsel against a KC)
  • s.44 – Urgent, out-of-hours prohibitory injunction application under s.44 to prevent the removal and potential loss of a high value asset prior to a London-seated arbitration. The injunction was granted out of hours and upheld at the return date with a costs order. (Stephenson Harwood, led by Chirag Karia QC, Commercial Court)
  • s.69 – Jiangsu Guoxin Corp Ltd (formerly Sainty Marine Corp Ltd) v Precious Shipping Public Co Ltd [2021] 1 Lloyd’s Rep. 413 (Butcher J) – Andrew was lead counsel for a Chinese energy company and shipyard challenging two LMAA awards worth US$20 million. (CJC, lead counsel against a silk)
  • s.68 – BV Scheepswerf Damen Gorinchem v Marine Institute (“CELTIC EXPLORER”) [2015] Lloyds Rep 351 (Flaux J) – Andrew challenged an award under s.68 on the grounds of excessive delay and mere copying and pasting of claimant’s skeleton argument in the award (CDG, with Nick Vineall QC).
  • s.68 and s.69 – advising on various potential s.68 challenges and appeals from awards obtained with previous legal representatives.
  • s.101 – Successful action to enforce a CIETAC arbitration award relating to the sale of chemicals from China to the EU. (Taylor Wessing, sole counsel, Commercial Court)
  • s.24 – Acting for a London arbitrator in a s.24 application to remove the arbitrator.
  • Anti-suit injunction (to restrain pursuit of litigation commenced in the USA) obtained on behalf of seven Bermuda underwriters in support of arbitration clauses in 26 policies. Parallel anti-suit application also made in Bermuda. Ex parte. (With Alex Potts KC, Commercial Court)
  • Anti-suit injunction application (to restrain pursuit in China of litigation) where policy wording contained a London arbitration clause. (Sole counsel, Commercial Court)

Andrew has acted on a significant number of arbitrations under ICC rules seated in Europe and Asia.

He is in his second term as a UK Delegate to the ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR.

Examples of cases on which he has worked include:

  • ICC, London seat – Acted for Chinese SOE engineering and infrastructure contractor in US$15m dispute arising out of construction of North American port. (Sole counsel)
  • ICC, Paris seat – Acted for Claimant in relation to construction project to lay sub-marine cables in Asia. (Sole counsel)
  • ICC, London seat (FIDIC – English law) – Claim relating to delay and performance of solar energy plant in Africa. One-week hearing in London and cross-examination of delay expert. (Co-counsel with US law firm, Paris office)
  • ICC, Paris seat – Jurisdiction challenge in claims bought by buyer of FSO. Andrew acted for the Asian yard challenging the buyer’s attempt to bring renewed >US$11m claims in a second arbitration under a contract applying the law of an African state. (Co-counsel with French lawyers)
  • ICC, Singapore seat – Defending US$36m claim under on demand performance and refund guarantees given by Korean bank on grounds of unconscionability. (With Nick Vineall QC)
  • ICC, Stockholm seat (FIDIC – Kazakh law): Counsel in a high-value arbitration relating to a major construction project (skyscrapers) in former Soviet state (led by Joanna Smith QC).
  • ICC, London seat, and pre-arbitral referee procedure – Sole counsel in claim by UK investors for breach by Indian developer of agreement to construct solar power plant in EU.
  • ICC, Singapore seat – Acted for an Indian steel company in a claim against European steel machinery suppliers in a $multi-million claim (with Joe Smouha QC, Ricky Diwan and Jeremy Brier).
  • ICC, Singapore seat – Acted for PRC biopharma / life science company. (Leading Jacob Haddad)
  • ICC, Geneva seat – Acted in a c.€800m nuclear energy joint venture dispute between French and German JV partners with a team of French and Swiss counsel. Issues of EU competition law, wrongful termination and interim non-compete injunction (With French and Swiss counsel).

 

Andrew has acted as sole counsel and as part of teams of counsel on LCIA arbitrations between e.g. US$4m and over US$400m in value.  Examples include:

  • LCIA, London seat – €5m dispute relating to sale of a Russian bulk commodity to an EU buyer where the seller was linked to a Russian listed / designate person under EU and UK sanctions regulations. (Sole counsel)
  • LCIA, London seat – Acted for Claimant in relation to construction project to lay sub-marine cables in Asia. (Sole counsel)
  • LCIA, London seat – US$130m claim by Asian contractor in onshore solar power plant construction dispute in former Soviet state (led by Jeremy Nicholson QC)
  • LCIA, London seat – >$400 million dispute regarding cancellation of design and construction contract for a highly complex specialist pipe-lay vessel. Acting for a Chinese SOE (led by Jeremy Nicholson QC).
  • LCIA, London seat – US$4 million biopharma dispute with expert evidence on human immunology. (Sole counsel, against Oliver Kaplin)
  • LCIA, London seat – Acting for Asian mining interest in c.US$60m tax-related claim in African state. (Co-counsel with PRC law firm)
  • LCIA, London seat – Acting for seller of coal rejected at discharge port. (Sole counsel)

Legal 500 has described Andrew as “highly regarded for handling disputes from major Asia Pacific arbitral centres” in which he “excels”.  He has been instructed both by and against Singapore law firms in Singapore-seated arbitration.  Examples include:

  • SCMA, Singapore seat – Andrew appeared as sole advocate in a hearing over two weeks in Singapore on behalf of an Asian governmental entity claiming c. US$3 million against various defendants in disputes relating to three offshore oil rigs and a commercial guarantee. Andrew’s client obtained an award winning on all points. (Sole counsel)
  • SIAC, Singapore seat – Acted for Chinese ship management company in a claim under a voyage charter against a Singapore entity. (Sole counsel)
  • SIAC, Singapore seat – Acting for seller of coal where buyer terminated sales contract for alleged breach of sampling and testing terms. (Sole counsel)
  • SIAC, Singapore seat – Andrew acted for a PRC company and guarantor defending a claim under a performance guarantee.

Andrew has also acted in several high value ICC arbitrations seated in Singapore (see section above on ICC arbitration) and in a Singapore-seated arbitration under UNCITRAL rules (see below).

  • Ad hoc, Hong Kong seat – US$5m cargo misdelivery claim (bills of lading not presented). One-day hearing in Shenzhen. (Sole counsel)
  • HKIAC – Andrew acted with PRC counsel in a claim under a GENCON charterparty seeking an indemnity for RMB 12m liability for cargo damage.
  • HKMAG, Hong Kong seat – a US$7m claim under a COA for failure to nominate cargos of industrial minerals for carriage. (Sole counsel)
  • HKIAC, Hong Kong – Andrew acted for the successful defendant Chinese shipyard in a two-week arbitration regarding the rejection of two newbuild bulk carriers on the grounds of allegedly defective hold coating. (With Alex Gunning QC)
  • Ad hoc, Hong Kong seat – Acting for defendant charterer in US$400,000 claim for demurrage and detention. (Sole counsel)
  • CIETAC arbitration, Beijing – Assisted PRC law firm in dispute relating to construction of a coal terminal and EPC works for power infrastructure in Asia. (Co-counsel with PRC law firm)
  • UNCITRAL Rules, London seat – Acted for successful global energy and commodities company in bilingual (French English) arbitration for breach of long-term supply contracts for gasoil, LPG, get fuel and gasoline to African state. (With Sean O’Sullivan).
  • UNCITRAL Rules, Singapore seat – US$5m claim under a guarantee relating to a project to construct a coal-fired thermal power plant in Asia.
  • DIAC arbitration, DIFC seat, Dubai – Dispute regarding a construction project in the UAE.

 

  • Ad hoc, London seat – US$40m COA dispute relating to carriage of cargoes to West Africa. (Sole counsel)
  • Ad hoc, London seat – Acting for PRC claimant buyer of Russian steel products in US$3m claim. Listed for one-week hearing in London. (Sole counsel)
  • Ad hoc, Rotterdam seat – Acting for a European yard in a series of 17 shipbuilding disputes. (Sole counsel)
  • Ad hoc arbitration – US$2.8m dispute under time charter for refusal to carry a cargo of coal and resulting detention of the vessel. (Sole counsel)
  • Ad hoc, Hong Kong seat – US$5m cargo misdelivery claim (bills of lading not presented). One-day hearing in Shenzhen. (Sole counsel)
  • Ad hoc, London seat – Chain of charterparty claims for deviation, deadfreight and demurrage under a GENCON voyage charter and NYPE form time charter. (Sole counsel)
  • Ad hoc, London seat – Acting for Chinese yard in relation to post-delivery warranty claims under an SAJ form shipbuilding contract.

Andrew has acted (usually as sole counsel) in scores of arbitrations under LMAA Terms, many worth tens or hundreds of millions of dollars, ranging from short hearings to matters requiring weeks (up to 11 weeks) of hearings.  Examples include:

 

  • Expedited LMAA arbitration before Lord Phillips, Sir Bernard Rix, and Sir Steven Tomlinson to construe cross-security requirements under commercial finance agreements – Andrew’s client won on all points and obtained an award within two months of the commencement of the reference. (With Simon Croall QC).
  • LMAA arbitration – Acting for claimants in US$24m claim in relation to the sale and export of a cargo of Venezuelan crude oil impacted by US sanctions. (Sole counsel)
  • LMAA arbitration – Andrew stepped in four days before a one-week hearing to replace a silk and junior. His time charter owner client succeeded at the hearing on all points in its US$3.5m claim for wrongful termination by the charterer after it had given unlawful instructions to trade in a war risk area and on a cross-strait trade. (Sole counsel)
  • LMAA arbitration – Sole advocate in a three-day hearing defending owners in a claim arising out of an allision with a gantry crane in a European port. (Sole counsel)
  • LMAA arbitration– A >$100 million dispute in 11 related LMAA arbitrations regarding 14 cancelled bulk carriers and the issue of stern tube bearing failures. The disputes involved 11 weeks of hearings and extensive expert evidence from scientists and engineers. (Part of a team of barristers, Andrew conducted oral advocacy and some cross examination).
  • LMAA arbitration – Acting for claimant owners in a US$20m claim for breach of a contract of affreightment for carriage of goods from Nigeria through failure to ship cargos. (Sole counsel)
  • LMAA arbitration – Defending a Chinese charterer against a US$39.2m claim for unpaid hire under a settlement agreement and MOU; issue of jurisdiction. (Sole counsel)
  • LMAA arbitration – Acting for seller in dispute under SALEFORM 2012 MOA for sale of a vessel and claims totalling US$14m. (With Nick Vineall KC)
  • LMAA arbitration – Defending an Asian airline group under a claim for US$4.5m under a guarantee. (Sole counsel)
  • LMAA, London – Represented buyers claim for €5.4m as repayment of advance instalment after failure by Chinese yard to deliver newbuild vessel by cancellation date. (Sole counsel)
  • LMAA arbitrations – Defending a Chinese charterer against a US$4.5m claim for unpaid hire; issue of jurisdiction and identity of parties to the charterparty. (Sole counsel)
  • LMAA arbitration – US$2.6m claim for salvage costs arising out of grounding in a South American waterway and declaration for non-liability for general average. (Sole counsel)
  • LMAA Arbitration – Acting for owner in US$1.5m demurrage claim under a voyage charterparty for the carriage of silica sand to China.
  • LMAA arbitration – Defending a US$4.3m claim for unpaid hire; issue of jurisdiction and identity of parties to a charterparty; US$800,000 counterclaim for speed and performance. (Sole counsel)
  • LMAA arbitrations – Acting for head charterer in a chain of arbitrations and claims for over US$1.5m arising out of the arrest of a vessel in Egypt due to a contaminated cargo. (Sole counsel)
  • LMAA arbitration – Claim by owners for indemnity for supply of off-spec bunkers and for costs of legal proceedings in an African state.
  • LMAA arbitration – Various speed, performance, consumption and diversion / routing disputes. (Sole counsel)
  • LMAA arbitration – Claim for off hire and bunkers for refusal by Master to proceed into low-sulphur emission zone. (Sole counsel)
  • LMAA intermediate claim – Acting for an owner in a claim for detention, demurrage and deadfreight. (Sole counsel)
  • LMAA arbitration – Claim for demurrage and breach of alleged settlement agreement. (Sole counsel)
  • LMAA arbitration – Acted for owner in substantial claim for hire in hull fouling dispute.
  • LMAA arbitration – Acting for claimant owner in claim for damages for early redelivery under NYPE form. (Sole counsel)
  • LMAA arbitration – Safe port claim arising out of grounding of vessel in Asian port. (Sole counsel)
  • LMAA arbitration – Acted for ship managers resisting two arbitration references seeking delivery up of documents relating to parallel court proceedings alleging deliberate scuttling of a vessel. (Sole counsel)
  • LMAA arbitration – Multiple speed and performance claims. (Sole counsel)
  • LMAA Arbitration – Acting for claimant owner claiming over US$500,000 in unpaid hire and damages for repair costs for damage caused by stevedores. (Sole counsel)
  • LMAA Arbitration – Claim for losses caused by non-delivery of a vessel (which carried out an intermediate fixture) fixed to carry 40,000MT of fuel oil and consequent “stock out” situation at refinery. (Sole counsel)
  • LMAA Arbitration – Claim for additional payments due for voyage to ice-bound port outside of trading limits. (Sole counsel)
  • Advising in relation to liability under a charterparty after an allision between a vessel and a shore crane in the context of French litigation.
  • LMAA arbitrations – Acting for vessel managers in claim under SHIPMAN 98 form and defending counterclaims for unjust enrichment. (Sole counsel)
  • LMAA arbitrations – Acting for head charterer in a chain of arbitrations and claims for over US$1.5m arising out of the arrest of a vessel in Egypt due to a contaminated cargo. (Sole counsel)
  • LMAA arbitration – Acting for defendant charterer in claim for demurrage under contract of affreightment. (Sole counsel)
  • LMAA arbitration – Acting for owners claiming unpaid hire and damages for off-spec bunkers. (Sole counsel)
  • LMAA Arbitration – Acting for charterers in dispute under NYPE form time charter.
  • LMAA arbitration – Acting for claimant charterers under Shelltime 4 form.
  • LMAA arbitration – Acting for Owner in US$880,000 claim for demurrage under GENCON 94 charterparty. (Sole counsel)
  • LMAA arbitration – Advising disponent owners under a long-term charterparty in US$1m claim for underperformance. (Sole counsel)
  • LMAA arbitration – Acting for claimant owners in claim for US$500,000 in unpaid hire under NYPE form; alleged off-hire due to refusal to prosecute legitimate orders. (Sole counsel)
  • LMAA arbitration – Acting for charterers in relation to claim for damage caused by stevedores / dunnage. (Sole counsel)
  • LMAA arbitration – Acting for defendant charterer in a claim for detention and demurrage. (Sole counsel)
  • LMAA arbitration – Acting for owners in US$5m claim under contract of affreightment; failure to ship multiple cargos. (Sole counsel)

Andrew has successfully applied for injunctive relief from the English Courts on many occasions (e.g. anti-suit injunctions, freezing injunctions, s.44 injunctions, etc.), and even from arbitrators in the course of an arbitral reference, both ex parte and on full notice.

Andrew has also successfully opposed (at the return date) the continuation of injunctive relief obtained ex parte.

He regularly advises on prospects of successfully obtaining, or challenging on return dates, injunctive relief.

Andrew is one of the authors of the 6th edition of The Arbitration Act 1996 a Commentary (Edited by Bruce Harris). Although the power to grant anti-suit injunctions does not arise out of the 1996 Act, he is the author of a chapter in that work on anti-suit injunctions and anti-arbitration injunctions.

Featured Injunctions cases

Sole counsel: Worldwide Freezing Injunction (aka Mareva injunction) and asset disclosure order in a US$20 million banking and fraud case. Successful without notice application before Henshaw J, continued by Cockerill J at return date hearing against a silk at One Essex Court (BDM, sole counsel against QC on return date).

Sole counsel against a silk: Amyr Trading Co Inc v Eternus Group Inc [2024] EWHC 2955 (Comm) – Andrew was sole counsel against a KC and successfully argued for the discharge of a s.44 without notice injunction preventing his client from discharging a cargo of Venezuelan hydrocarbons on grounds of lack of disclosure and urgency where there was an LCIA arbitration clause. (Keystone, sole counsel against a KC)

Sole counsel: anti-suit injunction (granted by Sir Robin Knowles) to restrain pursuit in an EU member state of a claim for €25m in breach of High Court jurisdiction clauses and arbitration clauses in various contractual agreements. (Sole counsel)

Sole counsel: Anti-suit injunction application to restrain pursuit in China of litigation where policy wording contained a London arbitration clause. (Sole counsel)

Anti-suit injunction (to restrain pursuit of litigation commenced in the USA) obtained on behalf of seven Bermuda underwriters in support of arbitration clauses in 26 policies. Parallel anti-suit application also made in Bermuda. Ex parte. (With Alex Potts KC)

Urgent, out-of-hours prohibitory injunction application under s.44 to prevent the removal and potential loss of a high value asset prior to a London-seated arbitration. The injunction was granted out of hours and upheld at the return date with a costs order. (Stephenson Harwood, led by Chirag Karia QC)

Sole counsel: Acted for respondent Chinese business representatives in alleged fraud case where the claimants obtained an ex parte freezing injunction.

Sole counsel: Acted for a defendant facing an application for committal for contempt of court; issues of valid service and retrospective permission to serve out.

Andrew also obtained an interim non-compete injunction from an ICC tribunal seated in Geneva in a c.€800m nuclear energy joint venture dispute (with French and Swiss counsel).

 

Andrew has experience of complex and high value construction, engineering and infrastructure disputes from around the world including North America, Asia, Europe, Africa and former Soviet states (e.g. Belarus and Kazakhstan).

Most of his construction and energy work is in international arbitration.  He also has experience of TCC litigation and adjudication enforcement. He was lead counsel in a leading Commercial Court case on the prevention principle.

Andrew is ranked by Legal 500 “Regional International Arbitration – The Bar – Construction, Energy and Infrastructure”.  Comments include that he “is sought after for his expertise in advising on major infrastructure disputes in the nuclear, wind, solar, water and oil and gas sectors”.

Featured Construction, Engineering and Adjudication cases

ICC, London – Acted for Chinese SOE engineering and infrastructure contractor in US$15m dispute arising out of construction of North American port. Issues of delay and defects. (Sole counsel)

LCIA, London Seat – Acted for Claimant in relation to claim arising out of construction project to lay sub-marine cables in Asia. (Sole counsel)

TCC (NEC3) – £60m dispute regarding conversion of coal-fired power station to biomass power generation (With Sean Brannigan QC).

ICC, Stockholm seat (FIDIC – Kazakh law) – Counsel in a high-value arbitration relating to a major construction project (skyscrapers) in a CIS state (With Joanna Smith QC).

ICC, London seat (FIDIC – English law): co-counsel with US law firm’s Paris office in dispute relating to delay and performance of solar energy plant in Africa. One-week hearing in London with cross-examination of delay expert. (Co-counsel with US firm’s Paris office)

ICC, Paris seat – Acted for Claimant in relation to claim arising out of construction project to lay sub-marine cables in Asia. (Sole counsel)

TCC – Van Elle Ltd v Keynvor Morlift Ltd [2024] 1 WLR 2807 (TCC), [2024] B.L.R. 40 – Adjudication enforcement case on the question of the geographical jurisdiction of the Housing Grants, Construction Regeneration Act 1996 Part II and the statutory meaning of “England”. (Andrew was sole counsel for the contractor)

Commercial Court – Andrew was lead counsel (against a QC) in the leading English case on the prevention principle, the operation of the delay, extensions of time, force majeure and notice provisions under the SAJ form of shipbuilding contract: Jiangsu Guoxin Corp Ltd (formerly Sainty Marine Corp Ltd) v Precious Shipping Public Co [2020] B.L.R. 653 (Butcher J) which is the leading decision along with Zhoushan Jinhaiwan Shipyard Co Ltd v Golden Exquisite Inc [2014] EWHC 4050 (Comm) by Leggatt J. (Andrew was lead counsel, leading Gideon Shirazi, against Roderick Cordara QC).

Adjudication – Acted for contractor in dispute arising out of works to install sub-sea electricity cable. (Sole counsel)

LCIA, London Seat – US$130m claim by contractor in onshore solar power plant construction dispute (With Jeremy Nicholson QC)

ICC, Singapore – Acted for an Indian steel company in a claim against European steel machinery suppliers in a $multi-million claim (with Joe Smouha QC, Ricky Diwan and Jeremy Brier).

CIETAC arbitration, Beijing – Assisted PRC law firm in dispute relating to construction of a coal terminal and EPC works for power infrastructure in Asia. (Co-counsel with PRC law firm)

UNCITRAL Rules, Singapore seat – US$5m claim under a guarantee relating to a project to construct a coal-fired thermal power plant in Asia.

CIMA Rules arbitration – c.£1million dispute acting for employer against contractor in development of substantial residential property. (Sole counsel)

LMAA arbitration – >US$100 million shipbuilding dispute in 11 LMAA arbitrations relating to 14 cancelled bulk carriers and issues of delay, prevention, EOTs and stern tube bearing failures. Involved 11 weeks of hearings and extensive work with and expert evidence from scientists and engineers on issues at the cutting edge of bearing manufacture, alignment and lubrication (Part of a team of barristers; Andrew conducted oral advocacy and some cross examination).

LCIA arbitration – >$400 million dispute regarding cancellation of design and construction contract for a highly complex specialist pipe-lay vessel acting for a Chinese SOE (Part of team of barristers working closely with delay and technical / architectural experts).

QBD – Claim regarding faulty installation of a boiler causing a fire. (Sole counsel)

TCC – Claim by owner of commercial premises for fire caused by contractor. (Sole counsel)

Advising an Asian EPC contractor on breach of contract by a European supplier for failure to supply boilers for power station construction project in the Balkans.

Advising a contractor on liability for a cable strike during drilling of bore holes.

TCC – Assisted a team of lawyers on a large claim arising out of the construction of a low-density polyethylene plant.

Advising insurer in claim arising out of fire caused by electrical contractor.

Advising on a sub-contractor’s duty of care for pure economic loss in relation to cladding.

TCC – Pre-action advice and assistance acting for claimants in relation to a fire caused by a newly installed combined heat and process unit. (Sole counsel)

TCC – Claim for damaged underground cabling in a major redevelopment project. (Sole counsel)

Seconded to the construction/professional risk team of a nationwide firm of solicitors (experience of JCT and NEC3 claims and claims involving the NHBC).

Acted for several claimants in relation to arbitration and litigation arising out of a fire in a block of flats.

Advised specialist sports surface contractors in a claim relating to the alleged defective laying of artificial sports pitches.

Advising insurers on claims for water ingress to a gas peak generation facility.

Andrew has significant experience of complex and high value energy disputes from around the world.  His experience includes contractual or shareholder disputes relating to oil and gas interests, commodity sale and purchase disputes, and construction / infrastructure disputes.

Most of his energy work is in international arbitration.

Andrew is ranked by Legal 500 UK “London Bar – Energy”. In 2024 Legal 500 recorded that, “Andrew is exceptionally bright and able to get to the nub of the issue quickly.  He is a robust yet charming advocate that wins the trust of the judge with ease”.

He is also ranked internationally as counsel for “Regional International Arbitration – The Bar – Construction, Energy and Infrastructure”.  Comments in the that category include that he “is sought after for his expertise in advising on major infrastructure disputes in the nuclear, wind, solar, water and oil and gas sectors”.

Featured Energy (incl. oil & gas, solar, offshore wind, biomass, and nuclear) and mining cases

Advising in a dispute over pre-emption rights in multi-billion-dollar offshore fields (with Stephen Cogley KC).

LCIA, London seat – US$130m claim by contractor in onshore solar power plant construction dispute – delay, connection and regulatory issues. (With Jeremy Nicholson QC)

ICC, London seat (FIDIC – English law) – Dispute relating to delay to and performance of onshore solar power plant in Africa acting for EPC contractor. One-week hearing in London and cross-examination of delay expert (Co-counsel with US law firm’s Paris office).

TCC (NEC3) – £60m dispute regarding conversion of coal-fired power station to biomass power generation (With Sean Brannigan QC).

TCC – Acted for manufacturers of offshore wind turbine towers in a c.$400m dispute.

ICC, Paris seat – Acted for Claimant in relation to claim arising out of construction project to lay sub-marine cables in Asia. (Sole counsel)

LCIA, London Seat – Acted for Claimant in relation to claim arising out of construction project to lay sub-marine cables in Asia. (Sole counsel)

Adjudication – Acted for contractor in dispute arising out of works to install sub-sea electricity cable. (Sole counsel)

CIETAC arbitration, Beijing – Assisted PRC law firm in dispute relating to construction of a coal terminal and EPC works for power infrastructure in Asia. (Co-counsel with PRC law firm)

Advising an Asian EPC contractor on breach of contract by a European supplier for failure to supply boilers for power station construction project in the Balkans.

ICC, London seat and pre-arbitral referee procedure – Sole counsel in claim by UK investors for breach by Indian developer of agreement to construct solar power plant in EU.

ICC, Geneva – Acted in a c.€800m nuclear energy joint venture dispute between French and German JV partners with a team of French and Swiss counsel. Issues of EU competition law, wrongful termination and interim non-compete injunction (ICC, Geneva).

SCMA arbitration, Singapore seat – c. US$3 million claim in which Andrew appeared as sole counsel in a hearing over two weeks in Singapore on behalf of an Asian governmental entity. Disputes relating to three offshore oil rigs and a commercial guarantee. Andrew’s client obtained an award winning on all points. (Sole counsel)

LMAA arbitration – Acting for claimants in US$24m claim in relation to the sale and export of a cargo of Venezuelan crude oil impacted by US sanctions. (Sole counsel)

ICC, Paris seat – Jurisdiction challenge in claims bought by buyer of FSO. Andrew acted for the Asian yard challenging the buyer’s attempt to bring renewed >US$11m claims in a second arbitration under a contract applying the law of an African state. (Co-counsel with French lawyers)

LCIA, London seat – >$400 million dispute regarding cancellation of design and construction contract for a highly complex specialist offshore vessel. Acting for a Chinese SOE. (With Jeremy Nicholson QC)

LCIA, London seat – Acting for an Asian mining interest in c.US$60m tax-related claim in an African state. (Co-counsel with Asian law firm)

UNCITRAL Rules, Singapore seat – US$5m claim under a guarantee relating to a project to construct a coal-fired thermal power plant in Asia.

Advised Asian state-owned oil company on rights of termination and force majeure under a crude oil sales contract.

LMAA arbitration – Acted for converters of FPSO in a long-running conversion dispute and disputes regarding the construction of multiple platforms off the coast of West Africa (With Vernon Flynn QC, Edmund King and Tom Ford).

Advising an Asian supplier and manufacturer in relation to claims for late delivery and alleged weld defects affecting a major FLNG conversion project.

Advised Employer on termination and breach of jack up rig contract for wind projects in Europe due to instability issues.

Advised on breach and termination of jack up rig contract for use in major offshore wind projects in Asia.

Advising a South American holding company on potential claims for breach of fiduciary duty etc. against a director arising out of acts in relation to an oil exploration licence and agreements with competitor companies (involving related actions in the US and Nevis).

Advising in relation to consequential loss under the LOGIC form.

Advising in relation to termination rights under the LOGIC form.

Advising EPC contractor on LNG project regarding force majeure and impact of the Covid 19 pandemic.

Worked on the Buncefield case on behalf of an oil major.

Andrew has long been recognised by Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 for his deep experience of shipbuilding, superyacht construction and ship repair disputes in litigation and arbitration around the world (most often in London, Europe and the Far East including arbitrations seated in Singapore and Hong Kong).

A mark of his expertise and standing in this area is that he was lead counsel (against a silk) in the leading English Commercial Court case on the operation of the force majeure and extension of time clauses and the prevention principle under the most commonly used shipbuilding form: Jiangsu Guoxin Corp Ltd (formerly Sainty Marine Corp Ltd) v Precious Shipping Public Co Ltd [2021] 1 Lloyd’s Rep. 413.

Cases he has worked on include FPSOs, FLNG, rigs, tankers, cable-lay and heavy lift vessels, ferries, tugs, polar cruise ships, scientific research vessels, bulk carriers, offshore supply vessels and superyachts.

Subject matters – as well as usual issues of termination / cancellation, delay, force majeure, extensions of time and refund guarantees – have included stern-tube bearing failures, stability, main engine issues, scrubbers, insulation, coatings and vibration.

Featured Shipbuilding, ship conversion, ship repair and scrapping cases

LMAA arbitration – Sole counsel for the yard in an arbitration regarding the cancellation of a €100 million superyacht. (Sole counsel against a silk)

Commercial Court – Jiangsu Guoxin Corp Ltd (formerly Sainty Marine Corp Ltd) v Precious Shipping Public Co Ltd [2021] 1 Lloyd’s Rep. 413 (Butcher J) – Andrew was lead counsel (against a QC) in the leading English case on the operation of the delay, extensions of time, force majeure and notice provisions under the SAJ form of shipbuilding contract. (Andrew was lead counsel for the claimants against Roderick Cordara QC for the defendant)

SCMA arbitration, Singapore seat – US$3 million claim on behalf of an Asian governmental entity. Disputes relating to the scrapping of three offshore oil rigs and a commercial guarantee. Andrew’s client obtained an award winning on all points. (Sole advocate at the final hearing over two weeks in Singapore)

LMAA, London – Acted for German buyers against a Chinese yard in concurrent arbitrations arising out of the cancellation of four newbuild vessels.  Three-day final hearing. (Sole counsel)

Commercial Court and LMAA arbitrations – Acted in dozens of claims relating to defective scrubber installation and a claim under corporate guarantee. (Sole counsel in Commercial Court hearing)

ICC, Paris seat – Jurisdiction challenge in claims bought by buyer of FSO. Andrew acted for the Asian yard challenging the buyer’s attempt to bring renewed >US$11m claims in a second arbitration under a contract applying the law of an African state. (Co-counsel with French lawyers)

HKIAC, Hong Kong – Andrew acted for the successful defendant Chinese shipyard in a two-week arbitration regarding the rejection of two newbuild bulk carriers on the grounds of allegedly defective hold coating. (With Alex Gunning QC)

Ad hoc, Rotterdam seat – Acting for a European yard in a series of 17 shipbuilding disputes. (Sole counsel)

LMAA, London – Acted for European buyers against a Chinese yard in claims totalling over US$22m relating to the cancellation of six newbuild vessels. (Sole counsel)

LMAA, London – Represented buyers in a claim for €5.4m as repayment of advance instalment after failure by Chinese yard to deliver newbuild vessel by cancellation date. (Sole counsel)

LMAA arbitration – US$100 million shipbuilding dispute in 11 LMAA arbitrations relating to 14 cancelled bulk carriers.  Issues of delay, prevention, EOTs and stern tube bearing failures. Involved 11 weeks of hearings and extensive work with and expert evidence from scientists and engineers (Part of a team of barristers; Andrew conducted oral advocacy and some cross examination; LMAA, London)

BV Scheepswerf Damen Gorinchem v Marine Institute (“CELTIC EXPLORER”) [2015] Lloyds Rep 351 (Flaux J) – Highly technical shipbuilding dispute with evidence on engineering and vibration analysis. Challenge to award under s.68 on the grounds of excessive delay and mere copying and pasting of claimant’s skeleton argument in the award. (With Nick Vineall QC)

Commercial Court – Injunction application under s.44 to prevent yard from taking steps that would endanger nearly complete vessel in its yard. (With Chirag Karia QC)

LMAA, London – Acted for a Chinese yard in three LMAA arbitrations regarding the cancellation of four specialist newbuild vessels. (Sole counsel)

LMAA arbitration – Acted for converters of FPSO in a long-running conversion dispute and disputes regarding the construction of multiple platforms off the coast of West Africa, yard in the UAE (With Vernon Flynn QC, Edmund King and Tom Ford).

Advised Employer on termination and breach of jack up rig contract for wind projects in Europe due to instability issues.

Advised owner of container vessel fleet on various claims in relation to defective installation of scrubbers.

Ad hoc, London seat – Acting for Chinese yard in relation to post-delivery warranty claims under an SAJ form shipbuilding contract.

Advising an Asian supplier and manufacturer in relation to alleged weld defects affecting a major FLNG conversion project.

Advising an engine manufacturer in relation to potential liability in tort for the failure of a ship’s main engine.

Advising owners of a fleet of newbuild vessels with a common defect on potential claims after the expiry of the SAJ form post-delivery warranty period.

Advising European buyers on rights and remedies under an option agreement for the construction of a number of newbuilds by a Chinese yard.

Advising on claims under various on demand refund guarantees and on applications for injunctive relief (in London and Singapore) against draw down under on demand bonds.

Andrew has significant experience of litigation and arbitration (often LMAA or trade association rules) in relation to commodities.  Many of his cases have raised issues relating to sanctions.

He is ranked by Chambers & Partners UK and Chambers & Partners Global for “Shipping and Commodities”.

He is also ranked by Legal 500 for “Regional International Arbitration – The Bar – Shipping and Commodities”.  Client feedback in Legal 500 has included that, “Andrew shows exceptional legal prowess, unwavering dedication and an unparalleled commitment to achieving the best possible outcome for clients” and that “he has a profound understanding of laws in shipping and international trade”.

Featured Commodities cases

Commercial Court – US$5m claim for failure to deliver Gasoil cargo. (Sole counsel)

LCIA arbitration, London seat – €5m dispute relating to sale of a Russian bulk commodity to an EU buyer where the seller was linked to a Russian listed / designate person under EU and UK sanctions regulations. Issues of sanctions law, force majeure and sanctions clauses. (Sole counsel)

Ad hoc, Hong Kong seat – US$5m claim for misdelivery of cargo of palm olein cargo. One-day hearing in Shenzhen. (Sole counsel)

Ad hoc, London seat – Acting for PRC claimant buyer of Russian steel in US$3m claim. One-week hearing in London. (Sole counsel)

GAFTA arbitration – Acting for defendant European exporter of wheat in claim for failure to ship goods. (Sole counsel)

FOSFA arbitration – Advising the buyer in an arbitration relating to Russian / Ukrainian crude sunflower oil. (Sole counsel)

LCIA, London seat – Acting for seller of coal rejected at discharge port. (Sole counsel)

SIAC, Singapore seat – Acting for seller of coal where buyer terminated sales contract for alleged breach of sampling and testing terms. (Sole counsel)

LMAA arbitration – Acting for claimants in US$24m claim in relation to the sale and export of a cargo of Venezuelan crude oil impacted by US sanctions. (Sole counsel)

Mercantile Court (now London Circuit Commercial Court) – Acted for claimant buyer in claim for damages for late delivery of fuel oil under FOB contract.

Advising purchasers of coal under a sales contract and contracts for the carriage of the coal as to claims for misdelivery and loss of cargo due to spontaneous combustion.

Italian litigation – providing opinion on English law as to incorporation of charterparty terms in a bill of lading for use in Italian litigation regarding a lien over a cargo.

Andrew is an experienced advocate and advisor in shipping disputes in litigation and in arbitration seated in London, Europe and Asia (particularly Singapore and Hong Kong).

 

Andrew has for several years been ranked as counsel for “Shipping” or “Shipping & Commodities” by Legal 500 UK Bar, Legal 500 Asia Pacific / Regional International Arbitration, Chambers & Partners UK and Chambers & Partners Global.

  • Chambers & Partners have described him as being “in demand for his capabilities in international shipping arbitrations”.
  • Client feedback in Legal 500 has included that, “Andrew shows exceptional legal prowess, unwavering dedication and an unparalleled commitment to achieving the best possible outcome for clients” and that “he has a profound understanding of laws in shipping and international trade”.

 

He has acted on scores of shipping disputes under MOAs, time and voyage charterparties, slot charters, bills of lading, contracts of affreightment, bareboat charterparties and under various major forms including e.g. BARECON, HEAVYCON, LOGIC, Linertime, Supplytime, NYPE, Shellvoy, Asbatankvoy, Gencon charters, Shipman and so on.

Much of his work involves urgent injunction applications (see the separate “Injunction” section of this CV).

He has particular experience of matters arising out of sanctions relating to Russia and Venezuela and the interplay with sanctions clauses, force majeure and foreign illegality.

His cases often give rise to jurisdiction and applicable law issues as well as issues of insurance and subrogation.

Andrew has also appeared in limitation claims before the Admiralty Registrar and ship mortgage and judicial sale matters in the Admiralty Court.

Featured Shipping cases

LMAA arbitration – Acting for claimants in US$24m claim in relation to the sale and export of a cargo of Venezuelan crude oil impacted by US sanctions. (Sole counsel)

LMAA arbitration – Andrew stepped in four days before a one-week hearing to replace a silk and junior as advocate for a claimant in its US$3.5m claim under a time charter for wrongful termination by the charterer after the charterer had given unlawful orders to trade in a war risk area and on a cross-strait trade. Andrew’s client won on all points.  (Sole advocate at trial)

SCMA arbitration, Singapore seat – c. US$3 million claim under HEAVYCON 2007 form and corporate guarantee. Andrew appeared as sole counsel in a hearing over two weeks in Singapore on behalf of a Chinese governmental entity. Disputes relating to three offshore oil rigs. Andrew’s client obtained an award winning on all points. (Sole advocate at trial)

Commercial Court – Amyr Trading Co Inc v Eternus Group Inc [2024] EWHC 2955 (Comm) – Andrew was sole counsel against a KC and successfully argued for the discharge of a s.44 without notice injunction preventing his client from discharging a cargo of Venezuelan hydrocarbons on grounds of lack of disclosure and urgency where there was an LCIA arbitration clause. (Sole counsel against a KC)

Commercial Court – Anti-suit injunction (granted by Sir Robin Knowles) to restrain pursuit in an EU member state of a claim for €25m in breach of High Court jurisdiction clauses and arbitration clauses in various slot charter terms. (Sole counsel)

Ad hoc, London seat – US$40m COA dispute relating to carriage of cargoes to West Africa (Sole counsel).

HKMAG, Hong Kong seat – a US$7m claim under a COA for failure to nominate cargos of industrial minerals for carriage. (Sole counsel)

LMAA arbitration – Acting for seller in dispute under SALEFORM 2012 MOA for sale of a vessel and claims totalling US$14m. (With Nick Vineall KC)

Commercial Court – Acting for a Korean defendant against a Chinese shipowner in a claim under a letter of indemnity following misdelivery of a chemical cargo. (Sole counsel)

HKIAC – Andrew acted with PRC counsel in a claim under a GENCON charterparty seeking an indemnity for RMB 12m liability for cargo damage.

Ad hoc arbitration – US$2.8m dispute under time charter for refusal to carry a cargo of coal and resulting detention of the vessel. (Sole counsel)

Ad hoc, Hong Kong seat – US$5m cargo misdelivery claim (bills of lading not presented). One-day hearing in Shenzhen. (Sole counsel)

LMAA arbitration – Sole advocate in a three-day hearing defending owners in a claim arising out of an allision with a gantry crane in a European port. (Sole counsel)

LMAA arbitrations – Defending a Chinese charterer against a US$39.2m claim for unpaid hire under a settlement agreement and MOU; issue of jurisdiction. (Sole counsel)

LMAA arbitration – Acting for claimant owners in US$20m claim for breach of a contract of affreightment for carriage of goods from Nigeria through failure to ship cargos. (Sole counsel)

LMAA arbitration – Acting for owners in US$5m claim under contract of affreightment; failure to ship multiple cargos. (Sole counsel)

LMAA arbitration – Safe port claim arising out of grounding of vessel in Asian port. (Sole counsel)

LMAA arbitration – US$2.6m claim for salvage costs arising out of grounding in a South American waterway and declaration for non-liability for general average. (Sole counsel)

Ad hoc, Hong Kong seat – Acting for defendant charterer in US$400,000 claim for demurrage and detention. (Sole counsel)

LMAA arbitration – Claim by owners for indemnity for supply of off-spec bunkers and for costs of legal proceedings in an African state. (Sole counsel)

LMAA arbitration – Various speed, performance, consumption and diversion / routing disputes. (Sole counsel)

LMAA arbitration – Claim for off hire and bunkers for refusal by Master to proceed into low-sulphur emission zone. (Sole counsel)

Italian litigation – providing opinion on English law as to incorporation of charterparty terms in a bill of lading for use in Italian litigation regarding a lien over a cargo.

Advising in relation to vessels stuck in the Black Sea / Ukraine in 2022 (frustration, war risks clauses, CONWARTIME additional war risks premium, redelivery obligations and detention).

LMAA intermediate claim – Acting for an owner in a claim for detention, demurrage and deadfreight. (Sole counsel)

LMAA arbitration – Claim for demurrage and breach of alleged settlement agreement. (Sole counsel)

LMAA arbitration – Acted for owner in substantial claim for hire in hull fouling dispute.

Mercantile Court (now London Circuit Commercial Court) – Acted for claimant buyer in claim for damages for late delivery of fuel oil under FOB contract.

LMAA arbitration – Acted for ship managers resisting two arbitration references seeking delivery up of documents relating to parallel court proceedings alleging deliberate scuttling of a vessel. (Sole counsel)

LMAA arbitration – Multiple speed and performance claims.

LMAA arbitration – Acting for claimant owner claiming over US$500,000 in unpaid hire and damages for repair costs for damage caused by stevedores.

LMAA arbitration – Claim for losses caused by non-delivery of a vessel (which carried out an intermediate fixture) fixed to carry 40,000MT of fuel oil and consequent “stock out” situation at refinery.

Advising purchasers of coal under a sales contract and contracts for the carriage of the coal as to claims for misdelivery and loss of cargo due to spontaneous combustion.

Advising owners on obligations in relation to transit through the Panama Canal under a charterparty.

LMAA arbitration – Claim for additional payments due for voyage to ice-bound port outside of trading limits. (Sole counsel)

LMAA arbitration – Acting for owner in US$1.5m demurrage claim under a voyage charterparty for the carriage of silica sand to China.

LMAA arbitration – Defending a US$4.3m claim for unpaid hire; issue of jurisdiction and identity of parties to a charterparty; US$800,000 counterclaim for speed and performance. (Sole counsel)

Advising in relation to liability under a charterparty after an allision between a vessel and a shore crane in the context of French litigation.

LMAA arbitration – Defending a Chinese charterer against a US$4.5m claim for unpaid hire; issue of jurisdiction and identity of parties to the charterparty. (Sole counsel)

LMAA arbitration – Defending an Asian airline group under a claim for US$4.5m under a guarantee. (Sole counsel)

Chinese litigation – Provision of written expert opinion on English law in relation to a misdelivery claim before the PRC courts.

Advised Employer on termination and breach of jack up rig contract for wind projects in Europe due to instability issues.

Assisting multi-jurisdictional team in relation to injunctions and claims for unpaid sums under charterparties and guarantees (London, Dubai and Malaysia).

Ad hoc, London seat – Chain of charterparty claims for deviation, deadfreight and demurrage under a GENCON voyage charter and NYPE form time charter. (Sole counsel)

LMAA arbitrations – Acting for vessel managers in claim under SHIPMAN 98 form and defending counterclaims for unjust enrichment.

LMAA arbitrations – Acting for head charterer in a chain of arbitrations and claims for over US$1.5m arising out of the arrest of a vessel in Egypt due to a contaminated cargo.

Advised owner of container vessel fleet on various claims in relation to defective installation of scrubbers.

Advising owner on various claims relating to unsafe berth, damage to gear and damage to hatch covers.

Advising owners on claims relating to intermediate hold cleaning and off hire.

LMAA arbitration – Acting for defendant charterer in claim for demurrage under contract of affreightment. (Sole counsel)

LMAA arbitration – Acting for defendant charterer against claim for US$1.3m arising out of arrest of vessel carrying a cargo of coal rejected at the delivery port in Bangladesh. (Sole counsel)

LMAA arbitration – Acting for owners claiming unpaid hire and damages for off-spec bunkers under ASBATIME form. (Sole counsel)

Advising owner regarding claims under Shelltime 4 for customs duties paid to Argentinian authorities.

LMAA arbitration – Acting for charterers in dispute under NYPE form time charter.

Advising owners on whether an obligation to proceed to the loadport under various charterparties is an absolute obligation where no ETA was given.

Advising in relation to consequential loss under the LOGIC form.

Advising in relation to termination rights under the LOGIC form.

LMAA arbitration – Acting for claimant charterers under Shelltime 4 form.

LMAA arbitration – Acting for Owner in US$880,000 claim for demurrage under GENCON 94 charterparty.

Advising owners on application of exceptions clauses, force majeure and demurrage/detention during Covid 19 pandemic.

Advising owner as to effect of off hire provisions where crew contracted Covid-19 during a port call during the pandemic.

Advising both parties to a BARECON charter as to liability for and split of opex and capex.

LMAA arbitration – Advising disponent owners under a long-term charterparty in US$1m claim for underperformance.

LMAA arbitration – Acting for claimant owners in claim for US$500,000 in unpaid hire; alleged off-hire due to refusal to prosecute legitimate orders. (Sole counsel)

LMAA arbitration – Acting for charterers in dispute regarding a grounding at an allegedly unsafe port.

LMAA arbitration – Acting for defendant charterer in a claim for detention and demurrage.

LMAA arbitration – Acting for charterers in relation to claim for damage caused by stevedores / dunnage. (Sole counsel)

Advising on jurisdictional issues and potential claims arising out of a lost container of French wine.

Advising on the terms of a contract of affreightment for the carriage of coal and iron ore.

Advising owners on terms of Supplytime charterparty and lien over charterer’s equipment.

Advising buyers under Saleform 2012 MOA on potential claim for latent defects.

Advising on liability for an allision between a vessel and a wind turbine in the North Sea.

Andrew has appeared in the Admiralty Court and before the Admiralty Registrar in cases such as the following:

  • Establishing limitation fund for claims arising out of the breaking free of a yacht from her mooring in a storm.
  • Establishing limitation fund for claims arising out of a vessel fire in a Greek harbour.
  • Sole counsel for a UK-Dutch bank and mortgagee in its successful claim for US$328,000,000 under a mortgage agreement by judgment in default and for the judicial sale of an arrested vessel (WFW, sole counsel).
  • Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd v Owners of the Sanko Mineral [2015] 1 Lloyd’s Rep. 247 (Teare J) – Andrew acted for the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi against an owner’s application to release a caution against the proceeds of sale where there was a foreign insolvency. (WFW, sole counsel)
  • Various judicial sales of vessels and default judgment applications acting for ship mortgagees pursuing claims in rem.
  • Assisting Singapore counsel in application for judicial management relating to a claim for US$171m.

Andrew has a growing practice in aviation matters.

Featured Aviation cases

Advising lenders regarding injunctive relief against a private jet linked to an EU jurisdiction and an African government.

Hangar 8 Management Ltd v Taleveras Group of Companies Ltd [2019] EWHC 2483 (Comm) – Andrew acted as sole counsel for the defendant in relation to a claim for unpaid excess flight hours charges where a debarring order was sought for non-payment of a costs order. (MFB, sole counsel)

London arbitration – Defending an Asian airline group under a claim for US$4.5m under a guarantee.

Andrew gave evidence on English law in Chinese litigation in relation to the meaning and effect of an English law Letter of Intent for the sale and purchase of a Boeing aircraft.

Much of Andrew’s work relates to issues or disputes arising out of policy wording or is backed by insurers.

Featured Insurance & Reinsurance cases

Commercial Court – Anti-suit injunction (to restrain pursuit of high value litigation commenced in the USA) obtained on behalf of seven Bermuda underwriters in support of arbitration clauses in 26 policies. Parallel anti-suit application also made in Bermuda. Ex parte. (With Alex Potts KC)

Commercial Court – Anti-suit injunction application to restrain pursuit in China of litigation where policy wording contained a London arbitration clause. (Sole counsel)

Acting for and advising insurers in various construction and property damage claims (see section on Construction, Engineering and Adjudication).

Advising on marine insurance terms.

Advising on matters of jurisdiction in the context of subrogation in arbitration claims.

Halliburton v Chubb [2020] UKSC 48 (UK Supreme Court) – Andrew acted for an intervener in a s.24 application arising out of a Bermuda Form arbitration and the repeat appointment of an arbitrator by insurers in related matters. (HFW, led by Nick Vineall QC)

 Andrew has experience of advising on matters involving sanctions and has acted in cases where sanctions are relied upon as excusing non-performance (e.g. under a sanctions clause, force majeure clause, or on the basis of foreign illegality).

Featured Sanctions cases

Advising (with Alex Haines) on an application to OFSI and on the ability to make payment to a blocked / frozen account under the UK Russia Regulations and the EU Regulation.

LMAA arbitration – Acting for claimants in US$24m claim in relation to the sale and export of a cargo of Venezuelan crude oil impacted by US sanctions. (Sole counsel)

LCIA arbitration, London seat – €5m dispute relating to sale of a Russian bulk commodity to an EU buyer where the seller was linked to a Russian listed / designate person under EU and UK sanctions regulations. (Sole counsel)

Andrew has given seminars and training on sanctions issues in commercial disputes.

4 Pump Court speaking at various event at LIDW 2025

Members and clerks of 4 Pump Court look forward to speaking at and attending a variety of events during this year's...

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Andrew Stevens to attend Paris Arbitration Week 2025

Andrew Stevens will be in Paris for Arbitration Week. Andrew is a UK delegate to the ICC Commission on Arbitration and...

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4 Pump Court attending Riyadh International Disputes Week 2025

Sanjay Patel KC, Thomas Crangle, George Woods, Andrew Stevens, Laurence Page and Richard Sumarno will be in Riyadh...

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Dubai Arbitration Week 2024

Rachel Ansell KC, Sanjay Patel KC, Laurence Page, Andrew Stevens, Quentin Tannock, Katy Handley, Jacob Haddad and...

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Instruct Andrew

To instruct Andrew please contact our clerks on +44 (0)20 7842 5523 or email [email protected].

  • DIFC Courts, Dubai, UAE (Part II Registered advocate; Full rights of audience)
  • AIFC Court, Astana, Kazakhstan (Rights of audience)
  • ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR (UK Delegate)
  • London Commercial Circuit Court, Users’ Committee
  • Bar Council, International Committee
  • London Shipping Law Centre, YMP Committee
  • Lord Denning and Lord Eastham Scholarships, Lincoln’s Inn
  • Falcon Chambers Prize for Land Law, University of Cambridge (highest mark in year)
  • Steers Prize for Law, Selwyn College, University of Cambridge
  • Gilbert Prizes for Modern Languages, Selwyn College, University of Cambridge
  • Abraham Scholarships, Selwyn College, University of Cambridge
  • Tripos Prizes for Modern Languages, Selwyn College, University of Cambridge
  • Imber-Lloyd Tallow Chandlers Award, Selwyn College, University of Cambridge (contribution to college life)
  • Andrew is one of the authors of the 6th edition of The Arbitration Act 1996 a Commentary (Edited by Bruce Harris). He is responsible for a number of chapters on sections of the 1996 Act as well as the chapter on Commercial Court procedure and a chapter on anti-suit injunctions and anti-arbitration injunctions.
  • “Protecting the Lifeblood of International Commerce: Parties Beware” [2010] L.M.C.L.Q 548
  • “Is it “make your mind up” time? Cancellation and waiver in shipbuilding contracts”, Maritime Risk, September 2011 (with Sean O’Sullivan)
  • “Charter by conduct: TTMI v Statoil” Insurance Day (with Sean O’Sullivan)
  • “Refund guarantees under shipbuilding contracts. Review of recent English judgments” Nordisk Medlemsblad No. 571 (with Karl Even Rygh and Henrik Aadnesen)
  • ICC
  • LCIA Users’ Council
  • HKIAC HK45
  • LMAA (Supporting Member)
  • Combar
  • TECBAR
  • BA Law & Modern Languages: French & German (Cambridge University)
  • MA Law (Cambridge University)
  • BVC (BPP Law School, London)
  • French (fluent) – Andrew often works on cases with a French nexus and works in French
  • German (good)
  • Mandarin (very basic)

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