Bareboat Charters book published
Earlier this month, the book on Bareboat Charters was released. Authored by Ed Jones, James Leabeater KC, Rani Noakes, Sean O’Sullivan KC, Robert Scrivener, Thomas Steward, James Watthey and Alexander Wright KC, this book examines and explains the law relevant to bareboat or demise charterparties, a common form of maritime contract used by both operators […]
29th April 2025
Six members of Chambers feature in The Pro Bono Recognition List 2025
The Pro Bono Recognition List has been published today which recognises solicitors and barristers who undertook 25 hours or more legal pro bono over the last year. We are delighted to share that Alex Potts KC, Jennie Gillies, James Watthey, George Woods, Ruth Bala and Anna Hoffmann have featured. Set up under the sponsorship of […]
7th April 2025
“The Lord Hassan” [2024] EWHC 3305 (Comm): James Watthey obtains order for sale over liened third-party cargo
When can a shipowner sell liened cargo? In “The Lord Hassan”, the Commercial Court confirmed that shipowners can sell cargo over which it has had a lien for unpaid freight, even where that cargo belongs to a third party consignee. The Judge, Mr Justice Bryan, also clarified the position where “freight pre-paid” bills of lading […]
14th January 2025
James Watthey and Kajetan Wandowicz called to the Bar of the British Virgin Islands
We are delighted to announce that James Watthey and Kajetan Wandowicz have been called to the Bar of the British Virgin Islands. James specialises in commercial litigation and arbitration, and has particular experience in shipping, commodities, shipbuilding, energy, and offshore construction. Directories describe him as a “simply brilliant” barrister who is “strong across the board […]
27th June 2024
Limitation of liability: the Court of Appeal rules that a marina is a “dock” and can limit liability
Holyhead Marina Ltd v Farrer & ors [2021] EWCA Civ 1585 Overnight on 1 – 2 March 2018, Holyhead Marina was destroyed by Storm Emma, leading to the total loss of 89 vessels moored on the floating pontoons from which the marina was constructed. The total claim value was in the region of £5 million […]
3rd November 2021
Anti-suit injunctions: foreign proceedings in breach of an (alleged) English jurisdiction agreement.
In HAPPY LUCKY -v- FESCO VOYAGER, James Watthey successfully defeated an anti-suit injunction application in the Commercial Court in September. Judgment was given ex tempore and the transcript has just been approved. The application arose out of a collision off Vietnam. There were negotiations over applicable law, jurisdiction and security, but in due course owners […]
12th October 2021
James Watthey has been newly appointed to the Attorney General’s London A Panel of Junior Counsel to the Crown
4 Pump Court is delighted to announce that James Watthey has been appointed to the Attorney General’s London A Panel of Junior Counsel to the Crown. The panel consists of junior counsel who undertake civil work for all government departments. Members of the A Panel are instructed in the most complex and high profile government […]
11th August 2021
London International Shipping Week 2021
London International Shipping Week 2021 is a week long global shipping and maritime event that is being held during the week of September 13-17, in person and virtually, attracting audiences from jurisdictions globally. LISW21 offers over 150 industry functions and unique networking opportunities for leaders across all sectors of the international shipping industry – regulators, charterers, […]
Farrer v Holyhead Marina goes to the Court of Appeal
On 11th January 2021, the Court of Appeal granted permission to appeal from the decision of Teare J in Farrer v. Holyhead Marina [2020] EWHC 1750 (Admlty) in which it was ruled that a marina constituted a “dock” for the purposes of section 191 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 and that the marina operators […]
11th January 2021
Urgent out of hours commercial injunctions: an excellent advert for the English courts
In ETC Export Trading Company SA v APLAS Importer & Berhan Bank SC [2020] EWHC 3229 (QB) (26 November 2020), James Watthey (instructed by a multi-jurisdictional team from Baker & McKenzie LLP) obtained an urgent without notice injunction after an out of hours hearing on Microsoft Teams before Pepperall J. In order to preserve the […]
26th November 2020
Can marina operators limit liability under s.191 Merchant Shipping Act? Holyhead Marina Ltd v Farrer &ors [2020]...
James Watthey appeared in this case before the Admiralty Judge involving a very rare dispute on the right in principle to limit under s.191. The case provides the only authority for the timebeing in English law on the main point in dispute: whether a marina is (or can in certain circumstances be) a “dock” for […]
7th July 2020
Freezing injunctions over ships: Crowther v Crowther & ors [2020] EWCA Civ 762
James Watthey appeared in this rare re-marriage (or perhaps collision) of the Divorce and Admiralty jurisdictions in the Court of Appeal. Mr and Mrs Crowther formerly ran a business which specialised in chartering out offshore support vessels but they are now in the process of heavily contested divorced proceedings. Mrs Crowther alleges that the couple […]
16th June 2020
Would you like to know more?
For help and advice talk to a member of our clerking team. They can advise on the best options for your matter.
Call: +44 (0) 20 7842 5555
