Hill Dickinson News

International maritime law specialist Hill Dickinson announced the death of Patrick Hawkins, head of its office in Greece.Hawkins died in the hospital on August 20, having suffered a heart attack in early July. His funeral took place in Athens on Monday.Announcing his death, David Wareing and Tony Goldsmith, heads of Hill Dickinson’s Marine and Trade Group, said, “It is with enormous sadness that we have to inform you of the passing of our much loved colleague Patrick Hawkins.

The Wuhan coronavirus outbreak has placed the shipping industry on high alert amid a rising death toll in China and reports that the fast-spreading illness is reaching new shores.The flu-like coronavirus, first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China on December 31, has killed more than two dozen people in China and is believed to have infected more than 900 worldwide, according to several media reports. Cases have been confirmed in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong, and internationally in travelers returning from China to Japan…

The finalists of the 2017 Mersey Maritime Industry Awards (MMIAs) have been announced. The winners will be revealed at a prestigious black tie dinner that will have a Ministerial presence and promises to bring together the best of the maritime industry right across the Maritime, Logistics and Energy spectrum in the region. The MMIAs are organised by sector representative body Mersey Maritime and the Awards recognise the excellence and diversity that exists across all sectors of the maritime industry in the North West. Chris Shirling-Rooke, Chief Executive, Mersey Maritime, said: “The number and quality of entries for the 2017 MMIAs has risen for the third consecutive year, which will make for an exciting awards evening when the winners are announced on 9th March.

International law firm Hill Dickinson has announced that its application to operate as a single entity in Hong Kong has been approved by the Law Society of Hong Kong following the completion of a three year period of association with a local Hong Kong firm, as required by local regulations. Currently operating as Hill Dickinson Hong Kong LLP in association with Laracy & Co, the transition will marry the two firms together as one single Hong Kong firm under the name Hill Dickinson Hong Kong, taking effect from 1 April 2017. Hill Dickinson opened its Hong Kong office in 2013 providing a convenient pan-Asia base for its clients, following expansion into Singapore in 2009.

International law firm Hill Dickinson continues to strengthen its growing commodities team with the return of partner Andrew Buchmann. Following qualification in South Africa, Andrew joined Hill Dickinson’s London office in 2003. He returned to South Africa in 2008, where he established a commodities consultancy, advising on commodity trading transactions and contentious issues in relation to physical trades, shipping, finance and insurance. both the UK and Sub-Saharan markets. Commenting on Andrew’s arrival, Hill Dickinson Head of Commodities, Jeff Isaacs, said: “We’re delighted Andrew has decided that he can best move forward with his legal career in London and with Hill Dickinson. Andrew added: “I am pleased to be back at Hill Dickinson, especially at such an exciting time for the firm.

UK Industry trade body Mersey Maritime has announced a new trade agreement with the Isle of Man Shipping Association (IOMSA) which aims to supercharge bilateral trade, particularly among small to medium sized businesses. The agreement was announced at a special reception during the International Festival of Business in Liverpool UK and has resulted from a series of discussions facilitated by the Isle of Man Ship Registry, which is an Executive Club member of Mersey Maritime, and other IoM based companies such as software engineer PDMS, both of which are also involved with IOMSA.

London International Shipping Week (LISW) is proud to announce Inmarsat Global Ltd as Lead Diamond Sponsor for LISW 2017. Inmarsat is a British satellite telecommunications company which provides mobile communication services to the maritime industry worldwide. Inmarsat continues to be highly supportive of LISW, choosing to renew their prestigious diamond sponsorship positioning, which the company held in both 2015 and 2013. “London International Shipping Week is a highlight in the global maritime calendar,” says Ronald Spithout, Inmarsat Maritime President. “The UK has been a driving force in the maritime industry from the beginning.

Allegations of illnesses caused by being on board a ship can lead to significant costs for shipowners. UK P&I Club Senior Claims Executive Victoria Brown reviews shipowners’ liabilities and the implications of a recent court case on future claims. Claims from passengers alleging that they have contracted gastric illness whilst on Members’ ships are common, and defending them requires significant amounts of documentation to establish that proper procedures were followed to prevent the occurrence and spread of infection, along with evidence that the illness was not caused by any fault on the part of the ship or its crew. Consequently, members have often ended up settling these types of claims.

Hill Dickinson is pleased to announce that Captain Joe Quain, formerly of Bentley’s Stokes and Lowless, will be joining the firm as a partner in the Singapore office with effect from 1 September 2015 bringing the firm’s strength of Master Mariner lawyers to six in total. His appointment will enhance the already impressive international standing of the shipping team in Singapore which achieved impressive results in the most recent Chamber's rankings featuring in the top tier for shipping litigation and with recognition for all five of the current partners.

In what is being seen as a landmark decision, Hill Dickinson is the first law firm to have successfully defended a UK class action case involving a Norovirus outbreak onboard a cruise liner. The case, which involved an outbreak of gastroenteritis onboard the “THOMSON SPIRIT”, chartered by TUI UK limited and operated by Louis Cruise, was a 43-claimant class action, 28 of whom had alleged bacterial illness with the balance claiming breach of contract. The case was brought against TUI UK Limited who as contracting carrier would have been liable for the fault or neglect of the performing carrier…

Tomorrow 23rd June international law firm Hill Dickinson LLP will be holding  its UK Ports Conference focusing on ‘The Future of UK Ports: changing regulation, shipping trend updates and new opportunities in the supply chain’. The 7th Annual UK Ports Conference will allow senior representatives from across the ports, shipping and maritime sector to network and discuss policy updates, shipping trends and the latest logistics and supply chain guidance. The day will also look at how to approach port development and funding and hear from UK ports on how ports can support the economic development of the local area and the wider UK. Another discussion point will be on EU state aid and the key risk factors are for UK ports.

Hill Dickinson is pleased to announce the promotion of Kamal Mukhi of its commodities team to the position of Legal Director, with effect from October 1, 2013.   In addition, seven members of its marine, trade and energy team have been promoted to the position of Associate. They include: Rebecca Maddison (shipping), Francesco Tundo (shipping) and Fedra Koulle (PI Regulatory) in the London City office and Alex Teji of the London yachts team; Timon Karamanos (shipping) based in Piraeus and Richard Allingham (cargo and logistics) in our Manchester office

International law firm Hill Dickinson LLP is pleased to announce the enhancement of its Asian practice with the opening of a new office in Hong Kong to work in partnership with its well-established Singapore team. This expansion, the firm's second new international location to open this year following the successful launch of the yacht team's Monaco office, will operate in association with Laracy & Co led by experienced litigator and arbitrator, Damien Laracy, and will see Master Mariner and long-standing partner…

Hill Dickinson’s market-leading marine, trade and energy group announced its latest series of promotions. A total of eight promotions have been made across the group’s yacht, shipping and energy and commodities teams. Pawel Wysocki, Stuart Kempson and Ian MacLean have been promoted to Partner. Susan Leonard and Mary Prentice have taken on the role as Legal Director and Thomas Frei, Fergal Quinn and Edward Hicks have been promoted to Associate.

International law firm Hill Dickinson has appointed Ian MacLean as a partner to its London office, where he will focus on his international client base of ship owners, ship managers and their insurers. This appointment provides the firm with five former mariners at partner level, with Ian joining the existing team of Mike Mallin, Tony Goldsmith, Phil Haddon and Andrew Gray. This team is further strengthened by another five ex-mariner assistants, two of whom are qualified solicitors.

InterManager appoints Gerardo Borromeo president, joined by four new vice-presidents. InterManager, is an international trade association for in-house and third party ship managers presently has a membership of 91 – both Full and Associate members – involved in the management of almost 5,000 vessels and some 250,000 crew. Mr Borromeo, who was elected unopposed at InterManager's AGM in Copenhagen, succeeds Alastair Evitt, Managing Director of Meridian Marine Management, who has completed his two-year term of office. The AGM also voted in four new Vice Presidents to focus on specific areas of InterManager business. They are: Alex Albertini (Marfin Management) who takes up the role of Treasurer…

InterManager, the international trade association for in-house and third party ship managers, has today appointed Gerardo Borromeo as its new President with immediate effect. Mr Borromeo, who was elected unopposed [October 11] InterManager AGM in Copenhagen, succeeds Alastair Evitt, Managing Director of Meridian Marine Management, who has completed his two-year term of office. The AGM also voted in four new Vice Presidents to focus on specific areas of InterManager business. They are: Alex Albertini (Marfin Management) who takes up the role of Treasurer…

InterManager, the international trade association for the ship management industry, has started 2012 with significant expansion. In the first month of this year InterManager has welcomed two Full Members – ship management companies Histria and Green Wave – and two Associate Members – international law firm Hill Dickinson and crew communications provider SMART Link. And building on this momentum, InterManager has appointed Captain Paddy McKnight to the role of its International Maritime Organisation Permanent representative.