• Advise members on Freight, Demurrage and Defence (FD&D) matters, including contractual disputes arising from the operation of ships.
• Handle disputes involving charterparties, bills of lading, contracts of affreightment, sale contracts, shipbuilding and repair contracts, towage agreements, and other maritime commercial contracts.
• Provide legal opinions and strategic advice on shipping, trade, and commercial law matters.
• Manage claims from initial notification through to negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or litigation.
• Instruct and liaise with external lawyers, correspondents, surveyors, experts, and other service providers worldwide.
• Review and draft commercial and maritime contracts, identifying legal and commercial risks.
• Advise members on sanctions, regulatory developments, international conventions, and contractual obligations affecting shipping operations.
• Monitor legal developments within the maritime industry and provide guidance to members and internal stakeholders.
• Deliver legal seminars, training sessions, and publications on shipping law and FD&D-related topics.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with members, brokers, law firms, and industry partners.

Requirements

• Qualified lawyer with admission to practise in a recognised jurisdiction.
• Minimum 3–5 years of post-qualification experience in shipping, maritime, or commercial law.
• Experience handling FD&D, charterparty, cargo, or commercial shipping disputes gained within a P&I Club, shipping company, maritime law firm, or marine insurer.
• Strong knowledge of English maritime law, charterparty forms (e.g. GENCON, NYPE, BALTIME), bills of lading, carriage of goods by sea, and international trade.
• Familiarity with arbitration proceedings, particularly LMAA, SCMA, or other recognised maritime arbitration forums.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation, analytical, and dispute resolution skills.
• Strong commercial awareness and ability to provide practical, business-oriented legal advice.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple matters independently in a fast-paced international environment.