Christopher
Wood

Chris handles a broad range of maritime and commercial disputes and also advises Clients in relation to non-contentious matters. In particular, Chris has extensive experience of disputes arising under bareboat, time and voyage Charterparties as well as claims under bills of lading or other carriage related contracts. Whilst the majority of Chris’ dispute resolution practice concerns litigation or arbitration in London (where Chris has handled hundreds of arbitrations under the LMAA, LCIA and ICC terms), Chris also has experience of conducting arbitration in Hong Kong and Singapore and has assisted Clients in relation to litigation in a number of foreign jurisdictions on points concerning English law, including litigation in Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, mainland China, India and Bangladesh.

In relation to non-contentious matters, Chris has advised Clients on sale and purchase agreements, chartering arrangements and contracts for the construction and sale of newbuildings including bulk and LNG vessels.

Chris has acted in a number of high profile and ground breaking disputes in the High Court and Court of Appeal. In particular Chris was acted in The Paiwan Wisdom [2012] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 416 concerning the right to refuse to proceed under CONWARTIME 2004, The Aqasia [2018] 1 Lloyd’s Rep. 530 concerning the application of the package limitation contained in the Hague Rules to bulk cargoes and The Capetan Giorgis [2018] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 452 concerning the application of the Centrocon arbitration clause to chain contracts and applications for the extension of time for commencement of arbitration under s.12 of the Arbitration Act 1996.

Before joining the firm as an Employed Barrister in 2008, Chris completed pupillage at a leading set of commercial and shipping chambers. Chris remains an employed barrister and retains full higher rights of audience. He has appeared in arbitration hearings and in the Commercial Court on short and urgent applications particularly in relation to applications for freezing and Vasso type orders under s. 44 of the Arbitration Act 1996.