Robert
Chadwick

Robert handles a wide range of shipping and commodities disputes in both London and International Arbitration (under LMAA, LCIA, GAFTA, ICC, and SIAC rules) and before the Courts of England & Wales. Robert is regularly instructed on behalf of P&I Clubs, Owners, Charterers and traders, and has gained valuable industry experience in undertaking two periods of secondment with a leading International Group P&I Club overseas.

Robert specialises in all aspects of shipping and has significant experience of providing assistance as issues arise as well as advising on the full spectrum of shipping disputes including claims for hire, freight and demurrage, bunker quality disputes, cargo claims (including dangerous cargo and recoveries under the Interclub Agreement), Bill of Lading (including misdelivery), shipbuilding, collision and General Average disputes.

The majority of Robert’s cases are determined in London Arbitration but recent examples include acting for the Owners in a claim for General Average contributions following an allision, for the successful Respondent Charterers in an unsafe berth dispute, including, in the absence of VDR data, the use of reconstructive AIS data to establish the movement of vessels in Port, for the Charterers in respect of a declaration of General Average following a main engine breakdown. In addition to Robert’s practice in Arbitration, Robert has also successfully represented clients before the Courts, notably in The Alpha Harmony [2020] 1 Lloyd’s Rep 409.

Robert also frequently advises clients with disputes arising under Commodities Sale and Purchase Contracts, both when disputes arise independently under the Commodities Contract and as part of wider disputes arising under contracts of carriage, including as to the recoverability of hedging losses.

In handling both shipping and commodities disputes, Robert is experienced in obtaining and resisting interlocutory relief in the form of anti-suit and freezing injunctions from the Courts.

Robert has experience of managing litigation on behalf of Clients in other jurisdictions and successfully obtaining security and enforcing Arbitration Awards and Judgments on behalf of Clients around the world, including by the arrest of vessels and piercing the corporate veil.