the superyacht law firm

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One of the world’s leading international superyacht law firms.

Bargate Murray is one of the world’s top international superyacht law firms. The firm has extensive experience in this highly niche area. We act for ultra high net worth (UHNW) individuals and work alongside other industry professionals such as yacht captains, naval architects and designers, family offices and other lawyers that require specialist advice in this niche area. We also act for shipyards

A key feature of our work in this area is our hands-on personal service and our commitment to discretion and confidentiality. Rather than delivering our work in a “one size fits all” approach, we tailor our approach around the needs of our individual clients. This is something that our clients value a great deal. Our work as superyacht lawyers requires us to cover a range of legal issues. These include yacht construction, yacht sale and purchase, yacht regulation, yacht finance and taxation. Many of these transactions are highly complicated and involve several jurisdictions. For example, whilst the sale contract for a yacht might be subject to English law, the yacht itself may be flagged in the Cayman Islands (which has a first rate shipping registry) and owned by a company incorporated in a third jurisdiction.

Having an experienced superyacht lawyer on your side is essential as it is often necessary to come up with creative ideas to overcome any number of issues that may arise. For example, the firm recently negotiated a novel payment mechanism with a well-known European shipyard to facilitate the funding of a large project.

Two recent deals handled by the firm had a combined value of approximately €130m. We were also recently involved in the sale of a 60m+ yacht for USD$22m and the purchase of a 40m yacht for approximately USD$10m. We have advised on several new financings, including a collateralised loan agreement for a UHNW individual in relation to a yacht and private jet.

Contact us on [email protected] or by using the ‘Get in touch’ link below.

Our experience includes:

• Yacht sale and purchase agreements
• Negotiating, drafting and reviewing yacht construction agreements
• Conversion and repair agreements
• Crew agreements
• Contracts with professionals such as architects and designers
• Bank and other finance arrangements
• Performance guarantees
• Project management agreements
• Flagging and registration
• Corporate issues and ownership structures
• Dispute Resolution, including arbitration and litigation

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• 24/7 crisis management

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Latest updates, comprehensively yachts.

HFW is an international law firm with over 700 lawyers working across our global network. We advise clients on legal issues in relation to all aspects of international commerce and we are regarded as one of the world’s leading shipping law firms. The expertise, experience and reputation earned in commercial shipping over our nearly 140 years in business is carried into our yacht practice.

Our yacht team has been an integral part of the yacht industry for over 30 years and has a physical presence in many of the major yachting jurisdictions. The enduring relationships developed with the owners, builders, designers, financiers, insurers, brokers and managers of yachts, our in-depth knowledge of the yacht industry and our international reach ensure we are pre-eminent in the field.

Holman Fenwick has a market-leading yacht practice which draws on the experience of its world-renowned shipping team. Holman Fenwick is regarded as “one of the most prominent firms around,” with a “very high profile in the yachting world.” The firm represents some of the world’s leading shipyards as well as a number of prominent HNW yacht owners.

“Every question, advice or legal paper concerning my business is individually tailored to the project or client; HFW has proven to be able to handle it all. They are very well connected within the industry and are viewed as an industry standard.”

“Between the Monaco and London offices, and a global presence, their network allows them to address every issue that may arise in yachting.”

“HFW are an excellent yacht and maritime law firm,” says an interviewee, who adds that “they have a very deep bench and an extremely well-qualified yacht law team.” The firm’s “extremely professional” yacht lawyers advise clients on sophisticated cross-border financings, transactions and contentious matters.

“HFW are well positioned in the super yacht industry to have in-depth market and commercial knowledge,” says a source.

Our yacht team is positioned to assist with any aspect of constructing, purchasing and operating a yacht. We, of course, cannot disclose details of our clients or any of the projects in which we have been involved. However, we are routinely involved in some of the largest and most complex projects in the yacht industry.

For further information about our comprehensive yacht offering, please read our brochure here.

Design agreements and intellectual property issues

Construction agreements

• Pre and post-delivery financing, restructuring and work out arrangements

Yacht sale and purchase transactions

Ownership structures

Registration arrangements

Import and export formalities

VAT/Customs issues

Management agreements

Crewing and employment matters

Refit and repair contracts

• Charter agreements

Sale and purchase of berths

Physical and cyber security arrangements

Health, safety and regulatory compliance

Business jets and helicopters

• Tenders, submersibles and other ancillary equipment

Yacht arrest and dispute resolution

Admiralty and crisis management

• Insurance arrangements, including questions of coverage

Jay specialises in yacht and ship building, yacht and ship sale and purchase, yacht, ship and asset finance, corporate law and international trade.

Position : Partner Specialism : Transactional

London Tel: +44 (0)20 7264 8386 Email Jay

Andrew Charlier

Andrew Charlier is co-head of HFW’s yacht team and head of the firm’s Monaco office. He specialises in yacht purchase and sale, construction and finance, with 30 years’ experience of representing owners on all aspects of the yachting industry. He also assists clients with the sale, purchase and ownership of private jets.

Monaco Tel: +377 92 00 13 22 Email Andrew

William MacLachlan

William advises on a wide range of yacht related matters with a particular focus on VAT, design/intellectual property, construction, sale and purchase, charter, management, refit and repair, and also advises on physical and cyber security on board yachts. He spent 8 months seconded to a leading German yacht builder.

William is a trustee of the Mission to Seafarers, one of HFW’s global charity partners, and a member of the board of advisers of the ‘She of the Sea’ campaign to encourage diversity amongst those employed at sea in the yachting industry.

London Tel: +44 (0)20 7264 8007 Email William

Adam has over 20 years’ experience in the industry and acts regularly for banks and other financial institutions as well as for owners, advising them on finance transactions and sale and purchase of yachts, as well as registrations, management and operating issues.

London Tel: +44 (0)20 7264 8264 Email Adam

Alistair Feeney

Alistair has more than 15 years’ experience of handling disputes relating to yacht construction, sale and purchase, refit and repair, charters and broking.  He has acted for builders, owners, charterers and brokers in arbitration and court proceedings in many jurisdictions, including obtaining arrest orders and other protective measures.  Alistair works closely with other members of HFW’s yacht team in managing disputes from an early stage, with the aim of achieving early, successful outcomes.

Position : Partner Specialism : Disputes

London Tel: +44 (0)20 7264 8424 Email Alistair

Tom Walters

Before joining HFW in 2002, Tom worked for seven years for a naval architecture practice on the UK’s south coast designing superyachts. Tom regularly deals with yacht casualties, insurance claims and transportation disputes. His technical background means he has also been involved with a number of technical cases and construction disputes concerning yachts. Tom advises on the use of Maritime Autonomous Systems (MAS) technology in response to the increasing demand for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and Autonomous Surface Vessels (ASVs). Tom is a member of The Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA) and works with the Society of Underwater Technology (SUT) advising on various legal issues. He is also a member of various SUT Sub-Committees, including Salvage & Emergency Subsea Response and Technology and Innovation.

Position : Partner Specialism : Insurance & Admiralty & Crisis Management

London Tel: +44 (0)20 7264 8285 Email Tom

Alex specialises in marine insurance and crisis response. He has advised both yacht owners and insurers on a variety of matters affecting large yachts, including fires, groundings, missing vessels, damage sustained whilst being transported, structural defects, main engine damage and damage to gel coatings. He has also advised on yacht casualties including those requiring salvage assistance. Alex has undertaken a secondment at a leading London marine insurer.

London Tel: +44 (0)20 7264 8432 Email Alex

Alex Sayegh

Alex specialises in the transactional aspects of the commercial yachting industries; advising owners, shipyards and financiers on the construction, refit, repair, sale and purchase of various types of vessels. He has a particular focus on construction contracts for new builds and has extensive experience of negotiating with shipyards and yacht builders throughout the world. Alex also regularly lectures on the subjects of shipbuilding and sale and purchase contracts.

Position : Legal Director Specialism : Transactional

London Tel: +44 (0)20 7264 8394 Email Alex

Jessica Taylor

Jessica specialises in the transactional side of yachting and commercial shipping, advising owners, shipyards, financial institutions, brokerage houses, and designers on all aspects of the construction, refit, sale and purchase, design, management, crewing and chartering of large yachts.

London Tel: +44 (0)20 7264 8020 Email Jessica

Thomas Willan

Thomas specialises in asset finance, with a particular emphasis on ship, superyacht and aviation finance. He advises commercial and private wealth banks and other financial institutions, investors, owners, charterers and manufacturers in connection with pre- and post-delivery bilateral and syndicated financings and general banking arrangements. His work also covers sale and purchase, leasing arrangements, restructurings and workouts. Thomas has spent time on client secondment at a specialist transport finance bank.

London Tel: +44 (0)20 7264 8544 Email Thomas

Ian is a banking and finance lawyer with specialist experience in the shipping, superyacht, offshore and aviation sectors. Ian advises banks and other financial institutions, funds, Islamic investors, insurance companies and owners on a variety of matters including new financings, sale and purchase, leasing, restructurings, work outs and enforcements.

Ian is a member of the executive committee of Superyacht UK (part of the British Marine Federation), the membership association of the UK superyacht industry, representing the interests of the industry in the UK and internationally.

London Tel: +44 (0)20 7264 8274 Email Ian

Michelle Chance

Michelle Chance has over 20 years’ experience advising on complex and sensitive employment matters, which often involve discrimination and where the stakes in terms of monetary value and reputational risk are high. Michelle’s specific yacht experience includes advising on the impact of sanctions on potential employment claims of unionised crew members, as well as drafting seafarers employment agreements and advising on and updating employment policies and procedures for crew members in the light of an International Human Rights At Sea investigation into claims of bullying and harassment.

Position : Partner Specialism : Employment

London Tel: +44 (0)20 7264 8384 Email Michelle

Mark Thompson

Mark is a Senior Manager & Senior Master Mariner and forms part of our shipping emergency response team. Mark deals with yacht casualties, including fires, collisions, groundings, helicopter incidents, tender/PWC related accidents, pollution, total loss and salvage. Mark attends the scene of yacht casualties in order to manage the casualty response, liaise with other interested parties and protect or Clients’ interests.

Before joining HFW, Mark had 17 years seagoing experience, and has sailed as Master on high speed passenger vessels and freight RoRo vessels. Mark has a background as a marine casualty investigator, holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Applied Navigation, HND in Nautical Science and is qualified as a Specialist Navigating Officer with the Royal Navy.

Position : Senior Manager & Senior Master Mariner Specialism : Admiralty & Crisis Management

London Tel: +44 (0) 20 7264 8528 Email Mark

Zoe Triantafyllou

Zoe advises yacht finance providers and yacht owners on a wide range of transactional matters including debt finance, export credit finance, leasing structures, restructuring, refinancing and sale and purchase.

She has also spent time working at HFW’s Piraeus office and speaks fluent Greek.

Position : Senior Associate Specialism : Transactional

London Tel: +44 (0)20 7264 8243 Email Zoe

Amalia Tzima

Amalia specialises in the transactional aspects of yachting. She advises owners, shipyards, brokerage houses and designers on matters involving the construction, refit/repair, design, sale and purchase, management and registration of yachts.

Position : Associate Specialism : Transactional

London Tel: +44 (0)20 7264 8220 Email Amalia

Zain specialises in transactional, finance and corporate work and advises yacht owners on yacht sale and purchase, crewing and management arrangements.

London Tel: +44 (0)20 7264 8369

Pauline Arroyo

Pauline Arroyo is a partner based in HFW’s Paris office. With a broad experience in yacht-related VAT and customs matters, she advises on EU and French VAT and customs issues in all types of yacht transactions and assists owners and yacht managers in relation to the context of customs controls and litigation in France.

Position : Partner Specialism : Insurance & VAT

Paris Tel: +33 1 44 94 40 50 Email Pauline

Stéphanie Schweitzer

Stéphanie has extensive experience in yacht-related employment and personal injury matters. She regularly advises yacht owners and insurers in relation to passenger claims, crew contracts and claims and social security issues. Stéphanie also often assists clients of the yachting industry in relation to contract of carriage, charter parties and yacht arrests.

Position : Partner Specialism : Disputes & Personal Injury

Paris Tel: +33 1 44 94 31 64 Email Stephanie

Rosina Dyke

Rosina specialises in the transactional aspects of yachting. She primarily advises owners and financial institutions on the sale, purchase, construction, refit, financing, and registration of yachts and the corporate entity that holds them.

Paris Tel: +33 (0)1 44 94 31 62 Email Rosina

Ian Cranston

Ian is particularly lauded for his shipping and yacht expertise. He has close to 30 years’ experience in successfully handling yachting disputes in arbitration and court proceedings and generally advising owners, charterers, brokers and yards on matters related to yacht sale & purchase, charter, refit and construction.

Monaco Tel: +377 92 00 13 21 Email Ian

Richard Mabane

Richard has been a litigation partner at HFW since 2001, with particular expertise in relation to shipbuilding and repair, charterparties and ship sale disputes. In early 2023 he relocated to our Monaco office with a view to doing more yacht-related work. A highly successful trial lawyer (he has won all 23 of the cases he has taken to trial), Richard is also a strong advocate of mediation, where also has a high success rate, having settled over 90% of his 35 mediations on the day.

Fluent in Italian and French, Richard has very close connections with Italy and a number of longstanding Italian clients. In the field of yachting, he has handled yacht construction, refit and repair, sale and purchase and charter disputes.

Monaco Tel: D +377 92 00 13 23 Email Richard

George Kaye

George specialises in dispute resolution and regularly advises owners, charterers and brokers on matters involving yacht construction, sale and purchase and charter.

Position : Senior Associate Specialism : Disputes

Monaco Tel: +377 92 00 13 26 Email George

Middle East, Asia Pacific and the Americas

Tien has extensive experience in our non-contentious practice, with special focus on yacht building, sale and purchase, registration, crewing and finance in all the major yacht registries including the UAE. His recent experience includes negotiation of yacht refit contracts with GCC yards. Tien has spent time on client secondment at the ship finance team of an international bank.

Dubai Tel: +971 4423 0555 Email Tien

Patrick Cheung

Patrick has extensive transactional experience, with a special focus on ship and yacht building, sale and purchase, registration and finance as well as private jet finance, registration, management and operation agreements.

Hong Kong Tel: +852 3983 7778 Email Patrick

Angie is a corporate and finance lawyer with a broad non-contentious practice. Her yacht expertise includes yacht sale and purchase, construction and yacht registration, as well as yacht finance and other commercial yacht-related matters. Fully tri-lingual in English, Cantonese and Mandarin, Angie often advises clients within Hong Kong and mainland China.

Hong Kong/Shanghai Tel: +852 3983 7779 Tel: +86 21 2080 1133 Email Angie

Henry has an established transactional and contentious practice. His transactional experience includes yacht and construction, sale and purchase and finance matters. On the contentious side, Henry acts for yacht owners, buyers and sellers and shipyards on matters including shipbuilding and MoA disputes, charterparty disputes, personal injury claims and insurance claims. He also acts in crew claims and enforcement.

Position : Partner Specialism : Disputes & Transactional

Hong Kong/Shanghai Tel: +852 3983 7777 Tel: +86 21 2080 1111 Email Henry

John Forrester

John heads the firm’s Asia Pacific Ship Finance practice. He specialises in asset finance and other transactional work across the maritime sector. He represents clients on a wide range of transactional matters, including financing, construction contracts, vessel sale and purchase, vessel registration, charters, joint ventures and debt restructuring/work-outs.

Singapore Tel: +65 6411 5350 Email John

Stephen Thomson

Stephen has over 20 years in the industry, advising on yacht sale and purchase, the importation and exportation process under Australian law, as well as management and refit/repair contracts. He also represents clients in relation to ligation arising out of yacht construction disputes and personal injury claims.

Sydney Tel:: +61 (0)2 9320 4646 Email Stephen

Ranjani Sundar

Ranjani has broad experience in yacht-related matters, including yacht sale and purchase, Australian Customs considerations for the import and/or export of yachts and personal injury matters. Ranjani acts for yacht owners and insurers in both contentious and non-contentious matters.

Sydney Tel: +61 (0)2 9320 4609 Email Ranjani

Gavin Vallely

Gavin has more than 25 years’ experience advising on contentious and non-contentious matters concerning commercial shipping and international trade. His work in relation to yachts has included advising on Australian flag and survey requirements, sale and purchase, construction and repair, importation and related duty and taxation considerations. He is consistently recognised as one of Australia’s leading maritime lawyers and is ranked as a Band 1 practitioner in Chambers Asia-Pacific Guide and Legal 500. He is described in the Legal 500 as having “ unsurpassed maritime sector knowledge “. Gavin is admitted to practice as a solicitor in Australia and England & Wales.

Position : Partner Specialism : Transactional & Disputes

Melbourne Tel: +61 (0)3 8601 4523 Email Gavin

Owen specialises in yacht-related disputes. He regularly handles matters concerning the sale and purchase, charter, mortgaging and arrest of superyachts for owners, charterers, brokers and financial institutions.

Melbourne Tel: +61 (0)3 8601 4526 Email Owen

24/7 Crisis Management

Universally regarded as one of the world’s leading crisis management law firms, we advise on all legal issues arising from yacht related emergencies, including collisions, grounding, damage in transit, pollution, fire and explosion, salvage, wreck removal and towage, as well as security, political violence, piracy, kidnap and ransom and cyber breaches. Our yacht team includes several leading crisis management and marine insurance experts and is supported by our global admiralty and crisis management team. Members of our admiralty and crisis management team are available year round 24/7 to attend emergencies. With our global network, a bespoke team can be assembled and, if needed, on location within 24 hours practically anywhere in the world.

Our expertise in managing crisis of all types, combined with our understanding of the specialised and sophisticated operations involved in yachting and the yachting industry’s specific concerns regarding confidentiality and privacy, enable us to protect our clients’ interests in the most appropriate and timely manner.

We operate a dedicated crisis management suite in our London office, which can be immediately utilised by our clients and become an extension of their own in-house team. Our admiralty and crisis management team are media trained and on hand to offer:

Immediate incident response support

Advice on regulatory and compliance issues arising out of an incident

Reputation management / media response

Advice on post incident claims handling

In addition, we recognise the importance of preparation in mitigating liability and we regularly advise clients on their crisis management procedures and emergency response policies, including ensuring that their appetite for risk and potential contractual liabilities dovetail with their insurance coverage and internal crisis management procedures.

Our marine insurance and crisis management team

In addition to the support available from our firm’s world renowned admiralty and crisis management team, our yacht team includes experienced casualty response lawyers, a former naval architect experienced in the design of large yachts and master mariners with experience of navigating and operating large yachts, warships and passenger vessels. Our key contacts for yacht related crisis response and marine insurance issues are:

London Tel: +44 (0)20 7264 8528 Email Mark

24 hour emergency telephone number +44 (0)20 7709 7702

We have a strong international brand and a rapidly growing network of offices. With over 700 lawyers working in offices across Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas, we have a presence in many of the major centres of yacht ownership and operation in the world. Frequently we resource our matters with team members drawn from different offices and time zones to provide our clients, wherever they are, with the resources of a truly global yacht team.

Our yacht team includes lawyers fluent in English, French, German, Italian, Russian and Chinese and is able to draw on the support of colleagues across our wider firm who between them speak over 40 different languages.

Industry update

HFW’s yacht team has once again been ranked Band 1 in the Chambers & Partners High Net Worth Yachts & Superyachts Guide . Four members of our industry leading team have also been recognised.  Chambers noted: “HFW’s yacht lawyers advise clients on sophisticated cross-border financings, transactions and contentious matters.”

As the northern hemisphere’s summer season begins and the rush of pre-season work slows down, we have found time to put pen to paper to bring you the latest edition of Comprehensively Yachts, which we hope you find full of thought-provoking topics and analysis.

In light of the growing adoption of sustainable technology in yachting, including Feadship’s recently launched 60m Project 713, which will harness solar energy and has the capacity to also run on non-fossil hydrogenated vegetable oil, and Project 821, the world’s first hydrogen fuel-cell superyacht, we take a look at what may be the next frontier in yacht propulsion: nuclear power .

Next, we consider the Cayman Islands’ new Merchant Shipping Act 2024 and the revised Red Ensign Group Code, before our London employment team revisit a UK employment tribunal case of significant relevance for the employment of yacht crew.

Given the importance of Swiss manufacturing to the yachting industry, it is not uncommon to encounter Swiss law contracts, and we have therefore asked our colleagues in Geneva provide a summary of why arbitration in Switzerland maintains such popularity.

Our usual sanctions update follows, before we finish off with a focus on fraud, the changes with the new UK legislation and what you can do to stay one step ahead.

January 24 |

With 2023 drawing to a close, we are delighted to present the latest edition of Comprehensively Yachts . In this edition, we discuss the impact of Russian sanctions on the yachting industry. Next, our marine insurance specialists consider whether the widely used American Yacht Form R12 is still fit for purpose or whether the time is right for the marine insurance industry to move on to a bespoke wording. Our admiralty team explore the law behind a yacht’s AIS transmission and how you might achieve ex- directory status, as the temptation to turn this feature off to ensure the privacy of your charter is ever growing given the risked poses by the development of smart phone technology. Our Paris office reports on a recent land-mark conviction of the captain of a 26 meter yacht by the Maritime Court of Marseille following his repeated anchoring in protected posidonia meadows and the threat such conviction has for the wider yachting industry. Finally, we round out this edition with a long read on Cyber Security , the increasing regulation around it and the growing need to take it seriously.

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Visit our Superyacht Law site to find out more about our passion for the industry or to request a copy of The Guide to Superyacht Law at [email protected] .

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New zealand lawyer ayla ronald’s chilling text to father revealed after surviving bayesian superyacht sinking.

One survivor of the doomed Bayesian , who is “very shaken” after escaping the superyacht’s sinking off the coast of Sicily, shared a disturbing revelation with her father.

Ayla Ronald, a senior associate at law firm Clifford Chance, was one of 22 aboard the British-flagged ship when a tornado struck the area where it was anchored around 5 a.m. Monday.

Ronald, 36, and her partner, Matthew Fletcher, were invited aboard the Bayesian to celebrate tech tycoon Mike Lynch’s acquittal in “one of Silicon Valley’s biggest-ever fraud cases” alongside his friends and family.

“Ayla is a lawyer who is part of the legal team that was invited to go sailing as a result of the success in the recent United States court case,” Ronald’s father, Lin Ronald, told the Telegraph.

“I have texted my daughter and she hasn’t given me any updates about missing personnel or saved personnel,” he said.

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“She has only said to me that there are deaths, and she and her partner are alive.”

Ayla Ronald’s phone was the only one with a battery and she was helping coordinate with the first responders, according to the New Zealand Herald.

Lin told the outlet that his daughter is “very shaken” following the incident.

The Christchurch, NZ, native studied at the University of Otago in New Zealand before moving to London, where she worked for several years.

”We are in shock and deeply saddened by this tragic incident,” Clifford Chance said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with our Partner, Christopher Morvillo, and his wife Neda who are among the missing, and with their families.”

“Our utmost priority is providing support to the family as well as our colleague Ayla Ronald, who together with her partner, thankfully survived the incident,” the statement continued. “Our thoughts extend to the other passengers and crew and all those affected.”

What to know after a tornado sank the yacht Bayesian off the coast of Sicily:

• A superyacht capsized off the coast of Sicily after a tornado hit the area early Monday, killing seven passengers.
• British tech tycoon Mike Lynch was identified as one of the bodies pulled from the wreckage. His teenage daughter, Hannah, was the final one to be recovered.
• Lynch — known as “Britain’s Bill Gates” — had invited guests from Clifford Chance, a legal firm that represented him, and Invoke Capital, his own company, on the voyage,  according to the Telegraph . 
• Security camera footage shot from 650 feet from where the  Bayesian sank Monday  shows it disappearing.
• A rare and unexpected “black swan” weather event may have led to the  Bayesian’s speedy demise , maritime experts say.

Lynch, his 18-year-old daughter, Hannah, Jonathan Bloomer, a chairman at Morgan Stanley International, and his wife, Judy, are among the six still missing.

Angela Bacares, the owner of the yacht and Lynch’s wife, was among 15 people rescued.

One body, believed to be the ship’s chef, Canadian-born Thomas Recaldo, was recovered from the wreck.

Lynch’s three-month trial played out in San Francisco federal court and centered on allegations that Lynch schemed to inflate his software company Autonomy’s revenue when he sold it to Hewlett-Packard for $11 billion in 2011.

Within a year, the US tech company was forced to down-value Autonomy’s worth by $8.8 billion.

A jury found Lynch, 59, not guilty on all 15 conspiracy and wire fraud charges on June 6.

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Who was on superyacht that sank off Sicily?

Twenty-two people were on board the Bayesian superyacht including British technology tycoon Mike Lynch, his wife and 18-year-old daughter, and Morgan Stanley International boss Jonathan Bloomer.

Friday 23 August 2024 12:34, UK

Details have emerged of the 22 people who were on board the superyacht that sank off the coast of Sicily.

The British-flagged vessel named Bayesian was carrying 12 passengers and 10 members of crew when it got into difficulty in the early hours of Monday.

Seven bodies have now been recovered. The other 15 people on board were rescued.

Here's what we know about those who were on the yacht.

Follow latest updates on the superyacht sinking

British technology tycoon Mike Lynch was among the original six people missing. On Thursday, divers confirmed his body had been recovered.

Raised in Ilford, east London by Irish parents, the 59-year-old made millions with the software company Autonomy he set up in 1996.

He had an estimated net worth of £852m, according to the 2023 Sunday Times Rich List, and is believed to have owned the yacht.

Off the back of Automomy's global success, Mr Lynch was given the roles of science adviser to former prime minister David Cameron and non-executive director of the BBC.

The Cambridge maths and sciences graduate sold the firm for £8.64bn to US giant Hewlett Packard (HP) in 2011.

Dubbed the "British Bill Gates", Mr Lynch has been in the headlines in recent months over a high-profile fraud case related to the sale of Autonomy to HP in 2011.

HP accused him of deliberately overstating the value of the company before it was acquired by the American technology firm. Mr Lynch denied any wrongdoing.

In June, a US jury cleared him of all charges .

Read more: Lynch's co-defendant dies days before yacht disaster

Hannah Lynch

Mr Lynch's 18-year-old daughter Hannah Lynch was also on board. A body believed to be that of the teenager was recovered on Friday from the yacht wreckage.

She had been on holiday with her parents, having secured a place to study English at the University of Oxford, according to reports.

Her former school, Latymer Upper School in Hammersmith, west London, said they were "incredibly shocked by the news that Hannah and her father are among those missing in this tragic accident" when the yacht first sank.

Angela Bacares

Mr Lynch's wife Angela Bacares was on board the yacht and was rescued.

The 57-year-old said she and Mr Lynch were awoken by the boat "tilting" at 4am - half an hour before it sank.

Jonathan Bloomer

Jonathan Bloomer, the chairman of investment bank Morgan Stanley International, was confirmed dead on Thursday.

According to the Financial Times, Mr Bloomer appeared as a defence witness for Mr Lynch during his US criminal trial and the pair were good friends. He also chaired Autonomy's audit committee.

The 70-year-old was the chief executive of UK-Hong Kong insurer Prudential until he was ousted by the board in 2005.

He was also chairman of the insurance provider Hiscox.

Judy Bloomer

Mr Bloomer's wife Judy was on the yacht trip with her husband. Divers confirmed they found her body on Thursday.

Mrs Bloomer was a former board member at The Eve Appeal charity, which focuses on gynaecological cancers.

The charity described her as a "brilliant champion for women's health and medical research... an incredible supporter, committee member, and trustee of our charity for over 20 years".

Read more: 'Alarming' potential cause of superyacht disaster What we know about superyacht that sank

Recaldo Thomas

The yacht's on-board chef Recaldo Thomas died in the sinking.

He was Canadian-Antiguan and part of the crew of the Bayesian.

His body was the first to be recovered from the wreckage.

Chris Morvillo

US lawyer Chris Morvillo was among those divers found dead on Thursday.

The father-of-two worked on Mr Lynch's US fraud trial and was a partner of law firm Clifford Chance's US branch.

Mr Morvillo was assistant attorney for the Southern District of New York between 1995 and 2005 and worked on the terrorist investigation into the 9/11 attacks.

In a recent LinkedIn post, he thanked the legal team that helped win Mr Lynch's trial.

Signing off the post, he said: "And, finally, a huge thank you to my patient and incredible wife, Neda Morvillo, and my two strong, brilliant, and beautiful daughters, Sabrina Morvillo and Sophia Morvillo.

"None of this would have been possible without your love and support. I am so glad to be home. And they all lived happily ever after…."

Neda Morvillo

Mr Morvillo's wife Neda died in the disaster alongside her husband.

The 57-year-old had a luxury jewellery brand, which she ran under her maiden name Neda Nassiri.

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Ayla Ronald

Ayla Ronald, a senior associate at Clifford Chance, survived the yacht disaster, the law firm confirmed.

The 36-year-old worked alongside Chris Morvillo in helping defend Mike Lynch in court.

Clifford Chance said in a statement: "Our utmost priority is providing support to the family as well as our colleague Ayla Ronald, who together with her partner, thankfully survived the incident."

She is originally from Christchurch, New Zealand, but lives in London, her father told local media there.

He said she was left "very shaken" but "she and her partner are alive".

Charlotte Golunski

Charlotte Golunski was on board the yacht and was rescued along with her one-year-old daughter, Sofia.

She spoke to Italian newspaper La Repubblica, confirming she survived the yacht sinking and told how she kept her daughter alive after she was rescued.

"I held her afloat with all my strength, my arms stretched upwards to keep her from drowning," she said.

"It was all dark. In the water I couldn't keep my eyes open. I screamed for help but all I could hear around me was the screams of others."

The 35-year-old is a partner at one of Mr Lynch's firms - Invoke Capital - and has worked there since 2012, according to her LinkedIn profile.

She also worked at Hewlett Packard, which acquired Autonomy in 2011, for 11 months.

Before that, she studied history at the University of Oxford.

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James Emsley

Ms Golunski's partner James Emsley was also rescued from the yacht, according to Sicily's civil protection agency.

The 36-year-old is the father of her one-year-old daughter.

James Cutfield

The 51-year-old captain of the yacht spoke to Italian newspaper La Repubblica after he was rescued.

Mr Cutfield, from New Zealand, was taken for treatment at the Termini Imerese emergency unit, where he told the newspaper: "We didn't see it coming."

Leah Randall

Leah Randall was part of the Bayesian crew and survived the sinking.

She was pictured going ashore in Porticello on Monday morning and is from South Africa.

Her mother Heidi told Sky News said she was "beyond relieved that my daughter's life was spared by the grace of God".

"It doesn't make it any easier living with the heartache of those who have lost their lives [or are] missing. My very deepest condolences to the chef's family as they formed a great friendship," she said.

Katja Chicken

Katja Chicken was another South African member of crew on board the Bayesian and was pictured being brought to safety in Porticello on Monday.

The Italian coastguard confirmed on Tuesday evening that Leo Eppel, a crew member, also survived the yacht sinking.

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Marine & Shipping

Keystone’s dynamic and client-focused team of marine and shipping law specialists offer a full package of marine, shipping and superyacht services. Our global network of firms, surveyors and other experts gives us international capability combined with local knowledge.

Our yacht and superyacht law services

Our team of marine and shipping lawyers regularly act for individuals and companies negotiating contracts for the build, sale and purchase of yachts up to 100m. We also work with a number of yachting businesses, from banks and yacht brokers to marina owners. We have experience in offshore company structures and have a good network of yachting experts to call upon where needed. We can also assist in dispute resolution, either in arbitrations such as LMAA or through the courts.

Our shipping law services

In relation to national and international trade, our team of marine and shipping lawyers offer a dispute resolution service in respect of cargo and freight claims, whether this involves carriage of goods by sea, air or road, and claims involving warehousing disputes. Our marine and shipping team can also advise in relation to contracts for the carriage of goods.

In the event of a marine casualty, our 24-hour response service enables us to quickly mobilise key individuals in order that crucial evidence is preserved, and an early investigation is achieved. Members of the team include ex-mariners with a wealth of experience in dealing with casualties and investigations.

Who do we advise?

In the yachting and superyacht sector, we advise prospective buyers, owners, banks and marine companies in the leisure sector such as management companies and marinas, crew and charter businesses. Shipping clients include Lloyd’s underwriters, P & I Clubs and individuals.

Why choose our marine and shipping team?

Keystone’s team of marine and shipping lawyers are members of several trade associations and federations including the London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA), the British Marine Federation (BMF), the Professional Yachtsmen Association (PYA), the International Superyacht Society, Superyacht UK, and the Association of Brokers and Yacht Agents (ABYA). The Keystone superyacht team has also been recognised as a Captain’s Recommended Service in the latest Superyacht Services Guide .

Leading legal directory The Legal 500 describes the team as having “ excellent lawyers in the field of shipping” who are “ professional, diligent, well-experienced” . Some of our yachting lawyers are also recognised in Chambers HNW for their advice to high-net-worth individuals.

Our experienced team of lawyers often host seminars and training for marine organisations including the BMF, the International Institute of Marine Surveyors (IIMS), and the Maritime Training Academy (MTA). They also lecture and examine on the MCA Master Yachts course for aspiring superyacht captains as well as on various courses for marine surveyors and brokers and on marina management courses.

For further information or to discuss a marine, shipping or superyacht matter, please telephone 020 3319 3700 or click here to email us .

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Contentious work

• Insurance disputes
• Collisions, including racing
• Crew claims
• Personal injury claims
• Arrest of yachts and debt recovery
• Salvage claims
• Cargo & freight disputes
• Conflicts of law and jurisdictional matters
• Product liability (engine/mast/hull failures)
• Regulatory breaches and representation at Maritime and Coastguard Agency interviews and prosecutions
• Defending marine professionals (including surveyors, engineers and naval architects)
• Charter party disputes with ships/yachts
• Sale of goods claims for defective yachts and related issues with workmanship
• Criminal investigations and prosecutions under the Merchant Shipping legislation
• Survey disputes
• Arbitration

Non-contentious work

• Yacht construction contracts
• Drafting and negotiating terms and conditions with suppliers and sub-contractors
• Advice on the sale and purchase of yachts and vessels
• Refit and management contracts
• Superyacht finance agreements and mortgage registration
• Drafting and advising on marina terms and conditions
• Drafting yacht Crew Agreements and employment contracts
• Registration of ships/yachts
• Health and Safety
• Acted on behalf of a buyer in an ICC arbitration for disputes arising from a contract of sale of steels for non-payment of the contract price and the alleged counterclaim of off-spec cargo
• Advised a marine insurer on the merits of a possible claim they may face from the insured shipowners of a vessel under an English law and jurisdiction marine insurance policy following a fire in the engine control room
• Advised a client on a claim against them for allegedly loading and shipping dangerous cargo from Liberia to a port in Europe
• Advised a shipbuilding company in China on a claim against the ship design company for loss and damages arising from the design company’s negligent design
• Assisted Anexsea Cruises Limited with the purchase, financing, delivery and renaming of cruise ship ex “Saga Sapphire”, now named “Blue Sapphire”
• Established a ship-management joint venture company in England for owners and advised on the handover of commercial and technical management
• Advised on the enforcement of a mortgage against a ship, including judicial sale of the ship and negotiating with other creditors
• Assisted a Greek-managed ship-owning group by negotiating and reviewing a US$34m term loan facility granted by EnTrust Permal in connection with four chemical tankers
• Instructed to review legislation regulating the harbours managed by Cornwall Council with a view to promoting replacement powers and duties by way of a series of harbour revision and empowerment orders that will facilitate the operation and development of all the harbours in a less piecemeal manner, to the benefit of the harbour authority and harbour users
• Advised a shipowner on the termination of a complex UK tax lease structure
• Ongoing assistance in bringing a new large source of commercial ship-finance capital into the international market
• Advised on a collision involving an anchored, allegedly unlit ship
• Acted on behalf of the Yard in an LMAA arbitration to defend the Owner’s claim for loss and damage suffered as a result of the alleged structural defects in the newbuilt
• Advised GPS Marine Contractors Ltd in relation to an existing dredger vessel sale and purchase agreement and potential fraudulent activity
• Advised on specific marine law cabotage issues in the Republic of Kiribati
• Assisted the seller with prolonged negotiations involving the sale of a bulk carrier vessel and handling the matter up to and including the delivery of the vessel to the new buyer
• Advised on a grounding in a port navigation channel giving rise to allegations that the port was unsafe
• Advised the borrower on a US$6m term loan facility granted by Habibsons Bank Limited in relation to a ship acquisition
• Advised on the buying entity on the acquisition of a US$10m bulk carrier, including negotiating the MOA, an addendum, and the seller’s documents to ensure clean title transfer, and handling the flagging and registration of the newly acquired vessel
• Assisted a privately owned investment company with its logistics contracts and with a corporate restructuring exercise which also involved private-client and real-estate matters
• Advised a Dubai-based shipping and logistics group on arbitration proceedings and enforcement against an Iranian counterparty in relation to a claim for non-payment and a container storage claim
• Advised a Greek ship owning group on a US$143 million refinancing project with a French financial institution in relation to seven dry bulk carriers, involving inter alia the negotiation of a junior bond subscription agreement and various intercreditor arrangements
• Assisted GRS Roadstone Group Limited with the acquisition of S Walsh & Sons Ltd, London’s most successful and diverse companies serving the construction, quarrying and waste sectors

Yachts/Superyachts

• Acted for individuals in Azerbaijan on the purchase of a 40m superyacht
• Acted for a Swedish buyer of a new-build Riva motor yacht
• Acted for the purchaser (a BVI company) of a 40.19m Princess super yacht
• Assisted the buyer on the purchase and financing of a yacht which was a distressed asset sole by a majority-Austrian-owned Croatian lender and refinanced by Lombard here in the UK
• Provided primary legal advice to a high-net-worth individual who was a first-time superyacht purchaser
• Acted for a luxury rental company on a drafting yacht management agreement, a villa management agreement, and a seafarer’s employment agreement, and assisted in obtaining advice in relation to chartering in Spain and elsewhere
• Acted for a high-net-worth individual on the purchase of a £6m 28m Italian superyacht
• Acted for a well-known businessman on the purchase of financing for a 57m yacht
• Assisted the chairman of a reputable yacht brokerage company with a client registration issue concerning a €70m 66m superyacht
• Acted for blue-chip client, CGL France, part of Societe Generale, on the repossessions of super yachts in Turkey and Ireland.
• Advised an Irish Family Office, acting for the one of Ireland’s wealthiest individuals in the purchase of a new build superyacht in Italy.
• Acted for Superyacht Tenders & Toys Ltd providing wide-ranging legal advice to this growing firm. This has included drafting commercial contracts, setting up a new division and assisting in dispute resolution
• Assisted in the purchase of a 30m yacht in Croatia as part of a company share deal
• Advised on an insurance claim when a marina damaged a yacht during lifting
• Acted for crew member of a super yacht in the successful personal injury claim for a serious back injury gaining over £600k without the need to go to court
• Advised a Bahamas based buyer of the construction contract for a 40m new build yacht for £11.5m
• Acted for a Cayman’s company on a £2.5m loan for a Swan sailing yacht and the purchase at £4.5m
• Acted on a simultaneous sale and purchase of two 30m yachts in Venice Italy for an English buyer
• Acted for the owner of a converted warship – now super yacht in a professional negligence claims against the naval architect
• Acted in the build contract for a classic wooden sailing yacht to be built in phase
• Advised major yacht distributor Sunseeker London Group on a number of marine related and commercial matters assisting its 38 offices in Europe and North Africa
• Advised on a commercial charter dispute with the charterer on a well-known 90m Cayman-flagged super yacht
• Acted in two large LMAA arbitration claims where the issues are faulty yachts on purchase. Claims of £4m

Ilona Avramenko

Jennifer Donohue

Consultant Solicitor

Louise Elmes

Dr Jonathan Hadley-Piggin

Angharad Harris

Matthew Hennessy-Gibbs

Jamie Horner

George Lambrou

Benjamin Maltby

Stephen Matthews

Kamal Mukhi

Dharmendra Nair

Anastasia Papadopoulou

Lucy Pringle

Pav Samothrakis

Patrick Selley

Rhodri Thomas

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HFW is an international law firm with over 600 lawyers working across our global network. Our yacht team has been an integral part of the yacht industry for over 30 years and has a physical presence in many of the major yachting jurisdictions. The enduring relationships developed with the owners, builders, designers, financiers, insurers, brokers and managers of yachts, our in-depth knowledge of the yacht industry and our international reach ensure we are pre-eminent in the field.

We provide full-service legal support to the yachting industry and advise on all legal issues a yacht is likely to encounter during its life, including in relation to design and construction, ownership structures, VAT arrangements, sale and purchase transactions, financing, operation, management, crewing, refit, chartering, physical and cyber security, and insurance. We also advise on personal injury, health and safety, regulatory compliance, casualties and crisis response and dispute resolution. We are routinely involved in some of the largest and most complex projects in the yacht industry.

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Miller Watson PLLC is a maritime transaction firm dedicated to providing excellent service and global support to its clients. Our attorneys have decades of combined legal and practical experience, which gives us the unique ability to assist clients with all aspects of yacht ownership. Our services include, but are not limited to, yacht purchases and sales, new construction agreements, offshore closings, foreign flagging, crew matters, charter agreements, marine finance packages and documentation services. Most importantly, we are committed to helping our clients navigate intricate maritime issues so they can focus on enjoying their time on the water.

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Vessel Purchases & Sales

Managing yacht transactions for our clients worldwide.

Our attorneys assist clients with yacht transactions of all sizes all over the world. Whether representing a buyer or a seller, we routinely manage the entire process on behalf of our clients, starting with the offer all the way through closing and registration.

Documentation and Registration

Assisting clients with vessel registration services worldwide.

The attorneys and staff at Miller Watson PLLC have many years of experience providing registration services, including U.S. Coast Guard documentation, state registrations and foreign flagging. Our firm is able to handle registrations in essentially any jurisdiction in the world.

Sales, Use and Property Tax

Protecting clients from unexpected tax liability.

Each state has its own body of laws with respect to sales, use and personal property taxes. It is important for all owners to be familiar with the rules in each jurisdiction to which they travel with their yacht.

For-Sale-By-Owner Transactions

Assisting parties in yacht transactions without broker representation..

Yacht brokers certainly carry a lot of value, but there are scenarios where an owner may sell his yacht without the assistance of a broker. In the event a broker is not involved, buyers and sellers will benefit from having a basic understanding of the purchase and sale process and should utilize various resources at their disposal both before and after closing. The attorneys at Miller Watson PLLC can draft the necessary documents, hold funds in escrow, and manage a closing when a broker is not involved.

Offshore Closings & Delivery

Assisting with and coordinating offshore closings.

In certain yacht transactions, clients may find that it is advantageous to conduct a yacht closing offshore. The attorneys at Miller Watson PLLC can assist with drafting the necessary documents and coordinating with all parties involved to ensure that the offshore closing proceeds smoothly and is completed properly.

New Yacht Construction

Assisting clients with all aspects of new yacht construction.

The maritime attorneys at Miller Watson PLLC have the experience to guide clients through every step of the new yacht construction process, from negotiation of the construction agreement to the yacht’s final delivery.

Corporate Yacht Ownership Consulting

Assisting clients with formation and structure of entities for purposes of yacht ownership.

Our attorneys can advise clients on the type and ownership structure of an entity, depending on a variety of factors related to the yacht and its planned usage by the owners.

Crew Employment

Advising clients on crew employment matters on an international scale.

Employing crew members on a yacht is often necessary to operate a yacht and give the owner’s and guests the best possible experience. However, navigating the complex, cross-border rules and regulations involved with crew employment can be cumbersome. Our maritime attorneys are well versed in the crew issues facing yacht owners and we assist clients with crew employment related matters at the global, regional, and local levels.

Marine Finance

Assisting financial institutions and private individuals with marine finance solutions.

In principle, loans to finance the purchase of a yacht are similar to other loans used to acquire asserts and property. However, marine finance is highly specialized and governed by unique laws. Our experience in yacht and vessel finance encompasses both United States and foreign law transactions.

Yacht Charters

Advising clients on the complex rules surrounding yacht charters.

It is common practice to purchase a yacht and run charters to offset some of the costs. Charter operations of all types can be successful if set up properly and with the appropriate expectations, but all state laws, federal regulations and flag state rules must be closely followed. It is important for owners and crew to understand the different types of charters and be familiar with the applicable regulations.

Regulatory Compliance

Assisting clients with navigating complex maritime rules and regulations worldwide.

Owning a yacht is supposed to be a pleasurable and relaxing experience, but keeping current with maritime rules and regulations can be daunting. The attorneys at Miller Watson PLLC have the expertise to help you navigate the numerous maritime rules and regulations involved with yacht ownership so that you can enjoy carefree time on the water.

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Home » Expertise » Sectors - Shipping » Yachts and superyachts

Yachts and superyachts

A very high quality and specialist practice, which offers fantastic service and knowledge. The Legal 500

Latest news & insights:

‘A Rolls-Royce service’ – Penningtons Manches Cooper’s private wealth lawyers recognised in Chambers High Net Worth 2024

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Yacht Management Company Ltd v Gordon – where does the Employment Tribunal have territorial jurisdiction?

Yachts and superyachts have long been considered amongst the ultimate luxury assets. While many are used for commercial or sporting ventures, others are intended purely for leisure. Whatever the purpose, Penningtons Manches Cooper's specialist lawyers provide legal advice on all aspects of yacht and superyacht ownership - from concept through a vessel’s full lifecycle.

With a strong history in maritime law and extensive practical sailing and seagoing experience on board superyachts, racing and pleasure craft, we combine an in-depth understanding of the industry with commercial and practical guidance which is solution focused. Our clients include ultra-high net worth individuals, owners, managers, insurers, yacht brokers, yards, designers, suppliers and marinas.  

We advise on new build contracts, including fully custom yachts and any related project management and design contracts, as well as the protection of intellectual property rights. Alongside regular involvement in sale and purchase transactions, our corporate and wealth lawyers can assist with ownership structures, registration and choice of flag. Where finance is required, we provide support on the associated finance arrangements, and importantly security.

Clients frequently seek our legal advice on operational matters including management and crew contracts, and consult our dedicated employment team. Our yacht and superyacht lawyers work closely with the firm’s commercial and ship finance teams to assist with the broad range of matters that derive from owning, managing or insuring yachts, whether operated commercially (including charter) or privately.

If a casualty does occur, we have considerable experience in responding to the incident and handling disputes arising from it. Our lawyers are ready to act immediately following a serious casualty and to advise on any criminal investigation or maritime investigation by the MAIB or its equivalent. We engage with independent technical experts and, where necessary, appoint local lawyers to assist with the preservation and collation of evidence. We have handled high profile yachting incidents, calling also on the expertise of our well-respected reputation management team.

A broad range of contractual disputes may arise from build contracts, finance arrangements or the general operation of a yacht. Our proven track record in this area encompasses product liability and warranty claims, professional negligence, yard liabilities and chartering disputes. In addition to significant High Court proceedings, our litigation practice covers all forms of alternative dispute resolution including international arbitration and dispute resolution.  

We have global reach with offices in renowned yachting hubs including France, Spain, Greece and Singapore. Our yacht and superyacht lawyers can readily assist on complex multi-jurisdictional issues which frequently arise in yacht ownership.

We offer expert advice on:

• casualty response and insurance
• construction and refit
• crewing, employment and management
• design and intellectual property rights
• dispute resolution and arbitration
• management, operation and charter
• marina and yard liabilities
• personal injury, regulatory and criminal investigations
• Racing Rules and sports law
• sale and purchase transactions
• ownership structures and registration
• finance and leasing arrangements
• shipbuilding and repair

Recent work highlights

Bespoke marine finance solutions.

Advising on an innovative €7 million secured refinancing of an 86 metre yacht and a three year charter services agreement for a Middle East client. Our yacht and superyacht lawyers are increasingly designing such alternative financing arrangements for markets in which some traditional lenders have lost interest.

Efficient casualty response

Representing insurers and owners in relation to a number of losses of superyachts caused by fire. Our role involved advising on fire investigation and limitation of liability and pursuing subrogated claims across multiple jurisdictions.

MYBA charter dispute

Advising on claims arising out of a MYBA charter relating to the failure to deliver a yacht to the delivery port in good working order. We were also involved in subsequent issues arising during the charter, culminating in the dispute being referred to arbitration.

New build superyacht purchase

Advising a purchaser on the build contract for a custom-built composite yacht in the UK.

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Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC311575 and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority under number 419867.

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Alrud corporate practice experts prepared materials for the aba publication in “the year in review”.

Anton Dzhuplin, ALRUD Partner, edited the “International M&A and Joint Ventures” part of the ABA annual publication “The Year In Review”. Kristina Akalovich, ALRUD Associate, and Natella Koriashvili, ALRUD Attorney, under Anton Dzhuplin’s guidance prepared an article on important trends of 2021 in the sphere of international mergers and acquisitions and joint ventures in Russia.

ALRUD experts prepared an article for Corporate LiveWire magazine

Daniil Lozovsky, Senior Attorney of the Competition/Antitrust Practice, and Grigory Viktorov, Junior Attorney of Competition/Antitrust Practice prepared an article “The new foreign direct investments regime in Russia” in Mergers & Acquisitions Expert Guide 2022 published by the Corporate LiveWire magazine.

ALRUD experts prepared an article for IPBA on regulation of Metaverse

The September issue of The Inter-Pacific Bar Association (IPBA) Journal relating to legal issues of Metaverse features an article by ALRUD experts entitled “Regulatory Trends Concerning the Metaverse in Russia”.

Key changes in Life Sciences for the June-October 2022 period

We are glad to present you a current digest of the most significant bills, regulatory changes, and measures affecting the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry for the period from June to October 2022.

Employment relations issues for employees who have left Russia

Many companies have recently had to deal with situations where their employees (including remote employees) have independently decided to leave Russia and continue working from abroad. The ALRUD team has compiled a summary of the issues and risks that need to be assessed in each specific case of work performed by an employee located outside of Russia.

New reality for media business in Russia

In the last months of 2022, a number of new laws were adopted and came into force. The laws entail a need to revise the approaches of online platforms to content moderation and launching media campaigns in Russia. In this regard, ALRUD presents you with an overview of the key changes that online platforms need to take into account when carrying out business activity in Russia.

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Top 50 Biglaw Firm Closes Its Second Office In China

U.s.-based firms are getting out of china..

As noted by Law.com International , Perkins Coie will now be calling it quits in Beijing, after closing up shop in Shanghai in March. The firm offered the following statement on the closure of its Beijing office:

“We remain committed to our presence in Asia and look forward to continuing to advise many high-tech companies and entrepreneurs across Asia. With a strategic focus on the major technology hub of Shenzhen, we are aligning our presence and work in China more closely to our clients’ evolving needs and our long-term growth strategy.”

Attention Buyer: Not All Legal AI Models Are Created Equal

Perkins Coie has applied to open an office in Shenzhen, and hopes to receive approval in early 2025. In the wake of its most recent closure, the firm is left with just one office within the region, in Taipei.

Which Biglaw firm will be the next say zàijiàn to its offices in China? You can  email us  or text us ( 646-820-8477 ) if you have any intel. Thank you.

Perkins Coie Shutters Beijing Office [Law.com International]

Referral Fees The Key To Growing A Modern Practice? Overture Thinks So.

New Report - Are Small Firms Achieving Their Legal Tech Goals?

How To Maximize Productivity With Westlaw Precision With CoCounsel

Powerful Branding Strategies and Marketing Tips for Small Law Firms

Biglaw , China , Office Closures , Perkins Coie

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In 1991 Vladimir Mekler, who at the time was the youngest legal consultation office director in the Moscow City Law Firm, brought together a small team of experts: a respected and acknowledged civil lawyer Kosheleva L. and two young lawyers Nikitin A. and Kleimenov A. In 1995 as part of Moscow City Law Firm an Attorneys at Law Mekler & Partners office was founded. In the ensuing years it experienced a drastic professional advancement and later on transformed into a separate Law Firm– Moscow City Law Firm Mekler & Partners, which now occupies its own unique niche in the market of high quality legal services. Our established team of 19 skilled lawyers is well versed in all the high-demand legal fields, providing legal support of both private and corporate sectors. We represent our clients in all courts of all judicial instances. On numerous occasions our lawyers have appeared before the Constitutional Court with landmark cases, representing the Federation Council among others; our lawyers have appeared before court on a variety of high-profile criminal cases, we have represented our clients before the Supreme Arbitration Court of the Russian Federation.

The works of our experts have appeared on the pages of the leading scientific publications.

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Creating an estate plan is important, but it can feel confusing and daunting. You want to plan ahead and take care of your loved ones, but you’re not sure where to start or if you’re asking the right questions. We want to help give you clarity and guidance, and make the estate planning process clear and easy, so you can have confidence and peace of mind that your family is taken care of.

At Eifert Law Firm, we are committed to constantly honing our expertise and to continue learning and innovating to give you the best counsel in estate planning, probate, estate administration, and business law. 

We believe in transparency. For that reason we only use flat fees. We believe flat fees are more honest, incentivizes more efficient work, and are better for the client. You can know the value of the work you are receiving and budget accordingly–no surprise bills at the end.

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I want to recommend Eifert Law Firm as the best legal firm in Moscow. From the staff to the legal counsel and assistance, my business partners and I have received the best, most flexible, knowledgable, and timely services we could have expected. Definitely a five star firm.

I cannot thank Ellis enough for untangling a situation of probates times two. He was able to solve my problem without going to court. Now I am happy in a home that holds great sentimental value, which could of been lost without the professional commitment of an attorney who cares.

Ellis was very professional and helpful in explaining the details of our wills and health directives. He made the process easy and straight forward. Ellis is responsive and flexible in setting up appointments, often fitting us in quickly even when schedules are tight.

Ellis Eifert is an exceptional attorney! We used him to prepare all the documents for our real estate business and have continued to seek his expertise in more complicated real estate law situations. He is professional, personable, and excellent at his job. We look forward to continuing to use him in the future and would highly recommend him to anyone looking for an attorney!

Working with Ellis from Eifert Law Firm was a fantastic experience. I’ve been needing to do estate planning for years and Ellis did a great job walking me through the process, answering numerous questions and never tiring from my continual adjustments to our estate plan. I felt like I was in good hands the whole time and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Eifert Law Firm to others seeking estate planning services.

Ellis did great work that really helped my wife and I out. There are so many generalizations and jokes out there about lawyers that make it easy to imagine them trafficking with the devil, and laughing all the way to the bank with your money. However, when you actually need a lawyer it’s a bit stressful to find someone you trust, let alone someone you like and feel comfortable enough to work with. I’m happy to say that in our experience, Ellis was not only a sharp, knowledgeable attorney, but also very easy and enjoyable to work with. Thank you for not living up to all the negative stereotypes!

Ellis was awesome to work with. He was very quick to get us in, and very helpful in guiding us through everything in a way that made sense. Very glad we have someone that we not only trust, but also enjoy working with. Thank you!!

Ellis helped us with our will and estate planning. He was great to work with and I’d highly recommend him!

Working with Ellis Eifert was a pleasure, he was friendly, upfront and honest. Ellis took care of all our estate needs and made sure we understood everything from the start to the finish. I would highly recommend Eifert’s law firm.

I never thought that I would leave a 5 star review for an attorney, but Ellis has been a breath of fresh air to his field! Not only was he very responsive when I had some immediate needs for my small business despite being a new client, but he was extremely knowledgeable about the most appropriate course of action. His work was efficient and he explained the process in a way that was easily understandable by someone without legal knowledge. If you are looking for a dynamic and friendly professional to handle your small business needs, it would be prudent to look no further than Eifert Law Firm!

Ellis is fantastic to work with and we cannot recommend him enough. He is very professional, punctual, informative and has a very sociable approach to the legalities of small business. We really appreciated that he was so patient and took the time to explain what all the legal documentation and legal terms meant. Opening a small business can be an anxious time, but having Ellis as an attorney made us feel completely at ease with the legal aspects of opening a small business.

Ellis was helpful, knowledgeable, and made our business set-up very easy. He is a wonderful resource that we will use again.

Mr. Eifert was the third attorney that we met with to set up wills and a living trust account. After waiting over a year for the documents with the first attorney, and several months with the second attorney, our wills and trust documents were never done. Mr. Eifert understood our needs and everything was done in just a few weeks. Mr. Eifert was very personable and such a pleasure to work with, I would recommend him any time.

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Based in Moscow, Russia, the AT Lawyers provides comprehensive legal and tax advice to a diverse International and Russian clientele. Our clients include large and medium-size, publicly and privately held business entities that represent a variety of industries:

• Real estate and Development;
• Wholesale and commodities trading ;
• Financial services;
• E-commerce;
• Metals production and trade;
• Venture capital;
• Computer software development; and
• Technology transfer.

Our attorneys provide the highest quality service in a prompt and cost-effective manner. We structure our services to accommodate the specific requirements and concerns of each client. Our clients are encouraged to communicate with us to make sure that we are fulfilling their precise needs. Our lawyers have experience working for Russian and Western businesses and law firms. Our extensive experience allows us to work effectively with both Western and Russian clients.

We believe that the expertise of the Firm’s attorneys within our practice areas, together with our focus on productivity and cost control, enhances our ability to achieve our clients’ objectives in Russian and CIS markets.

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