Home > The maritime sectors > Maritim LawMaritim Law
 Maritime law is the law governing all things, activities and events related with the sea. In particular, it deals with matters relating to sailors, ships and other sea craft, charter parties and maritime transport, shipowning and ship sales, maritime safety, events on the sea and marine insurance... Most legal experts, lawyers or practitioners of maritime law belong to the Association française de droit maritime (AFDM) which acts as a coordinator and consultant at national and international level.
The French Maritime Law Association (MLA) has a membership of around 400 professionals in maritime law (academics, maritime lawyers, in-house lawyers from maritime companies or organisms). Its objective is to study all matters concerning maritime law and law related to maritime activities in general in all its aspects (domestic and international, private and public).
Dispute resolution by arbitration or conciliation can be carried out through the Chambre Arbitrale Maritime de Paris (Maritime Arbitration Court of Paris), which can provide companies of all sizes with the necessary facilities. Its services are as effective as similar Anglo-Saxon jurisdictions and are quicker and less expensive.
Law Firms In the event of litigation (arrest and sale of ships, cargo disputes, pollution…) or negotiations concerning maritime actions, the parties (shipping companies, brokers, P&I…) are advised and assisted by lawyers who are specialists in the sector. They work for law firms such as:
An internat ional law firm established in Paris since 1992, specialising in insurance, transport (maritime, air, road, rail), construction, commodities, industrial risks and arbitration.
Since 1997, the Law Firm Favarel has offered a high level of expertise in Maritime and International Business Law. Thanks to lawyers specialized in Maritime and Transport Law, International arbitration, Corporate Law, Banking Law, Bankruptcy Law, the firm intervenes on a regular basis in environmental disasters, International Labor accidents, negotiation and drafting of International Construction Contracts for the sale of Mega Luxury Yachts and can rely on a worldwide network of correspondents.
An international law firm founded in Paris in 1920, Gide Loyrette Nouel practices in all areas of business law. For more than 30 years, its dedicated teams have covered all aspects of sea, air and road transport, industrial risk and insurance, whether in respect of advice or litigation.
Founded in 2007 and composed of four lawyers, Helians specializes in marine transport litigation but also has highly regarded expertise in matters of public law. Its Lawyers handle standard maritime litigation as well as specific questions of environmental maritime law (regulated sites, fossil fuels and renewables, use authorizations, mining law, pollution); port law (use tariffs, stocking, port reform, public port facilities, port authority responsibility); maritime policing (sailing permits, navigational infractions, vessel classification); and the oversight of public contracts in maritime construction. The members of the firm speak French, English and Spanish.
An international firm specialising in maritime law as one of its main activities, it covers all aspects of this system of law (collision, salvage, wreck removal, total or partial loss, pollution, general average), the maritime litigation of which can give rise to charter and freight agreements, insurance contracts, the construction and repair of vessels, and aspects related with port operations.
Part of international law firm Ince & Co since 2002, their historic links with the players of the maritime sector and the French insurance market go back several decades. Their offices in France practise French law and English law in the fields of advice, litigation and arbitration.
A team of 6 Paris based lawyers with an international network, LBEW is specialised in all maritime and transport activities, and provides its foreign and French clients with expertise in litigation, arbitration and advice.
Lewis & Co AARPI solicitors and avocats provides a full range of international services in shipping, international trade insurance and commercial law. Its lawyers have been involved in some of the highest profile major maritime casualties over the years as well as day-to-day commercial disputes arising under shipping contracts. An Anglo French practice, the firm specializes in shipping, international trade and insurance, and advises on both English and French law.
Cabinet Moulet is specialized in Maritime and transportation law. It acts on behalf of maritime companies, vessel and yacht owners in various matters such as legal advice, drafting of contracts, marine surveys, Court and arbitration disputes, out of Court settlements.
Pioneer in the shipping sector Norton Rose LLP is a leading international law firm at the forefront of innovative structures implemented in this area whether in the context of shipping finance (mortgage loans, tax leasing, export credit), corporate and capital markets, marine insurance, competition and regulation, tax, admiralty, infrastructure, energy and shipping litigation, regardless of the type of ship (gas carriers, cruise ships, oil tankers, bulk carriers or container ships…).
Reed Smith is an international law firm with teams in shipping and maritime law, as well as international trade, insurance and arbitration in Europe (Paris, London and Piraeus), in the United States (Washington, New York), in Asia (Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore) and in the Middle East (Abu Dhabi, Dubaï). Reed Smith's strength in these practice areas is a result of its merger with Richards Butler in 2007 (which had long been present in Greece and Asia) and, as far as the Paris office is concerned, of the arrival of Luc Grellet in 2008. Ten lawyers are dedicated to maritime law in Paris.
An international law firm established in Paris since 1945, specializing in transport law (road and air) and particularly maritime law in all of its aspects, as well as insurance and arbitration law. The firm’s lawyers handle cases in France and abroad, especially in French-speaking Africa, directly and through a network of specialist correspondants.
Shubert Collin Associés is an international business law firm, with particular expertise in advising French and foreign clients with respect to international operations. In the area of maritime law, this "boutique" firm (twelve lawyers) operates essentially in the area of tax law (tonnage tax, VAT, business tax, tax litigation, etc.).
International law firm specialised in maritime and transportation law; practices in all fields of maritime law and in particular purchase and sale of vessels, financing of vessels (including Loi Girardin, mortgage loans, tax leasing, export credit); structuring ownership; flagging; port development; concessions and public tenders; European aid and subsidy issues; all tax aspects relating to transactions.
Trillat & Associés Law Firm is dedicated to the business activities of its clients as advisor and litigator in court or in arbitration. The firm has expanded significantly particularly in the international fields (contract management, merger – acquisition, etc.) especially in Germany and China. In addition, Trillat & Associés Law Firm benefits from a solid reputation in industrial accidents (pollution, Mont Blanc tunnel fire, AZF plant explosion in Toulouse, collapse of the QUEEN MARY gangway in Saint-Nazaire, Channel Tunnel fire, etc.) where it handles the insurance and criminal aspects.
The first maritime law firm established in France (Paris - Marseilles), it specialises in litigation, arbitration and mediation in maritime law (Admiralty, carriage, C/P, marine insurance, shipbuilding, yachting, pollution…). haut de page |
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Association Française de Droit Maritime 
