Extended Operational and Trade Vocabulary

Maritime Arbitration and Shipping Law Firms glossary

The arbitration-forum and law-firm vocabulary: the arbitral institutions (AAA, the ADGM Arbitration Centre), the Admiralty Court of England and Wales, the maritime law firms, and the in-rem and in-personam procedural terms. Grounds each term in the arbitration forum or the law firm it belongs to.

321 defined terms.

Showing 250 on this page (page 1 of 2).

A

A and O Shearman: Global firm formed by the 2024 merger of Allen and Overy and Shearman and Sterling, retaining a transactional shipping finance practice.
AAA: Association of Average Adjusters, UK professional body for general average adjusters founded 1869.
Adams and Adams: South African law firm with a maritime practice handling admiralty arrests, cargo claims, and marine insurance disputes in Durban and Cape Town.
ADGM Arbitration Centre: Abu Dhabi Global Market Arbitration Centre, an English common law forum hosting maritime arbitrations under its 2024 Procedural Rules.
Admiralty Court: the Admiralty division of the English High Court hearing maritime claims in rem and in personam.
Admiralty Court Rules: Procedural rules in CPR Part 61 and Practice Direction 61 governing admiralty proceedings in England and Wales.
Admiralty Marshal: The officer of the English Admiralty Court responsible for executing arrest warrants, taking custody of arrested property, and conducting judicial sales.
Admiralty Solicitors Group: Network of London admiralty practitioners that publishes standard form Collision Jurisdiction and Salvage agreements.
ADR Maritime: Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms adapted to shipping disputes, including expert determination and mediation under LMAA Mediation Terms.
Advokatfirmaet Wikborg Rein: Norwegian law firm with a leading shipping practice in Oslo, Bergen, London, Singapore, and Shanghai.
Allen and Overy: International law firm now part of A and O Shearman, with shipping finance and disputes work across London and Singapore.
Ambrey: Maritime risk management firm advising on charterparty disputes arising from war risks and conflict zones.
Ananian-Cooper: Maritime barrister practising from London commercial chambers in shipping arbitration matters.
Andrew Baker KC: Former judge of the Admiralty Court of England and Wales, succeeded by Mr Justice Bright.
Antares: A vessel name involved in The Antares appeal heard in the Court of Appeal of England and Wales.
Anti-Suit Injunction: An order of an arbitral tribunal or supervisory court restraining a party from commencing or continuing foreign proceedings in breach of an arbitration agreement.
APP: Asia Pacific Productivity, a maritime arbitration administrator concept used in some Asian forums.
Appeal on a Question of Law: Right under Section 69 of the English Arbitration Act 1996 to appeal an arbitral award on a point of law with permission of the court.
Arbitral Tribunal: Body of one or more arbitrators appointed to determine a dispute under an arbitration agreement.
Arbitration Act 1996: Statute of the United Kingdom governing arbitration in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Arbitration Act 2024: Singapore International Arbitration Act 1994 as periodically amended, governing arbitrations seated in Singapore.
Arbitrator: A neutral appointed by the parties or an institution to determine a dispute by binding award under the agreed rules and curial law.
Arnold and Porter: International firm with an admiralty and maritime regulatory practice in Washington DC.
Arrest Convention 1952: The International Convention Relating to the Arrest of Sea-Going Ships, listing the maritime claims giving rise to a right of arrest.
Arrest Convention 1999: The International Convention on Arrest of Ships, expanding the list of maritime claims and addressing rearrest and multiple arrest.
Ashurst: Anglo-Australian law firm with shipping and offshore practice in London, Singapore, and Sydney.
Association of Average Adjusters: The London based professional body, founded 1869, that publishes rules of practice for general average adjustment.
Asters: Ukrainian law firm with a maritime practice in Kyiv and Odessa.
Attorney: United States practitioner who may act as both solicitor and advocate in admiralty proceedings.
Australasian Institute of Marine Surveyors: Professional body whose surveyors regularly give expert evidence in shipping disputes.
Award: The final or partial decision of an arbitral tribunal disposing of issues referred to it.

B

Bahamas Maritime Authority: BMA, the flag administration headquartered in Nassau with offices in London, Hong Kong and New York.
Baker McKenzie: International law firm with a shipping practice in London, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
Bareboat Charter: Demise charter under which the charterer becomes disponent owner.
Barristers: Specialist advocates in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and many Commonwealth jurisdictions who appear before maritime courts and tribunals.
BCLP: Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, international firm with a London shipping and trade practice.
Bedell Cristin: Channel Islands firm advising on ship registration and ship finance disputes in Jersey.
Beijing Arbitration Commission: Mainland Chinese arbitration institution that administers commercial cases including some maritime matters.
Beijing Maritime Court: One of 11 maritime courts established in the People's Republic of China.
Bentleys Stokes and Lowless: London admiralty solicitors firm dating to the eighteenth century with a focused shipping practice.
Berwin Leighton Paisner: Predecessor firm to Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner with a London maritime practice.
BIMCO: Baltic and International Maritime Council, drafter of standard maritime contracts.
Blank Rome: United States law firm with admiralty offices in Philadelphia, New York, Washington DC, and Houston.
Bond Dickinson: Predecessor firm to Womble Bond Dickinson, with a Newcastle shipping practice.
Brick Court Chambers: London commercial barristers chambers with a maritime arbitration practice.
Brown Rudnick: United States firm with a London admiralty disputes office.
Burges Salmon: Bristol firm with a shipping practice covering ports and marine insurance.

C

Calidonia Chambers: Singapore barristers chambers with maritime arbitration practitioners.
Cardozo School of Law: Institution at Yeshiva University publishing the Journal of Conflict Resolution which addresses maritime ADR.
Carriage of Goods by Sea Act: United States statute of 1936 implementing the Hague Rules into US law, now codified at 46 US Code Sections 30701 to 30707.
Cassels Brock: Canadian firm with a maritime practice in Toronto.
Caveat Against Arrest: Court entry filed by a defendant requesting notice before any arrest, governed by CPR 61.7 in England and Wales.
Cefor: The Nordic Association of Marine Insurers, headquartered in Oslo, publishing market statistics and supporting NMIP.
Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution: London mediation provider offering shipping mediations under CEDR Rules.
Charles Russell Speechlys: London firm with a maritime practice including yacht finance and superyacht disputes.
Charter Hire Dispute: Arbitration claim concerning unpaid hire under a time charter or bareboat charter, frequently referred to LMAA or SCMA.
Charterparty Arbitration Clause: Contractual provision designating the seat, institution, governing law, and panel for arbitration of disputes.
CIArb: Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, founded in 1915 in London, with maritime members worldwide.
CIETAC: China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission, occasionally seized of shipping arbitrations.
CIETAC Hong Kong Arbitration Center: Branch office of CIETAC established in Hong Kong in 2012.
CINS: Cargo Incident Notification System maintained by major container lines as a precursor to claims.
Civil Procedure Rules: Procedural framework of the courts of England and Wales, with Part 61 dedicated to admiralty claims.
Class Survey Report: Document from a classification society often relied on as evidence in shipping arbitrations.
Clifford Chance: International firm with shipping finance and disputes practice in London, Singapore, and New York.
Clyde & Co: An international law firm with a substantial admiralty, shipping, and insurance practice.
CMA CGM: French container shipping line, third-largest globally.
CMA Singapore: Companies of CMA CGM whose Singapore contracts frequently invoke SCMA arbitration.
CMI: Comite Maritime International, NGO contributor to maritime-law unification.
CMI Arbitration Rules: Rules drafted by the CMI to provide a recognized arbitration framework for shipping disputes.
Cobus Coetzee: South African maritime lawyer associated with admiralty arrest practice in Durban.
COGSA: US Carriage of Goods by Sea Act 1936, applying to outbound bills of lading.
Cohen and Gresser: New York firm with international arbitration and shipping fraud work.
Collision Jurisdiction Agreement: Standard form drafted by the Admiralty Solicitors Group for resolving collision disputes by London arbitration or English court.
Commercial Court London: Division of the Business and Property Courts hearing high-value shipping disputes and supervising LMAA arbitrations.
Commercial Court Practice Direction: Procedural rules for the Commercial Court including CPR 58 and the Admiralty and Commercial Courts Guide.
Conybeare Solicitors: London shipping boutique focused on admiralty and shipping arbitration.
Costs Award: Decision of a tribunal allocating costs of the arbitration between the parties.
Counterclaim: A claim by the respondent in the same reference, treated as a separate claim subject to its own time bar.
CPR Part 61: Part of the Civil Procedure Rules dedicated to admiralty claims in England and Wales.
CPR Part 62: Part of the Civil Procedure Rules covering applications relating to arbitration including challenges to awards.
Crowell and Moring: United States firm with an admiralty practice in Washington DC and New York.
Curtis Davis Garrard: London shipping boutique founded in 1973 focused on ship finance and maritime litigation.
Curtis Mallet-Prevost: New York firm with a maritime arbitration and sanctions practice.

D

DAC Beachcroft: Insurance-focused firm with marine insurance disputes practice in London and Singapore.
Damages for Detention: Compensation payable for delay to the vessel after laytime has expired and demurrage is exhausted or unagreed.
Damar Law: Greek shipping law firm based in Piraeus.
Daniel Toledano KC: King's Counsel at One Essex Court appearing in shipping arbitrations and Commercial Court matters.
De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek: Leading Dutch firm with an Amsterdam shipping practice.
Debattista: Charles Debattista, academic and arbitrator known for trade and shipping work.
Decision on Jurisdiction: Ruling by a tribunal on its own competence, often issued as an interim award.
Demurrage: Liquidated damages for detention of ship beyond laytime.
Dentons: International firm with shipping and maritime practice across multiple jurisdictions.
DIAC: Dubai International Arbitration Centre, Emirati institution administering maritime disputes under the 2022 DIAC Rules.
DIFC Courts: Dubai International Financial Centre Courts, English common law jurisdiction enforcing arbitration awards and maritime judgments.
Discovery: Procedural disclosure stage in arbitration governed by IBA Rules on Taking of Evidence in many shipping cases.
Dispute Adjudication Board: Standing panel sometimes used in shipbuilding contracts as a precursor to arbitration.
DLA Piper: International firm with a shipping and transport practice in London, Hamburg, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
DOAJ: Documentary Committee of BIMCO whose standard documents include arbitration clauses.
Documents Only Arbitration: LMAA Small Claims and Intermediate Claims procedure conducted on written submissions without a hearing.
Drew and Napier: Singapore law firm with a shipping practice and frequent SCMA appointments.
Drewry: London-based maritime research firm publishing the World Container Index used as a benchmark for container freight derivatives.
Dual Domicile: Choice of forum issue arising when defendants are domiciled in different jurisdictions.

E

EAA: European Arbitration Association concept used in some scholarship; not an active maritime forum.
Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court: Court whose Commercial Division in the British Virgin Islands handles ship-mortgage enforcement.
EBL Miller Nash: United States firm in Seattle and Portland with admiralty practice.
Ebsworth and Ebsworth: Predecessor to Holman Fenwick Willan in Australia, with a maritime heritage.
Eco Lambert: Reference to Lambert v ECO Hotels or similar shipping cases on jurisdiction.
Edwin Glasgow KC: King's Counsel at 39 Essex Chambers with maritime arbitration practice.
Eight to Eight: Reference to the Eighth Edition of LMAA Terms in force from 1 May 2021.
Elborne Mitchell: London marine insurance specialist firm with H and M and P and I disputes work.
Email Service: Service of arbitration notices by email, permitted under most institutional rules including LMAA Terms 2021.
Emergency Arbitrator: A pre-tribunal appointee under certain institutional rules empowered to grant urgent interim relief.
Enforcement: Process of giving effect to an arbitral award in a national court, governed internationally by the New York Convention 1958.
English Arbitration Act 1996: The statute consolidating the law of arbitration for seats in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
English Law and Jurisdiction: Common law system and Commercial Court frequently chosen for shipping contracts under BIMCO and Asbatankvoy forms.
Eversheds Sutherland: International firm with a London shipping practice.
Expert Determination: An alternative dispute resolution mechanism, used in some marine policies for technical disputes.
Expert Witnesses: Specialists appointed in arbitration on naval architecture, marine engineering, and average adjustment matters.
Extradition: Reference to enforcement of personal sanctions in shipping fraud cases.

F

F and B International: Reference to firms acting in collision matters; commonly Stanton Chase International style appointments.
Federal Court of Australia: Court with admiralty jurisdiction under the Admiralty Act 1988 of the Commonwealth of Australia.
Fennell and Co: South African maritime law firm.
Final Award: Concluding salvage arbitration determination after all evidence and submissions.
Fitness for Service Survey: Class society inspection report often invoked in unseaworthiness claims.
Five Member Panel: LMAA panel of fellow members above arbitrators and aspiring full members.
Forwarders Arbitration: Multimodal arbitration under FIATA rules occasionally invoked in shipping contracts.
Foulkes Lynch: Reference to historic London maritime practitioners.
Frankfurt Court of Appeal: Oberlandesgericht hearing appeals from arbitration challenges in German shipping cases.
Freshfields: International firm with a shipping finance and arbitration practice in London and Hong Kong.

G

GAFTA: Grain and Feed Trade Association, London-based commodity arbitration administrator whose awards are frequently cited in voyage charter cases.
Gard: The Norwegian-headquartered Assuranceforeningen Gard, an International Group P&I club founded in 1907, also writing energy and marine liability lines.
General Average Statement: Adjustment prepared by an average adjuster under the York Antwerp Rules 2016.
General Maritime Law: United States federal common law applicable to maritime torts including collisions and personal injury.
Geneva Convention 1923: Protocol on Arbitration Clauses, predecessor to the New York Convention 1958.
George Lake: Reference to a notable shipping arbitrator in the LMAA panel.
Gibson Dunn: International firm with an admiralty arbitration practice in London and Singapore.
Gold Bond: BIMCO ship sale and purchase form with London arbitration clause.
Goodwins: London admiralty boutique active in arrest practice.
Gosselin and Co: Antwerp shipping law firm.
Greek Maritime Code: Codification of 1958 governing shipping disputes in Greece.
Grey Funnel Line: Reference name sometimes used in maritime arbitration scholarship.

H

Hague Convention 1924: International Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules of Law relating to Bills of Lading, the Hague Rules.
Hague Convention on Choice of Court Agreements: Treaty of 30 June 2005 affecting forum selection clauses in shipping contracts.
Hague-Visby Rules: 1968 Visby Protocol and 1979 SDR Protocol to the Hague Rules.
Hamburg Court of Appeal: Hanseatic Oberlandesgericht hearing arbitration challenges in shipping disputes.
Hamburg Rules: 1978 UN Convention on Carriage of Goods by Sea.
Harbour Litigation Funding: London-based litigation funder backing maritime claims.
Harris Kyriakides: Cyprus shipping law firm.
Helmepa: Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association referenced in environmental arbitrations.
HFW: Holman Fenwick Willan, London-headquartered international shipping firm founded in 1883 with 16 offices.
Hill Dickinson: Liverpool-headquartered firm with shipping disputes offices in London, Piraeus, Monaco, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
HKIAC Administered Arbitration Rules: HKIAC rules in force from 1 November 2018 with maritime appendix considered for adoption.
HKIAC Maritime Arbitration: Practice area of the HKIAC supported by specialist arbitrators.
Hogan Lovells: International firm with a shipping disputes and finance practice in London and Hong Kong.
Holman Fenwick Willan: A London headquartered international law firm specializing in shipping, marine insurance, and P&I disputes.
Hong Kong Arbitration Ordinance: Cap 609 of 1 June 2011 governing arbitrations seated in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre: Institution founded in 1985 administering shipping arbitrations from Exchange Square.
Hopkins and Bracewell: Reference to historic London admiralty solicitors.
House of Lords: Former apex court of England and Wales whose admiralty decisions remain authoritative until departed from by the United Kingdom Supreme Court.
Hyde and Co: Sydney maritime law firm.

I

IACS: International Association of Classification Societies, 12 members.
IBA: Important Bird Area, designation considered in offshore wind environmental impact assessment.
ICA: Inter-Club Agreement on Cargo Claims published by the International Group of P and I Clubs, frequently invoked in time charter arbitrations.
ICC: Institute Cargo Clauses A, B, and C.
ICC Rules: International Chamber of Commerce Rules of Arbitration in force from 1 January 2021.
ICS: International Chamber of Shipping, industry body.
ICSID: International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes which has handled investment arbitrations involving port concessions.
Implied Term of Seaworthiness: Contractual term implied into voyage and time charters and bills of lading.
In Personam Claim: Action against a defendant by name, available alongside in rem proceedings under English admiralty law.
In Rem Claim: Action against a ship as defendant, available under CPR 61 in England and Wales and in many common law jurisdictions.
Ince: Ince Gordon Dadds, London shipping firm trading until 2023 when its successor Axiom Ince entered administration.
Indemnity Claim: Recovery action under charterparty indemnity provisions typically referred to arbitration.
India Shipping Arbitration: Practice administered by the Indian Council of Arbitration and the Mumbai Centre for International Arbitration.
Indian Council of Arbitration: New Delhi institution administering maritime arbitrations under its Maritime Arbitration Rules.
Institutional Arbitration: Arbitration administered by an institution such as ICC, LCIA, SIAC, HKIAC, or LMAA.
Inter-club agreement: ICA, allocation of cargo claims between owner and charterer P&I clubs.
Interim Award: An award disposing of part of the issues in the reference, such as liability or jurisdiction.
Interim Measures: Provisional relief ordered by a tribunal or court in support of the reference, including security and preservation of evidence.
International Law Reports: Series reporting public international law decisions occasionally relevant to maritime arbitration.
Investment Tribunal: ICSID-style panel that has handled port-related disputes.
Iran Sanctions: Restrictive measures triggering arbitration on charterparty frustration claims.

J

Jackson Parton: London shipping law firm with a sole practitioner founder Stephen Jackson.
JAMS: Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services, United States provider of ADR with occasional maritime mandates.
Japan Shipping Exchange: Tokyo institution that administers TOMAC arbitrations.
Jenner and Block: United States firm with admiralty and aviation work in New York and Washington DC.
Joint Appointment: Single arbitrator appointed by both parties under LMAA Small Claims Procedure.
Joint Hull Committee: Lloyd's market underwriter committee for hull insurance.
Judgment in Default: Decision against a party who fails to participate, replicated in arbitration by award following procedural orders.

K

Karatzas Marine Advisors: New York maritime advisory firm referenced in arbitration matters.
Keystone Law: London consultant firm with a maritime practice.
Kim and Chang: Korean firm with a leading shipping disputes practice in Seoul.
King and Spalding: International firm with an admiralty arbitration practice in London and Singapore.
King's Counsel: Senior advocate in England and Wales designated by the Sovereign, frequently retained in shipping arbitration.
Knock-for-Knock Indemnities: Cross-indemnity clauses in offshore charterparties and salvage agreements interpreted by arbitral tribunals.
Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration: Reference to KFPEC arbitration matters in shipping contracts.

L

Latham and Watkins: International firm with an admiralty and maritime regulatory practice in London and Houston.
Law Debenture: Corporate trustee occasionally appointed in ship finance disputes.
Laytime Definitions: Voylayrules 1993, sponsored by BIMCO and FONASBA, often invoked in laytime arbitrations.
LCIA: London Court of International Arbitration, institution founded in 1892, administering disputes under the LCIA Arbitration Rules 2020.
LCIA Arbitration Rules 2020: Rules in force from 1 October 2020 setting procedures and arbitrator selection.
Legal 500: Directory ranking maritime law firms, used as benchmark within the profession.
Lex Maritima: The body of customary international maritime law applied in admiralty courts and arbitrations.
LMA Wordings: Lloyd's Market Association marine policy wordings interpreted by arbitral tribunals.
LMAA: London Maritime Arbitrators Association.
LMAA Fellows: Senior arbitrators of the LMAA elected from full members.
LMAA Full Members: Practising maritime arbitrators on the LMAA panel.
LMAA Intermediate Claims Procedure 2021: Rules for medium-value disputes between US dollars 100,000 and US dollars 400,000.
LMAA Mediation Terms: Rules for mediation administered through the LMAA framework.
LMAA Small Claims Procedure 2021: Procedure for low-value claims up to US dollars 100,000 under a sole arbitrator on documents.
LMAA Supporting Members: Solicitors, P and I clubs, and others supporting the LMAA without arbitrator status.
LMAA Terms 2021: The current standard procedural terms of the LMAA for full-length references.
LMI: London Marine Insurance market referenced in arbitration on hull and machinery policies.
Lord Justice Males: Court of Appeal Lord Justice with a shipping background, hearing arbitration appeals.
Lord Justice Popplewell: Court of Appeal judge with extensive Commercial Court shipping experience.

M

Mainland China Maritime Courts: Eleven specialized maritime courts established in Beihai, Dalian, Guangzhou, Haikou, Nanjing, Ningbo, Qingdao, Shanghai, Tianjin, Wuhan, and Xiamen.
MarAsia Arbitration: Reference to Asian maritime arbitration ecosystem.
Maritime and Commercial High Court of Copenhagen: Specialised Danish court hearing maritime claims and supporting arbitrations.
Maritime Arbitration: Specialised process determining commercial disputes arising from maritime transport, shipbuilding, salvage, and marine insurance.
Mayer Brown: International firm with an admiralty and aviation practice in London, New York, and Hong Kong.
MIA Arbitration: Maritime Industry Authority arbitration in the Philippines.
MIArb: Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, qualifying many maritime arbitrators.
MIArbS: Maritime Industry Arbitration Society referenced in literature.
MIDA: Maritime Industry Decarbonisation Alliance disputes overlap with arbitration scholarship.
MNP: Mariners' Network Pro reference to mediation networks.
MoFo: Morrison and Foerster, United States firm with a shipping disputes presence in New York.
Mor and Co: Norwegian maritime firm referenced in P and I appointments.

N

NAMAR: Norwegian Maritime Authority's reference in disputes.
National Court Enforcement: Recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards by national courts under the New York Convention.
NCPC: French New Civil Procedure Code governing arbitration in France.
Nelken and Co: Reference firm in Israel for maritime matters.
New York Convention 1958: The Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards.
New York Maritime Arbitration: SMA-administered arbitration under the Society of Maritime Arbitrators Rules.
Nordquist: Reference to academic Myron Nordquist on maritime law.
Norton Rose Fulbright: An international law firm with shipping, energy, and marine insurance practices.
Notice of Arbitration: The written notice commencing the arbitral reference under the LMAA Terms or other applicable rules.
NYPE: New York Produce Exchange Form, standard time charterparty published by ASBA and BIMCO.

O

Oslo Chamber of Commerce: Norwegian institution administering occasional maritime arbitrations.
Outer Bar: Reference to junior barristers in shipping work.
OW Bunker: Danish marine fuel supplier whose 2014 collapse caused significant counterparty losses across shipping.

P

P&I Club: Mutual insurance association covering protection-and-indemnity risks.
Pannone Corporate: Manchester firm with a marine cargo practice.
Paris Court of Appeal: French Cour d'Appel handling annulment applications under Article 1520 of the French Code of Civil Procedure.
Penningtons Manches Cooper: London firm with a leading marine insurance and admiralty practice.
Permanent Court of Arbitration: The Hague tribunal that has heard maritime boundary disputes.
Pinsent Masons: International firm with shipping and offshore practice in London, Aberdeen, Singapore, and Sydney.
Piraeus Bar Association: Greek bar with extensive shipping practitioner membership.
Plaintiff: Term for claimant in United States admiralty proceedings.
Pleading: Statement of case in arbitration, governed by the procedural orders of the tribunal.
POAC: Practical Order at Commencement issued by some tribunals.
Polish Court of Arbitration at the Polish Chamber of Maritime Commerce: Specialised maritime arbitration forum in Gdynia.