Expertise / Shipping & Maritime
Shipping & Maritime expert witnesses
Technical and commercial maritime expertise for casualty, cargo and charterparty disputes.
Request a shipping & maritime expertMaritime disputes demand experts who have lived the industry — master mariners, naval architects, marine engineers and shipping commercial specialists — and who can translate technical detail into evidence that holds up in court or arbitration.
In shipping & maritime, the difference between a strong case and a weak one often comes down to whether the expert truly understands the sector. Generalist opinion rarely survives scrutiny on specialist questions, and a tribunal gives little weight to evidence that misreads how shipping & maritime actually works. We focus here precisely because the issues are technical, the stakes are high, and the wrong expert is an expensive mistake.
What instructing through us looks like
Tell us the issues, the forum and your timeline. We check fit, availability and conflicts, then send a short, honest shortlist. You review CVs and speak with the expert before instructing — the instruction and fees are agreed directly between you and the expert, on your terms. New to the process? See our guide on how to instruct an expert witness.
Coverage
Areas we cover in shipping & maritime
- Collision, grounding and casualty investigation
- Cargo damage, stowage and carriage
- Charterparty, demurrage and laytime
- Naval architecture and seaworthiness
- Marine engineering and machinery failure
- Salvage, general average and marine insurance
FAQ
Common questions
What does a Shipping & Maritime expert witness do?
A Shipping & Maritime expert witness gives independent, objective opinion to a court or tribunal on specialist issues within shipping & maritime. The overriding duty is to the court, not to the instructing party. That opinion typically takes the form of a written report and, where required, oral evidence.
When should I instruct a Shipping & Maritime expert?
As early as the issues become clear. Instructing early helps you weigh the strengths and weaknesses of a case, scope the evidence proportionately, and avoid a rushed report against a looming deadline.
How do you choose your Shipping & Maritime experts?
We select on substance — relevant qualifications, genuine shipping & maritime experience, and an understanding of an expert's duties in litigation and arbitration. Where an expert has limited experience of giving evidence, we say so.
Can you provide master mariners and naval architects?
Yes. We work with master mariners, marine engineers and naval architects who can address casualty, seaworthiness, cargo and charterparty issues in court and arbitration.
Need an expert in shipping & maritime?
Describe the matter and we'll identify specialists who fit.
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