Tom is an experienced litigator who regularly handles complex, high profile, multi-jurisdictional disputes arising from marine casualties.

He has significant experience in collisions, groundings, stow collapses, fires, explosions, heavy weather damage and the carriage of dangerous cargoes. This includes dealing with the initial casualty response, accident investigation, jurisdictional disputes, limitation issues, through to contractual disputes under contracts of carriage. This regularly involves issues of general average and limitation.

Tom regularly presents to clients in the container shipping and car carrier markets on marine casualties and the effect on various contracts in the chain including charterparties, slot-charterparties, vessel sharing agreements, contracts of affreightment, NVOCC bills, liner bills.

Tom also has a particular interest in chemical product tankers and regularly represents clients on disputes arising from the carriage of dangerous acid cargoes.

Prior to returning to HFW's London office in January 2018, Tom spent four and a half years in HFW's Hong Kong office. During this time he enjoyed secondments with two P&I Clubs, based in their Hong Kong and Tokyo offices. He retains good contacts with clients in a number of Asian markets.

Tom is qualified in England and Wales.