Rory Butler
Partner, Deputy Group Leader
About Rory
Rory specialises in shipping and trade, including dispute resolution arising from charterparties, COAs, bills of lading, vessel sale and purchase, shipbuilding/supply contracts, fires and explosions, collisions, groundings, general average, salvage, limitation, and total loss. His expertise encompasses both dry and admiralty matters, which is especially beneficial when handling major casualties with a multi-jurisdictional focus. Rory has acted for owners, charterers, cargo interests, and their insurers on a wide variety of cases. He has developed a reputation for successfully handling major containership casualties involving dangerous goods as well as particular expertise relating to multipurpose and heavy lift vessels.
On the advisory side Rory has assisted clients on contract terms including charterparties, COA, bills of lading, pool agreements, ship management agreements, vessel sale and purchase agreements and shipbuilding contracts. Rory has also built up extensive experience in the LNG sector with regard to shipbuilding contracts and long term charters/tenders.
Rory was named one of the world’s top ten shipping lawyers in 2018 by the leading trade publication Lloyd’s List. One of the barristers surveyed by Lloyd’s List for the report said that Rory gets “top billing among shipping lawyers and is virtually ubiquitous at the moment.“
Chambers 2025 again ranks Rory as a Band 1 lawyer and notes he demonstrates wide-ranging expertise in the shipping market, particularly with regard to disputes pertaining to shipbuilding, salvage and bills of lading. His clientele includes owners, cargo interests and charterers. Client feedback was “Rory is straightforward, confident and strong in his advocacy.” and “Rory has a great offering.“
Rory is also ranked in Chambers Global Guide for shipping with client feedback being “Rory Butler is a very good lawyer. He is sharp and provides practical solutions for clients.“
Rory was also recommended in Chambers 2014 to 2024.
Legal 500 2021 to 2025 also notes Rory as a leading partner and the latest client feedback is:
‘Rory Butler – “First choice for a ‘business critical’ level dispute“. and “Rory Butler – commercial litigation“
Rory edits a regular case update presentation to P&I Clubs and other clients which covers recent developments in English law. He has also spent time on secondment in the industry at a P&I Club and shipbroker.
Rory has also worked with BIMCO on their standard clauses, including the BIMCO Force Majeure clause.
Rory is qualified in England and Wales