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As leading lawyers in international commerce, we are regularly approached to comment on the latest issues or trends affecting the markets in which our clients operate.

HFW achieves top-tier rankings in The Legal 500 2025 Asia Pacific Guide

HFW has been recognised as a leading firm in the 2025 edition of The Legal 500 Asia Pacific, which identifies the top lawyers and law firms in Australia and Singapore.
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HFW Partner Elinor Dautlich appointed Co-Chair of the IBA’s Maritime and Transport Law Committee 5 January 2017 HFW's London-based Head of Finance Elinor Dautlich will take up the position of Co-Chair of the International Bar Association's (IBA) Maritime and Transport Law Committee, effective January 2017. Elinor is the first woman to be appointed in the position of Chair of this Committee. Read media release
Holman Fenwick Willan former Partner awarded OBE in New Year’s Honours List 3 January 2017 Leading international law firm Holman Fenwick Willan (HFW) is delighted to announce that former Partner James Gosling (previously head of the Admiralty department and now a Consultant with the firm) has been appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the New Year's Honours announced on 30 December 2016. Read media release
HFW Partners Craig Neame, Jim Cashman and Anthony Woolich are recognised in Lloyd’s List Top 100 Most Influential People in Shipping 2016 20 December 2016 Lloyd's List has published the seventh annual report of the Top 100 Most Influential People in Shipping and we are delighted that Partners Craig Neame and Jim Cashman have placed joint number one, with Anthony Woolich placing in at number seven of the Top 10 Lawyers list this year. Read media release
Holman Fenwick Willan wins the i-Law Maritime Lawyer of the Year, Lloyd’s List Middle East and Indian Subcontinent Awards 2016 8 December 2016 The Lloyd’s List Awards series recognises the industry’s successes, setting a benchmark for excellence while rewarding innovative ideas and concepts that have pushed the boundaries of what is possible. Read media release
Holman Fenwick Willan advises APAX Partners on the financing of the acquisition of Telemar 7 December 2016 Earlier this year (June 2016), Apax Partners completed the acquisition of Marlink, a provider of tailored communications solutions. By combining Telemar and Marlink, Apax will constitute the world's leading maritime communications, digital solutions and servicing specialist for all customer segments at sea including Shipping, Offshore, Cruise & Ferry, Yachting and Fishing. Read media release
HFW merges with US firm Legge Farrow in major strategic drive into US energy and marine markets 28 November 2016 On 3 January 2017 international law firm Holman Fenwick Willan (HFW) will be merging with leading US energy and marine firm Legge, Farrow, Kimmitt, McGrath & Brown LLP, based in Houston, Texas. The merger is a major strategic development for both firms, bringing significant benefit to their clients. Read media release
HFW advises on novel trade finance securitisation 15 November 2016 Commodities and trade finance specialist law firm Holman Fenwick Willan (HFW) has advised on the establishment of one of the first securitisations of both existing and future trade finance receivables. The securitisation structure will enable Luxembourg-based asset manager Synthesis to access the capital markets (including retail investors) through a medium term note (MTN) programme established by three special purpose issuers, Synthesis Trade Finance I SA, Synthesis Trade Finance II SA and Synthesis Trade Finance III SA, in order to provide trade finance to the commodities market. The programme allows for the issue of notes with an aggregate principal amount of up to US$500million, but can be increased. Notes issued under the programme will be listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, and admitted to trading on the Euro MTF Market of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. Read media release
HFW successfully defends US$120m brokerage claim in English High Court 11 November 2016 In a claim of originally US$120m, Holman Fenwick Willan LLP (HFW) worked with another leading law firm to successfully defend a subsidiary of China International United Petroleum & Chemicals Co., Ltd (Unipec Beijing), (the subsidiary being Unipec UK) against claims by brokers, Pan Oceanic Charterers Inc. (POC). Read media release
Crew of NAHAM 3 released by pirates after over four and a half years in captivity 24 October 2016 A team of HFW lawyers has played an integral role in the successful release of 26 seafarer hostages from Somali pirates on 21 October 2016. Read media release
HFW awarded indemnity costs against Scottish authorities in Rangers case. 21 October 2016 Administrative Court rules that the actions of Crown Office and Police Scotland in obtaining and executing a search warrant at HFW's London offices in December 2015 were "an abuse of state power". The Rangers FC investigators must now pay costs of injunctive and judicial review proceedings pursued by HFW on the indemnity basis. Read media release
HFW nominated for Litigation and Dispute Resolution Team of the Year at The British Legal Awards 2016 14 October 2016 We are delighted to announce HFW has been nominated for Litigation and Dispute Resolution Team of the Year at The British Legal Awards 2016 Read media release
ATLANTIK CONFIDENCE – cargo insurers 11 October 2016 In a groundbreaking judgment handed down today (11 October 2016), HFW has successfully acted for cargo insurers in a case where it is believed that, for the first time anywhere in the UK, limits under the Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims 1976 (as amended) have been broken. Read media release
HFW advises Panama Canal Authority on major port PPP 6 October 2016 A team of HFW lawyers led by Partners Alex Kyriakoulis and Alistair Mackie, and including Matthew Gore and Joseph Botham are advising the Panama Canal Authority (the ACP) on the development of a new container terminal, part of the wider Panama Canal expansion project. Read media release
HFW win Maritime Lawyer of the Year at the Lloyd’s List Global Awards 2016 6 October 2016 Holman Fenwick Willan won the Maritime Lawyer of the Year 2016 at the Lloyd's List Global Awards, held at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich on 28 September. The awards were attended by 450 industry professionals and were hosted by Fiona Bruce. Read media release
Holman Fenwick Willan appoints new COO 26 September 2016 International law firm Holman Fenwick Willan (HFW) has appointed a new Chief Operating Officer, Justin Young, who joins the firm on 26 September. Read media release