Christopher Garley

About Chris

Chris is a Partner in HFW’s London office, focusing on shipping and international trade disputes in court, arbitration and mediation. He represents owners, charterers, managers and their insurers based internationally, while maintaining a particular interest in German and South American markets.

Chris’ primary expertise is on contractual disputes, advising in the aftermath of shipping incidents. In that context, he has acted for Owners and Charterers advising in respect of charterparties, bills of lading, cargo claims, as well as commodities/trade disputes and vessel performance claims, including those arising from prototype “design and build” contracts. 

Chris continues to advise on all aspects of the charterparty lifecycle, from advisory work at the initial fixture stage, through to speed and performance claims, sales contracts, bill of lading disputes, letters of indemnity, off-spec cargo claims and redelivery disputes.  

In 2025, Chris represented the Owners of the MSC FLAMINIA in the UK Supreme Court – a decision which brought much needed clarification to the application of the Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims.