Skip to content

About Peter

Peter is a dispute resolution lawyer specialising in shipping, international trade, commodities, energy and resources and general commercial disputes, focusing on international arbitration, litigation, contentious insolvencies, asset recovery and enforcement.

Peter acts for and advises trading companies, banks, investment funds, charterers, shipowners, operators, P&I Clubs and other insurers.

Shipping experience includes a wide range of charterparty disputes (time charters, voyage charters and contracts of affreightment), bills of lading, carriage of goods by sea and sale and purchase disputes. Trade and commodities experience includes coal, iron ore, metals, oil and petroleum products, cotton, agri and other soft commodities. In contentious insolvencies, he acts for claimants in substantial claims against counterparties in Hong Kong and across the Asia-Pacific region.

Peter is qualified to practice in both English and Hong Kong Courts and has considerable experience of arbitrations in Hong Kong, London and Singapore. He also assists clients in managing arbitrations and court proceedings across Asia, including the PRC, Indonesia, the Philippines, Australia, India, Pakistan, Vietnam and Taiwan. His arbitration experience includes HKIAC, SIAC, CIETAC, LMAA, ICC, FOSFA, GAFTA and LCIA arbitrations.

Peter has an LLM Master of Laws degree in shipping and insurance from London University. Having lived and worked in Hong Kong since 1997, Peter has advised and assisted many clients with issues arising throughout Asia-Pacific, the Middle east and elsewhere. Peter has been with HFW since 1998.

What the market says about Peter:

With over 20 years’ experience, Peter Murphy is renowned for his expertise in international trade, shipping and international arbitration. He is skilled in handling disputes for P&I clubs, charterers and insurers ” (Chambers Asia-Pacific, 2019)

Peter Murphy continues to command respect for his busy practice, which includes charter party, bill of lading and international trade disputes ” (Chambers Asia-Pacific, 2018)

The well-regarded Peter Murphy is admired by clients for his ‘good-quality work and eye for detail’ ” (Chambers Asia-Pacific, 2017)

Especially noted for his strength in
commodities and trade-related matters, sources describe him as ‘incredibly able
– a good lawyer with a good practice'”
 (Chambers Asia-Pacific, 2016)