Marine

We advise on all aspects of marine related legal matters for a national and international client base representing ports, harbours, marinas, government agencies, property developers, insurers, banks, shipping companies, fishers, and other marine businesses.

We are recognised nationally for our pre-eminent coastal development and marine licensing expertise. We are currently advising on over £1 billion of port-related infrastructure projects. 

We regularly advise on marine regulation, including harbour revision, empowerment and closure orders, marine licensing, harbour and pilotage dues, general directions, harbour directions and byelaws, statutory harbour powers, removal of vessels and wrecks, harbour works licensing, oil pollution claims, other environmental matters, and Maritime Safety - both “MCA” and “HSE”.

In addition, we assist with numerous commercial agreements and MoUs between harbour authorities and their clients, reviewing/drafting standard terms and conditions and advising on their interaction with statutory harbour powers, duties and pilotage.

An overview of the marine team

Our marine experience

• Acting in relation to over 35 Harbour Order applications in Great Britain during 2026.
• Advising a government department in connection with the construction of a new ferry terminal in a UK port including, marine licensing, EIA deferrals and statutory harbour power related advice.
• Acting for a major port on various property management matters at one of the largest logistics parks in Europe and the adjacent deep sea container port. Our work includes advice on landlord and tenant matters, acquisitions and disposals and development.
• Advising in respect of issues associated with obtaining a marine licence to permit disposal of dredged material, where a European protected species was present in the dredge area, including the correct interpretation by the MMO of sections 9 and 10 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 in relation to the exercise of a statutory power to dredge. Successfully resolved issues with the MMO, resulting in marine licence being granted in accordance with the required timescales.
• Advising and defending statutory harbour authority clients in relation to challenges against harbour dues, including claims in restitution in Court and section 31 Harbours Act 1964 challenges.