Tommy Fox

Biography

Tommy is a Solicitor in the Business Risk & Regulation team, specialising in Marine Regulation as part of our nationally recognised Marine & Transport practice. He has particular expertise in the Law applying to ports and harbours.

Tommy frequently advises statutory harbour authorities, competent harbour authorities, non-statutory marine facilities, companies and individuals around the UK on a full range of marine regulatory matters.

A key aspect of Tommy’s practice involves advising on the local legislation which governs the powers and duties of statutory harbour authorities and drafting Harbour Revision Orders to amend / replace existing local legislation. Tommy also advises on marine enforcement, including powers relating to the non-payment of harbour dues, the removal of sunk, stranded, abandoned and unserviceable vessels, and regulatory powers (special directions, general directions, pilotage directions and byelaws).

Prior to joining Ashfords, Tommy was awarded an Academic Excellence Scholarship to study LL.B (Hons) Law before completing the Legal Practice Course (LPC) and Professional Skills Course (PSC) at The University of Law.

Tommy frequently publishes content and industry updates and has been credited in an article on Lexis PSL.

Relevant experience

A Company Port: Advising in relation to the preparation of a works Harbour Revision Order to authorise a project and the interference with the public right of navigation.
A Company Port: Working together with the client to review and re-draft a set of modern general directions and pilotage directions.
A Trust Port: Reviewing the local legislation of a neighbouring statutory harbour authority and advising on overlapping jurisdiction.
A Municipal Port: Advising and reporting on the powers and duties afforded under the Pilotage Act 1987 in the client’s capacity as competent harbour authority.
A Municipal Port: Providing ‘Duty Holder Training’ as recommended by the Port Marine Safety Code to the Duty Holder covering their responsibilities, the role of the designated person, and the risks of non-compliance.
A Municipal Port: Advising in respect of compliance with section 33 of the Harbours, Docks and Piers Clauses Act 1847 (‘the Open Port Duty’) and the considerations which must be made before offering exclusive / preferential use of marine facilities.
A Trust Port: Progressing a Harbour Revision Order which includes the repeal and replacement of the harbour authority’s existing constitution.