Ishfaq Ahmed - 36 Group

Ishfaq fights hard for his client and is always thorough and meticulous in his preparation. Legal 500, 2025
His dedication is noted by instructing solicitors and clients alike.Legal 500, 2025

iahmed@36stone.co.uk

clerks@36stone.co.uk

+44 (0) 20 7440 6900

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International Arbitration

Shipping & Commodities

Commercial Litigation

Herbert SmithLaw Prize for Outstanding Ability Demonstrated in Faculty Qualifying Examinations1996

Ishfaq Ahmed has been practising at the Commercial and Admiralty Bar since October 2000 representing and advising in a wide range of commercial, shipping and employment litigation and arbitration.

Ishfaq is a Member of the Commercial Bar Association, the London Shipping Law Centre, the Employment Law Bar Association, the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, the Employment Lawyers Association, the Industrial Law Society, the Institute of Employment Rights, YSIAC and of Lincoln’s Inn. He is fluent in Urdu, has a working knowledge of French and is able to read and understand some Arabic and Persian script.

Ishfaq was admitted to the Register of Practitioners of the Dubai International Financial Centre Courts in 2014 ad has appeared before the Dubai World Tribunal.

Key cases & testimonials

Advising and representing in respect of liability for the sinking of a vessel within Defendant’s wet berth and drydock facility.

Advising and representing in respect of collisions between vessels and by vessels with harbour structures raising issues as to liability and betterment.

Charterparty dispute concerning frustration of long term contract of affreightment worth several million dollars.

Regularly advising on the proper interpretation and effect of commercial documents with ad hoc terms and/or incorporating international conventions including bills of lading, charter parties and other contracts. For example, recent advices have related to the proper interpretation and exercise of a lien/cesser of liability clauses, the proper measure of damages, war risks clauses, deviation, dead freight clauses, package limitation, “knock for knock” provisions in a towage contract, the meaning and effect of ad hoc provisions in ship-building contracts, the Hague/Hague-Visby Rules, the CMR convention and the Warsaw Convention (as amended).

Anti-suit injunctions obtained in respect of foreign proceedings brought in breach of English.

Ishfaq is quick to get to grips with new material and his dedication is noted by instructing solicitors and clients alike.Legal 500, 2025

Ishfaq fights hard for his client and is always thorough and meticulous in his preparation. User friendly and responsive.Legal 500, 2025

Areas of expertise

International and domestic maritime and commercial arbitration.

Lloyds Form Salvage Arbitration.

FOB/CIF sale contracts.

Documentary credits and associated finance.

Domestic and international carriage of goods.

Charter party and bill of lading disputes including Hague/Hague-Visby Rules, unseaworthiness claims, unsafe port disputes, disputes as to demurrage, hire and detention, liens.

General Average.

Collision, Salvage & Towage disputes.

Fatal and non-fatal marine accidents.

Maritime Limitation of Liability.

Further information

Bremaining optimistic: impact on London arbitration following Brexit

Arbitration, litigation and the growth of the common law

Update: The Compensatory Principle – Glory Wealth Shipping PTE Ltd v Flame SA

Repudiatory Breach, Damages and the Ability to Perform – The Glory Wealth (2013)

Clarifying forum shopping in the absence of express choice

Nov 1996 Herbert Smith Law Prize for Outstanding Ability Demonstrated in Faculty Qualifying Examinations 1995-96

Oct 1997 University Scholarship for Result in First Part Final Examinations 1996-7

Feb 1999 Lincoln’s Inn Hardwicke Scholarship

July 1999 Lincoln’s Inn Megarry Scholarship (Pupillage Award)

LLB (Hons) University of Bristol
Master of Laws in Commercial Law (Distinction)
Postgraduate Advanced Award in International Commercial Litigation (Distinction)
Postgraduate Advanced Award in International Commercial Arbitration
Postgraduate Advanced Award in International Law
Postgraduate Advanced Award in Individual Employment Rights (Distinction)

External Publications

PLC Arbitration Blog: Bremaining optimistic: impact on London arbitration following Brexit, with Andrew Dinsmore (July 2016)

The Meaning of “Trip”: The Wehr Trave (April 2016)

Direct Actions Against Insurers by Third Parties: the contract takes priority – The Yusuf Cepnioglu [2016] EWCA 386 (April 2016)

PLC Dispute Resolution Blog: Arbitration, litigation and the growth of the common law (March 2016)

Update: The Compensatory Principle – Glory Wealth Shipping PTE Ltd v Flame SA [2016] EWHC 293 (Comm) (Feb 2016)

Jurisdiction Agreements, Declarations, Damages and Compatibility with Regulation 44/2001

A critical discussion of the relationship between section 37 of the Senior Courts Act 1981 and section 44 of the Arbitration Act 1996.

Repudiatory Breach, Damages and the Ability to Perform – The Glory Wealth.

Employment law update on the cases of Nolan v United States (Court of Appeal, redundancy) and Gisda Cyf v Barrett (Supreme Court, unfair dismissal).

‘Clarifying forum shopping in absence of express choice’ published in Lloyd’s List on 15 December 2010

‘Ultimate Scope of Vice in Marine Casualties’, published in Lloyd’s List on 28 October 2010

‘Salvage Awards: the Ocean Crown’ published in International Trade and Transport Newsletter, Vol. 1, Issue 5

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