Mark’s practice encompasses a wide range of commercial litigation and arbitration.

He acts in arbitrations both in London and abroad, and appears regularly in the English Courts, including the specialist Commercial Court, Admiralty Court and the Court of Appeal.

His commercial practice has a particular focus on all matters relating to shipping and international trade. His expertise extends to all corners of the shipping industry, from charterparties and bills of lading to salvage, from cargo claims to collisions, from ship finance to performance guarantees, and from marine insurance to general average. He has a particular specialism in shipbuilding disputes and cases arising out of contracts for the sale and purchase of second hand tonnage, and the related finance, security and guarantee contractual arrangements.

Mark also has experience of various interlocutory applications, including applications for urgent injunctive relief (such as freezing orders) both in the context of domestic litigation and also in support of foreign proceedings and arbitrations.

Mark also provides expert evidence on English maritime and commercial law for use in foreign proceedings.

Testimonials

Mark is extremely responsive, quick and accurate. He has a very commercial approach to his analysis.Chambers UK, 2026
Mark is a pleasure to work with, collaborative and highly experienced.Chambers UK, 2026
My clients are in safe hands with Mark, who is able to navigate complex legal issues like an expert kayaker navigates river rapids.Chambers UK, 2026
Mark is open to consider various options, always having the overall aim in mind.Legal 500, 2026
A go-to junior with huge experience.Legal 500, 2025
A go-to admiralty junior with huge experience.Legal 500, 2025
He gives good input and service.Chambers UK, 2025
Mark Jones presents points well and predicts risks.Chambers UK, 2025
Clients appreciate his accessible style and user-friendly approach.Chambers UK, 2025
Mark has impressive powers of persuasion and a forensically robust cross-examination style.Chambers UK, 2025
A go-to person for talking a matter through and his ability to work out what needs to be done, and his drafting, are second-to-none.Legal 500 2024
Mark quickly unpacks the most complex issues in way that makes it straightforward for lay clients to understand the core issues that make up the dispute.Legal 500 2024
He is thoroughly dependable when a client has complex and urgent questions that need answers.Chambers UK 2023
Intellectually very able, he sees both the legal and commercial issues, and never has a problem answering a question.Legal 500 2022
Incredibly sharp. Gets immediately to the crucial issues that will determine the case and provides clear and firm advice on those issues. His legal analysis is unrivalled.Legal 500 2022

Further information

1988-1993 Winchester College (Scholar)
1994-1997 Oxford University: BA (Hons) Jurisprudence
1997-1998 College of Law (London): Legal Practice Course
1998-2000 Ince & Co LLP
2000 Called to the Bar (Lincoln’s Inn, Kennedy Scholar)
2018 Appointed a Recorder (Crime & Civil)

Mark was a scholar at Winchester College before going on to study Law at Oxford University (St Edmund Hall), graduating in 1997. He completed the Legal Practice Course at the College of Law in London, and then spent 2 years training as a solicitor at Ince & Co, London, specialising in shipping, trade, insurance and general commercial litigation. Mark moved to the Bar in 2000, and was awarded a Kennedy Scholarship by Lincoln’s Inn. He completed his 1st 6 months of pupillage at Essex Court Chambers (Gordon Pollock QC) and his 2nd 6 months at Stone Chambers (Steven Gee QC). He joined Chambers as a tenant in 2001.

Appointments & Memberships

Chartered Institute of Arbitrators – Member (MCIArb)
London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), Young International Arbitration Group and European Users’ Council
London Maritime Arbitrators’ Association (LMAA), Supporting Member
Commercial Bar Association (COMBAR)
London Common Law and Commercial Bar Association (LCLCBA)
British Maritime Law Association (BMLA)
London Shipping Law Centre (LSLC)
Association of Average Adjusters (AAA)

 

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