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.

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.

Key cases & testimonials

The ‘Sea Angel’ [2007] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 517 (Court of Appeal), [2007] 1 Lloyd’s Rep 335: acted for successful sub-contracting salvors in claims arising out of the large scale “TASMAN SPIRIT” casualty in Pakistan in the Commercial Court and then in the Court of Appeal involving novel and important issues relating to the doctrine of frustration of contract.

Acting for owners in significant unsafe port claim (circa US$6 million) concerning open water port in Indonesia – claim settled during arbitration.

Drafting a Practice Note on a stream-lined procedure for collision claims (as part of a committee comprising the Admiralty Judge, the Admiralty Registrar and senior representatives of the Admiralty Solicitors Group).

Advising the Attorney-General of the Bahamas on the possible revision of elements of the maritime legislation of the Bahamas.

Bonhams v Lawson & Ors: acting as lead counsel for one of the parties against several well-known QCs in high profile multiparty case in the Commercial Court concerning the sale at Goodwood by Bonhams of a Ferrari 375 Plus Grand Prix for a price in excess of £10 million; disputes over title to the car have raged for over 20 years; jurisdictional challenge and anti-suit injunction; preliminary issues due to be heard in late 2015; major trial listed for early 2016

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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