Chris Smith

Chris has represented and advised clients in relation to all aspects of aviation and travel law, including claims under the Warsaw Convention, aviation insurance and reinsurance disputes, and general travel litigation.

Chris has advised and represented clients in the fields of banking and finance on various issues, including the enforceability of performance bonds, disputes under a letter of credit, including the effect of fraud thereon, claims by major retail banks to enforce guarantees, and the recoverability of hedging losses in the context of commodities transactions.

Chris regularly advises and appears in both Court and arbitration proceedings in relation to all aspects of dry shipping, commodities & transport law. Reported cases include Granville Oils & Chemicals v Davies Turner & Co [2003] 2 Lloyd’s Rep.356, Assimina Maritime Ltd v Pakistan National Shipping Corporation “The Tasman Spirit” [2005] 1 Lloyd’s Rep.525, The Happy Ranger [2006] 1 Lloyd’s Rep.649, The Magdalena Oldendorff [2008] 1 Lloyd’s Rep.7

Chris has advised and represented clients in oil trading and ship building disputes.

Chris has advised and appeared in numerous general commercial disputes with a particular emphasis on commercial contracts. These have included contractual disputes in a wide range of fields, such as PR firms, commercial agencies, franchise disputes, IT training disputes, super-yacht refurbishments (in respect of which see Top Layer Interiors Ltd v Azure Maritime Holdings SA [2007] EWHC 2844)

Chris has advised and represented clients in international arbitrations, including a reinsurance arbitration concerning questions of Mexican law and practice.

Chris regularly advises and represents clients in both insurance and reinsurance disputes. Marine insurance is a particular speciality, but Chris has also been advised and/or been involved in disputes relating to general commercial insurance & FSA regulatory issues. His reinsurance experience includes representing all risk reinsurers in relation a large dispute against other reinsurers in respect of liability for a claim for the loss 14 aircraft.

Chris has advised and represented clients in relation to sport’s contract disputes, including a motor racing contractual dispute in relation to the ASCAR series.

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