Paul Griffiths
Department Maritime Qualified England and Wales 1979 Education (University) Kings College, Taunton and University College, Cardiff Languages Moderate French
Paul is instructed in connection with an extensive variety of both ‘dry’ and ‘damp’ commercial shipping and associated underlying commodity related disputes. Most arise in the context of actual or potential issues involving London arbitration and/or mediation, but also in cases involving the High Court.
Paul's experience includes advising and dealing with issues in both the liquid and bulk cargo markets under both time and voyage charterparties; contracts of affreightment; bills of lading along with the associated commodity/underlying contracts for the sale of goods by sea. Advice is also given on issues of liability/recovery under policies of insurance, general average and jurisdictional issues as needed.
Instructions received can be directly from individual owners/charterers/insurers/cargo owners/sellers/buyers, with such instructions provided via Defence and P&I Clubs, liability and indemnity insurers and international trading companies.
Paul in listed in the Legal 500 “Hall of Fame” and is individually ranked in “Shipping” by Chambers & Partners.
Quote
"The aim is to resolve, as swiftly as possible, whatever is sensibly capable of resolution. To the extent it is not, ensure that the collaboration with the client is clear and effective."
What you may not know about Paul
Golf, personal fitness and astronomy are hobbies. Married with two children!
My matter highlights
- Handling significant and complex claims arising out of major ship and cargo damage/loss
- Immediate practical advice and recommendations given on issues and/or incidents as they occur
- Assistance with claims of all values
- COA, time and voyage charterparty disputes of all kinds
- Multi-jurisdictional litigation including Starlight Shipping Co v Allianz Marine and Aviation Versicherungs AG and Others (the “ALEXANDROS T”) [2014] 2 Lloyd's Rep. 579
- Range of sale of goods and commodity trading disputes
- Bunker quality and supply issues
- Drafting and considering standard terms of trade/carriage for clients
- Advice on settlement of claims and potential resolution by ADR and mediation
- Cases involving calculation of market recoverable loss/damages
My testimonials and accolades
My recent publications
News / Court construes settlement agreement in contaminated oil dispute
10-03-2023 / Commodities & Trade
In this dispute arising out of the contamination of a cargo of crude oil, the Court considered whether and the extent to which the parties’ settlement agreement limited the buyer’s right to claim reimbursement for storage fees.
News / Court of Appeal considers GAFTA Default Clause and damages for non-acceptance
07-02-2023 / Commodities & Trade
The Court of Appeal has considered, for the first time, the correct method of assessing damages in accordance with Default Clause 25(c) of GAFTA Contract No.24. In doing so, the Court of Appeal emphasised the compensatory principle underlying the award of damages under English law.
News / Court rejects jurisdictional challenge in petroleum dispute
18-02-2022 / Commodities & Trade
Addax Energy S.A. v. Petro Trade Inc. [2022] EWHC 237 (Comm) In a dispute arising out of the supply of petroleum products, the English Court has dismissed a challenge to its jurisdiction, finding that the claimant supplier had a good arguable case that an English jurisdiction clause was incorporated into an alleged oral agreement by way of course of dealing. In doing so, the Court confirmed that the evidence required to establish a course of dealing need not be extensive or consistent to meet the relevant legal test.
Insights / Court of Appeal confirms seller’s obligation to return advance payment following non-delivery of goods
20-12-2021 / Maritime
Nord Naphtha Ltd v. New Stream Trading AG [2021] EWCA Civ 1829
Insights / Tribunal’s findings in commodities dispute result in substantial injustice
04-08-2021 / Commodities & Trade
PBO v. DONPRO & others [2021] EWHC 1951 (Comm)
Insights / Buyer not entitled to reject off-specification fuel oil
20-07-2021 / Maritime
Galtrade Limited v. BP Oil International Limited [2021] EWHC 1796 (Comm)
Insights / Invalid nomination of vessel did not entitle Sellers to terminate contract
29-04-2021 / Maritime
In this case, the Sellers under a sale contract jumped the gun and found themselves in breach when they purported to terminate the contract prematurely on the ground that they (mistakenly) considered the Buyers were in repudiatory breach. Parties in a similar situation should be wary of falling into the same trap.
Insights / Court considers scope and effect of demurrage clause
16-09-2020 / Maritime
K Line Pte Ltd v. Priminds Shipping (HK) Co Ltd (Eternal Bliss) [2020] EWHC 2373 (Comm)
Insights / Court asserts its jurisdiction in marine insurance dispute
29-06-2020 / Maritime
In an insurance coverage dispute, the English Commercial Court has held that the insurers had much the better of the argument that the policies in question incorporated an exclusive English Court jurisdiction clause.
