Peter Gercans

at MFB Solicitors

Speaker

Peter joined MFB in 2007 and became a partner in 2018. Prior to joining MFB, he read Law at the University of Southampton (in conjunction with the Université de Nantes) graduating with an LLB (Hons)(European Legal Studies) and an LLM (Maritime Law).

Peter first gained litigation experience in civil law chambers at the end of his studies in Nantes, and subsequently when undertaking his traineeship at a boutique shipping law practice in the City of London.

Peter’s core work has always been, and remains, dry shipping litigation. He acts principally for owners and charterers and their respective insurers, as well as fuel, and oil and petrochemical traders.

His clients’ disputes tend to be referrable to LMAA or LCIA arbitration (Peter is a Supporting Member of the LMAA but also acts for commodity traders in GAFTA adjudications), or subject to the jurisdiction of the Commercial Court (where Peter’s recent reported cases decided issues relating to the tender of NOR and cancellation, and the use of marine accident investigation reports in unsafe port disputes).

Due to a succession of claims he has been actively involved with over the past decade, many of which were extremely time sensitive, Peter has built up specialist knowledge on the application of the IMSBC Code, as well as its shortcomings. He regularly participates in industry discussions on vessel/crew safety and has written and given presentations on liquefaction, dangerous cargoes and sanctions amongst other topics.

Other claims Peter routinely handles include damage to vessels (cranes / H&M / holds etc) as well as significant cargo damage claims (all manner of bulk goods and breakbulk cargoes, as well as occasional, bigger project cargoes).

On the non-contentious side, Peter works closely with key clients to review or update charterparty or COA clauses or contracts, as well as general terms and conditions.

Peter’s client base is not geographically limited. However, he has long-standing links with various Francophone/Hispanophone industry colleagues and correspondents world-wide and is happy to receive instructions in French or Spanish without need for translation.

Peter can be contacted with any queries arising during or after the conference: pgercans@m-f-b.co.uk