Coronavirus will see shipping litigation spike, HFW warns
The coronavirus pandemic is likely to generate an enormous amount of arbitration and litigation in the maritime sector, according to the head of one of the world’s largest shipping law practices, with new instructions coming in at the rate of around one an hour at its London office alone
‘The first concern that clients have that we’re seeing is whether coronavirus gives rise to force majeure event. And then following on from that — depending whether it’s an owner or a charterer — there are questions as to whether a party can perhaps terminate the contract or charterparty,’ says Paul Dean