Asialaw Profiles
The Guide to the legal markets of the Asia-Pacific

Ince & Co works exclusively in the shipping area and is known as a global leader in this field. Its China office is strategically located in the international shipping hub and port city of Shanghai. The UK firm’s contentious practice is particularly strong, and the firm is known for winning high profile cases. The firm has broadened its scope to advise clients on areas such as aviation, business and finance, commercial disputes, energy and offshore, insurance, and international trade.

Ince & Co’s greater China practice is strong on both the ship finance and ship litigation fronts. The firm is known for having the world’s premier shipping practice, and the China team lives up to this mantle. The eight partner team in Hong Kong and China is especially strong when it comes to casualty work, and the Hong Kong partners are particularly well respected for their prowess on contentious matters.

In early 2011, Hong Kong office partner Rosita Lau was appointed to the prestigious Hong Kong Maritime Industry Council by the Hong Kong Government.

Under the guidance of respected managing partner Richard Lovell, Ince & Co continues to provide top tier quality legal services to the industry, and successfully marries a dynamic ship finance practice with a well respected ship litigation team.

In one highlight, a firm team led by Martin Brown and Gregory Xu advised Axis Bank on a facility agreement for a US$78.5 million loan and letter of credit facility to Mercator Offshore (Nigeria) for building and operating a Floating Production Unit to be deployed offshore Nigeria.

Partners Simon Spark and John Simpson also assisted TMT Asia in a dispute concerning a settlement agreement concluded between Oceanbulk Shipping & Trading and TMT Asia & Ors in June 2008.

The team was also involved in a number of high publicity multi-jurisdictional shipping insolvencies; notably Glory Wealth, Armada, Pan Oceanic and Worldlink. In November, the firm introduced a casualty investigation package for its protection and indemnity insurance club clients, which provides a tiered range of emergency response and investigative services to its members.

Peers speak highly of energy specialist Denys Hickey. Arbitration partner Simpson and insurance lawyer Iain Anderson also come recommended for their expertise and accessibility to clients.

Onlookers expect significant developments in the firm’s ship finance service offering in the coming year, following the establishment, in April 2011, of the Ince Law Alliance with newly formed Singapore law practice Incisive Law. The tie up brings senior Singapore lawyers Bill Ricquier, Mohan Subbaraman, Bernard Yee, Tricia Tong and Carolyn Chia on board.