Andrew Ward
Partner, Dispute Resolution

Andrew is a Partner in the firm’s Dispute Resolution group.

Andrew’s practice covers commercial litigation, international arbitration and restructuring.  He has expertise in the maritime sector, regularly advising banks and shipowners on contentious matters involving finance, charterparties, guarantees, MOAs and insolvency.  He also advises on joint venture disputes, fraud claims and disputes in the oil and commodities industries.  He has extensive experience in resolving disputes outside the formal court or arbitral channels, including through negotiation and mediation. A commercial and pragmatic approach lies at the heart of everything he does.

Andrew’s experience includes:

• Acting for claimants in a four week Commercial Court trial in relation to an investment dispute concerning a joint venture concerning a large scale and high-profile construction project in Germany. Successful settlement after trial.
• Acting for claimants in a High Court claim for fraud in relation to an investment into a joint venture. Successful settlement before trial.
• Acting successfully for a large Hong Kong conglomerate in defending Commercial Court proceedings brought by a large charterer.
• Advising a major international bank on enforcement against vessels in UAE.
• Advising a syndicate of banks and associated shipowners on $1.2bn charter claims against Hanjin.
• Acting for an international bank in relation to disputes as to the appointment of administrators over a shipping group, the nature of the bank’s security over the group’s cash and future earnings.
• Advising in relation to a dispute concerning the breakdown of the main engine of a cruise ship following repairs carried out by the defendant yard.
• Obtaining a freezing injunction for an oil & gas client against the defendants’ assets (a Kazakh refinery) and winning a High Court claim for damages for deceit and conspiracy.
• Acting for a family office in a claim arising out of an aborted off market structured shares investment through offshore vehicles involving issues arising under a professional indemnity insurance policy.
• Advising in relation to a High Court claim for the balance of sums due under a share purchase agreement for various ship owning companies.
• Advising a shipping group in relation to six High Court claims against a Middle Eastern shipowner/shipmanager in relation to claims under guarantees of various bareboat charters.
• Acting for charterers in relation to a dispute over a hire adjustment clause in a charterparty restructuring agreement in respect of 8 VLCCs.
• Acting on behalf of a major oil trading company in a Commercial Court claim concerning the implementation and operation of a large prepayment facility as part of a long term supply agreement for Nigerian crude from a new field.
• Acting for the buyers of a vessel in relation to an MOA dispute over repayment of a deposit which concerned the condition of the vessel and issues relating to the applicability of the Sale of Goods Act to shipping contracts.

• 2002 – 2004: College of Law (London), PgDL and LPC
• 1996 – 2002: Durham University, MA Classics and BA Classics

• Law Society of England and Wales
• London Shipping Law Centre
• London Court of International Arbitration
• London Solicitors Litigation Association

• 2014 – present: Watson Farley & Williams, Partner
• 2008 – 2014: Watson Farley & Williams, Senior Associate
• 2008: Memery Crystal, Associate
• 2006 – 2008: Holman Fenwick Willan, Associate
• 2004 – 2006: Fox Williams, Trainee and Associate