The People

PATRICK BATTERSBY

Patrick is a hands-on litigator. His clients, based in UK, Norway, Germany and throughout Europe, the Middle East and USA, value his ability to recover money owed to them and to win compensation when deals go wrong.

He works very closely with each one and, when problems arise, has the expertise and resources to move quickly to protect their interests and investments. He advises on general commercial issues such as employment and property issues, as well as transportation matters including charterparty defence work, cross border deals and defending claims for P&I clubs and ship owners. He is currently defending six substantial multi-faceted claims for a Norwegian shipping company.

He has twice taken cases successfully to the Court of Appeal in the last two years.

He has been involved in a leading decision on the payment of architects’ fees and successfully sued one of the world’s leading ship managers. Whilst Patrick’s reputation has been built upon his work in transportation matters, his clients now include banks, food exporters, architects and a wide range of commercial businesses and entrepreneurs.

patrick@daviesbattersby.com

GUY DAVIES

Guy, a well respected P&I Solicitor, provides practical and commercially realistic advice within a legal context. He believes business disputes should resolved in a straightforward manner and in avoiding unnecessary complications.

Ship owners, charterers and P and I clubs are Guy’s core clients and he has a special interest in the soft commodities markets. He handles all types of disputes arising out of charterparties, bills of lading and conditions of carriage, insurance and re-insurance. He has close links with the London insurance market and extensive worldwide contacts in the insurance industry. He has a thoroughly commercial approach to the advice he gives his clients combined with an exceptional knowledge of market practices. He runs cases before the English High Court, commercial arbitrations in London and brings cases before courts and arbitration tribunals worldwide.

Guy qualified as a solicitor in 1989. He and Patrick make a strong team. Whilst both have their own clients and individual strengths, their combined experience is often crucial to the successful completion of a case.

guy@daviesbattersby.com

JOHN WATLING - Consultant

John has worked extensively for shipowners and charterers and particularly for mainline and feeder operators in container shipping. He handles all types of disputes, being especially experienced managing matters under charterparties, contracts of affrieghtment, connecting carrier agreements, slot charters and bills of lading.

After taking articles at a general practice in Harrow, John was admitted as a solicitor in 1985 and joined Bentleys Stokes & Lowless specialising in maritime law and undertaking wet/dry litigation, ship sale and purchase and finance work. Moving to Waltons & Morse in 1991, he extended his expertise by working in the dry shipping department advising cargo/ship owners and charterers. He joined Jackson Parton as a partner in 1993.

With over 20 years experience of legal and maritime matters, John knows well the importance of understanding clients’ business needs and works vigorously to achieve the most favourable outcome.