Expertise
Ed is Head of the Shipping team and is a leading shipping lawyer, specialising in ship sale and purchase, offshore commercial contracts and ship registration.
Ed has acted in the sale or purchase and registration of more than 300 vessels. With an international practice acting for ship owners, builders and banks, Ed has led negotiations and completions in over 25 countries and is a recognised expert in dual registration of ships in the Caspian Sea. He also routinely advises owners and charterers in relation to time and voyage charterparties and bareboat charter structures.
Ed's recent experience includes:
- advising the UK Government in relation to a £300 million strategic newbuilding programme for coastal patrol vessels
- advising Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited in the £210 million purchase of four new build ro-pax ferries from a shipyard in Turkey
- advising a Bermuda corporation in connection with a $80 million fleet renewal project for offshore support vessels built at shipyards in China
- supporting investor due diligence into marine assets including a cruise line and fleets of ferries, oil tankers and container ships
- advising banks in relation to the restructurings, repossession, re-registration and onwards sale of distressed offshore fleets
- Publications
- Author of "Ship Registration: Law and Practice" (3rd edition, 2018) for Lloyd's Shipping Law Library
- New maritime law in Oman
- Professional memberships
- Law Society of Scotland
- Notary Public, Scotland – FCO accredited
- UK Chamber of Shipping
- Scottish Maritime Cluster
- Scottish Shipowners Benevolent Association
- Testimonials
"Recommended"
Legal 500 (2012), (2013), (2014), (2015), (2016)"Extremely personable, good and hard-working."
Chambers UK (2014)"Deep knowledge of the shipping industry… operates to the highest standard."
Legal 500 (2015)"An excellent communicator who is particularly noted for his responsiveness and ability to turn things round quickly."
Chambers UK (2015)"Smart, extremely accurate and attentive to client needs."
Chambers UK (2017) Leading Individual (Band 1)"Hugely impressive …an incredible knowledge of maritime law"
Legal 500 (2019) Leading Individual"very clearly a shining light in the sector …an astonishing capacity to make technical concepts readily understandable."
Chambers UK (2019) Leading Individual (Band 1)"Hall of Fame."
Legal 500 (2025)