Top Singapore shipping lawyer joins HFW

Law firm HFW has hired Christopher Metcalf (pictured) to bolster its shipping expertise.  

Mr Metcalf is Singapore partner for Clyde & Co, and ranked by The Legal 500 and Chambers as one of the region’s top shipping lawyers.  

The move follows HFW’s recent appointment of former shipbroker Chris Jones and shipping finance partner Siri Wennevik.  

HFW’s head of shipping, Singapore, Toby Stephens, said: “Chris is one of the top shipping lawyers in Singapore and I’m thrilled to welcome him to the team.  

“He brings considerable dry shipping expertise to complement our existing strength in wet shipping and ship finance.  

“[He] further enhances our ability to offer specialist advice to clients across the shipping and maritime industry.”  

Mr Metcalf’s has expertise in numerous matters in the shipping, offshore and oil and gas sectors, including charter party, COA, bills of lading and other commercial agreements.  

In addition to this, he also advises insurers throughout South East Asia on coverage and subrogation, and has significant experience of litigation, mediation and arbitration. 

He said of his appointment: “I am very excited to be joining the world’s leading shipping law firm.  

“HFW’s expertise, experience, client base and international reach is unrivalled in shipping, and I’m looking forward to working with the team in Singapore and across the firm.”  

He counts vessel owners and charterers, offshore service contractors, oil majors, mining companies, traders, and bunker suppliers among his clients.  

With his appointment, still subject to regulatory approval, HFW’s shipping group will boast 65 partners and more than 190 lawyers across the globe, making it the largest shipping specialist of any law firm.