HCO is a high class, client focused alternative to the mainstream shipping, insurance, trade and energy law firms. The firm is known to punch well above its weight and for delivering cost effective solutions meeting clients’ needs. We seek prompt cost effective, mature solutions to cases rather than let them linger. We are flexible and are always willing to discuss a range of fee alternatives to clients. We believe in developing long term relationships and partnering with clients to get things done.
The firm specializes in all aspects of dry shipping, Insurance and international trade and has extensive experience in dealing with disputes under all the usual contract forms in the shipping, insurance and the offshore industry. The shipping practice of the practice of the firm encompasses all forms of dispute resolution, being particularly renowned for litigation, arbitration, and mediation. The firm’s specialties include disputes under time and voyage charters, the defence of cargo claims, ship arrest, disputes arising out of the sale of ships, ship managements contracts, shipbuilding contracts. On the Insurance side, we act for both assured and insurer in connection with the full range of potential disputes under policies of marine insurance including coverage, total loss investigations, claims arising out of equipment failure, engine breakdowns and general average.
The firm has handled literally hundreds of arbitrations under LMAA, ICC and LCIA and Ben Horn is a leading arbitration practitioner. He is a LMAA supporting member, a Chartered Arbitrator, SCMA panel arbitrator, CMAC and EMAC panel arbitrator and editor of the Arbitration Law handbook. He was named in Thomson Reuter as a Super Lawyer from 2014-2016 in shipping and insurance.
HCO is a Legal 500 leading firm and is ranked in Chambers directories. The firm has been awarded the title “Maritime Arbitration - Law firm of the year” by various organisations.
