Freight, Logistics & Transport
Navigating risk in a high-pressure, fine-margin industry
Freight, logistics and transport businesses operate under relentless time pressure, tight margins and complex contractual chains. A single delay, contamination event or customs error can cascade across multiple jurisdictions, exposing operators to cargo claims, regulatory scrutiny and reputational damage.
We act for carriers, logistics providers, freight forwarders, warehouse operators and transport-sector businesses involved in the movement, storage and handling of goods by road, rail, sea and air. Our role is to help you manage risk before problems arise, and to respond quickly and effectively when they do.
Whether you are facing a high-value cargo claim, a dispute over demurrage, or enforcement action from a regulator, we combine sector knowledge with litigation experience to protect your position and keep your operations moving.
Our expertise in freight, logistics and transport disputes
Carriage of goods disputes (road, sea, air and multimodal)
We advise on national and international carriage of goods disputes, including:
- Cross-border road transport claims under the CMR Convention
- Sea carriage disputes involving bills of lading and sea waybills (including Hague-Visby regimes and contractual terms)
- Air cargo claims, including air waybill (AWB) liability and Montreal Convention issues
- Claims for physical damage, contamination, pilferage or temperature-related spoilage
- Delay, misdelivery, short-delivery and non-delivery disputes
- Limitation of liability, time bar, notice and jurisdictional challenges
We build evidentially robust strategies, working with cargo surveyors, refrigeration specialists, packaging experts and other technical professionals to test causation and quantum.
Freight forwarding and warehousing
Freight forwarders, NVOCCs, warehouse operators and integrated logistics providers face constant exposure to operational and contractual risk. We assist with disputes and advisory work relating to:
- Demurrage and detention charges, including container holdovers and port or terminal delays
- Warehouse receipts, storage contracts and standard trading conditions
- Misdelivery, unauthorised release and misrouting of cargo
- Documentation and customs errors leading to delays, penalties or refusal of entry
- Handling of dangerous goods, perishable or temperature-controlled consignments
We also draft and review forwarder terms, storage agreements, limitation clauses and operational risk frameworks to allocate risk clearly throughout your logistics chain.
Logistics chain negligence and multi-party claims
Modern supply chains involve multiple carriers, subcontractors and intermediaries. When something goes wrong, identifying where responsibility lies is often contentious. We act in complex, multi-party disputes involving:
- Alleged negligence or breach of duty by hauliers, packers, consolidators or warehouse operators
- Improper stowage, inadequate securing, unsafe loading and stowage/stacking practices
- Documentation failures resulting in regulatory fines, customs holds or missed sailings
- Misdeclared or hazardous cargo and related customs-compliance issues
- Chain-of-responsibility disputes between principals, contractors, subcontractors and agents
We handle causation analysis, liability apportionment and contribution or indemnity proceedings between participants in the transport and logistics chain.
Aviation and maritime sector disputes
We support aviation and maritime clients on a wide range of commercial and contentious transport matters, including:
- Damage or loss of air cargo, AWB disputes and Montreal Convention liability
- Charterparty disputes (time and voyage charters), demurrage, laytime and off-hire issues
- Port and terminal claims, including port charges, storage and stevedore liability
- Ship arrest, liens and enforcement proceedings in admiralty jurisdiction
- Ground-handling, airport-services, terminal-handling and agency agreements
- Marine insurance issues relating to hull, cargo, P&I and related covers
We work closely with surveyors, adjusters and technical experts to ensure that evidence is gathered and preserved effectively from the outset.
Sanctions Advice for Freight, Logistics & Transport Operators
International trade and transport businesses operate in an environment where sanctions compliance is critical. A single breach – whether through inadvertent dealings with a sanctioned entity, misdeclared cargo, or routing through a restricted jurisdiction – can trigger severe financial penalties, criminal liability, and reputational harm.
We advise carriers, freight forwarders, logistics providers, and warehouse operators on navigating complex sanctions regimes, including UK, EU, US (OFAC), and UN measures. Our support covers:
- Screening and Due Diligence: Implementing robust processes to identify sanctioned parties, vessels, and jurisdictions before contracts are signed or cargo is moved.
- Contractual Risk Management: Drafting and reviewing clauses to allocate sanctions risk clearly across your supply chain, including force majeure and termination provisions.
- Regulatory Investigations and Enforcement: Responding to inquiries from regulators, mitigating exposure, and negotiating settlements where breaches are alleged.
- Operational Guidance: Advising on routing decisions, cargo acceptance policies, and compliance frameworks for high-risk regions or goods.
- Training and Compliance Audits: Delivering tailored training for operations teams and conducting audits to ensure your sanctions controls meet regulatory expectations.
In a sector where speed and efficiency are paramount, we help you stay compliant without slowing down your business. Our goal is to protect your operations, reputation, and bottom line.
Renegotiation, variation and exit
Strict enforcement is not always the optimal outcome. We assist with:
- Contract variations where market conditions or force majeure events make existing terms unsustainable.
- Negotiated exits, novations, buy-outs and standstill arrangements.
- Communications strategies that protect reputation while signalling a firm legal position.
How we work with freight, logistics and transport businesses
- Sector-aware advice: We understand the commercial realities of time-critical operations, tight margins and complex subcontracting arrangements
- Dispute resolution focus: We are experienced in litigation, arbitration and mediation of freight, logistics and transport disputes, including urgent injunctive relief where required.
- International capability: Many of our matters involve cross-border carriage, multi-jurisdictional claims and foreign law issues. We work with trusted overseas counsel where necessary.
- Practical, actionable guidance: Our advice is designed to be usable by both legal and operational teams, with clear recommendations, timelines and cost expectations.
Contact us
If you are facing a freight, logistics or transport law issue, or would like to review your contractual and regulatory risk profile, we can assist.
Discuss a current dispute or regulatory investigation
Arrange a review of your standard trading conditions, warehousing contracts or transport agreements
Request our latest freight and logistics legal updates and resources