What the team is known for
Bech-Bruun has an outstanding practice covering all aspects of shipping law on a domestic and cross-border level. The law firm regularly acts on high-profile insolvency proceedings in the shipping sector. The group is also active in maritime insurance cases, including issues in the offshore energy sector. The department demonstrates experience handling collision, capsizing and breakdown disputes, as well as ship arrest cases. Bech-Bruun's clients include transport companies, shipbuilders and insurance companies.

Strengths
"We trust them with complex matters," one source explains, commending the team's "considerable depth" and adding: "They are also commercially tuned in and are able to blend their legal acumen with commercial practicality."

Other sources praise the group's "comprehensive and to-the-point legal advice," with one individual describing the team as "top-notch."

Work highlights
Bech-Bruun acted for a majority of the creditors in the insolvency of Thor Shipping, with lawsuits in Denmark, Japan and Brazil.

Notable practitioners
Anne Buhl Bjelke focuses on insurance matters within the shipping sector. She is based in Copenhagen.

Up-and-coming lawyer Camilla Hudson impresses for her experience in domestic and cross-border shipping disputes. Acting for a range of vessel owners, insurers and energy companies, her expertise covers issues relating to bunker fuel, insolvency and H&M coverage. "She is a very talented lawyer with excellent knowledge of our field of work," says one source, adding: "Her communication skills ensure that everybody understands, even if they don’t have a legal background, and makes people comfortable when dealing with legal matters."

Johannes Grove Nielsen advises clients on a wide range of wet and dry shipping mandates, including insurance claims, insolvency proceedings and vessel arrests. "He has the ability to distil a difficult situation down to understandable terms and issues," explains one interviewee, adding: "He is also very good at developing creative solutions to a problem."

Chambers and Partners Europe 2022, Shipping

Ranked: Tier 1

Bech-Bruun is praised for its ‘first-class knowledge' of all shipping and transport issues. The group has extensive experience in international dispute resolution, acting for major industry players, including several P&I clients, in both wet and dry shipping matters. It also has a unique position in the Danish market after establishing a dedicated cross-border insolvency shipping team. (...). Other names to note are Johannes Grove Nielsen, who clients consider to be ‘the sharpest maritime lawyer in the Nordics’, and Louise Lundsby Wessel, who is especially strong in CMR Convention disputes. Newly promoted partner Camilla Søgaard Hudson is also a key name to note.

"Bech-Bruun is my go-to Danish shipping law firm: they have strength in depth, commercial awareness and their turnaround times are always impressive. I can fire any query at them and they will have someone able to answer it."

"Extremely capable team with international reach. First-class knowledge in all shipping and transport-related matters. Very responsible and also very nice to work with."

"Competent, quick, reliable, humble. It is a big firm, but with a most personal feel. One is always welcome. The management style brings out the best in their people, focusing on services and qualities, rather than billing and fees."

"Very good conflict resolution skills. Understanding of both legal and commercial points."

"Good overview and practical knowledge of the industry; services and advice rendered are very much to the point; quick response times; clients feel comfortable with their advice."

Legal 500, Shipping and Transport