Michael Biltoo

Michael is a partner based in our London office and is part of our marine team.  A specialist in the marine and shipping sector, Michael principally represents owners, charterers, freight forwarders and cargo insurers in a variety of shipping and transport related matters. Michael’s practice is split between dry shipping and marine insurance matters. 

Michael’s work on dry shipping matters is primarily related to disputes arising under contracts of carriage, in particular in charterparty and bill of lading disputes involving a variety of both standard and bespoke contracts.  Michael has also assisted clients in non-contentious matters, from advising on and drafting bespoke clauses to assisting with the drafting and negotiation of entire contracts of carriage.

Michael also has experience in the sale and purchase of vessels, both in relation to agreeing the terms of sale and purchase, and in respect of contentious disputes arising from vessel sale / purchase which have taken place.

Michael has a wide marine insurance practice, principally acting on behalf of cargo insurers in coverage and recovery claims, and general average disputes.  His experience with contracts of carriage is a useful complement to the insurance disputes that he handles. Michael has handled a variety of marine insurance disputes, including a number of cargo contamination claims and piracy related matters. He has also assisted insurance clients in non-contentious matters advising on the interpretation of standard and bespoke clauses, and in the drafting of clauses for insurance contracts.

Michael’s broad practice means that he has had the opportunity to become involved in a number of major incidents which have significantly impacted the marine and insurance industry , including a number of piracy related matters in the Gulf of Arden and off the coast of Nigeria and Benin and assisting vessel owners and numerous insurers following the collapses of OW Bunker in 2014 and Hanjin Shipping in 2016.  He closely follows the consequences of international sanctions on the shipping and transport industry and has advised clients  on a regular basis on this.  Michael has worked with clients  on the impact of cyber related requirements entering the marine industry and is also closely following the development of autonomous shipping.

Michael has represented clients in these matters pursuant to various different types of arbitrations (with particular experience in LMAA, ICC and LCIA arbitrations) and in the High Court and Court of Appeal.  He has particular experience working with the German and Asian markets, with particular focus in Japan, China and Singapore. Michael spent part of his career working in our Singapore office and has a Masters in International Maritime Law and a Masters in Advanced Legal Drafting from Swansea University.

Michael co-authored the marine chapter of Kennedys’ Claims Handling Law and Practice Guide, the fourth edition of which was published in February 2021.

Qualifications

• Qualified as a Solicitor in England and Wales in 2008