Nick Francis
Nick.Francis@kennedyslaw.com
+65 6436 4301
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Profile
Nick is a Partner with Kennedys Legal Solutions in Singapore and is also a Partner in our Hong Kong office. He is qualified in England, Hong Kong and New Zealand, and speaks conversational Mandarin and Japanese.
Nick has been recognised as a leading shipping and international trade lawyer, having extensive cross-border experience, with over 20 years in Asia - having lived and worked in Japan, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Singapore. Although based in Singapore, the majority of his clients are in North Asia – particularly Japan and Korea, but also Hong Kong, Taiwan and the PRC.
Nick handles the full range of dry shipping disputes, as well as ship construction and ship sale and purchase disputes. He handles arbitrations in London, Singapore and Hong Kong – including as counsel. His clients includes P&I insurers, owners, operators and marine insurers.
Nick regularly speaks at seminars and has been recognised as one of the top Shipping and Maritime Law practitioners in Singapore by Best Lawyers 2021 and a leading lawyer in the category of 'Transport - Shipping' by Who’s Who Legal 2022. He has been ranked as a leading individual by Chambers Global and clients describe him as "having excellent communication skills and deep knowledge of marine insurance" Chambers Asia Pacific. He has also been recognised as "one of the names to note" by Legal 500 Asia Pacific.
He has extensive knowledge about all maritime disputes, and his most attractive feature is he responds very quickly.
Market recognition
2024
- Notable Practitioner (Band 3) for 'Shipping international: Litigation (Singapore)'
"He has extensive knowledge about all maritime disputes, and his most attractive feature is he responds very quickly."
Chambers Asia Pacific 2024
2023
- Notable Practitioner (Band 3) for 'Shipping international: Litigation (Singapore)'
"Nick Francis has plenty of experience and his advice is very clear with commercial considerations."
Chambers Asia Pacific 2023
2022
- Notable Practitioner (Band 3) for 'Shipping international: Litigation (Singapore)'
Nick Francis has "excellent communication skills and deep knowledge of marine insurance," reports an interviewee. He assists clients on a variety of dry shipping disputes, regularly advising major insurers and P&I clubs.
Chambers Asia Pacific 2022
2021
- Recommended Lawyer for 'Shipping: Foreign Firms (Singapore)'
The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2021 - Notable Practitioner (Band 3) for 'Shipping international: Litigation (Singapore)'
Nick Francis is "very sharp, hands-on and always on top of what is going on, and will go to great lengths in order to get a positive outcome for his clients."
Chambers Asia Pacific 2021
2020
- Notable practitioner for 'Shipping international: Litigation (Singapore)'
Nick Francis advises clients on a full range of dry shipping disputes, including shipbuilding disputes and sale and purchase disputes. He regularly advises insurance companies on shipping-related matters.
Chambers Asia Pacific 2020 - Recommended lawyer for 'Shipping: Foreign Firms (Singapore)'
The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2020
2019
- Notable practitioner for 'Shipping international: Litigation (Singapore)'
A client notes that he "is very pragmatic and straight to the point, I like the fact that he never tries to drag things out unnecessarily and is very knowledgeable in his field." Another client highlights his "expertise, efficient work and customer-oriented approach."
Chambers Asia Pacific 2019
2018
- Notable practitioner for 'Shipping international: Litigation (Singapore)'
Described by sources as a "very perceptive, commercial and cost-effective" practitioner, who is well known for his regional shipping litigation capabilities.
Chambers Asia Pacific 2018
Awards
Work highlights
- Successfully acted for Singaporean Owners in a London Arbitration dispute in relation to a COA recovering in excess of USD 20 million from a large PRC Steelmaker.
- Acting for Korean Charterers in multi-party London and Singapore arbitration proceedings up and down the charter chain in relation to an explosion on board a tanker during loading operations.
- Acting for various NVOCC’s in Hong Kong Court proceedings arising out of the sinking of the MOL COMFORT.
- Successfully acted for Singaporean Buyers in Hong Kong arbitration proceedings in relation to a cancellation dispute with a PRC shipyard recovering in excess of USD 20 million.
- Acting for Japanese Owners defending Singapore arbitration proceedings brought by Charterers in relation to high value project cargo that was lost overboard in heavy seas.
Shipping and international trade
Travel and tourism