Drew Scott James
Consultant
Dispute resolution including international arbitration and mediation in a wide range of matters including the arrest and release of vessels, carriage of goods, marine insurance, charterparties, trade practices, international trade and ship construction, general average, collisions, oil pollution prosecutions and dock damage claims.

Drafting and negotiation of commercial documents including: charterparties, contracts of affreightment, bills of lading, ship management agreements, terminal and stevedoring agreements, sale and purchase of business agreements, joint venture agreements, shareholders agreements, franchise agreements, employment contracts, liner conference agreements (vessel sharing agreements, consortium agreements, slot charterparties), ship construction agreements and the sale and purchase of vessels and related registration issues.

Career:
Norton Smith & Co, Sydney: Solicitor, 1982-1986

Hill Dickinson & Co, London: Solicitor, 1986-1988

Norton Smith & Co, Sydney:
Senior Associate, 1988-1989
Partner, 1989-1999
Head of Shipping, 1990-1999
Board of Management, 1995-1999

Norton White, Sydney:
Partner, 1999 - 30 September 2002
Chairman of Partners, 1999-2002

Ebsworth & Ebsworth, Sydney:
Partner, 1 October 2002 to 30 June 2006
Transport Practice Group Leader, 2004 to June 2006

Thomas Cooper & Stibbard, Singapore: Partner, 1 August 2006 to 31 October 2007

Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP Singapore: Partner, 1 November 2007 to 30 April 2009

Aus Ship Lawyers North Sydney: Consultant, 1 May 2009 to date

Achievements:
Euromoney Expert Guides: The Best of the Best 2001, - included in the world’s top 20 shipping and maritime lawyers. 

Euromoney Expert Guides: The Best of the Best 2005, - included in the world’s top 25 shipping and maritime lawyers. 

Included as a leading expert in the field of shipping and maritime law in the Guide to the World’s Leading Shipping & Maritime Lawyers, 6th Edition, 2008Back
CONTACT
Phone: +612 94892015 (telephone), +61 407892015 (mobile)

E-mail: drewsjames@gmail.com

Country of Residence: Australia

Nationality: Australian
MAIN PRACTICE AREAS
  • CHARTERPARTIES
  • SHIP BUILD & REPAIR
  • PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS

    Adjunct Professor, Maritime Law, Master of Laws Course, University of Queensland, 2019

    Former Director of the Maritime Law Association of Australia and New Zealand.

    Former Member of the Australian Government’s Advisory Committee to the Australian Law Reform Commission reviewing Australia’s Marine Insurance Act. (2000)

    Visiting lecturer, Commercial Maritime Law, Master of Laws Course, University of Sydney - Semester 2, 2005, 2009, 2011 and 2013.

    Visiting lecturer, Comparative Admiralty & Maritime Law, Master of Laws Course, University of Sydney - Semester 2, 2010, 2012 and 2014.

    Visiting lecturer, Maritime Law, Master of Laws Course, University of Queensland - Semester 2, 20015, 2016 and 2017

    Appointed Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators in 2007 (not current)

    Appointed Fellow, Singapore Institute of Arbitrators in 2007 (not current)

    Accredited Mediator under the National Mediator Accreditation System (NMAS) in 2015
    ADMISSIONS
  • AUSTRALIA, NEW SOUTH WALES
  • ENGLAND AND WALES
  • EDUCATION
    Bachelor of Commerce (with Merit), University of New South Wales

    Bachelor of Laws, University of New South Wales

    Master of Laws, University of Sydney

    (Admitted to practice in Australia, England and Wales)