Sean Gibbons

Partner

Sean is a very experienced and highly regarded superyacht lawyer. He has over 25 years' experience of this market, 20 years as a partner. He specialises principally in the contentious side of the superyacht industry and has very considerable experience of not only arbitration and High Court proceedings, but also of mediations leading to early resolution of disputes. Sean also advises clients generally on contracts (build contracts, MOAs, charterparties, management agreements, guarantees) and the negotiation of such contracts/agreements. His clients range from superyacht builders and owners/charterers to brokers, retail agents, insurers and financiers. He speaks regularly at workshops and seminars.

Sean's calm and approachable manner is highly appreciated by clients and he has been praised by both The Legal 500 and Chambers for his commercial perspective when advising and obtaining the best results for clients.

Experience:

Acted for a high net worth individual in connection with a refit contract with a European yard following serious hull defects discovered on maiden voyage of 35-metre newbuild luxury sailing yacht and subsequently securing substantial guaranteed payments by yard.
Advising Italian superyacht builder as to the interpretation of complex contractual warranty structure arising out of on-going claims made by buyer of vessel and the potential ability to pass on any resultant liabilities to third parties.
Acted for a high net worth individual in connection with a dispute with an Italian yard relating to defective workmanship and ongoing performance problems following the construction of a 44-metre newbuild superyacht.
Advised financiers regarding the sale of yachts through court auctions in Gibraltar, Malta, Italy and Spain.
Advising retail agent generally on various issues arising out of their business and specifically on Terms of Use for related website, including as to data protection and trademark issues in different jurisdictions.
Advising clients in relation to and negotiating terms of newbuilding contracts (and related securities) for variety of superyachts, including commencement and subsequent resolution of arbitration and High Court litigation where required.
Advising an owner in connection with a claim for damage and delay arising due to issues with defective stabilisers.
Advising owners in connection with various claims against European repair yards relating to incomplete repair works, defective warranty work and damage to superyacht during lifting operations.
Advising major European builder as to potential breach by a counterparty of a comprehensive settlement agreement, requiring detailed analysis of loss of chance issues and also good faith obligations.
Advising owner on confidentiality and data protection issues in connection with charter of superyacht by very high profile public figure.