Tom Hodges joined Birketts in 2010 and is a Partner in our Shipping and International Trade and (Re)insurance Teams.
Tom acts for chartering and commodity-trading clients and their insurers, advising on sale contract and shipping issues, together with cargo claims. Tom also provides FD&D and charterers’ liability advice to P&I Clubs and their members.
Tom’s insurance practice extends to general advisory work and coverage issues, as well as advice on policy wordings.
Tom regularly travels to Asia and is well-known in East Asian markets, particularly Singapore and Japan. He also works extensively in the London and European markets, including in France, Holland and Belgium.
Tom qualified as a Solicitor in September 2012.
Recent work highlights
The Santa Isabella [2019] EWHC 3152 (Comm)
Acting for successful charterers in The Santa Isabella [2019] EWHC 3152 (Comm), a demurrage dispute that examined the legal test for a ‘usual and customary route’ and the obligation on vessel owners to properly and carefully ventilate a cargo, in accordance with a sound system.
The Aconcagua Bay [2018] EWHC 654 (Comm)
Acting for successful vessel owners in The Aconcagua Bay [2018] EWHC 654 (Comm), a dispute over whether the warranty in a voyage charterparty that a berth is ‘always accessible’ simply means that the vessel is always able to enter the berth, or whether it also means that the vessel is able to leave the berth.
Stef Transport Rennes v D&M Fraser [2018] EWHC 2756 (Comm)
Acting for claimant cargo interests in Stef Transport Rennes v D&M Fraser [2018] EWHC 2756 (Comm), concerning alleged damage to a consignment of cheese, transported by road from France to the UK.
Areas of Expertise
Accreditations
Legal 500 [UK 2025]
Next Generation Partner
Tom Hodges – excellent team player and communicator, who is able to get into the detail provide right-hand man support. Consistently gives sound and reliable legal advice.
Legal 500 [UK 2025]
Insights
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legal updateContainer carrier under no obligation to verify cargo mass
Tom Hodges24 Oct 20246 min read923 -
legal updateYour Claim’s Ticket out of the Jurisdiction
Multiple Authors31 Jan 20237 min read923 -
