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    Acquisition & Sale Ownership & Structuring Registration & Flagging Financing & Security Chartering & Commercial Use

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    Recovery Actions Carriage of Goods by Sea Charterparty Disputes Shipbuilding & Repair Marine Insurance

    Admiralty Law

    Vessel Arrests & Release Maritime Liens & Mortgages Judicial Sales & Auctions Collision, Salvage & Towage

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    Helicopter & Seaplane Operations Aviation Regulatory Compliance Helideck Certification & Safety UAVs & Drones
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Home > Legal Division

Legal Division

Comprehensive legal services across superyacht law, maritime law, admiralty law, and aviation law. Expert representation for complex maritime and aviation matters with deep technical expertise and practical commercial solutions.

4 Practice Areas
40+ Legal Services
24/7 Availability
Schedule Legal Consultation Explore Practice Areas

Core Practice Areas

Specialized expertise across the full spectrum of maritime and aviation legal matters

Superyacht Law

Specialist advisory services for owners, family offices, captains, and managers in the luxury yacht sector.

Explore Superyacht Law

Maritime Law

Commercial and regulatory solutions for the wider shipping industry, including cargo, logistics, and offshore operations.

Explore Maritime Law

Admiralty Law

Contentious and protective remedies unique to the maritime environment.

Explore Admiralty Law

Aviation Law

Integrated aviation services for yachts with linked air operations.

Explore Aviation Law

Superyacht Law

Specialist advisory services for owners, family offices, captains, and managers in the luxury yacht sector.

Acquisition & Sale

  • Drafting and negotiating sale & purchase agreements
  • Conducting legal due diligence on vessel ownership, liens, and encumbrances
  • Advising clients on tax-efficient ownership and financing structures
  • Coordinating with yacht brokers, financiers, insurers, and flag-state registries
View Acquisition Services →

Ownership & Structuring

  • Establishing corporate ownership vehicles (SPVs, holding structures)
  • Cross-border structuring to balance privacy, liability, and tax considerations
  • Advising on beneficial ownership disclosure obligations
  • Family office and succession planning for yacht ownership
View Ownership Solutions →

Registration & Flagging

  • Advising on choice of flag state (commercial vs private use)
  • Navigating compliance with flag state safety, manning, and technical requirements
  • Coordinating re-flagging or dual-registration strategies
  • Securing registration in leading jurisdictions (Australia, Cayman, Marshall Islands, Cook Islands, Malta, Bermuda etc.)

Financing & Security

  • Drafting and negotiating loan and mortgage agreements
  • Advising on security interests over yachts and related assets
  • Liaising with banks, private lenders, and lessors
  • Enforcement of ship mortgages and recovery actions

Chartering & Commercial Use

  • Drafting and negotiating charter party agreements (MYBA, IYBA, BIMCO and bespoke contracts)
  • Advising on GST, VAT, customs, and cabotage issues for charter operations
  • Structuring commercial use while preserving private enjoyment
  • Handling disputes arising from charter operations

Crew Employment & Management

  • Drafting and reviewing crew employment contracts
  • Advising on MLC (Maritime Labour Convention) compliance
  • Dispute resolution for crew-related claims (unpaid wages, termination, safety)
  • Advising on crew management company agreements

Insurance & Risk Management

  • Reviewing hull & machinery, P&I, and liability insurance policies
  • Advising on claims management and coverage disputes
  • Structuring additional cover (artwork, tenders, submarines, aviation assets, high-value equipment)
  • Supporting risk audits for operational compliance

Dispute Resolution & Litigation

  • Charter disputes (performance, cancellation, damages)
  • Ownership and financing disputes
  • Insurance coverage litigation
  • Enforcement of maritime liens and arrest of vessels
  • Mediation and arbitration (LMAA, SCMA, HKIAC, SIAC)

Regulatory & Compliance Advisory

  • International maritime conventions (SOLAS, MARPOL, ISM Code)
  • Sanctions compliance (DFAT, EU, OFAC, UK regimes)
  • Export control and customs compliance for high-value assets onboard
  • Advising on environmental regulations and green technology compliance

Cross-Border & Special Advisory

  • Navigating multi-jurisdictional ownership and operation issues
  • Advising on refit contracts, shipyard agreements, and warranties
  • Assisting in distressed sales, insolvency, or repossession matters
  • Specialist advice on art, valuables, and technology carried onboard

Maritime Law

Commercial and regulatory solutions for the wider shipping industry, including cargo, logistics, and offshore operations.

Recovery Actions

  • Cargo claims
  • Unpaid bunkers
  • Charter hire recovery

Carriage of Goods by Sea

  • Drafting and reviewing bills of lading, waybills, and charterparties
  • Advising on Hague-Visby, Hamburg, and Rotterdam Rules compliance
  • Handling cargo claims: damage, shortage, delay, and mis-delivery
  • Litigation and arbitration of multimodal transport disputes

Charterparty & Contractual Disputes

  • Drafting and negotiating time charters, voyage charters, and bareboat charters
  • Resolving disputes regarding performance, off-hire, demurrage, and laytime
  • Representation in international arbitration (LMAA, SCMA, HKIAC, SIAC)
  • Advisory on force majeure, sanctions, and frustration events

Shipbuilding & Repair Contracts

  • Drafting and negotiating shipbuilding, conversion, and repair contracts
  • Advising on refund guarantees and performance bonds
  • Dispute resolution over defects, delay, and cost overruns
  • Advising on warranties, guarantees, and risk allocation

Marine Insurance

  • Hull & machinery, war risks, P&I, cargo, and liability coverage
  • Advising on policy interpretation and claims strategy
  • Pursuing recovery and subrogated claims
  • Resolving coverage disputes and insurer liability

Ports, Terminals & Logistics

  • Port concession, stevedoring, and terminal agreements
  • Advising on port regulations, tariffs, and liabilities
  • Disputes involving cargo handling, storage, and multimodal logistics
  • Drafting and negotiation of logistics and supply chain contracts

Marine Casualties & Investigations

  • Collision, grounding, and salvage operations
  • General average declarations and contributions
  • Responding to marine pollution and environmental damage claims
  • Representing clients in flag state, port state, and IMO-related inquiries

Regulatory & Compliance Advisory

  • Compliance with SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW, ISM Code, ISPS Code
  • Advising on sanctions, export controls, and dual-use items
  • Environmental law compliance, decarbonisation, and ESG obligations
  • Safety management system audits and risk assessments

Financing, Ownership & Registration

  • Vessel finance, leasing, and sale & purchase transactions
  • Structuring ownership and operational entities across jurisdictions
  • Registration under open, closed, and hybrid registries
  • Advising on mortgages, liens, and securities

Dispute Resolution & Arbitration

  • Representing owners, charterers, P&I Clubs, and insurers
  • Litigation in national courts and appellate jurisdictions
  • International arbitration (London, Singapore, Hong Kong, Paris)
  • Mediation and negotiated settlements

Admiralty Law

Contentious and protective remedies unique to the maritime environment.

Vessel Arrests & Release

  • Initiating ship arrest proceedings to secure maritime claims (e.g., unpaid bunkers, crew wages, collision damage)
  • Advising on jurisdictional issues and enforcement of international arrest orders
  • Release applications and security arrangements (P&I guarantees, bank undertakings, bail)

Maritime Liens & Mortgages

  • Enforcing maritime liens arising from crew wages, salvage, collisions, and necessaries
  • Advising financiers and mortgagees on ship mortgage enforcement
  • Priority ranking of claims in judicial sale proceedings

Judicial Sales & Auctions

  • Managing court-supervised sale of vessels to satisfy debts
  • Advising creditors on participation in auction processes
  • Ensuring "clean title" transfer to purchasers following judicial sales

Collision, Salvage & Towage

  • Handling claims for collision liability and apportionment of fault
  • Salvage operations, including contractual salvage and claims under the Salvage Convention
  • Towage contracts and disputes over performance, damage, and liability

General Average & Marine Casualties

  • Advising on general average declarations and contributions (e.g., cargo sacrifice to save vessel)
  • Representing shipowners, cargo interests, and insurers in casualty investigations
  • Responding to pollution incidents, wreck removal, and emergency response inquiries

Limitation of Liability

  • Advising on rights to limit liability under the 1976/1996 LLMC Conventions
  • Establishing limitation funds in national courts
  • Representing shipowners, charterers, and insurers in limitation proceedings

Admiralty Jurisdiction & Procedure

  • Advising on admiralty jurisdiction of courts across common and civil law systems
  • Drafting and filing admiralty claims, caveats against arrest, and caveats against release
  • Strategic advice on forum selection and cross-border enforcement

Piracy, War & Sanctions

  • Claims arising from piracy, hijacking, and war risks
  • Advising on sanctions compliance affecting vessel arrests or release (DFAT, EU, OFAC, UK regimes)
  • Negotiating with governments, insurers, and international authorities in crisis events

Aviation Law (Superyacht Sector)

Integrated aviation services for yachts with linked air operations.

Helicopter & Seaplane Operations

  • Structuring ownership and operation of helicopters or seaplanes linked to yachts
  • Registration, licensing, and operational compliance

Aviation Regulatory Compliance

  • Compliance with ICAO, EASA, FAA, CASA, and other relevant aviation authorities
  • Certification and safety management systems (SMS) integration with yacht operations

Helideck Certification & Safety

  • Advising on yacht helideck approval and regulatory compliance (CAP 437 and equivalent)
  • Emergency procedures, crew training obligations, and liability cover

Aircraft Acquisition, Sale & Financing

  • Drafting and negotiating aircraft purchase, lease, and finance agreements
  • Cross-border structuring for tax efficiency and risk protection

Aircraft Registration & Flag Issues

  • Registering aircraft with appropriate civil aviation registries (including offshore jurisdictions)
  • Navigating dual-registration complexities (yacht + aircraft)

Crew Licensing & Employment

  • Advising on pilot contracts, employment rights, and compliance with international licensing standards
  • Integration of aviation crew into broader yacht employment frameworks

Insurance & Liability

  • Advising on hull, liability, passenger, and combined aviation/yachting insurance policies
  • Coverage for helicopter operations from yachts and tenders

Passenger & Charter Regulation

  • Advising on commercial air transport restrictions (private vs. charter operations)
  • Compliance with cabotage, customs, and immigration rules

UAVs & Drones

  • Regulatory compliance for drone operations from yachts (survey, photography, and security)
  • Liability and insurance advice for UAV use at sea and in ports

Accident Investigation & Emergency Response

  • Legal support in the event of aviation incidents involving yacht-linked aircraft
  • Coordination with air accident investigation authorities

Why Choose Our Legal Division?

Premier legal authority with unmatched expertise in maritime and aviation law

Premier Authority

Recognized as the leading legal authority for the superyacht sector with decades of specialized experience and deep industry knowledge.

  • Decades of specialized maritime experience
  • Industry-recognized expertise
  • Thought leadership in superyacht law

Integrated Approach

Unique integration with our Consultancy and Compliance divisions for comprehensive, multidisciplinary solutions.

  • Legal + Consultancy + Compliance
  • Seamless service delivery
  • Holistic problem-solving

Deep Technical Expertise

Practical commercial solutions combined with deep understanding of complex maritime regulations and technical requirements.

  • Complex maritime regulation mastery
  • Practical commercial solutions
  • Technical legal precision

Global Reach

24/7 support across multiple jurisdictions with expertise in leading maritime and aviation registries worldwide.

  • Australia, Cayman, Marshall Islands
  • Cook Islands, Malta, Bermuda
  • 24/7 emergency support

Single Point of Contact

Precision, discretion, and global reach delivered through one trusted advisor relationship for seamless service.

  • Unified service delivery
  • Discretion and confidentiality
  • Streamlined communication

Proven Track Record

Extensive experience serving superyacht owners, captains, family offices, and industry professionals across all sectors.

  • Superyacht owners & family offices
  • Captains & crew representation
  • Industry professional support

Legal Services by Client Type

Specialized legal solutions tailored to your specific role and needs

Superyacht Owners

Comprehensive ownership structuring, acquisition support, flag state advisory, and asset protection strategies.

  • Ownership structuring & SPV setup
  • Acquisition & sale transactions
  • Flag state advisory & registration
  • Asset protection strategies
Discuss Your Needs

Family Offices

Sophisticated succession planning, cross-border structuring, privacy protection, and wealth management integration.

  • Succession planning & next-gen strategies
  • Cross-border structuring
  • Privacy protection & confidentiality
  • Wealth management integration
Explore Solutions

Captains & Crew

MLC compliance, employment law protection, incident response support, and career protection strategies.

  • MLC compliance & employment contracts
  • Employment law protection
  • Incident response & legal support
  • Career protection strategies
Get Support

Industry Professionals

Commercial law solutions for yacht managers, brokers, service providers, and maritime businesses.

  • Yacht management company support
  • Broker & agent legal services
  • Service provider contracts
  • Maritime business legal advice
Get Expert Assistance

Ready for Expert Legal Guidance?

Contact our Legal Division for a confidential consultation about your maritime or aviation legal needs.

Schedule Legal Consultation Call +61 0894033105

Emergency Legal Support: rapid-response@indo-pacific.com

⚠️ Critical Incident rapid-response@indo-pacific.com
Indo-Pacific Solutions maritime law firm shield logo
INDO-PACIFIC
SOLUTIONS

Multidisciplinary law firm providing integrated Legal, Consultancy, and Compliance solutions to the superyacht sector. Trusted advisors with deep technical expertise.

Legal Division

  • Superyacht Law
  • Maritime Law
  • Admiralty Law
  • Aviation Law

Consultancy Division

  • Ownership & Governance
  • Operational Strategy
  • Market Intelligence
  • Project Leadership

Compliance Division

  • Regulatory Monitoring
  • Operational Oversight
  • Environmental Compliance
  • Audit & Assurance

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