In addition to a strong shipping and trade focus, Paul regularly handles general commercial litigation covering a wide range of complex, multi-jurisdictional and cross-border disputes. Before joining Stephenson Harwood, Paul worked at a leading international law firm for 27 years. He relocated to Shanghai in 2002 and is therefore deeply rooted in the Chinese market. He is dual qualified in Hong Kong and England & Wales and speaks fluent English, Cantonese and Mandarin.

Paul is familiar with all aspects of the firm’s contentious and non-contentious shipping practice and frequently represents major international shipowners, charterers, shipyards, traders, banks and financial institutions.

Paul regularly advises owners and shipyards in relation to shipbuilding, offshore construction and ship sale and purchase transactions. He has given talks on Chinese shipbuilding issues in Bergen, Hamburg, Hong Kong, Istanbul, London, Mumbai, Oslo, Piraeus, Shanghai and Singapore.

Moreover, Paul regularly handles shipping, trade and general commercial litigation covering a wide range of complex, multi-jurisdictional and cross-border disputes, with a strong focus on international arbitration proceedings and enforcement/winding-up actions in London, Hong Kong and Singapore. These would include court proceedings and ad hoc arbitrations applying the LMAA Rules and the UNCITRAL Model Law as well as cases involving major arbitral institutions such as CIETAC, CMAC, HKIAC, SIAC, ICC and LCIA.

Paul is one of only two individuals ranked as "Hall of Fame" for China Shipping: Foreign Firms by Asia Pacific Legal 500. He is also recognised as a leading lawyer under Shipping: Litigation (International Firms) by Chambers Greater China Region, a recommended "Global Leader" under Who's Who Transport Shipping ranking, as well as the A-List of China's elite 100 lawyers (foreign firms) by China Business Law Journal.

"As a leader, Paul shows excellence in services and commercial awareness."

Chambers Greater China 2023