She is a shipping and LNG specialist focusing on dispute resolution and negotiating/drafting charterparties and shipping contracts. Nikki regularly acts for shipowners, charterers, traders, cargo interests and their insurers and she collaborates well with in-house legal teams and P&I case handlers.
Nikki deals with all types of dry shipping matters, including charterparty, bill of lading, cargo and shipbuilding disputes. She has worked on numerous major incidents involving container vessels including container stack collapses, cargo fires and engine room fires.
She is experienced in dealing with FD&D and P&I matters (in particular, demurrage, freight/deadfreight and hire claims and cases with a real-time element). She routinely pursues demurrage claims for her clients and her deep knowledge of the industry and the issues that can arise enables her to successfully advise clients on the prospects of recovery. She has also been instructed on unsafe berth and bunker disputes.
Nikki has an in-depth knowledge of defending and pursuing cargo claims on behalf of owners, charterers and their insurers. In particular, advising on numerous cargo claims against owners and dealing with high value and complex off-specification cargo claims.
Her expertise extends to obtaining injunctive relief and she has successfully obtained anti-suit injunctive relief to restrain foreign proceedings and other interim injunctions on an urgent basis.
Nikki is the Chief Editor of Well Heeled, Stephenson Harwood's bulletin for clients engaged in LNG and gas transportation, trading and offshore production. She is experienced in LNG shipping and has advised clients on LNG and new gas charterparties as well as LNG claims. Her expertise also extends to drafting LPG charters.
She is passionate about improving diversity within the legal industry and is a Charity Trustee for Stephenson Harwood's scholarship scheme and a Professional Ambassador for Aspiring Solicitors.
"Highly resourceful and able shipping lawyer, with an acute commercial awareness of the shipping industry. Nikki has provided an outstanding legal advice and has argued our cases brilliantly and powerfully in a number of dry cases, where we have instructed her to act for us, leading to a beneficial settlement."
Captain Georgi Yorgakiev (General Manager), "K" Line Bulk Shipping (UK) Ltd.