Welcome to Cargo Law

Welcome to Cargo Law, founded in 2024 by Charlotte Gale, an expert in shipping law with a strong emphasis on soft commodities. Driven by a passion for providing exceptional service, Charlotte envisioned a law firm where clients receive unparalleled support tailored to their needs.

At Cargo Law, our team offers comprehensive legal guidance. With vast experience in the maritime legal sector, we remain forward-thinking, adeptly navigating evolving legal landscapes amidst political and regulatory complexities. We proudly serve individuals and entities involved in marine transportation worldwide. Collaborating closely with our counterparts in insurance, trade, and energy sectors, we provide unparalleled support to stakeholders in marine cargo.

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Introducing our Expert Cargo Law Legal Team

With a deep understanding of the complexities within the maritime industry, our team at Cargo Law is ready to provide comprehensive legal solutions tailored to your legal needs. Combining years of specialised experience, meticulous attention to detail, and a proactive approach, we are committed to safeguarding your interests and delivering unparalleled results in every aspect.

Charlotte Gale

Charlotte Gale completed her Law degree at the University of Exeter, enriching her education through International Comparative Law programs in Salzburg, Austria, and Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Charlotte was taught by professor Andrew Tettenborn, a leading academic in Maritime and Commercial Law which led her to take a keen interest in Shipping Law.

After a stint volunteering at Rivers State university in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, Charlotte began her legal career at Hill Dickinson LLP, gaining valuable experience in their London, Dubai, and Piraeus offices, qualifying as a solicitor into their “wet shipping” team in London. Charlotte went on secondment to BP's Shipping Legal Team in Canary Wharf and Sunbury. From there she joined Clyde & Co in Guildford, where she spent nearly a decade refining her dry-shipping skills and contributing to a significant number of cargo, salvage and general-average cases. In 2016, she joined Roose+Partners as a Partner, leaving in 2024 to set up her own law firm in London, Cargo Law.

Known for her unwavering dedication and exceptional results, Charlotte has two decades of specialised experience in shipping law. Her focus lies in handling intricate cargo and insurance recovery cases, particularly in soft commodities. Charlotte handles complex claims in the High Court, Arbitration, and Mediation. She is renowned for her meticulous and comprehensive approach, offering clients clear and accessible advice that is highly valued.

Kerry-Anne Dixon

Kerry-Anne specialises in handling international trade claims concerning loss and damage to bulk and containerised cargoes. With expertise in managing High Court claims, LMAA and GAFTA arbitrations, she adeptly liaises with legal counterparts in various jurisdictions regarding claims governed by English law. Kerry-Anne earned her Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Law degrees from Rhodes University, South Africa, and furthered her legal education in London, completing her Graduate Diploma in Law at BPP University.

Neoclis Kleanthous

Neoclis Kleanthous is a qualified solicitor and has significant experience in shipping, working both within a Law Firm and as a Recovery Agent. Neoclis deals with all aspects of shipping law including claims and recoveries involving physical loss / damage to cargo, general average, salvage indemnity and marine insurance. He has been involved in High Court proceedings and LMAA arbitration and is an expert of complex and high value matters.

Neoclis obtained an LLB from University of Surrey in 2016, an LLM in Maritime Law from University of Southampton in 2017 and an LPC Degree in 2020. He participated in the STAR programme for high achievers of University of Surrey and obtained two prizes for the best academic performance in the LLM. Neoclis has been a lecturer of Maritime Law and Marine Insurance at a private university for a few years.

Sian Herd

Sian Heard is a shipping specialist with over 30 years commercial shipping litigation experience. Sian was a partner at a leading shipping law firm before founding her own firm in 2004. Before joining Excello, Sian worked as a consultant for the boutique maritime law firm Roose and Partners.

Sian is instructed by insurers and principals in a disputes arising under charterparties, ship sale and purchase and shipping derivative contracts. She frequently represents shipbrokers and ship agents and has extensive experience of agency law. She handles arbitrations under LMAA, ICC and LCIA rules and has vast experience of litigation in the English High Court. Her objective is to achieve dispute resolution, whether via formal mediation or otherwise, before the expense of a hearing and she takes particular care to ensure that cost spend is proportionate and carefully managed.