Jeremy Lightfoot

Introduction

BA (Hons) - Oxford

2006 - Lincoln's Inn

Profile

Jeremy Lightfoot was a law scholar at New College, Oxford, graduating in 2005. He was awarded the highest Lincoln's Inn scholarship for his Bar Vocational Course, the Lord Mansfield Scholarship, together with the Hardwicke Entrance Award. Jeremy was graded ‘Outstanding' in his bar school exams, in recognition of which he was awarded a Buchanan prize. He was named ‘Student of the Year' by Lincoln's Inn and was called to the Bar in 2006.

Since joining Chambers in 2007, Jeremy has established a broad commercial practice, with a particular specialty in shipping and maritime matters. Jeremy undertakes advisory and drafting work for both court and arbitration proceedings, as well as appearing regularly for appeals, trials, CMCs and interim applications. Jeremy's clients are based around the world and range from major financial institutions and insurers to small businesses and individuals.

Education

New College, Oxford - academic scholarship and music exhibition

Winchester College - combined academic and music exhibition

Leeds Grammar School

Recent Cases of Importance

• A US$10million dispute arising out of a failure to perform voyages under a charter.
• Guarantee claims against parent companies following the failure of charterers to perform (US$9million) and following the failure of a subsidiary company to repay a loan agreement (US$25million).
• A US$6million dispute for non-performance of a ship sale agreement including contested issues of jurisdiction.
• A US$2.5million claim for a vessel’s non-compliance with charter description.
• Issues arising out of shipbuilding contracts, including the defective construction of vessels and advising on the performance of a shipbuilding contract worth US$350 million.
• International arrangements for the provision of mobile phone network services.
• Claims for breaches of ship-management agreements and a failure to pay for services supplied to vessels, including claims worth US$0.5million.
• Cargo claims for delay, short-delivery, non-delivery and contamination.
• The salvage of precious cargoes from recently discovered sunken wrecks.
• Jurisdictional issues arising out of acts committed aboard vessels, including the discovery of £35million of illegal drugs.
• A fatal accident concerning a nuclear submarine proceeding under pilotage in UK waters.
• The consequences of vessels’ mechanical and structural failures.
• Collision actions, including yacht collisions.
• Demurrage claims, NOR issues, off-hire disputes and performance claims.
• Hire purchase agreements for business equipment, including providing urgent assistance on a dispute regarding equipment worth £2.5million.
• International and domestic road haulage contracts, distribution agreements and warehousing arrangements.
• Succeeding at trial for a distribution company claiming damages against a record company.
• International fraud concerning vintage cars purchased on the internet.
• High value and complex mortgage actions, including acting successfully at trial on allegations of undue influence and fraudulently obtained mortgages.
• Injunctive relief and security for costs.
• Assisting on matters arising out of piracy.
• Acting as a junior to Timothy Hill QC in an ongoing fraud action arising out of a maritime collision and as junior to Steven Gee QC on jurisdictional elements of a international insurance dispute.

Jeremy is the Shipping and Maritime editor of the Law Brief Update, a monthly publication received by about 15,000 legal professionals.