29 Jan Ashfords LLP appointed as Poole Harbour Commissioners’ Legal Advisor
Following a competitive tender process, law firm, Ashfords LLP, has been successfully appointed as legal advisor to Poole Harbour Commissioners.
Ranked Tier One by Legal 500 2021, the Marine Team at Ashfords LLP, led by Legal Director, Lara Moore, is recognised nationally for specialising in Ports and Harbour work.
Described as being at the “forefront of maritime legislation and regulation” and able to handle “all the complexities operating a port involves”, Ashfords will take up the role effective from 1st February 2021. Advising on a full range of legal areas including marine regulation, property, planning, litigation, harbour orders, health and safety, commercial, employment and banking law.
Poole Harbour Commissioners are the statutory harbour authority responsible for managing Poole Harbour (one of the world’s largest natural harbours) and the Port of Poole. As a successful commercial trust port, they handle a wide variety of vessels including Ro-Ro traffic (high speed as well as conventional ferries), bulk cargo carriers, yacht liner vessels and cruise ships. The port provides facilities for regular passenger and freight ferry services linking the UK with ports in France, Spain and the Channel Islands. Bulk cargoes include steel, timber, stone, clay, sand, bricks and grain shipments. In addition, the Harbour is home to approximately 7,500 leisure vessels.
The Port has remained open and operating smoothly throughout the Covid pandemic and the end of the Brexit transition period, enabling its customers to operate their essential lifeline sea-freight services, ensuring that food and medical supplies have continued to reach the UK and Channel Islands throughout.
Poole Harbour Commissioners, Chief Executive, Jim Stewart commented “Ashfords has such a strong reputation within the maritime industry, we very much look forward to building a successful working relationship with Lara and her team.”
Mark Lomas, Chair of Ashfords LLP, commented “We are delighted to be appointed and look forward to working in partnership with Poole Harbour Commissioners, to support their ongoing delivery of excellent service, sustainable management of the environment and future development plans.”