CJC has announced the appointment of two new Directors, with Singapore-based Senior Associate Will Pyle and Newcastle-based Senior Associate Alex Hudson promoted with effect from 1 March 2021. The appointments exemplify the firm’s commitment to its Singapore and Newcastle offices and CJC’s continuing desire to promote the best young talent from within.

Will Pyle has a broad practice in shipping and international trade and advises a range of clients including P&I Clubs, shipowners, ship managers, charterers, insurers and banks with a particular focus on the Japanese market. He handles contractual disputes, including those arising out of charterparties, bills of lading and sale contracts, and also advises in relation to marine casualties such as collisions, groundings and fires at sea.

Recently, Will has advised on disputes arising from delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. He is also part of the CJC team in Singapore advising on a case involving the substantial loss of containers at sea and a container ship fire. He has extensive experience of running international arbitrations in both Singapore and London and advising on claims in the English courts.

Alex Hudson specialises in P&I and FD&D matters covering a wide range of charterparty, bill of lading and general contract of affreightment disputes. His clients include shipowners, P&I clubs and other maritime players primarily operating in the bulk, container, tanker and RORO markets. 

Alex regularly assists clients with complex cross-jurisdictional issues. His recent experience includes advising on cargo claims, pool distribution and hire disputes, general average and bunker supply disputes. Having joined CJC as a newly qualified lawyer, Alex also holds the distinction of becoming the company’s first fully ‘home-grown’ partner.

“In the more than 10 years since establishing CJC, it has always been the company’s policy to promote talent from within as well as to attract outside expertise, as we continue to grow our business across both the litigation and transactional areas internationally,” says Alistair Johnston, one of the founders of CJC. “The appointments of Will and Alex show that CJC is seriously committed to developing its presence in Asia and in Newcastle, and that the firm continues to attract and retain the best maritime law talents.”