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The lawyers in the firm work in departments of the firm, which suit their respective expertise. The expertise and experience of each department is drawn upon to provide an integrated and responsive service to suit the specific needs of the clients.

Admiralty Maritime Shipping

Shipping is one of the firm's key specialization area headed by its Senior Advocate V.J.Mathew, a boutique lawyer known for his wide shipping expertise and practice and who travels extensively and also recommended by Legal 500, Lloyds, and P & I clubs and such other organizations. Senior Advocate V.J.Mathew is rated as one of the best Admiralty, Shipping and Maritime Lawyer in Cochin, Kerala, India. Lawyers at the firm maintain good relationships with the shipping sector, including international shipping industry as a whole and forwarding companies, ship owners, charterers, ship builders and repairers, as well as storage, companies, Port, Customs, Port Operators, Ministry of Shipping, and Director General of Shipping and also honored as in-house counsel to majority of shipping companies in this sector. We have solid experience in dealing with contentions and non contentions matters relating to: Bills of Lading and charter parties, collision, salvage and oil pollution, maritime fraud; international sale of goods and related disputes, property (including ship) insurance and re-insurance, loan agreement and bank guarantees and handling cases concerning letters of credit and the extent of bankers duty of care to non-customers.

Our team of Admiralty, Shipping and Maritime lawyers in Cochin, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Tuticorin, Mumbai, Kandla and all other Ports in India, have extensive experience in maritime litigation, successfully representing clients in maritime disputes relating to carriage of goods by sea and multimodal transport forwarding business, charter party, shipping agency, ship construction and repair and other disputes arising from the general average, collision, salvage and towage. Our team of Admiralty, Shipping and Maritime lawyers in Cochin, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Tuticorin, Mumbai, Kandla and all other Ports in India also provides advice on various other problems facing the shipping industry. Projects/ Ship Finance and transactional work are the main areas where the firm takes leads. The firm is strongly rated for Shipping and Maritime matters by Lloyds, etc. Legal500 under the category of 'Leading Individual' has rated Mr. V.J. Mathew, Senior Advocate of V.J. MATHEW & CO as one of the best shipping lawyer India.
Our transactional work includes:

  • BAREBOAT AND TIME CHARTERS
  • TRANSPORTATION AGREEMENTS
  • SHIPBUILDING AGREEMENTS
  • REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS FOR SHIPPING
  • LOAN AGREEMENTS
  • PREFERRED SHIP MORTGAGES
  • SALE AND PURCHASE AGREEMENTS
  • OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE AGREEMENTS
  • EQUITY CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENTS
  • JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENTS
  • DRILLING CONTRACTS
  • JOINT OPERATING AGREEMENTS
  • SHIP / CREW RELATED CRIMINAL MATTERS
  • PRODUCTION SHARING AGREEMENTS
  • PORT PRIVATISATION
  • SHIP BUILDING SHIP ARREST OR RELEASE
  • SALE AND PURCHASE
  • COMPANY INCORPORATION
  • CLAIMS
  • CONTRACTS
  • CHARTER PARTY
  • SHIP FINANCE
  • P&I SETTLEMENTS
  • LIEN
  • COLLISION
  • SHORT LANDING
  • BILL OF LADING
  • FIRE
  • MARINE INSURANCE
  • DISPUTE
  • MARITIME ARBITRATION

We were the legal advisors to Chennai Port Trust, Kerala Shipping Inland Navigation Corporation, former legal advisors for Cochin Shipyard and are presently representing major sector of Ship Owners, Charterers, Steamer agents, Main Lines & P&I Clubs and P&I Correspondents in all Indian ports.

Foreign Trade Consultancy

We have got extensive experience in dealing all matters relating to exports and imports. We are well aware of all work related to imports, exports, and provide required assistance on various provisions contained in the Foreign Trade Policy, various schemes, export benefits and other export and import promotional matters. We are well equipped to analyze various provisions after interpretation of the same to the benefits of the Trade of all Indian Ports.

Port , Customs & Related Issues

We provide the necessary assistance to our clients in all Port and Customs related matters in Cochin and all Indian Port cities and abroad. We have extensive experience in maritime litigation, civil / commercial / labour and other matters connected with Port, Customs, Admiralty and successfully representing clients in such disputes. We handle issues relating Port, Terminal Operators, Customs, and attend issues relating License , unclaimed cargo, mis-declared cargo, Crew Vessel, cargo related criminal matters, delay in delivery, long stay containers, abandoned and unclaimed cargo/ containers, detention charges, short landing, customs duty, penalty, demurrage, ground rent, damage to port equipments and cargo / containers / vessels , emigration issues, un-returned containers by importers / agents, container thefts, maritime fraud, and all other shipping related issues. We also handle proceedings before various authorities and also customs appeals before Commissioner of Customs and CESTAT (CEGAT), DRI, and other authorities.

P & I Services, Insurance

Firm is actively involved in P & I issues like Litigation, Surveys, Cargo claim consultancy. We are representing various P & I Clubs through P & I Correspondents in all Indian ports. We have represented and conducted various cases for and on behalf of majority of the P & I Clubs directly and through the Correspondents.

Surveys

We have a panel of expert surveyors, valuers, and loss assessors who are very much available round the clock for any kind of survey and related work at all the ports. We handle P&I risk assessment survey, marine and cargo claim assessment and settlement, collusion and duck damage assessment, injuries and fatalities. We also provide casualty investigation, re-purchase inspection and survey, bunker survey, liquid cargo claim, casualty investigation including pollution, container survey, general cargo survey, cargo damage assessment, petroleum products and related survey, marine casualty survey, such as collusion and personal injury, wreck and salvage.

Damages

We have experts who are experienced in handling damage to entered ship, repairs, freight collusion salvage, charter party disputes, breach of contract, bad debts, claims relating to demurrage, detention, delay to the entered vessel or cargo.

Medical Claims

Repatriation and Evacuation, crew medical care and repatriation and also provides timely best available cost effective medical care, attention. We also attend causalities, crimes on board, and related issues and provide legal support.

  • Foreign Investments
  • Establishing business entities
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Franchising
  • Mergers & Acquisition
  • Takeover
  • Project Finance
  • Restructuring
  • Corporate re-organization
  • Privatization
  • Statutory compliances
  • Business planning
  • International transaction Commercial Contracts
  • Company formation, Start-up companies
  • Corporate Recovery
  • Partnerships
  • Joint Ventures, Collaborations
  • Due-Diligence
  • Corporate Finance
  • Corporate Governance
  • Government Contracts
  • Disinvestments
  • Stock options
  • Cross-border investments
  • Construction & Infrastructure
  • Shipping & Maritime
  • Oil & Gas
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Paper & Chemicals, Energy
  • Mining & Metals
  • Telecommunication
  • IT
  • Financial Services
  • Health Care & Hospitality
  • Insurance
  • Protection & Indemnity
  • Clubs, Entertainment & Media
  • Real Estate
  • Manufacturing
  • Aviation
  • Transport & Automotive
  • Professional & Business Services
  • Agriculture
  • Computer Software & Hardware Consumer Product Manufacturer
  • Food & Beverages
  • Leisure

As a law firm whose practices have been rooted in international commerce, V.J. MATHEW & CO., has an extensive practice in corporate & commercial activity. Our lawyers are actively engaged on a daily basis in the intricacies of our clients' business dealings, ranging from simple incorporations to large-scale strategic transactions, due-diligence, joint venture, mergers & acquisition, foreign investments, company formation, India entry.

We offer the full range of legal services corporate clients require to facilitate commerce, both local and overseas. Our professionals are adept at representing clients in ways that transcend basic legal skills. We work with clients to understand the nature of their business and their goals, and then apply legal reasoning that will help them reach their objectives. This is especially important when dealing in spheres of international business where little or no precedent is available to guide decision-making. The ability to successfully navigate clients through complex commercial issues, often crossing borders and intertwining cultures, has long been and shall remain a hallmark of V.J. MATHEW & CO. service.

While most of our professionals consider themselves corporate & commercial lawyers, we also classify most into specialty groups. The firm conducts commercial litigation, domestic and international arbitration in India and worldwide directly and through its associate and correspondent lawyers, concerning disputes arising in banking, commodities, commercial contracts, sale of goods, debt recovery, public and private international law, ICC and other international arbitral bodies, including company formations, reconstructions, venture capital arrangements, loan and security agreements, joint ventures and partnerships and advice on employment.

We also deal extensively with the resolution of company and commercial disputes including shareholders' rights, directors' duties and related matters. There is a wide range of support services available, from business incorporation to nominee and administrative services, searches, filing of forms etc. Our firm provides expert advice on all aspects of corporate law and other commercial matters, including advice on structuring manufacturing agency, distributor and licensing agreements, negotiation, drafting and advising on registration, computer software licensing, fo rmation of company.

The firm represents Construction Company and contractors concerning agreements for pre-bid and post bid of tenders. Advice on construction documents such as consortium, joint venture, collaboration, associate agreements for pre-bid and post-bid of tender and other sub-contract documents and Engineering Procurement Contract, Construction Contract, On shore and Off shore Advance Engineering documents and all allied documents. Formation of joint venture (infrastructure) company for project/s or the venture and the allied documents for bridges, roads, dams, tunnels, pipelines, mining, marine, power etc. Our approach to resolving issues faced by clients is practical, direct, speedy and effective. The team is recently re-structured. It is entirely dedicated to resolving construction industry issues and it combines the experience of: Our well established Commercial Property and Litigation practice and the drive and innovation that has helped make us a leading player in the Indian legal profession.

By applying innovative thinking to the construction industry, our approach to construction law helps to minimize the risk involved with legal claims and boost your chances of success.

  • Oil & Gas
  • Energy, Power
  • Shipping, Maritime
  • Information Technology
  • Infrastructure & Construction
  • Mining
  • Telecommunication
  • Dams
  • Highways
  • Pipelines

Our telecommunication services includes projects in the mobile telephony, cable TV, and satellite sectors advising on the establishment of joint ventures; the financing (including lease financing) and acquisition of telecommunication assets; vendor financing arrangements; and the acquisition, launch, and operation (including telemetry, tracking, and control) of satellites.

The firm acts for suppliers and users of IT equipment and services and advise on a broad range of issues related to IT and telecommunications industries, including Software licenses and other standard terms of trade; System integration agreements; Agreements relating to facilities management and outsourcing; Agency and other channels of distribution advising several service providers including issues on internet telephony, cable service provider, fixed service provider.

The firm acts for suppliers and users of IT equipment and services and can advise on a broad range of issues related to IT and telecommunications industries, including software licenses and other standard terms of trade; system integration agreements; Agreements relating to facilities management and outsourcing; Agency and other channels of distribution.

Areas For Arbitration & Litigation:

  • Shipping, Maritime & Admiralty
  • Contractual & Business law
  • Commercial, Corporate & Trade laws
  • Oil & Gas
  • Energy & Mining
  • Construction & Infrastructure
  • Telecommunication & IT
  • Government Contracts
  • Finance
  • International law
  • International Trade
  • Intellectual Property
  • Constitutional
  • Property & Real Estate
  • Anti-Trust & Trade regulations
  • Banking laws
  • Indirect Taxation
  • Aviation & Transportation
  • Entertainment & Media.

International Arbitration

Disputes across national boundaries have become commonplace in today's commercial world. In an effort to avoid the uncertainties and complexities of foreign courts, most international agreements provide for dispute resolution through more neutral auspices of arbitration and mediation. These alternatives to national courts are known as alternative dispute resolution (ADR) techniques and are part of the specialty of law practice formally known as international litigation.

V.J. MATHEW & CO. has been in the forefront of international arbitration law and practice. The firm has represented multinational companies, public utilities, and major contractors throughout the world and has gained considerable experience in international law and dispute settlement. V.J. MATHEW & CO. has acted in several international arbitrations under the rules of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), UNCITRAL, London Court of International Arbitration, London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA), Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration (SCMA), Stockholm Chamber of Commerce, American Arbitration Association (AAA), and ad-hoc cases taking place in India.

V.J. MATHEW & CO. specialization in international arbitration has led to close relationships with arbitration specialists in all countries of Europe and Asia when the law or procedure of some other jurisdiction becomes pertinent. For all these reasons, V.J. MATHEW & CO. has been frequently engaged to handle all aspects of complex international disputes or to serve as lead or co-counsel in international arbitration proceedings.

Our attorneys are well versed in the many different ADR areas. Thus, the firm can respond quickly and effectively to client needs in complex and foreign business disputes. Very often, just knowing the array of choices may shorten the time and energy required to bring the matter to an early resolution. We have affiliations and ongoing working relationships with law firms around the globe.

Domestic Arbitration

V.J. MATHEW & CO. niche areas of work is arbitration including commercial arbitration of domestic forum under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act 1996.

Litigation

The litigation team of V.J. MATHEW & CO. analyze the matter and according to the requirement plan strategically advice client to proceed further. Legal actions are initiated on behalf of client at the appropriate jurisdiction and applications are made accordingly for relief. Our firm also defends clients when legal actions are initiated against them. We attend to litigation matters before the Kerala High Court, and other High Courts in India, Civil Courts, Tribunals, Supreme Court of India.

The Asia Pacific Legal 500 amongst other bodies has recommended V.J. MATHEW & CO. for "Dispute Resolution" (Arbitration & Litigation) matters.

The intellectual property department attends to prosecution and enforcement of IP rights and the registration of trademarks, patents, designs and copyrights.

The employment division provides advice on all aspects of labour law and represents clients in negotiating settlements on collective labour conditions. The services include the following:-

  • Senior executive service agreements and employment contracts
  • Standard terms and conditions of employment (Including employee handbooks)
  • Consultancy agreements
  • Share option and employee share ownership schemes
  • Pay and benefits
  • Redundancy and termination of employment.
  • Restrictive covenants & confidential information.
  • Related Labour issues and provide timely legal support and advice.

There is designated corporate secretarial services department which provides a comprehensive range of corporate secretarial services to clients in relation to local, overseas and off-shore companies including:-

  • Readymade (or "off-the-shelf") companies
  • Formation of "special purpose" companies
  • Company Secretary
  • Registered Office
  • Nominee Shareholders
  • Liaison with auditors
  • Custody and maintenance of statutory books
  • Overseas company registration
  • Authorized representative
  • Company searches
  • Business registration
  • Deregistration
  • Process agent
  • Preparation of Memorandum and Articles of Association
  • Compliance review of statutory books

Our firm has an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the global aviation industry including the operational, regulatory, commercial and insurance sectors. Our aviation lawyers are fully equipped to handle domestic and cross-border legal and commercial matters related to aviation including leasing of aircrafts, litigation, corporate work, employment contracts, passenger claims, baggage and freight claims etc.

Our lawyers appear and provide legal assistance in various jurisdictions, routinely handling and managing transactional and legal work, claims and litigation around the world on behalf of a multitude of clients. We have represented Saudi Arabian Airlines, Fly Dubai, Etihad Airways, Cathy Pacific Airways etc in various cases in India.

Our expertise in the Aviation law includes:-

  • Getting Compensation to individuals in the event of air crash accidents, passenger and cargo loss and damage.
  • Aircraft financing, mortgage, collateralization and all kinds of legal questions that arise in air transportation.
  • Consultancy service
  • Chartering of both domestic and foreign Aircrafts
  • Drafting Airport Agreement, Agreement for Sale, Purchase and Leasing of Aircraft Agreement.
  • Issues relating to airport infrastructure
  • Aviation related custom issues.
  • Merger and Acquisition
  • Drafting of Airway Bills
  • Drafting sale, freight forwarding contract
  • Representing Airline companies before regulatory bodies.
  • Air Labor Law Cases
  • Aircraft ownership and pledge right
  • Drafting Air transport contracts
  • Negotiations for sale, purchase or leasing of aircrafts or helicopters
  • Handling legal issues pertaining to pilots, engineers and technicians
  • To help Airline start-ups, certifications and assisting airlines in getting approval from Aircraft Acquisition Committee for grant of No Objection Certificate (NOC), for purchase and import of aircraft and helicopters

We have a dedicated team who are specialized in Entertainment and Media law and we provide various services such as Production Agreements, Pre-production Agreements, Performers/Artist Agreements, Agreements related to Music Acquisition and Distribution, Branding Agreements, Distribution Agreements, Marketing/Promotion Agreements, Licensing, Merchandising, Talent Management Agreements, Endorsement Contracts, Litigation Management, Piracy Management, Copyright/Trademark Protection services etc. We have various Film Production Houses, Channels, Studios and Artist as our clients.

  • Commercial Property
  • Construction
  • Development
  • Sale and Purchase
  • Joint ventures
  • Property Litigation
  • Conveyancing
  • Title Search & Report
  • Due-Diligence
  • Others

  • Asset-Based Loans
  • Syndicated Loans and Participations
  • Term Loans, Revolving
  • Loans and Letter of Credit Facilities
  • Acquisition Financing
  • Leveraged Buyouts
  • Corporate Restructurings and Workouts
  • Debtor-in-Possession Financing
  • Securitised Financing
  • Real Estate Lending
  • Synthetic Leases
  • Leveraged Leasing
  • Municipal Bonds
  • Project Finance
  • Asset Recovery
  • Venture Capital
  • Strategic Advisory
  • Angel Financing/Seed Capital
  • Private Equity
  • Mergers and Acquisitions
  • Debt Financing
  • Corporate/IP
  • Securities
  • Corporate Spin-outs

The firm acts for suppliers and users of IT equipment and services and can advise on a broad range of issues related to IT and telecommunications industries, including Software licenses and other standard terms of trade; System integration agreements; Agreements relating to facilities management and outsourcing; Agency and other channels of distribution.

  • Mergers
  • Acquisition and Divestiture Structuring
  • Foreign Investments and Regulations / establishing business entities in India, Contracts & document drafting
  • Joint Ventures/ Collaborations, International transactions and documentations
  • Stock Exchange listings and compliances
  • Licensing Agreements
  • Start-up companies, Due-Diligence
  • Merger Structuring
  • Tax Planning
  • Government Contracts
  • Ship and Aviation financing and regulation
  • Advising technology and other companies in business planning
  • stock options, capital formation
  • technology licensing and other matters
  • Corporate reorganizations and recapitalizations
  • Commercial loan transactions on behalf of borrowers and lenders
  • letters of credit
  • bankers acceptances
  • multi-bank credits
  • asset-based financings
  • secured transactions

Liabilities in respect of Seamen, supernumeraries, passengers and third parties.

  • Stowaways, Diversion expenses, Life Salvage, Quarantine
  • Persons in Distress
  • Collisions, Non-contact damage to ships
  • Damage to property, Pollution
  • Wreck removal, Towage
  • Contracts, Indemnities and Guarantees
  • Liabilities in respect of cargo
  • General Average, Fines
  • Risks incidental to ship owning

The firm provides clients with comprehensive dispute resolution expertise covering litigation, arbitration and negotiated settlements. We are also experienced in wide range of commercial disputes including banking and financial services & commercial fraud claims, Criminal, Consumer and Company disputes.

We are committed to providing our services cost effectively without compromising on quality. To ensure value for money we select staff with the appropriate level of expertise and experience for each assignment. Our aim is to work in partnership with your own resources. If aspects of a matter can be more cost effectively handled by your in-house resources or your principals, we will work you to structure and resource the work appropriately. We recognize that it is our client's perception of value for money, not ours, that is important and we strive to ensure that our charges are not only reasonable in the circumstances but are also in line with our client's budgeting requirements and current market rates.

We are always prepared to be flexible in relation to our methods of charging and in agreeing specific arrangements with individual clients. In particular, if a client wants to have agreed hourly rates and is prepared to offer us a significant volume of work, then we are prepared to agree rates which are significantly discount from our standard rates.

The firm retains the service of an appointed Notary under the Notary Act, 1952 who is authorised to witness the signing of legal documents such as deeds, affidavits and trust and attest authentic documents in English and Malayalam