Akshay Misra
Senior Associate
London
T +44 (0) 20 7481 0010
akshaymisra@inceco.com
Department Maritime, Commodities & Trade Qualified England and Wales 2013 Education (University) Newcastle University, LLM (Environmental Law) . Northumbria University, LLB (Exempting) Languages English, Hindi
Akshay started his career with an IG Group Club prior to qualifying with another maritime firm in the city, where he practised for over ten years. He is renowned for his expertise in London maritime arbitration and commercial court litigation. He is often praised for his hands-on approach to delivering cost effective solutions for clients.
Akshay works closely with a broad range of clients including ship owners, charterers, ship managers, P&I clubs, brokers as well as with foreign lawyers. He has extensive experience in dealing with multi-jurisdictional disputes and is experienced in handling a wide portfolio of litigation matters, such as challenging jurisdiction, applications to set aside freezing injunctions, as well as challenges of arbitration awards brought under Section 67, 68 and 69 of the Arbitration Act 1996.
Akshay has also travelled on assignment to negotiate the successful release of vessels detained by local authorities, to settle claims with charterers and to oversee transhipment contracts and exercises.
He also forms part of Ince's sanctions team and regularly prepares reports and guides owners, charterers as well as other Ince offices globally on sanctions risks. These include voyages to and from Russia, Venezuela, Syria and where other potentially embargoed entities/persons are involved. Akshay also works closely with US partners and other investigative agencies on sanctions related matters.
Quote
"I pride myself on being approachable, responsive, and commercially aware."
Professional associations & memberships
- Vice Chair of the Indian Maritime Association UK
- Member of the British Japanese Law Association
What you may not know about Akshay
In 2008 Akshay became the youngest Indian civilian to reach the North Pole as part of a four man team.
Akshay enjoys learning Japanese, but struggles with the Kanji script.
My matter highlights
- Put together a team of experts in West Africa and manage the successful release of numerous vessels for an Owner Client, through negotiations with the local authorities.
- Involved in a multi-million dollar oil dispute, where Akshay was sent on assignment to take statements from an overseas oil major and government officials that formed part of a Witness Statement lodged with the Commercial Courts in London and eventually led to a successful settlement for the client.
- Assist fixed premium P&I client in cases involving stowaways, death of crew members including master on board vessels and arrests made in relation to alleged oil spills.
- Travel and successfully negotiate the release of a vessel by arranging a locally endorsed Bank Guarantee and supervision of local lawyers in a sensitive jurisdiction.
- Assisting in preparing a team of lawyers including counsel in England, local lawyers in India and successfully applying for an English Freezing injunction which halted proceedings in Gujarat, India in favour of the clients.
My testimonials and accolades
My recent publications
News / Court declines further adjournment of contempt application against sanctioned defendant
07-03-2023 / Maritime
In the recent case of PJSC National Bank Trust v. Boris Mints, the Court confirmed that sanctioned entities have a fundamental right of access to the English courts. In this case, the Court has made it clear that a defendant will not be permitted to delay any legitimate proceedings against him beyond what is reasonable on the basis that his sanctioned status may prevent him getting a fair trial.
News / Sanctioned entities have fundamental right of access to English courts
14-02-2023 / Maritime
The Court has found that the UK sanctions regime does not deny sanctioned entities the right to access the English courts in circumstances where their disputes are subject to the English Court’s jurisdiction and they have a good arguable claim. In coming to this decision, the Court usefully summarised the applicable sanctions regulations and considered the scope of the licencing regime implemented by the UK Office of Foreign Sanctions (OFSI).
News / BIMCO publishes CII Operations Clause for Time Charterparties
15-12-2022 / Maritime
On 17 November 2022, BIMCO published a CII Operations Clause for Time Charterparties that is aimed at assisting owners and charterers in complying with carbon intensity regulations recently introduced by the IMO and that come into force on 1 January 2023. In their article, Chris Kidd and Akshay Misra summarise the CII rating system and discuss the BIMCO Clause.
