Superyachts
One of the world’s leading international superyacht law firms
Bargate Murray is one of the world’s top international superyacht law firms. The firm has extensive experience in this highly niche area. We act for ultra high net worth (UHNW) individuals and work alongside other industry professionals such as yacht captains, naval architects and designers, family offices and other lawyers that require specialist advice in this niche area. We also act for shipyards
A key feature of our work in this area is our hands-on personal service and our commitment to discretion and confidentiality. Rather than delivering our work in a “one size fits all” approach, we tailor our approach around the needs of our individual clients. This is something that our clients value a great deal. Our work as superyacht lawyers requires us to cover a range of legal issues. These include yacht construction, yacht sale and purchase, yacht regulation, yacht finance and taxation. Many of these transactions are highly complicated and involve several jurisdictions. For example, whilst the sale contract for a yacht might be subject to English law, the yacht itself may be flagged in the Cayman Islands (which has a first rate shipping registry) and owned by a company incorporated in a third jurisdiction.
Having an experienced superyacht lawyer on your side is essential as it is often necessary to come up with creative ideas to overcome any number of issues that may arise. For example, the firm recently negotiated a novel payment mechanism with a well-known European shipyard to facilitate the funding of a large project.
Two recent deals handled by the firm had a combined value of approximately €130m. We were also recently involved in the sale of a 60m+ yacht for USD$22m and the purchase of a 40m yacht for approximately USD$10m. We have advised on several new financings, including a collateralised loan agreement for a UHNW individual in relation to a yacht and private jet.
Contact us on yachtgroup@bargatemurray.com or by using the ‘Get in touch’ link below.
Our experience includes:
- Yacht sale and purchase agreements
- Negotiating, drafting and reviewing yacht construction agreements
- Conversion and repair agreements
- Crew agreements
- Contracts with professionals such as architects and designers
- Bank and other finance arrangements
- Performance guarantees
- Project management agreements
- Flagging and registration
- Corporate issues and ownership structures
- Dispute Resolution, including arbitration and litigation