About Us

About Us

Welcome to Hannaford Turner LLP, an award-winning, Chambers and Partners-ranked specialist law firm situated in the heart of London. Since our inception, we have built a reputation for excellence, offering unparalleled expertise in the niche sectors of commercial shipping, superyachts, cruise and ferry, LNG, private aviation, international trade, and commodities. Our team brings together over a century of collective experience and a transaction history exceeding £10 billion, ensuring that we provide insightful and strategic legal advice to our diverse clientele.

Our Expertise

At Hannaford Turner, our depth of knowledge in maritime law is unmatched. We are recognized for our comprehensive understanding of the global shipping industry and our ability to manage a wide array of transactions, including ship finance, newbuilding projects, sale and purchase, refit and repair, and ownership structuring. Our expertise extends to dispute resolution, where our seasoned lawyers provide tailored advice to meet the specific needs of each client.

Our firm also excels in the LNG, international trade, and commodities sectors, offering strategic counsel across the supply chain. Whether negotiating trading contracts or resolving disputes through arbitration and litigation, our team helps clients achieve their business objectives with precision and insight.

Our superyacht practice is globally acclaimed, ranked as a Band 1 firm in the Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Guide. We cater to a diverse clientele, including high-net-worth individuals, family offices, shipyards, yacht designers, and managers. Our services cover yacht sale and purchase, construction, refits, yacht design, and finance, delivering exceptional service at every stage.

In the private aviation sector, we provide comprehensive legal services to owners, buyers, and sellers of private and business aircraft. Our expertise includes aircraft sale and purchase agreements, aviation finance, and ownership structuring, ensuring pragmatic and commercial solutions for our clients.

Additionally, we offer specialized advice to clients incorporated in the Marshall Islands and Liberia, focusing on shipping and ship finance transactions and disputes involving vessels and entities flagged in these jurisdictions.

Our Approach

Our client-centric approach is rooted in excellence, integrity, and collaboration. As a partner-led practice, we ensure that every client receives personalized attention and bespoke solutions. We take the time to understand our clients’ unique challenges and objectives, developing strategies that align with their specific legal and business needs.

We pride ourselves on delivering sophisticated advice in an approachable and straightforward manner. Building long-lasting relationships based on trust, transparency, and mutual respect is at the core of our practice. Our goal is to add real value to our clients’ businesses, helping them navigate the complexities of today’s global marketplace with confidence.

Whether advising on a newbuild ship financing project, a multimillion-dollar superyacht transaction, or resolving a complex dispute, our lawyers bring a wealth of experience and commercial acumen to every engagement. We are dedicated to delivering results with professionalism and integrity, ensuring the highest standard of legal service.

Our Journey

Hannaford Turner opened its doors on 1 August 2016, founded by Matt Hannaford, Justin Turner, Owen McHugh, and Keith Krut. With decades of collective experience at leading maritime law firms, they envisioned creating a specialist maritime law firm with an international reputation for excellence.

Since then, the firm has grown into a fifteen-partner practice with broad specialisms across maritime, aviation, energy, and physical assets sectors. Our mission remains steadfast: to deliver exceptional client service and build strong, long-term relationships. Strategic lateral hires have expanded our capabilities while maintaining our core values of client service and excellence.

Community Engagement

We are committed to supporting a wide range of social and community causes. Our current charitable initiatives include the Sabre Education Trust, Sailors’ Children Society, Bow and Bethnal Green FoodBanks, and the Down’s Syndrome Association. Additionally, we provide work experience opportunities and career guidance to young people, fostering wider access to the legal profession.

Join us on our journey as we continue to navigate the legal waters of the maritime industry, serving as your trusted legal partners and advocates.