Duncan Bateson

Partner

Duncan is a partner in the firm’s Yachts and Luxury Assets team, having joined from another London City marine firm where he was head of their superyacht department. He is recognised as one of the few Notable Practitioners in the Yachts & Superyachts table of the Chambers High Net Worth Guide where he has been recognised since it was first published.

For over 25 years he has specialised in yacht transactions including sale and purchase, new construction, refit, finance, management and charters but also advises on marine insurance and regulatory compliance. Duncan has never had a transaction of his ‘fall over’. Having trained as a barrister and started his legal career as a shipping litigator, he also takes on clients who have found themselves in a dispute such as with yacht newbuilds and charters, principally in London arbitration but also yacht arrests in England and internationally, though always aiming for a swift resolution.

Duncan acts primarily for high net worth individuals worldwide from the US to the Far East, and Europe, Africa & the Middle East in-between, but has also advised banks, builders and brokers. He has worked with most of the well-known yacht brokerage firms, large and small, in London, Monaco, US East Coast and elsewhere.

He has advised on the full range of motor and sailing yachts, from high performance racers & tenders up to the largest superyachts, mega yachts and the biggest residential ‘yacht liner’ project in the world. Duncan has advised on the construction of yachts principally in Europe (including Germany, the Netherlands, UK and Italy) but also in Turkey and the Far East.

Duncan also guides clients on yacht ownership structures and choice of flag, both within the EU and globally.