HBJ Gateley Wareing in maritime merger move

The firms have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that could see the two firms' shipping and transport teams join forces as early as June 2008, although it is envisaged that six current Holmes Hardingham partners, and five further lawyers, would continue to operate under the same name as a division of HBJGW. The combined team would number 26 lawyers across the firm's offices in London, Edinburgh and Dubai.

National chairman Bijan Sedghi said Holmes Hardingham had 'a first-class international reputation' in the maritime sector.

'This provides a significant opportunity to offer an integrated, high-quality legal service in shipping, aviation, road transport and logistics to meet the demands of our growing client base,' he explained.

Holmes Hardingham chairman, Adrian Hardingham, said the merger would create 'a top tier international shipping, maritime and multi-modal transport practice', as well as enabling his firm to offer clients a 'full corporate advisory service' anywhere in the world.

In April 2007 HBJGW merged with shipping and transport specialists Shaw & Croft. The move gave it a London base for the first time, and offered a platform for growth in corporate and banking work. It has since also sent a small team to open an office in Dubai, focusing on shipping and construction work.

Holmes Hardingham was founded in 1989, and specialises in maritime, transport insurance, trade and yacht law.