
Our Arbitrators
Arsoniadis-Stein, Kaity
Ms. Arsoniadis-Stein was most recently the Executive Director of the Vancouver International Maritime Centre. Ms. Arsoniadis-Stein practised maritime law in England, having worked for Gard Protection and Indemnity Club, and in Greece where she worked for ELDA, the National Oil Refineries of Greece. In Vancouver, British Columbia she worked with the law firm, Bull Housser and Tupper as well as Teekay Shipping Limited and Seaspan Container Lines.
Ms. Arsoniadis-Stein drives forward VIMC’s role to promote BC to the international shipping industry as a maritime centre location and actively solicit shipping companies to locate operations in the province.
In 2012 she was recognized with the Queen Elizabeth II, Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition for her contribution to her local community and Canada.
Professional Affiliations:
- Canadian Maritime Law Association: Member
- Vancouver Maritime Arbitrators Association: Arbitrating Member, director and current President
- Insurance Dispute Resolution Services of B.C.: Trustee
- International Maritime Centre: Director
- Vancouver Maritime Museum: Trustee
- BC Jobs and Investment Board: Head of the transportation sector
- Company of Master Mariners: Honorary Member
Education:
- B.A (UBC 1992)
- L.L.B. & Post-Graduate Diploma in English Law (University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, UK,1996)
- LLM, Honours (University of London, London, UK 1997)
- Canadian Legal Accreditation Certificate (UVic, BC 1998)
- Admitted Bar of British Columbia, 1999
- ADR Program (Justice Institute of BC)
Bernard, Peter K.C.
303-3377-Capilano Crescent
North Vancouver, BC
Canada V7R 4W7
Tel: (604) 985-5052
E-mail: peterbernard78@gmail.com
Until his retirement in June of 2012, Peter’s legal practice over 45 years included all aspects of maritime law including collision, salvage, oil pollution, marine insurance, cargo and passenger carriage as well as commercial matters such as purchases, sales, financing and chartering of vessels. Peter’s practice included litigation in Supreme Court of British Columbia and Federal Court of Canada at trial and appellant levels as well as in mediation and arbitration as counsel and arbitrator or mediator.
Professional Affiliations
- Member of Panel for British Columbia Department of Environment Seminar on Oil Pollution Prevent, 1995
- Co-Chairperson International Congress of Maritime Arbitrators, 1991
- Chairperson International Conference on Maritime Arbitration, 1988
- Chair and speaker for many programs on maritime law in Canada, the United States and elsewhere including Vietnam
- Conducted review of Department of Fisheries and Oceans decision to terminate the Canadian Coast Guard Rescue Diving Project, 2001
- Contributed Canadial Legal segment of Pacific States BC Oil Spill Task Force Review Project 2009-2010.
- Director present or past: Canadian Maritime Law Association, VMAA, Chamber of Shipping of BC, International Maritime Centre, Vancouver Maritime Museum, Mission to Seafarers, International Sailors’ Society Canada
Education:
- Called to British Columbia Bar, 1967
- University of British Columbia, LL.B., 1966
- University of British Columbia, B.A., 1963
Bilkhu, Sukhvir
Email: sbilkhu@yahoo.ca
Sukhvir’s career spans more than 20 years in Maritime Field including handling operations and claims for all cargoes working internationally. He has wide experience in Commercial dispute resolution, ADR, mediation, litigation, maritime law, Marine liabilities and arbitration. Sukhvir have worked extensively with international Maritime community including PNI insurance, FD&D, Average adjusters, Managers as prime Loss prevention consultant and claims handler. He has been handling Marine and cargo claims including GA & PA, liabilities and recoveries, Flag state coordination, Marine Insurances, force majeure, injuries, collecting evidences, Ship rupture and grounding, Pollution, Sale and Purchase matters, C/P breaches and disputes, specialised cargoes claims and all types of contract disputes. Sukhvir’s career path has been throughout extensive experience via handing claims and operations for variety of cargoes including:
All bulk Cargoes and types of claims: Coal, Sulphur, concentrates, Minerals, IORE, Wood products, Grains, edible, dangerous goods, containerised cargoes dry and reefer, fumigation, contaminations, liquefy, methane etc.
All Oil & Gas Products and types of claims: Chemicals, dirty products, crude, LNG, Edible Oil, and COW claims, rejections, products carriers contract disputes, ullage shortages, contaminations, breach, performance failure etc.
The experience in self handling of operations and claims of all dry and liquid cargoes in Canada, Asia, Europe, Australia, India, Africa and Far East makes him unique in this field.
Professional Affiliations:
VMAA – Arbitrating member, Vancouver Canada.
FICS – Fellow ICS London, United Kingdom.
Education:
MBA – Masters in Business Administration, Shipping and Logistics London UK
LLM – Masters in Maritime Law, London UK
Diploma in Ship Management – Commercial/Marine, UK.
Diploma in Loss Prevention – Marine (Commercial and Cargo) – North of England PNI, UK.
AIMA – Diploma in Foreign Trade.
Certification of Proficiency in Radio Communication – Maritime Mobile services – RTG
Bromley, John K.C.
Retired from Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP
1989 Quilchena Crescent
Vancouver, British Columbia V6M 1C9
Tel: (604) 644-2226
E-mail: blcorp1989@gmail.com
John’s practice encompassed all aspects of maritime law and marine insurance, with a particular emphasis on dispute resolution.
His clients value his prompt, pragmatic advice on maritime law issues arising from their operating challenges. He advises on charterparties and contracts of affreightment. From both experience and background, he has a practical familiarity with matters arising from rail transportation. He has appeared as counsel before all levels of Courts in British Columbia, as well as the Federal Court, Federal Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court of Canada. John has also been counsel in numerous mediations and arbitrations.
John has delivered papers at a variety of conferences, as well as given numerous addresses on various marine and insurance matters.
Chapelski, Shelley A.
Partner – Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP
1800-510 West Georgia Street
Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 0M3
Tel: (604) 641-4809
Fax: (604) 646-2630
E-mail: shelley.chapelski@nortonrosefulbright.com
Shelley Chapelski’s practice encompasses all aspects of maritime law, including maritime contracts, torts, creditor’s remedies and marine insurance matters. She drafts and advises on charter parties, contracts of carriage, moorage contracts, insurance policies, intermodal contracts and other agreements that arise in maritime and transportation law. She has dealt with dozens of vessel arrests and many maritime limitation of liability proceedings. Ms. Chapelski is frequently called upon by many commercial vessel operators, P&I clubs and marine insurers, harbours and maritime service providers for practical and creative solutions to their maritime law issues.
She is a past President of the Canadian Maritime Law Association. Ms. Chapelski has represented clients in the provincial, supreme and appellate courts of British Columbia, Alberta and Federal Courts of Canada.
Called to the British Columbia Bar in 1991.
- Best Lawyers in Canada: Recognized as a leading lawyer in the area of Maritime Law
- Who’s Who Legal: Canada: Recognized as a leading business lawyer in Shipping & Maritime Law
- Chambers Global: The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business: Recognized as a Band 1 lawyer in the area of Shipping Law
- Chambers Canada: Recognized as a Band 1 lawyer in the area of Transportation
- Canada Legal Lexpert Directory: Most Frequently Recommended in the area of Shipping & Maritime Law
- LexisNexis – Martindale-Hubbell: Peer Review Rated
- Expert Guides – Guide to the World’s Leading Shipping and Maritime Lawyers: Recognized as a leading practitioner in the area of Shipping and Maritime Law
- Expert Guides – Guide to the World’s Leading Women in Business Law: Recognized as an outstanding practitioner in the field of Business Law
- Expert Guides – Guide to the World’s Leading Women in Business Law: Recognized as an outstanding practitioner in the field of Business Law
Chen, Bo*
Deputy Secretary-General & Vice President China Maritime Arbitration Commission
6/F CCOIC Building, 2 Huapichang Hutong, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100035, P.R. China
Direct Tel: 86 10 82217705
Fax:86 10 82217766
Dr. Chen Bo is Vice President of Arbitration Comt of China Maritime Arbitration Commission. She got her Bachelor degree of Law and Master degree of International Law from China University of Political Science in 1984 and 1987 respectively. In 1999 she got her Master degree of International Maritime Law from International Maritime Law Institute of International Maritime Organization, Malta. In 2006 she got Doctor Degree of International Law from Dalian Maritime University. She has taught maritime law and international law in Central University of Nationalities in Beijing. Since 1993, she serves in the China Maritime Arbitration Commission (CMAC), and has handled thousands of maritime and commercial arbitration cases. Main areas of practice cover charterparties, bills of lading, ship sale and repairing, sale of goods, investment and insurance etc. She is also Secretary- General of China Maritime Law Association and Professor of China University of Political Science and Law, the Arbitrator of CMAC and CIET AC, Supporting member of LMAA and Member of Clarb.
Chu, Beiping*
Prof. Beiping Chu was born in May 1972. He graduated from Navigation College of Dalian Maritime University (DMU) with a bachelor’s degree in Navigation Technology in 1996, and obtained LLM and Ph.D from DMU respectively in 2000 and 2008.
Prof. Chu is now the dean professor and doctoral supervisor of DMU Law School, and is also a senior visiting scholar at Swansea University of United Kingdom, and winner of award nomination of The 8th National Ten Outstanding Young Jurists of the P. R. China. Prof. Chu’s academic interest covers extensive areas including maritime and admiralty law, marine insurance, international maritime and commercial arbitration, shipping law, ship collision law, ship sale and purchase, ship mortgage and financing, and cross-border maritime bankruptcy and insolvency. His current positions and professional memberships include:
- Vice-president of China Insurance Law Association
- Executive director and Vice Secretary-General of China Maritime Law Association
- Executive director of China Academy of Arbitration Law
- Executive director of China Association of Legal Education
- Director of Institute of Sea Law of Liaoning Law Society
- Executive director of Institute of Marine Policy and Law, Research Center for “the Belt and Road” of DMU
- Director of the Institute of Insurance Law of DMU
- President of the Institute of Sea Law of DMU
- Member, Panel of Arbitrators of China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC)
- Member, Panel of Arbitrators of China Maritime Arbitration Commission (CMAC)
- Supporting member of London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA)
- Member, Panel of Arbitrators of Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration (SCMA)
- Member, Panel of Arbitrators of Dalian Arbitration Commission of PRC
- Visiting professor of the Institute of Maritime Law of Waseda University of Japan
Dean, Kenneth
303-1111 Marinaside Crescent
Vancouver, BC
V6Z 2Y3
Dunbar, Rodney
Egger, Doreen
SVP, Marine Manager – Aon Reed Stenhouse
Suite 1200 – 401 West Georgia Street
PO Box 3228
Vancouver, BC V6B 3X8
Tel: (604) 443-243
Koh, Peter
Peter Koh Soon Kwang
COMMERCIAL LITIGATION & ARBITRATION
CORPORATE & SECURITIES REGULATION
LLB (Hons)(S’pore) LLM (London) FCIArb
Arbitrator, CMAC and CIETAC
Certificate in Advanced Mediation (Harvard)
Certificate in Advanced ADR (Windsor)
Advocate & Solicitor, Singapore
Barrister & Solicitor, British Columbia/Canada
Solicitor, England & Wales
Cellular Tel numbers: 65 91511997 (Singapore)
1 604 3701997 (Canada)
86 13918841997 (China)
Email: peter.koh@rhtlawtaylorwessing.com
Commercial Litigation & Arbitration, including Mediation and Tribunals.
Corporate & Securities Regulation: Transnational Mergers and Acquisitions and Joint Ventures, Representations before banking and securities regulatory authorities.
Peter has represented clients in arbitral, tribunal and court proceedings in Shipping and Commercial law cases in Singapore, England and British Columbia/Canada. He appeared in the Federal Courts of Canada, Supreme Courts of British Columbia, High Courts of Singapore and assisted London Silks in the Commercial Courts and the Privy Council in London.
He was a former pupil of Lord Justice Anthony Evans at then 4 Essex Court, Middle Temple, England. For many years, he acted for major protection and indemnity clubs and was the Legal Correspondent for Japan P & I and China P & I, ship-owners, shipyards and other marine-related industries.
Lord Phillips of Worth, President of the UK Supreme Court said of Peter in a matter arising from Keppel Shipyard in Singapore 1.10.2011:
Peter and I go back a long time as we were both involved on opposite sides, in an appeal to the Privy Council about a ship’s propeller
Peter was the Chief Representative of an international law firm for five years in Beijing and is currently an accredited arbitrator with both China Maritime Arbitration Commission and China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission. He was a former director of Vancouver Maritime Arbitrators Association. For 5 successive years, he was also the Secretary-General of the Singapore Maritime Law Association.
For more than 20 years, he has acted mainly as Counsel (and occasionally as Arbitrator in Shipping and Commercial Arbitrations in London, Vancouver and Singapore as well as before securities and banking regulatory tribunals at these jurisdictions. Legal issues usually involve charter-parties and bills of ladings. Court matters include such issues plus towage in the Canadian Federal Courts and Maritime law in Singapore High Courts.
Currently, he is a visiting professor at 9 Chinese universities, including China University of Political Science & Law, Xiamen University, Renmin University and Wuhan University. He is also a permanent Visiting Professor at China’s two premier maritime universities: Dalian Maritime University and Shanghai Maritime University.
In 2008, he was appointed an adjunct professor at the University of Western Ontario and the National University of Singapore. He was instrumental in introducing International
Shipping Law at both universities. From 2008 to 2012, he taught one of the modules leading to the LLM double degrees from New York University and National University of Singapore.
He had lectured on subjects relating to English Marine Insurance law and English Admiralty law for courses organized for British and European lawyers by Lloyd’s of London Press some time ago. He also conducted courses for BIMCO, Japan Shipping Exchange, Singapore Shipping Association and China P & I Club.
His publications include the following:
Author, Major Issues in Shipping Law (with PRC and English Comparative Notes) (1st Edition) (Published by Sweet & Maxwell/Thomson Reuters)
Author, Major Issues in Company Law (with PRC and English Comparative Notes) (1st to 4th Editions) (Published by Sweet & Maxwell/Thomson Reuters)
Co-editor of Mergers and Acquisitions in China (1st and 2nd Editions) (Published by Sweet & Maxwell/Thomson Reuters)
Author, Marine Insurance & the New Institute Cargo Clauses (Published by Longman’s in London)
Author, Law of Partnership in Singapore and Malaysia (Published by Professional Publications in Singapore)
Editor, Carriage of Goods by Sea (Published by Butterworth in London)
Author of national chapter, Tetley’s International Conflict of Law, Common, Civil & Maritime
Lord Bingham, then Senior Law Lord said of Peter’s latest publication Major Issues in Company Law (with PRC and English Comparative Notes) on 10.3.2010:
An understanding of the rules applicable in another country may be very important where two countries such as the People’s Republic of China and the United Kingdom are important trading partners and are – particularly in the case of China of major economic strength. Here lies the value of this book, explaining and comparing the rules applicable in our two countries in a structured and informative way.
Li, Henry Hai*
Born in 1958 in Xi An, Shaanxi Province, the PRC; married, having a daughter now working at an English law firm’s Hong Kong Office.
The founding and managing partner of Henry & Co. Law Firm of Guangdong.
Professor and PhD candidate supervisor of Dalian Maritime University.
As a member of the Chinese government delegation, participated in the sessions of the UNCITRAL Working Group III for discussion and negotiation of the Rotterdam Rules;
As an expert, provided advisory opinions at the request of the 4th Civil Division of the Supreme Court of the PRC on various cases and/or issues in relation to maritime law;
As an expert, attended consultancy meetings invited by the Ministry of Transport of the PRC on issues of maritime law.
Li, Hu*
Dr. Li Hu
Postal Address:
China Maritime Arbitration Commission (CMAC), 16/F, CCOIC Building, 2 Huapichang Hutong, Xicheng District, Beijing 100035, P.R. Chinaa
Business Telephone: +86 10 82217706
Business Fax: +86 10 82217966
E-mail: lihu@ecmac.org
Education:
J.S.D. (International Law), China University of Political Science and Law, Beijing, China (2001~2004)
LL. M. (International & Comparative Law), Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden (1998~1999)
LL. M. (International Economic Law), China University of Political Science and Law, Beijing, China (1991~1994)
B. A. (Chinese Language and Literature), Henan Normal University, Henan, China (1987~1991)
Present Title:
Executive Vice Chairman, China Maritime Arbitration Commission (CMAC), Council Member and Vice President, Asian Institute of Alternative Dispute Resolution (AIADR),Member,ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR,and Vice Chairman,ICC China Commission on Arbitration and ADR.
Areas of Specialization: International Investment Law, International Trade Law, Commercial Arbitration and Conciliation, and Intellectual Property Law & Internet Law
Qualifications: The accredited arbitrator and mediator of the institutions of the Mainland China, Chinese Hong Kong, Chinese Taiwan, USA, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Egypt, Ukrainian, the South Africa, Mongolia and Thailand.
Working Experience:
1. The Legal Affairs Department, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) (1994~2003)
2. Deputy Secretary General, China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC) (2003~2020)
3. Board Member, the Arbitration Institute of Stockholm Chamber of Commerce (SCC)(2015~2020)
4. Executive Vice Chairman, China Maritime Arbitration Commission (CMAC) (2020~present)
Professional Experience:
1. As case manager, have handled with more than 600 foreign-related arbitration cases and more than 200 Internet domain name cases;
2. As arbitrator, have awarded more than 120 domestic and international arbitration cases, including arbitrations under ICC Rules and UNCITRAL Rules as well as the Rules of Mongolia International Arbitration Center (MIAC);
3. As panelist, have awarded more than 80 Internet domain name cases, including international cases administered by the National Arbitration Forum (NAF, USA);
4. As arbitration expert, have participated in the consultation work with regard to one China-related ICSID case.
5. As Board member, have participated in the administration work ofthe investor-state treaty arbitrations of the Arbitration Institute of Stockholm Chamber of Commerce (SCC)
Major Publications (Books):
1. The Enforcement of the International Commercial Arbitration Award—with special reference to the enforcement of the arbitral award in the P. R. China (Author), Law Press, China, 2000;
2. The Legal Issues of Online Arbitration(Author), Democratic and Legal Press, China, 2005;
3. Arbitration in China – a Practical Guide (Co-Author), Sweet & Maxwell Asia, Hong Kong, 2004;
4. Arbitration: Procedure and Practice (Co-Author), LexisNexis Butterworths Wadhwa, India, 2009;
5. Commercial Arbitration in Sweden (Co-Translator), Law Press, China, 2008
Major Publications (English Articles):
1. Enforcement of the International Commercial Arbitration Award in the People’s Republic of China,in 16 Journal of International Arbitration 4/1999 (Switzerland);
2. Arbitration ex aequo et bono in China,in Arbitration, the Journal of Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Vol. 66, No.3 Aug. 2000 (United Kingdom);
3. Setting Aside an Arbitral Award in the People’s Republic of China, in American Review of International Arbitration, 2001/Vol.12 No.1 (United States);
4. CIETAC Domain Name Arbitration – An Introduction, in International Arbitration Law Review, Vol.5, No.2 May 2002 (United Kingdom);
5. CCPIT/CCOIC Conciliation Center and its Conciliation – The Perspective of China Conciliation in the 21 Century, in World Arbitration and Mediation Report, December 2002 issue (United States);
6. An Introduction to Commercial Arbitration in China, in Dispute Resolution Journal, May-July 2003, published by American Arbitration Association (United States);
7. Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards and Court Intervention in the People’s Republic of China, in Arbitration International, Vol. 20, Issue 1/2004 (United Kingdom)
Li, Lianjun*
Lianjun Li is a partner and head of the international trade and shipping practice at Reed Smith Richards Butler. He qualified as a solicitor in Hong Kong, England and Wales. He has extensive experience in dealing with disputes related to international commercial, shipping, international trade, cross border transaction and litigation.
He is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a Panel Arbitrator of the Hong Kong Law Society. He is also an arbitrator on the panels or lists of some well-known arbitration institutions including Hong Kong International Arbitrator Centre, China International Economic Arbitration Commission (CIETAC), China Maritime Arbitration Commission (CMAC). He is a visiting professor to Dalian Maritime University, Shanghai Maritime University, Korea University and Ji Mei University.
Lianjun also serves as a member of the 12th Hebei Provincial Committee of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. He is a member of the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board.
Lianjun received educations from Dalian Maritime University, World Maritime University, Stockholm University and University of Hong Kong. He worked at Dalian Maritime University and Stockholm University before commencing his professional life in Hong Kong in 1993. He also qualified as second officer for ocean going vessel and worked at seas over two years.
He has been invited as a guest speaker at many conferences. His most recent books as a co-author include Maritime Law and Practice in Hong Kong and Maritime Law and Practice in China. He is ranked as Band 1 in Shipping Litigation (China) by Chambers Asia-Pacific 2018.
Liang, Hua (Catherine)
Email address: catherine.l@cpcco.ca
Mobile phone: 778-682-5955
Hua (Catherine) has had a professional career in commercial arbitration since 2000, having handled more than 800 cases as case manager and arbitrator. While working for CIETAC, she was a member of the Arbitral Award Review Committee and reviewed as many as 300 awards. She accumulated rich experience in handling a diverse range of arbitration cases including international trade and investment, joint venture, loans and leasing agreements, construction, bank and insurance, etc. As a domain name dispute resolution expert, she also made about 100 Decisions on .cn cases and reviewed about 200 .cn and .com cases as a case supervisor.
Professional Affiliations:
China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC): Arbitrator
CIETAC Domain Name Dispute Resolution Center: Expert
Member of Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb)
Education:
Tsinghua University, Master of Law, majored in civil law and commercial law.
Renmin University of China, Master of Philosophy, majored in western philosophy.
McCawley, Casey
Parrish and Heimbecker Ltd.
710 – 1021 West Hastings Street
Vancouver, BC V6E 0C3
Direct Tel: 604-697-2550
Cell: 604-868-1060
Casey McCawley is the Vice President, West Coast Operations for Parish & Heimbecker Ltd., a firm founded in 1909. The past 23 years he has managed P&H’s export trading activity to all continents, as both an FOB and CNF seller of grain commodities. Casey is experienced in all aspects of the supply chain including rail operations, terminal operations (bulk and container) and bulk chartering. As an active merchant for over 34 years , Casey has inevitably been involved in several commercial disputes involving charter party terms, documentary letters of credit and grain contracts to name a few. He strongly believes in mediation and arbitration as effective ways to resolve disputes.
Professional Affiliations:
- Vancouver Maritime Arbitrators Association: Arbitrating Member, Director, Treasurer
- Current Board Member and Past President of the Vancouver Grain Exchange
- Canadian Malt Barley Technical Centre: Past Chairman
- Alliance Grain Terminal Ltd.: Current Board Member
- Fraser Grain Terminal Ltd. : Current Board Member
- Canadian Grain and Oilseed Exporters Association: Member
- GAFTA ( Grain and Feed Trade Association): Member
- NAEGA ( North American Export Grain Association): Member
- Greater Vancouver Board of Trade: Member
- Hockey Education Reaching Out Society (HEROS): Co- Founder , Board Member
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (economics), University of Manitoba, 1983
McEwen, David F. K.C.
Alexander Holburn Beaudin + Lang LLP
2700 – 700 West Georgia Street
Vancouver, BC V7Y 1B8
Direct Tel: (604) 484-1748
Direct Fax: (604) 484-9748
E-mail: dmcewen@ahbl.ca
PRACTICE PROFILE
David F. McEwen, K.C. has over 40 years’ experience in all areas of maritime, admiralty and marine insurance disputes. He has had extensive experience at all levels of Canadian courts, including the British Columbia Court of Appeal, the Federal Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada. Mr. McEwen’s preferred areas of practice include marine insurance coverage disputes, tug and tow issues, marine insurance subrogation, recoveries for cargo damage or loss, marine casualties (including collisions and personal injuries) and yacht construction disputes.
Mr. McEwen has been the Honorary Solicitor of the Company of Master Mariners of Canada from 1972 to date. He is the author of a number of articles on marine insurance and carriage of goods published in international maritime publications including “Per Package Limitation – A Diverging Approach in Canadian Courts” (Lloyds Maritime and Commercial Law Quarterly, 1976) and “International Case Comment – Bamcell II” (L.M.C.L.Q., 1984). Mr. McEwen has been an Associate Editor of American Maritime Cases since 1978.
Mr. McEwen has been a speaker at numerous maritime law seminars held in Quebec City, Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, Halifax, Chicago, New Orleans and Honolulu, as well as the marine insurance seminars and workshops sponsored by the Association of Marine Underwriters of British Columbia (now the British Columbia Marine Insurance Association). He was the chairperson of the Second International Maritime Law Conference at Vancouver (1981) and of seminars on Federal Court Practice and Procedure in Vancouver in 1984, 1994, 1999, 2003, 2009 and 2012, serving also as a speaker at the 1994 and 2003 seminars.
LEGAL INDUSTRY RECOGNITION
Mr. McEwen has also been selected by his peers for inclusion in the publication, The Best Lawyers in Canada, since its commencement in 2006 and in 2012 is Best Lawyers’ 2012 Vancouver Maritime Law Lawyer of the Year. He has also been recognized by LEXPERT as a leading Canadian lawyer in maritime law. Martindale-Hubbell rates him as AV (the highest rating).
REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE
- North King Lodge Ltd. v. Gowlland Towing Ltd., 2005 BCCA 557. Recent Court of Appeal decision that restates the limited duty of care that an owner or occupier of maritime property owes to a trespassing vessel;
- J.A. Johnston Company Ltd. v. The Ship Tindefjell, (1973) 2 F.C. 1003. The first decision outside the United States to hold that a shipping container was not a “package” within the Hague Rules;
- Norsk Pacific Steamship Co. Ltd. v. Canadian National Railway Company (Jervis Crown), [1992] 1 S.C.R. 1201. A decision of the Supreme Court of Canada that broadened the ambit of recovery for pure economic loss; and
- Bayside Towing Ltd. v. Canadian Pacific Railway Co., [2001] 2 F.C. 258. The first decision in Canada on the new limitation of liability regime.
PROFESSIONAL + COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS
- Canadian Bar Association, Member;
- Canadian Bar Association Maritime Law Section, Past Chair for B.C. and Canada;
- Canadian Bar Association Standing Committee on the Federal Court Rules, Past Member and Chairperson; and
- Statutory Federal Court Rules Committee, Member from inception to 1998.
McIntyre, JJ
MW Law Offices
Barristers
1570 – 789 West Pender St.
Vancouver, BC, Canada V6C 1H2
Direct Tel.: 604.605.4302
Fax: 604.605.4301
E-mail: jjmcintyre@telus.net; jjmcintyre.arbitrator@gmail.com
JJ (John Joseph) has wide experience in maritime law having represented as counsel – docks, stevedores, supercargoes, shipyards, freight forwarders, trucking companies, material service providers, charterers and their respective insurers. He gave up counsel work when he was asked by the maritime community to serve as mediator or arbitrator, often as sole arbitrator in their disputes. Since 2002, he has conducted both domestic and international arbitrations under the Vancouver Maritime Arbitration Rules, the arbitration rules of the Maritime Arbitrators Association of Canada, the BCICAC Domestic Commercial Arbitration Rules and their International Commercial Arbitration Rules. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, London.
Professional Affiliations:
- Chartered Institute of Arbitrators – Fellow
- Vancouver Maritime Arbitrators Association – Arbitrating Member and Director
- Vancouver International Arbitration Centre – Domestic, International, and Arbitration Application Panels
- Canadian Transportation Agency – Arbitrator
- International Chamber of Commerce Canada – Arbitrator
- Sports Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada – Arbitrator
- Member of Law Societies of British Columbia and Yukon
- Canadian Bar Association – Member Maritime Law Section;
- Canadian Maritime Law Association – Member
- China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission – Arbitrator
- China Maritime Arbitration Commission – Arbitrator
Education:
- B.Sc. (USask. – 1977)
- J.D./LLB (USask. – 1980)
McIvor, Jane
McNeill, Geoff
CTL WESTRANS SHIPBROKERS
Suite 640 – 1050 West Pender Street
Vancouver, BC V6E 3S7
https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoffrey-mcneill-fics-61668126/
(604) 891-5532 – 24hrs direct
Geoff is the President of CTL Westrans Shipbrokers and has twenty-seven years experience as a ship’s agent and as a dry cargo shipbroker. He handles voyage charters, parcel charters, time charters, single full and part cargoes, COA’s in steels, grains, lumber, pulp, paper, woodchips, fertilizers and concentrates as well as project cargoes including ro-ro and heavy lift. Geoff has also had ample experience handling ocean container shipments, both in bulk and general cargo commodities. Currently, he is specialized in cargoes ranging from 1,000 to Panamax (60/70,000 mt) on various types of ships including bulk carriers, chip carriers, tweendeckers, multi-purpose and container ships, ro-ro and self dischargers.
Accomplishments:
- 1993 – Diploma in Shipping and Marine Operations – Pacific Marine Training Institute
- 1998 – Certificate of Membership – “Member” Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (MICS)
- 2002/present – Certificate of Fellowship – “Fellow” Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (FICS)
- 2001/06 – Founder and President of Nanaimo Harbour Link Corp. (HarbourLynx, a public foot-passenger ferry service, to and from: Vancouver/Nanaimo, BC)
Oland, Barry
Oland & Co.
401-1665 Ellis Street
Kelowna, BC V1Y 2B3
Tel: (604) 683-9621
Fax: (604) 669-4556
Email: shiplaw@aboland.com
Barry Oland practices maritime and transportation law in British Columbia and across Canada. He acts for marine insurers and cargo owners in cargo related disputes. He acts for bunker suppliers and charterers. His practice is almost entirely litigation related in the field of maritime and transportation law. He has appeared in the BC Supreme Court, BC Court of Appeal, the Federal Court, the Federal Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court of Canada. He is recommended as a shipping and maritime lawyer in Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory. He is a Past President of the Canadian Maritime Law Association and has been active in representation of Canada at maritime diplomatic conferences.
Professional Affiliations:
- Law Society of British Columbia – Member
- Canadian Maritime Law Association – Past President and Chair of Limitation of Liability Section
- Canadian Bar Association – Member and Past Chair of Maritime Law Section
- Comité Maritime International – Titular Member
- International Bar Association – Member
- Asia Pacific Lawyers Foundation – Member
- Inter-Pacific Bar Association – Member
Education:
- B.Com (Dalhousie University) 1966
- L.L.B. (Dalhousie Law School) 1967
- L.L.M. (University College London) 2003
- Admitted to Bar of British Columbia 1968
Parry-Wingfield, Adam
Marsh Canada Limited
550 Burrard Street, Suite 800
Vancouver, BC V6C 2K1
Tel: 604-692-4817
Fax: 604-685-3112
E-Mail: adam.parry-wingfield@marsh.com
Adam’s career spans more than 20 years in the marine insurance business. After graduating in 1990, he spent 7 years in the Lloyd’s market focusing on Marine Liability and P&I placements for global clients. In 1997 he emigrated from London to Vancouver and built up a new marine practice for an international broking firm. He joined Marsh Canada in 2003 as Manager of Marsh’s Vancouver marine practice. More recently he also assumed management of several of Marsh’s other business units including transportation. Adam handles a varied group of clients in the marine industry, specializing in port and terminal programs, fleet hull and P&I, major cargo programs and London market package placements.
Professional Affiliations:
- Associate and Chartered Insurance Broker, Chartered Insurance Institute (UK).
- Member of the Marine Insurance Association of B.C.
- Arbitrating member of the Vancouver Maritime Arbitration Association
Education:
- B.A. (hons) University of Exeter
- Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute (ACII)
Pong, Dennis
Phone: 604 340 5438
Email: ponghc@gmail.com
Dennis started his career in Hong Kong in 1976 as an Average Adjusters specializing in marine hull, liability and general average claims. He has work experiences in London, Seattle, Shanghai and Vancouver.
Dennis emigrated to Vancouver in 1989 and set up the branch office of an International Adjusting firm. In 1996, Dennis joined Sedgwick Limited as an account executive with the primary role to develop business from Shipowners, Ship Operators, Charterers, Ferry Services, Marina and Trading Houses.
Dennis moved to Marsh Canada Limited in April, 1999 (after acquisition of Sedgwick by Marsh Canada). He services and handles insurance placement for a number of Japanese trading houses, mining companies, terminal and Asian investment in Vancouver. He also places insurance for Canadian companies with and interest in People’s Republic of China on property, casualty, mining and exploration. Such insurance covers are arranged for local Chinese Insurance companies, placed in accordance with the Chinese Insurance Regulation Council, and are predominantly in the area of high tech, mining and oil exploration.
Dennis’ representative experience includes both blue water and brown water Hull and P&I, major project cargo placement with delay in start-up coverage. Dennis is also involved in placement of risks in China owned and operated by Canadian companies.
Professional Affiliations:
- Arbitrating member and President of Vancouver Arbitrators Association
- Arbitrator at China Maritime Arbitration Commission
- Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker
- Life Member of Marine Insurance Association of BC
Education:
- Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker (CAIB)
- Certificate of Risk Management (CRM)
Raibl, Daryl
CTL WESTRANS SHIPBROKERS
Suite 640 – 1050 West Pender Street
Vancouver, BC V6E 3S7
E: daryl@ctlwestrans.com
(604) 891-5529 – 24hrs direct
Daryl is the General Manager of CTL Westrans Shipbrokers and has thirty eight years experience as a shipbroker/dry cargo chartering agent. He handles voyage charters, time charters, single cargoes and COA’s in steels, grains, lumber, pulp, paper, woodchips, fertilizers and concentrates as well as project cargoes including roll on-roll off (ro-ro) and heavy lift. Daryl specializes in cargoes ranging from 1,000 to Panamax (60/70,000 mt) on various types of ships including bulk carriers, chip carriers, tweendeckers, multi-purpose and container ships, ro-ro and self dischargers.
Work Abroad:
- 1980 – Cunningham Transportation Ltd.
- 1982 – Joachim Grieg & Company – Bergen, Norway
- 1983/84 – Victoria (Hong Kong) Shipbrokers – Hong Kong
Professional Affiliations:
- 1998-2000 – Director – Vancouver Maritime Arbitrators Association (VMAA)
- 2000-2004 – President – Vancouver Maritime Arbitrators Association (VMAA)
- 2004/present – Director (Past President ) – Vancouver Maritime Arbitrators Association (VMAA)
- 2013/present – Secretary, Canada Branch – Member, Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (MICS)
Accomplishments:
- 1988 – Certificate of Achievement – Association of Ship Brokers & Agents
- 1997 – Certificate of Membership – “Associate” Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (North American Branch)
- 2000 – Certificate of Membership – “Member” Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (North American Branch)
- 2010/present – Facilitator, Business of Shipping
Rose, Don
Capt. Rose Marine Consulting and Surveys Ltd.
#26 – 7330 122 St.
Surrey, BC V3W 1B4
Ph: 604 596 4389
Fx: 604 596 3963
Cell: 604 312 4074
Email: captainrosemarine@gmail.com
Don has over 40 years in the BC Tow-Boat industry thirty-six of which were as a Tow-Boat Master.
Professional Affiliations:
- Company of Master Mariners of Canada – Currently Divisional Master
- Life Member of the Canadian Merchant Service Guild
Education:
- Tow-Boat Master CDN H.T 350
Sharpe, William
Suite 307 – 40 Wynford Dr.
Toronto, Ontario M3C 1J5
Tel: 416 – 482-5321
Fax: 416 – 322-2083
Email: wmsharpe@shippinglaw.ca
William Sharpe has an independent practice in maritime and transportation law and marine policy and regulatory development. He has assisted the progress of ships’ life cycles from naval architects to shipbreakers and has worked with a broad range of persons dealing with the shipping industry including ship and insurance brokers, marine insurers, forwarders, port operators, stevedores and cargo interests. William Sharpe has commercial experience in shipbuilding agreements and commissioning into service, ship sale and purchase, financing, shipmanagement, repair and conversion, contracts of affreightment, charterparties and marine salvage. He has maritime and commercial litigation experience before all levels of Ontario courts and has appeared before the Federal Court, Federal Court of Appeal and Supreme Court of Canada.
William has acted as mediation and arbitration counsel and as a mediator and arbitrator in maritime cases.
Professional Affiliations:
- Director, Canadian Maritime Law Association
- Arbitrating Member, Vancouver Maritime Arbitrators Association
- Member, Toronto Commercial Arbitration Society
- Associate Member, Canadian Board of Marine Underwriters
- Member, Canadian Bar Association
Education:
- B.A. (Trinity College, Toronto, 1977) L.L.B. (UofT, 1980)
- Admitted to the Bar of Ontario 1982
- Admitted to the Bar of British Columbia 1992
Smith, Alex
Smith, Murray L. K.C.
Smith Barristers
105-1008 Beach Avenue
Vancouver, BC V6E 1T7
Tel: 604-689-4438
Fax: 604-689-4451
Email: msmith@smithbarristers.com
Mr. Smith has extensive experience in commercial litigation and arbitration. He is currently a barrister practising in Vancouver. His practice is confined to domestic and international commercial cases as arbitrator. He practised in the maritime field for many years and has conducted cases as counsel at every level of court in Canada including the Supreme Court of Canada and has acted as arbitrator, often as tribunal chair, in a great many domestic and international commercial arbitration cases under AAA(ICDR), ICC, BCICAC and UNCITRAL Rules.
Professional Affiliations:
- B.C. International Commercial Arbitration Centre: Member
- Canadian Chamber of Commerce: Member of Arbitration Committee
- Chartered Institute of Arbitrators: Fellow and Chartered Arbitrator
- General Council of the Bar of England and Wales: Member
- London Court of International Arbitration: Member
- Vancouver Maritime Arbitrators Association: Arbitrating Member
- Western Canada Commercial Arbitration Society: Member
Professional Standing:
- Called to the Bar of England and Wales, 1990
- Called to the Bar of British Columbia, 1977
Education:
- University of Windsor, Bachelor of Science (1973)
- University of Windsor, Bachelor of Laws (1976)
- London School of Economics, Master of Laws, International Business Law (1989)
- Graduate studies in International Law of Natural Resources
- International Economic Law
- International Business Transactions and International Commercial Arbitration Law
Sutton, Lindsay
Swanson, Peter
Bernard LLP Barristers and Solicitors
1500 – 570 Granville Street
Vancouver, B.C. V6C 3P1
Direct Tel: 604-661-0607
Fax: 604-681-1788
Email: swanson@bernardllp.ca
Peter Swanson is a lawyer practicing in Vancouver in the field of maritime law. He routinely acts for P&I insurers, vessel owners and charterers. He has extensive litigation experience before all levels of court including the B.C. Supreme Court, the Federal Court, the B.C. Court of Appeal, the Federal Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada. He is recognized by his legal peers as a leader in the field of maritime law. He has been listed in The Best Lawyers in Canada since being first published in Canada in 2006, is listed in Who’s Who Legal: Canada for transport/shipping law, is listed in Chambers Canada for shipping law, and is rated as Repeatedly Recommended for shipping and maritime law in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory.
Professional Affiliations:
- Canadian Bar Association: Member
- Canadian Bar Association Maritime Law Section: Past Chair for B.C. and current National Vice President
- Canadian Maritime Law Association: Member
- Vancouver Maritime Arbitrators Association: Arbitrating Member, director and past President
- International Sailors Society Canada: director and past Chairman
- Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, Member
- Chamber of Shipping of BC., director
Education:
- B.A (UBC 1985)
- L.L.B. (UVic 1987)
- Admitted Bar of British Columbia, 1988
Torrens, Diana
Diana L. Torrens returned to Canada in 2018 after over 20 years of living and working in Europe, including with the Court of Justice of the European Union (EU) and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Court. She has had an interest in and been involved in maritime law cases since the early 1990s, when she spent two years at the University of Oslo, including an exchange year at the Scandinavian Institute of Maritime Law (completed in Norwegian), where her specialist topic was marine insurance. Her studies, travels and work assignments have entailed exposure to numerous legal systems and languages, and she currently runs a boutique legal translation firm from BC, translating pleadings, judgments, arbitration awards, etc., from French, Italian, Spanish, Norwegian, Swedish and Danish into English for courts and international law firms in various countries. She takes a multilingual and multijuridical approach to dispute resolution.
Tel: 604 989 5359
E-mail: diana@dltlegal.ca
Citizenships: Canada, United Kingdom, Luxembourg
Professional affiliations:
Arbitrating Member, Board Member, Vancouver Maritime Arbitration Association
Member, Canadian Maritime Law Association
Solicitor, England and Wales, called September 2000
Barrister and Solicitor, Nova Scotia, Canada, called September 1994
Former Board Member, Association of International Professional and Business Women, Oslo
Société des traducteurs du Québec, passed certification exam January 1987
Education:
1. LLM in European Judicial Studies (completed in English and French), 1999, European Institute of Public Administration, Luxembourg
2. National Program, dual degree LL.B./BCL (Common Law and civil law completed in English and French), 1988-1993, McGill University, Montreal
3. One-year term of study, 1992-1993 (in Norwegian), Scandinavian Institute of Maritime Law, Faculty of Law, Oslo, Norway, credited to McGill degrees.
4. Baccalauréat en traduction (in French), 1984, Université de Moncton, Moncton, New Brunswick
Volunteer work/community:
1. Royal Canadian Marine – Search and Rescue (RCM-SAR), Squadron 61 Pender Harbour, British Columbia, Crew volunteer and Board member
2. Volunteer at three Winter Olympic Games (1994 Lillehammer, 2006 Torino, 2010 Vancouver)
3. International Bazaar (major annual fund-raiser for charities), Luxembourg, Committee member and volunteer
4. Canadian Club of Luxembourg, Board member and volunteer
5. Relay for Life (cancer awareness- and fund-raiser) Team Canada organiser, Luxembourg
6. Swim coach with youth clubs
Young, John
Retired since end of March, 2017
Tel: 604-657-4834.
E-mail: jpyoung604@hotspot
1999 – March 2017:Assistant Vice President – Chartering & Operations Department
Fairmont Shipping (Canada) Limited, Vancouver, BC
Handled the commercial and operational management of vessels up to handymax size both under time and voyage charters.
1979 – 1999: Operations Manager – Hampton Shipmanagement Ltd, Hamilton, Bermuda
Managed time chartered tonnage from lakes up to Panamax size and gained in depth exposure to NYPE and all major voyage charter party forms.
1969-1979: Montreal P.Q. – After coming ashore gained experience in stevedoring, marine and cargo surveying and agency.
1963 – 1969: After pre-sea training school and apprenticeship at sea obtained a British 2nd Officers Foreign Going Certificate after which served as 3rd Officer with Canadian Pacific.
Wang, Guohua*
Prof. Wang Guohua is an authoritative expert in maritime law, maritime international private law in China, meanwhile she also holds the post of Vice-President of China Society of Private International Law and routine director of Committee of Chinese Society of International Law, vice-chairman of Maritime Law Research Society and the B&R Research Society of Shanghai Law Society, Vice-chairman of Maritime Regulations Research Professional Committee of China Institute of Navigation, and expert member of research square of China Maritime Law. She is the arbitrator of China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission and China Maritime Arbitration Commission. She published numerous scholarships and papers in maritime law and maritime international private law, participated in more than ten teaching materials in private international law. Tens of them were published in CSSCI and Chinese core periodicals. Especially the paper of “on Conflicts of Law in Maritime Affair” was reproduced in entirety by copied newspaper documents of Renmin University of China. Prof. Wang Guohua host more than 20 national or provincial projects supported by National Social Science Foundation, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai Philosophy and Social Science Project, and Shanghai Municipal People’s Government.
Zhang, Xubo*
Partner, Fairicc Survey & Loss Adjusting Co. Arbitrator of China Maritime Arbitration Commission 308, Huatong Plaza B South, Bll9 Chegongzhuang West Rd., Beijing 100048, China
Tel: 0086 133 l 1067831/13601173717
Email: zhangxubo@sina.com
Education and Experience:
During study in Dalian Maritime University from 1985 to 1989, traditional maritime bachelor courses was received such as Navigation, Stowage, Engineering, Shipping Law, Marine Insurance and On-ship training; Then graduating with a Bachelor degree, I was employed by the DAA, CCPIT as a cadet, assistant adjuster finally promoted as an adjuster. In 1994, I moved to Huatai Insurance Agency who is a newly founded PICC subsidiary dealing as General P & I Conespondents and Lloyd’s Agent in China where I was promoted from department chief for several business to Assistant General Manager;
In the year of 1999, following a reorganization of PICC, the People’s Insurance Company of China, my team had been changed as RICC & Co. which is quickly cut off as an independent new firm from the Huatai Agency, and then reformed as a leading law firm dealing marine and insurance and then other commercial disputes in China. In 2007, I was invited by Huatai Property & Casualty Insurance Company to supervise its claim team, but due to a private reason I quit sho1ily the next year.
From 2009, I joined Fairicc as a Senior Partner dealing consultant and adjustment job. I am a member of the CMLA, China Maritime Law Association since 1990. Arbitration Experience:
From 2001, I was listed in panel of the CMAC, China Maritime Arbitration Commission and attended a good number of cases from Bills of Lading/Charter Party disputes to Ship Built/Repair arguments to Off Shore Engineering claims, I was once appointed as Arbitrator from outside list by other arbitration commission, and listed as panel arbitrator by the CIET AC, China International Economy & Trade Arbitration Commission in 2017. While, I am often consulted by shipping companies, insurance players, traders or construction contractors and sometimes lawyers advising about disputes resolution means, including litigation, arbitration and mediation internationally. I kept a close contact with international arbitration fields, participating frequently seminars and conferences in recent years, and was invited as one of the judges of the CIET AC Cup Arbitration Moot, which is a para-programme of Willem C. Vis-Moot in China.
I am well familiar with China domestic arbitration law and rules, and having several experience about LMAA Rules, UNCITRAL Rules, ICC Rules, HKIAC Rules, SIAC
* denotes foreign arbitrator

Vancouver Maritime Arbitrators Association
Address
640 – 355 Burrard Street
Vancouver, BC V6C 2G8
Canada
secretary@vmaa.org
tel: 604-681-2351