News

12- 15 October 2021

Leila Esnard attends the international conference of WISTA (Women Shipping and Trading Association) in Hamburg (Germany).

13- 15 September 2021

Leila Esnard attends the event Les Assises de la Mer in Nice (France) gathering more than 1,500 persons involved in the maritime sector.

July – August 2021

Cabotage routier : Attention votre responsabilité pénale peut être engagée – Article on the potential criminal liability of cargo interests in case of breach of the rules on road haulage cabotage in France, by Leila Esnard, published in Supply Chain Magazine No. 40 of July-August 2021.

April 2021

The firm is again ranked in the top tier of shipping firms in the Legal 500 EMEA Shipping France and Lars is ranked as a leading individual.

Lewis & Co AARPI is sought out for significant maritime casualty cases, being retained by a number of P&I clubs following collisions. Other key areas include commercial disputes, trade, and insurance, all with a strong international element due largely to the practice’s strong presence in francophone countries in North and West Africa. Lars Lewis leads the group and undertakes the full range of shipping work. Cross-border litigation specialist Leila Esnard is another name to note. The team is considered by the clients as ‘easy to approach and communicate with, quick responses, cost efficient‘ and having ‘good communication skills. Service in English. Comprehensive knowledge of maritime law as well as jurisdiction’. Clients also indicate ‘Lars Lewis is a true asset if you need someone with shipping knowledge in France or in the “Francophile countries”. Shipping in France | Law firm and lawyer rankings from The Legal 500 Europe, Middle East & Africa guide

March 2021

Leila is elected member of the board and treasurer of WISTA France. WISTA France is a member of WISTA International (Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association) which, through 49 national associations, serves as a connector for its network of more than 3,000 female professionals from all sectors of the maritime industry. https://www.meretmarine.com/fr/content/le-bureau-de-wista-france-reconduit-pour-trois-ans.

14 – 16 October 2020

CMA Shipping Conference (USA): Leïla Esnard will be speaking on IMO 2020 sulphur cap in marine bunkers. https://informaconnect.com/cma-shipping/speakers/leila-esnard/

October 2020

Market Intelligence – Shipping 2020: Leïla shares her views on the current status and future trends of the maritime industry in France. Article by Leila Esnard, published in Market Intelligence Lexology – Shipping 2020 released in October 2020.

April 2020

The firm is again ranked in the top tier of shipping firms in the Legal 500 Paris and Lars Lewis is ranked as the leading individual.

Anglo-French practice Lewis & Co AARPI is ‘unique in being able to respond to queries on French law with an understanding of requirements from an English law perspective’. The ‘responsive, proactive and helpful’ team demonstrates its proficiency in handling maritime casualty work by advising several P&I clubs following vessel collision. Other key focuses for the firm include international commercial disputes arising from shipping contracts. ‘Experienced and savvy’ practice head Lars Lewis is praised for his ‘excellent strategic mind’. Leila Esnard is noted for ‘delivering excellent service urgently at very short notice’ and for her ‘excellent attention to detail’. Guillaume de Bascher and Peter Iglikowski are other names of note. https://www.legal500.com/c/france/shipping/

March 2020

Initially March 2020 – Due to Covid-19 situation, the conference is postponed. New date to be announced.

CMA Shipping Conference in Stamford (USA) : Leïla Esnard will be speaking on IMO 2020 sulphur cap in marine bunkers.

December 2019

Incoterms 2020 : Ce que changent les nouvelles règles pour le commerce international – Article on the main changes with the newest edition of the Incoterms, by Leila Esnard, published in Supply Chain Magazine No. 24 of December 2019.

March 2019

Dommages aux marchandises pour mauvais arrimage : qui est responsable ? – Article on a decision of the court of appeal of Rouen of 2018 on the full liability of the freight forwarder for insufficient lashing, by Guillaume de Bascher, published in DMF n°811 of March 2019.

21 August 2019

Newsletter: Paris unveils a new international court (author : Peter Iglikowski)

May 2019

May 2019 : Leila is appointed member of the board and treasurer of WISTA France (Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association). WISTA France is a member of WISTA International which, through 46 national associations, serves as a connector for its network of more than 3,000 female professionals from all sectors of the maritime industry.

April 2019

The firm is again ranked in the top tier of shipping firms in the Legal 500 Paris and Lars Lewis is ranked as the leading individual.

The ‘exceptionally tenacious and talented’ practitioners at Lewis & Co AARPI ‘really understand how to get what their clients want‘ and ‘easily adapt to the requirements of blue-chip shipping companies’ thanks to ‘fantastic knowledge, which is concentrated in a small and unbelievably effective practice‘. The team specialises in maritime casualty work and commercial disputes arising from shipping contracts. Practice head and managing partner Lars Lewis is English and French dual-qualified; clients state he is ‘clever, disciplined and cunning’, ‘the worst opponent you could ever have‘ and ‘a commercially sensitive strategist’. Peter Iglikowski, Leila Esnard and Guillaume de Bascher are also key names to note.
http://www.legal500.com/c/france/shipping#table_9692

January 2019

Legal Issues – Sulphur regulations: Direction of Travel. “Various signals suggest the French state intends to adopt a firm repressive policy as far as violation of sulphur cap legislation is concerned, writes Leïla Esnard, partner at French law firm, Lewis & Co.” Article by Leïla Esnard, published in Bunkerspot Magazine – Issue of Dec. 2018-Jan.2019.

November 2018

Sulphur cap in marine bunkers – a French perspective. Article by Leïla Esnard, published on Bunkerspot news site.

October 2018

Transport et logistique : Comment mettre fin à des relations établies sans engager sa responsabilité – Article on the requirements to be complied with under French law to terminate commercial relationships in transport / logistics, by Leïla Esnard, published in Supply Chain Magazine No. 12 of October 2018.

24-26 October 2018

Leila Esnard attends the international conference of WISTA (Women Shipping and Trading Association) in Tromsø (Norway).   http://wistainternational2018.com

September 2018 

Diminution des seuils de rejets de soufre dans l’atmosphère par les navires  –  Article on the introduction of the global 0.5% sulphur cap in marine bunkers, by Leïla Esnard, published in La Gazette de la Chambre Arbitrale Maritime de Paris No. 47 of September 2018.

18-19 September 2018

Leila Esnard attended the Portugal Shipping Week in Lisbon and participated to the Cockett – Bunkerspot Bunkering Round table on The technical, operational and commercial challenges and opportunities associated with the introduction of the global 0.50% sulphur cap.

August 2018
The firm is ranked in the top tier of shipping firms in the Legal 500 Paris.

Lewis & Co AARPI is highly regarded and is regularly involved in casualty instructions and commercial dispute work. Areas of expertise include shipping and international trade, insurance-related matters, cargo claims and charter party disputes, but the team also handles personal injury claims, pollution litigation and international arbitration matters. Managing partner Lars Lewis and Peter Iglikowski, who are dual qualified in the UK and France, together with Leïla Esnard, have in-depth expertise of handling Anglo-French cases. Guillaume de Bascher is also noted (http://www.legal500.com/c/france/shipping/shipping).

Lewis & Co AARPI fournit ‘des analyses rapides et rigoureuses’. Le cabinet intervient notamment lors d’événements en mer, traite des dossiers de commerce international et de réclamation marchandises, d’assurances et gère le contentieux, l’arbitrage et des affaires de pollution. Lars Lewis et Peter Iglikowski qui sont tous les deux avocats aux barreaux en France et en Angleterre, ainsi que Leïla Esnard affichent un fort savoir-faire pour la gestion des dossiers franco-anglais. Guillaume de Bascher est également impliqué dans les dossiers (http://www.legal500.fr/c/paris/droit-et-transport-maritime/droit-et-transport-maritime).

15th June 2018
Direct Actions against P&I Clubs. A new direction? (author : Peter Iglikowski)

April 2018
The impact of the new model contract for general road carriage – Article by Leïla Esnard, published in Supply Chain Magazine No. 6 of March 2018.

20 September 2017
Newsletter : Ship arrest in France : shipyards’ claims (author : Guillaume de Bascher).

June 2017
The firm is ranked in the top tier of shipping firms in the Legal 500 Paris.

Lewis & Co AARPI provides ‘a top-notch service’. The ‘very responsive and attentive’ team has ‘excellent industry knowledge’ across French and UK law, with experience of handling French and cross-border litigation, including arbitration cases. The practice regularly acts for clients in commercial disputes and vessel arrests. It is currently involved in a headline case in relation with a major maritime casualty. The team is headed by ‘masterfully skilled negotiator’ Lars Lewis. Peter Iglikowski is also highly experienced and is recommended along with Guillaume de Bascher and Leïla Esnard, who has ‘a very professional and proactive approach’. (http://www.legal500.com/c/france/shipping/shipping)

Lewis & Co AARPI fournit des ‘prestations de top niveau’. L’équipe de quatre avocats est ‘très réactive et attentive’ et possède une ‘excellente connaissance du secteur’. Le cabinet rassemble des expertises en droit français et anglais, et traite des dossiers en France et à l’international, dont des arbitrages. L’équipe est particulièrement sollicitée pour gérer des contentieux commerciaux et pour intervenir en matière de saisies de navires. Elle est impliquée dans un dossier de premier plan faisant suite à un important naufrage. L’équipe est emmenée par Lars Lewis, un ‘maître en négociations’. Sont également recommandés: le très expérimenté Peter Iglikowski, Guillaume de Bascher et Leïla Esnard dont ‘l’approche très professionnelle et proactive’ est appréciée. (http://www.legal500.fr/c/paris/droit-et-transport-maritime/droit-et-transport-maritime)

June 2016
Cabinet Lewis & Co AARPI, les experts en droit maritime – interview with Leila Esnard, published in Marine Marchande Information No. 215.

20 May 2016
Newsletter : Verified Gross Mass of Containers : the new decree has just been published in France (author : Leila Esnard).

January 2016
CO2 emissions : information and declaration obligations – Article by Leila Esnard published in the Gazette of the Chambre Arbitrale Maritime of Paris No. 40.

6 November 2015
Associated arrests of vessels and attachment of assets in France: How thick is the corporate veil? – article by Leila Esnard published on Hellenic Shipping News.

3 November 2015
Newsletter : Associated arrests and attachment of assets in France : How thick is the corporate veil ? (author : Leila Esnard).

16 September 2015
CO2 Emissions: A new European regulation (EU) 2015/757 adds to the current existing obligations of shipping companies whose vessels call in France – article by Leila Esnard published on Hellenic Shipping News.

20 August 2015
Newsletter: Emissions Regulations Update.

22 July 2015
Leïla Esnard and Guillaume de Bascher contribute the chapter on French shipping law in the International Comparative Guide to Shipping Law 2015.

1 June 2015
The firm is ranked amongst the Best Lawyers reported in a Les Echos article.

30 May 2015
The firm is ranked in the top tier of shipping firms in the Legal 500 Paris-
Lewis & Co AARPI provides ‘a superior level of service’, ‘comparable with the best international law firms competing in the market’; it provides French and UK law expertise. Recent work includes advising on vessel seizures and handling a major case regarding the sinking of a ferry boat. Lars Lewis is ‘a hard-nosed litigator with a wealth of experience’. Peter Iglikowski is ‘intellectually stimulating’. Guillaume de Bascher and the ‘hardworking and incredibly detailed’ Leïla Esnard were promoted to the partnership.
And in the top tier of the French version of the Legal 500 Paris-
Lewis & Co AARPI offre ‘une qualité de prestation de niveau supérieur’, ‘dont la qualité est comparable aux grandes firmes internationales du marché’. La boutique de quatre avocats combine des expertises en droit français et anglais. Elle traite une large gamme de dossiers différents; pollution, affrètement, évènements en mer, arbitrage et commerce maritime. Le cabinet a récemment été sollicité pour apporter son assistance à l’occasion de saisies de navires de commerce. Il intervient également dans un dossier de premier plan en lien avec le naufrage d’un ferry. Lars Lewis est ‘un avocat plaidant retors qui apporte une expérience importante que ce soit en négociation ou devant le prétoire’. Peter Iglikowski est apprécié pour ‘ses analyses intellectuellement stimulantes’. Leïla Esnard et Guillaume de Bascher ont été promus associés.

20 March 2015
French Supreme Court upholds jurisdiction clauses in bills of lading -but do old habits die hard? Article by Peter Iglikowski (published in the Standard Club’s March Bulletin).

17 February 2015
Peter Iglikowski appointed an arbitrator of the International Court of Arbitration at the Polish Chamber of Commerce in Gdynia.

6 December 2014
Contribution by Leila Esnard to Actumaritime website on the courts having jurisdiction in France over disputes between crew members, including master, and shipowners .

28 October 2014
Update by Leïla Esnard in relation to compliance with French regulations on CO2 emissions applicable to carriers (published on the UK P&I Club’s website).

9 September 2014
Newsletter: The end to the challenge of jurisdiction clauses in bills of lading by the French courts or do old habits die hard?

2 September 2014
Firm speaking engagement -Lloyd’s Maritime Academy, Ship Arrest Training Course, London, 4-5 December 2014.

21 July 2014
Firm partners Leïla Esnard and Guillaume de Bascher contribute the chapter on French shipping law in the International Comparative Guide to Shipping Law 2014.

14 and 15 June 2014
Guillaume de Bascher leads a case study on salvage and general average at the Young Maritime Lawyers Association seminar in Hamburg.

19 May 2014
The firm is ranked amongst the Best Lawyers reported in a Les Echos article.

18 March 2014
Firm speaking engagement in New York -Lloyds Maritime Academy, Ship Arrest North Amercia, 28-29 April 2014. Exploring the practical and commercial implications of arresting a ship.

1 January 2014
New partners -we are delighted to announce the appointment of new partners, Leïla Esnard and Guillaume de Bascher.

31 July 2013
Lewis & Co contributes the chapter on French shipping law in the International Comparative Law Guide 2013.

25 April 2013
Firm success in the English High Court. In the “MIRABELLA III” we successfully argued the English court should stay its proceedings on the basis of article 27 of the EU Judgments Regulation in favour of the French court 1st seised. Read the judgment here.

17 April 2013
Peter Iglikowski addresses the prestigious Central European University (CEU) in Budapest founded by George Soros to give a lecture on comparative law. The subject was the English law Mareva injunction/freezing order compared with the French civil law saisie conservatoire. An article based on the talk is to be published soon.

28 February 2013
Lars Lewis addresses the Conseil Supérieur de la Marine Marchande on “The handicaps of French law and regulations in relation to the arrest of ships” to urge a clarification of the law concerning emoluments arising on the forced sale of vessels.

23 November 2012
Peter Iglikowski speaking on “Judicial intervention in arbitration proceedings in the European Union. London and Paris a comparative review”, at a conference on “Alternative Dispute Resolution” in Vilnius, Lithuania.

2 May 2012
Lewis & Co has won the Finance Monthly 2012 award in the category of Shipping and Maritime Law Firm of the Year, France.

4 April 2012
Lewis & Co is listed by Legal 500 2012 in the top tier which states the firm-
is recommended for shipping and trade arbitrations and other disputes. The five lawyer team represents industrial companies, shipowners, traders and lenders. Practice head Lars Lewis has a ‘detailed understanding of French legal procedures’ and provides ‘first-rate, incisive advice’. Peter Iglikowski gives ‘excellent and practical advice on trade and shipping matters’.

1 December 2011
Lewis & Co has won the Lawyer Monthly award in the category of Shipping and Maritime Law Firm of the Year, France.

31 October 2011
Lewis & Co is interviewed in this article “Paris matches” in The Lawyer.

12 September 2011
Lewis & Co is listed by Legal 500 US edition.

1 June 2011
Lewis & Co has won the Finance Monthly 2011 award in the category of Shipping and Maritime Law Firm of the Year, France.

10 May 2011
Lloyd’s Maritime Academy has invited Lewis & Co to the panel of speakers for the summer ship arrest practical guide seminar.

1 April 2011
Lewis & Co is listed by Legal 500 Europe.

23 August 2010
Lloyd’s Maritime Academy has invited Lewis & Co to speak at the annual seminar on developments in ship arrest in France, DOM TOM, and Francophone jurisdictions.

22 July 2010
Lewis & Co is listed in Who’s Who Legal published by the International Bar Association.

20 July 2010
Lewis & Co is listed by Legal 500 Paris.

21 May 2010
The Lawyer refers to the launch of Lewis & Co in this article.

17 May 2010
The Lawyer publishes an article about the launch of Lewis & Co.

10 May 2010
The British Chambers of Commerce publish a Lewis & Co article on the legal risk involved in export disputes in the UK Guide to Worldwide Exporting.

1 May 2010
Lewis & Co welcomes a new partner, Peter Iglikowski, who is dual qualified as a Solicitor in England and Wales, and an Avocat at the Paris bar, and Michel Ferrer, Avocat at the Paris bar, thus continuing a team with Leïla, Guillaume and Lars, which was founded more than 20 years ago.

22 February 2010
Lewis & Co joined by Leïla Esnard, Avocat at the Paris bar.

19 February 2010
Lewis & Co joined by Guillaume de Bascher, Avocat at the Paris bar.

February 2010
Lewis & Co founded.