Capt. Matthew Peak

Capt. Matthew Peak

LLB (Hons), PGC, LLM (with distinction) Barrister London
Membership Status: Barrister - Associate Member Qualified in 2021

Profile

General Information

Matthew has a passion for both yachting and the law. With over 20 years of experience as a captain and bridge officer, which has included captaining superyachts and overseeing major shipbuilding and renovation projects, he has much first-hand experience in the maritime industry.

Utilising this commercial superyacht experience, Matthew is building a legal and mediation practice specialising in maritime and shipping law. He has an in-depth understanding of the day-to-day running of large commercial yachts and the many maritime regulations involved. He is looking forward to representing yacht owners, captains and crew in contract law, employment law and other commercial litigation issues, providing professional legal representation with a genuine understanding of the particular maritime industry and the law. He is a qualified mediator.

Click on the following link to read 'Plain Sailing: From Yacht Captain to the Bar' from Solicitors Journal: 

Solicitors Journal - Plain sailing: From yacht Captain to the Bar

Areas of law

  • Employment Law
  • Contract Law
  • Tort Law & Other Maritime Commercial Litigation 

Employment Law

Representing yacht owners, captains and crew in employment law issues, including:

  • Constructive or unfair dismissal
  • Allegations of bullying or harassment
  • Health & Safety concerns
  • Discrimination relating to age, disability, gender, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, parental rights
  • Whistleblowing
  • Redundancy

Contract Law

Advising shipping entrepreneurs, high net-worth individuals, superyacht builders, designers and banks in contractual disputes, including:

  • Shipbuilding contracts
  • Refit contracts
  • Sale of yachts
  • Charter contracts

Tort Law & Other Maritime Commercial Litigation 

Providing advice and representation in cases relating to claims of:

  • Professional negligence
  • Employers’ liability
  • Emotional distress
  • Financial losses
  • Injuries
  • Invasion of privacy and other issues

Also acting in cases relating to salvage rights, collision disputes and other marine-related issues.

Memberships

  • Associate Fellow, Nautical Institute
  • Honourable Society of Inner Temple
  • American Bar Association
  • Professional Yachting Association
  • Bar Yacht Club

Education

  • Master's (LLM), Legal Practice, BPP Law School, Distinction
  • Post Graduate Certificate in International Law, Bristol Law School
  • Bachelor of Laws (LLB), BPP Law School

Personal Interests

Outside of his interest in the law, Matthew has many hobbies and interests, principal among these is travel. During his yachting career, he has sailed and explored all over the world, including North & South America, Europe, Asia and the Indian Ocean. His next planned adventure is to go trekking in Ethiopia.

Areas of Law

Capt. Matthew Peak is happy to accept instructions as counsel who is:

  • Consumer Rights Act
  • Commercial Arbitration & ADR inc Adjudication
  • International Law
  • Road Traffic
  • Consumer Rights Act
  • Admiralty Law
  • Employment
  • Land & Property
  • Consumer Rights Act
  • Clinical Negligence
  • Costs
  • Professional Negligence
  • Personal Injury
  • Land & Property
  • Credit Hire Specialists
  • Credit Hire (Defendant Insurance Team)
  • Consumer Rights Act

Outside of these key areas of law, Capt. Matthew Peak is always willing to consider any enquiry requiring the experience or knowledge needed to help you or your client. Please call Matthew direct or the support team on 01823 247 247 if you would like to discuss any aspect of this profile.

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Barristers: 01823 247 247 Mediators: 01823 704 099