Profile
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:
Very experienced in the areas of:
- Consumer Contracts
Experienced in the following additional areas:
- Commercial Arbitration & ADR inc Adjudication
- International Law
- Road Traffic
- Consumer Contracts
- Admiralty Law
Happy to help in the following additional areas:
- Employment
- Land & Property
- Consumer Contracts
Training in this area in the following additional areas:
- Clinical Negligence
- Costs
- Professional Negligence
- Brexit Law
- Personal Injury
- Land & Property
- Credit Hire Specialists
- Credit Hire (Defendant Insurance Team)
- Consumer Contracts
- Military Law
Note:
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.
