Simon Cartwright

Simon is a Partner and leads the Trade and Transport Team. He has extensive domestic and international experience advising on aviation, shipping, marine insurance, logistics, commodities trading, trade finance, and international debt recovery.

Qualified in both New Zealand and England, Simon rejoined Hesketh Henry in 2017 after 16 years abroad, including six years in London and ten years in Dubai where he was a partner of international law firm HFW. He regularly assists clients with commercial issues arising from domestic and international trade, including drafting and negotiating charterparties, bills of lading, shipping contracts, trade finance instruments, and sale and purchase agreements for ships and aircraft

Simon’s maritime law expertise spans both dry and wet shipping matters, including disputes over carriage of goods, shipbuilding, collisions, and hull damage. His commodities experience covers coal, cement, metals, oil, fertilisers, and agricultural products.

He has global litigation experience, regularly handling disputes in international arbitration and managing claims across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas.

Simon is recognised as a leading individual by international legal directories; Chambers Asia-Pacific and Legal500 Asia Pacific and as a preeminent transport lawyer by Doyles Guide.

Simon is an active member of several industry and business organisations including the New Zealand Maritime Law Association of Australia and New Zealand,  the Marine Transport Association, the New Zealand Marine Industry Association, the Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association, the New Zealand Marina Operators Association, and the New Zealand Middle East Business Council.

Simon is the Honorary Consul for Oman in New Zealand.