

Kelman, Dr Ann Fenech, President CMI and Partners at MF&G, Alexis Robinson,
Amanda Montague & Krishna Desai, shared a brief moment of lens time following the Maritime Law Lecture. (Photo: contributed)
Lawfirm Myers, Fletcher & Gordon (MF&G) partnered with the Jamaica Bar Association (JAMBAR), the Maritime Authority of Jamaica (MAJ), and the Norman Manley Law School (NMLS) to deliver an insightful lecture under the theme: ‘From Ship Arrest to Sale: The Protection of Creditors.’
The highly anticipated event, held at the Norman Manley Law School in Kingston, featured internationally renowned maritime law expert from Malta, Dr Ann Fenech, as the guest speaker. Attorneys, judges, maritime stakeholders, and law students attended the lecture to deepen their understanding of maritime law and creditor protection in the shipping industry.
Expert Insights from Dr Ann Fenech
Dr. Fenech, elected President of the Comité Maritime International (CMI) in 2022, has been a formidable force in maritime law for over 38 years. As Head of the Marine Litigation Department at Fenech & Fenech Advocates, she has played a key role in shaping maritime legislation globally.
Her extensive career includes pivotal roles in drafting international conventions, including her co-leadership on the ratification of the Convention on the International Effects of Judicial Sales of Ships, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2022. A distinguished lecturer at the University of Malta and the International Maritime Law Institute, she has contributed to the training of generations of maritime lawyers worldwide.

her Lecture at the Norman Manley Law School, UWI. (Photo: contributed)
The lecture examined critical legal mechanisms designed to safeguard creditor interests in maritime disputes. Dr. Fenech provided insights on ship arrest procedures, judicial sales, and the global implications of the Convention on the International Effects of Judicial Sales of Ships. The Convention aims to protect creditors who purchase ships at judicial sales from subsequent arrest in another jurisdiction, thereby fostering certainty, security, and stability in the industry.
Participants gained valuable insights into the complexities of creditor protection in maritime law, with real-world case studies and practical advice from Dr. Fenech’s extensive experience. The discussion also highlighted Jamaica’s potential as a hub for maritime law and the importance of aligning with international conventions.
MF&G’s Commitment to Maritime Law
Managing Partner at MF&G, Christopher Kelman, lauded the partnership and emphasized the firm’s commitment to advancing legal education and developing expertise in Jamaica.
“This collaboration underscores the importance of equipping legal professionals with the knowledge and tools to navigate the intricacies of maritime law. We are honoured to have partnered with the JBA, the MAJ, as well as the NMLS to bring this vital discussion to the forefront,” Kelman indicated.
MF&G has its own shipping and admiralty sub-department, handling a range of shipping and admiralty matters, including disputes (litigation and arbitration), shipping contracts, yachting, ship registration, and mortgages. The department is led by Krishna Desai and Amanda Montague, Partners at the firm. Recognised as a leader in the shipping industry, MF&G has been involved in several major shipping litigation cases.
Notably, the firm represented Capitalease SPA, the owners of the MV Trading Fabrizia, which was arrested in 2016 by the Jamaican Court and sold in 2018 at a historic judicial sale for US$10.3M. The case, which commenced in 2016 and remains ongoing, has resulted in jurisprudence-shaping judgments from the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal regarding nuanced admiralty issues.
The Trading Fabrizia case gained international recognition after the vessel, renamed MV Bright Star, was re-arrested in Malta despite its Jamaican judicial sale, which had rendered it “free and clear of all encumbrances.” Dr. Fenech noted that the case was a critical real-life example cited to UNCITRAL in discussions on the Convention on the International Effects of Judicial Sales of Ships.
MF&G is honoured to have partnered with the organisers of this event and remains committed to fostering legal excellence and the development of Jamaican jurisprudence in all areas of law, including shipping.
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