Shipping, Maritime & International Trade

Admiralty, Trade, Sanctions & Cross-Border Commerce Disputes

JuristiQ Chambers advises and represents clients in shipping, maritime, and international trade disputes arising under commercial contracts. The practice spans admiralty claims, carriage of goods, trade finance, sanctions, customs, and regulatory enforcement, with litigation and advocacy before the High Courts, Supreme Court of Pakistan, arbitral tribunals, and federal regulators.

While Pakistan’s admiralty jurisdiction is geographically exercised in Karachi, shipping and international trade disputes frequently involve federal regulators, cross-border transactions, and appellate proceedings, making Islamabad a natural centre for strategic, regulatory, constitutional, and arbitration-related maritime work.

Jurisdictional Framework

Admiralty jurisdiction in Pakistan is exercised principally by the Sindh High Court under the Admiralty Jurisdiction of High Courts Ordinance, 1980. However, shipping and international trade disputes regularly involve:

• Federal ministries and regulators

• Sanctions and export control regimes

• Customs and tariff classification

• Foreign arbitral awards and judgments

• Constitutional and appellate litigation

JuristiQ Chambers acts from Islamabad as lead and coordinating counsel, working with local advocates where required, particularly in vessel arrest matters before the Karachi Registry.

Admiralty & Maritime Claims

We advise and act in high-value maritime disputes, including:

• Arrest, detention, and release of vessels

• Maritime liens, priorities, and mortgage enforcement

• Cargo loss, damage, and misdelivery claims

• Charterparty disputes (time and voyage charters)

• Collision, salvage, grounding, and towage claims

Our experience covers both in rem and in personam proceedings under Pakistani admiralty law.

Carriage of Goods & Trade Documentation

We act in disputes arising from international carriage and logistics arrangements, including:

• Bills of lading and sea waybills

• FOB, CIF, and hybrid delivery terms

• Multimodal and transshipment contracts

• Demurrage, detention, and laytime disputes

• Hague and Hague-Visby Rules issues as applied by Pakistani courts

We regularly advise traders, cargo interests, freight forwarders, insurers, and financiers.

International Trade & Sanctions

JuristiQ Chambers has particular expertise in international trade disputes intersecting with sanctions, export controls, and regulatory compliance, including:

• Trade restrictions and sanctions compliance (UN, OFAC, EU-linked measures affecting Pakistan)

• Freezing, seizure, and detention of goods

• Disputes arising from blocked payments and trade finance

• Contract frustration and force majeure due to sanctions

• Trade disruption caused by geopolitical developments

We advise on both private law disputes and public law challenges to regulatory action.

Customs, Tariffs & Trade Remedies

We act in contentious matters involving trade regulation, including:

• Customs valuation and classification disputes

• Anti-dumping and countervailing duty matters

• National Tariff Commission proceedings

• Import/export licensing disputes

• Appeals under customs and trade laws

Such matters frequently involve Islamabad-based tribunals and appellate courts.

Marine Insurance & Trade Finance

We advise on disputes relating to:

• Marine cargo and hull insurance

• P&I Club indemnities

• Trade finance instruments (LCs, SBLCs, guarantees)

• Non-payment and risk allocation in cross-border trade

This work often overlaps with banking, insurance, and international arbitration.

Ports, Shipping Regulation & Public Law

We act in regulatory and constitutional disputes involving:

• Karachi Port Trust (KPT)

• Port Qasim Authority (PQA)

• Gwadar Port Authority

• Pakistan Maritime Security Agency

• Ministry of Maritime Affairs

Disputes include port tariffs, concessions, licensing, penalties, and public procurement issues—often litigated in Islamabad due to federal oversight.

Arbitration, Enforcement & Cross-Border Recovery

We advise and act in:

• Charterparty and trade arbitrations

• Enforcement of foreign maritime awards

• Recognition of foreign judgments

• Anti-suit and enforcement-related injunctions

Islamabad frequently serves as the forum for enforcement and constitutional proceedings linked to maritime and trade arbitration.

Our Approach

Shipping and international trade disputes require jurisdictional precision, commercial realism, and international coordination. JuristiQ Chambers offers:

• Strategic admiralty and trade litigation

• Appellate and constitutional advocacy from Islamabad

• Coordination with Karachi admiralty counsel

• Cross-border sanctions and enforcement expertise

Our focus remains on asset protection, regulatory risk management, and effective dispute resolution.

Shipping, Maritime & International Trade Expertise

Admiralty Claims · Vessel Arrest · Cargo & Charterparty Disputes · Sanctions & Export Controls · Customs & Trade Remedies · Marine Insurance · Trade Finance

Related Expertise

Insurance · Banking & Finance · Energy & Infrastructure · International Arbitration · Public & Regulatory Law