Bhatt & Joshi Associates is a specialised admiralty and maritime law firm with experienced admiralty lawyers handling ship arrest under Admiralty (Jurisdiction and Settlement of Maritime Claims) Act 2017, maritime claims, charter party disputes, cargo damage claims, marine insurance disputes, and ship financing. The firm appears before Gujarat HC (admiralty jurisdiction) and other High Courts. Senior counsel for complex maritime matters.

Admiralty law in India is the body of law governing maritime affairs — ships, shipping, marine insurance, cargo claims, salvage. Governed by: (1) Admiralty (Jurisdiction and Settlement of Maritime Claims) Act 2017 (replacing colonial Letters Patent); (2) Merchant Shipping Act 1958; (3) Carriage of Goods by Sea Act 1925; (4) Marine Insurance Act 1963; (5) Bill of Lading Act 1856. India has admiralty jurisdiction at Bombay, Calcutta, Madras, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Orissa, Telangana High Courts. MV Elisabeth (1993) — foundational SC ruling.

Ship arrest in India under Admiralty Act 2017: (1) maritime claim establishing reason for arrest; (2) application to High Court with admiralty jurisdiction; (3) arrest warrant by Marshal/Sheriff; (4) physical or symbolic arrest of vessel; (5) bond/security for release; (6) substantive proceedings on merits. Grounds for arrest: maritime liens, mortgage claims, salvage, towage, demurrage, cargo claims, crew wages, etc. Strict procedural compliance required. Bhatt & Joshi Associates handles ship arrest applications and defences before Gujarat HC and other admiralty HCs.

MV Elisabeth v Harwan Investment & Trading (1993) is the foundational Supreme Court ruling on Indian admiralty jurisdiction. Holdings: (1) Indian High Courts have admiralty jurisdiction; (2) Letters Patent vested admiralty jurisdiction in HCs; (3) maritime claims enforceable through admiralty actions; (4) international maritime law principles applicable; (5) ship as 'res' for jurisdiction (in rem proceedings). The judgment significantly expanded Indian admiralty law. Later codified through Admiralty Act 2017. Bhatt & Joshi Associates applies MV Elisabeth principles in maritime claims.

Maritime liens are claims on a vessel enforceable through admiralty action regardless of vessel ownership change. Recognised maritime liens under Admiralty Act 2017: (1) crew wages; (2) salvage charges; (3) general average; (4) tortious claims arising from operations; (5) port and harbour dues. Liens have priority — ranking established by law. Maritime liens travel with the ship even after sale. In rem action (against the ship) is the enforcement mechanism. Bhatt & Joshi Associates handles maritime lien claims and defences.

Yes. Foreign ships can be arrested in Indian ports under Admiralty Act 2017 for maritime claims regardless of vessel's flag or ownership country. Jurisdiction: (1) vessel must be in Indian territorial waters or port; (2) maritime claim within Act's defined categories; (3) HC with admiralty jurisdiction in the port. Indian courts apply international maritime law principles. Counter-security provisions protect vessel owners from frivolous arrest. Bhatt & Joshi Associates handles arrest of foreign vessels at Indian ports — Mundra, Pipavav, Hazira (Gujarat), Mumbai, Chennai, etc.

Bhatt & Joshi Associates admiralty lawyer fees: (1) free 15-minute initial telephone consultation; (2) ship arrest application — fixed package; (3) urgent arrest — premium pricing for time-sensitive operations; (4) ship release applications — fixed fee; (5) substantive maritime claims trial — engagement-specific based on claim value; (6) appeals to division bench and SC — substantial; (7) marine insurance disputes — case-based. Transparent fee discussion upfront. Maritime matters often time-critical — quick response essential. Contact +91 9824323743 for urgent admiralty matters.