A partner on every matter
Each matter has a responsible partner who knows the file and answers for the work.
International and Australian law
Law across borders and seas
HepMac Lawyers advises shipowners, charterers, traders, insurers, companies and private clients on Australian and cross-border matters, from a base in the port city of Newcastle.
23 Solicitors Partners, special counsel, associates and solicitors.
12 Practice areas From maritime and trade to private client work.
2016 HepMac founded The partnership of G.A. Hepworth & B.E. Mackie.
1 Port city base Newcastle, one of the world’s largest coal export ports.
Practice
Twelve practices, one firm
Matters that start at sea rarely stay there. Our maritime, trade, insurance and disputes lawyers work as one team. What is written here is general information, not legal advice.
- 01 International maritime and shipping Charterparty and bill of lading disputes, cargo claims, collisions, salvage, ship arrest, and the sale, purchase and finance of vessels.
- 02 International trade and commodities Sale contracts, letters of credit, sanctions, customs and the movement of commodities across borders.
- 03 International arbitration and cross-border disputes Arbitration under institutional and ad hoc rules, the enforcement of foreign judgments and awards, and disputes with parties overseas.
- 04 Energy, resources and ports Mining, port, offtake and infrastructure agreements, and the approvals behind them.
- 05 Corporate and commercial Company structures, joint ventures, acquisitions, shareholder agreements and foreign investment.
- 06 Insurance and reinsurance Marine and non-marine policy claims, coverage disputes, and recoveries for insurers and the insured.
- 07 Commercial litigation and debt recovery Litigation in Australian courts, advocacy, mediation and debt recovery when a commercial dispute needs to be resolved.
- 08 Property and real estate Commercial and residential conveyancing, leasing, and property bought by overseas buyers.
- 09 Planning and environment Development approvals, council processes and environmental compliance.
- 10 Criminal, regulatory and investigations Criminal matters, regulatory investigations, and workplace and traffic prosecutions.
- 11 Family and relationship law Separation, parenting arrangements and property settlement, including families with assets or children overseas.
- 12 Private client, wills and estates Wills, estate planning, probate, estate disputes and elder law, including assets held in more than one country.
How we work
Partner-led, costs first
Four things every client can expect, wherever they are.
One team across practices
A cargo claim can become an insurance recovery and then an arbitration. The same team stays with it.
Costs agreed before work
Fees are set out before the matter proceeds, in the way the legal profession rules require.
A port city base
Newcastle and the Hunter sit on global trade routes. We act for clients in Australia and overseas.
Leadership
Led by its founding partners
Grahame Hepworth and Bruce Mackie lead a team of 23 lawyers, from partners and special counsel to graduate lawyers.
Meet all 23 solicitorsFirst steps
From enquiry to instruction
You will get a direct answer about whether we can act, and the cost is agreed before any work begins.
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01
Write to us
The parties, the countries involved, and a short account of what has happened.
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02
Conflict check
We confirm we can act, and tell you plainly if you need a different firm.
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03
Costs agreed
Fees and the scope of work are set out before the matter proceeds.
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04
Your matter team
A responsible partner and the team who will run the matter day to day.
A working harbour at first light.
Enquiries
Tell us what has happened
A short account is enough to start. If a vessel is under arrest or a hearing is close, put it in the first line.