Simon Tatham graduated from the University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology with an Honours degree in law in 1977. He completed the Law Society finals course at the College of Law in Guildford and since qualification as a solicitor in 1980 has worked exclusively in shipping law in the City and for two years in Hong Kong. He was made a partner in a major shipping firm in 1989 and joined Bentleys, Stokes and Lowless in May 2003.

For the first ten years of his career Simon handled mainly "wet" shipping work. Today he has a broad shipping and marine insurance litigation and arbitration practice with particular emphasis on:-

 Investigating, co-ordinating and advising in relation to catastrophes, including collisions, groundings,
     fires, pollution and total losses;

 High Court litigation, maritime arbitration and mediation arising out of marine and offshore
     casualties generally;

 Handling litigation and arbitration arising out of salvage services, including Scopic, both on behalf of
     salvor claimants and ship/cargo respondents;

 Advising on jurisdiction, limitation of liability and the arrest of vessels;

 Advice in connection with insurance policy wordings and coverage issues to hull, cargo and energy
     insurers/assureds;

 Acting in relation to charterparty and bill of lading disputes such as unsafe port/berth,
     unseaworthiness and cargo damage claims;

 Wreck removal;

 General Average;

 Advising on and handling litigation arising from engine damage incidents;

 Shipyard and oil terminal incidents including explosions, fires and loss of life;

 Advising and representing parties in relation to Merchant Shipping Act prosecutions in the UK.

Simon has published articles and papers and is a frequent presenter at international seminars and in-house client workshops on legal and practical topics. He is a CEDR Accredited Mediator and has been a prosecuting solicitor for the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency.