Rebecca Crookenden
Managing Associate
Rebecca is a leading international trade and shipping specialist, known for guiding clients through complex, high-value disputes and cross-border commercial challenges.
Managing Associate
Rebecca is a leading international trade and shipping specialist, known for guiding clients through complex, high-value disputes and cross-border commercial challenges.
Language - English
Jurisdiction - England & Wales
Rebecca works with a diverse client base including oil majors, commodity traders, shipowners, banks, and charterers, supporting those at the forefront of the global commodities and shipping sectors. Her clients range from multinational mining groups to international resources companies and vessel owners and operators, who turn to her when facing complex and multi-jurisdictional contractual and operational issues.
She advises on all aspects of international trade and shipping law, from the drafting and negotiation of commercial contracts to the resolution of high-stakes disputes. Rebecca is regularly instructed on matters involving breach of contract, force majeure, misdelivery, and fraud, as well as claims for injunctive relief such as worldwide freezing orders. Her experience covers the full spectrum of dispute resolution, including English High Court litigation and major arbitral fora such as LMAA, LCIA, SIAC, SCMA and ICC. Rebecca also provides strategic advice on non-contentious matters, including project finance transactions, vessel pool arrangements, and the adoption of electronic bills of lading.
Clients value Rebecca’s ability to coordinate seamlessly across jurisdictions, working closely with foreign counsel and experts to deliver practical solutions in fast-moving, high-pressure situations. Her approach is commercial, pragmatic, and always focused on protecting her clients’ interests, whether advising on urgent vessel withdrawals, supporting the restructuring of supply chains, or navigating the shifting dynamics of long-term offtake agreements.
Rebecca was based in the Singapore office from 2022-2024 and retains close ties to the region.
LCIA arbitration
Acting for an oil trader in an LCIA arbitration in relation to disputes arising out of long-term supply of Oil from Russia with associated FM issues and arguments relating to contractual construction and interpretation.
International commodity shipping dispute
Acting for a leading international trading group and its affiliated shipping company to advise on a highly complex dispute involving multiple linked contracts for the sale and carriage of a significant bulk commodity shipment between South Asia and the Middle East. The matter centres on parallel disputes under two related charterparties and several sale contracts, with claims and counterclaims arising from alleged unpaid hire and issues surrounding the loading of cargo during challenging seasonal conditions. Linked LMAA arbitrations are ongoing.
Our team has provided comprehensive guidance on both the shipping and sale contract aspects, including the preparation of robust counterclaims and the strategic assessment of potential liabilities. The case presents intricate evidential questions, requiring collaboration with technical experts in commodity handling and weather conditions, as well as sophisticated legal analysis regarding contractual duties and the interpretation of operational terms under adverse circumstances.
Global enforcement proceedings
Multi-jurisdictional enforcement of an arbitration award of US$100 million+ including applications for interim relief and attachments in over eight jurisdictions.
Charterparty and bill of lading disputes
Representing both Owners and Charterers in disputes relating to misdelivery; underperformance; vessel withdrawal; demurrage disputes; quality and contamination issues; bunker short delivery/non-delivery and/or contamination; faulty redelivery; safe ports.
Advising clients on misdelivery claims (instructed variously by Vessel Owners and charterers) and issues arising out of missing and/or fraudulent bills of lading.
Advising party in charterparty chain in relation to issues following issue of fraudulent bills of lading and resulting claims from receivers for cargo damage (claims under CP and ICA).
Advice on options available to operator following the designation of the manager of a fleet of vessels under long term charter.
Acting for clients in relation to a claim under BBCs relating to wider JOLCO financing following possible breach and default.
Rig building contracts
Advising rig building clients on the terms of their supply and services contracts relating to various projects for the construction of equipment to be installed on their customers' vessels. This involves liaison with our IP team to ensure that our client's rights are fully protected.
Yinson Production
Assisted the MTO Finance team in performing diligence of the underlying contractual documents relating to the US$1.3 billion project financing for the Agogo FPSO, which was recognised as the East Project Finance Deal of the Year 2024 by Marine Money.
SBM Offshore
Assisted the MTO Finance team in advising a consortium of four Chinese leasing companies in respect of SBM Offshore's first sale and leaseback financing.
The transaction marked a significant milestone for the offshore industry, representing one of the first FPSO projects being financed through co-leasing structures.
