Jim Cashman

Jim was in the merchant navy from 1975 to 1987. He sailed on general cargo ships, gas carriers (LPG), container vessels, bulk carriers and rig supply vessels. He has a master’s certificate of competency and sailed as master for 5 years. Between 1987 and 1990 Jim read law at Southampton University. He returned to sea for a few years working on cross-channel ferries and bulk carriers and after completing the Legal Practice Course he did a training contract at Jackson Parton. 

In 1997 Jim joined HFW and worked there for many years as an assistant solicitor and partner. He deals with all aspects of shipping litigation, including both FD&D and P&I issues, marine insurance and coverage disputes and other shipping related commercial disputes. Given his background, his main specialist areas are collisions, groundings, salvage, unsafe port and unseaworthiness claims.

Litigation highlights include The Merwestone ([2016] UKSC 45), The Sakizaya Kalon ([2020] EWHC 2604 (Admlty) and Oldstone Cargo Limited v His Majesty’s AG for Gibraltar (2024/GSC/007). Jim has regularly been cited in the “Leading Partner” category in the Legal 500 and in 2016, in recognition of his victory in the Supreme Court in The Merwestone, he was placed in the number one slot of Lloyd’s List’s Top 10 Lawyers.

Jim joined Preston Turnbull on 1st January 2025 as a consultant. He will continue to focus on his specialist areas both legally and geographically. He will support, in particular, our expanding Admiralty Team.