Ashfords is the largest regional practice operating solely in the South West of England. In 2007/2008 it completed more corporate deals in the region than any other law firm and completed a number of deals at its Trafalgar Square located London office. It also has a substantial and expanding marine and transport department headed by Charles Hattersley. The firm specialises in a wide range of noncontentious work - eg major shipbuilding contracts, ship finance agreements, mortgage documentation, sale and purchase agreements, and agency and exclusivity agreements etc. It is also well equipped to deal with contentious matters and has fought a number of major marine cases, if required, through the Admiralty Court and on occasions through to the Court of Appeal. The team is also experienced in mediation and has specialist expertise in salvage collision, unsafe port, cargo, personal injury, crew wage, freight and demurrage, and port damage claims. The team is also involved expanding work internationally through Ashfords’ European, Latin American and Asian ADVOC. ADVOC is an association of international lawyers that has been pioneered by Ashfords since the mid-1980s.