Tommy Fox

Biography

Tommy is an associate in the Business Risk & Regulation team, specialising in Marine Regulation as part of our nationally recognised Marine & Transport practice. He has particular expertise in Port & Harbour Law and frequently advises statutory harbour authorities (trust ports, municipal ports and company ports) around the UK on a full range of marine regulatory matters.

A key aspect of Tommy’s practice involves advising on existing statutory harbour powers, with a focus on drafting Harbour Revision Orders to amend, repeal or replace existing statutory provisions and obtain new powers where required. He also assists with marine regulation and enforcement e.g. powers of special, general and harbour direction, byelaws, vessel removal (where unserviceable, sunk, stranded or abandoned), and distraint for non-payment of harbour dues or pilotage charges.

Tommy is a consultant editor of the Ports and Harbours Volume of Halsbury’s Laws of England (5th Edition, 2024) and is ranked as ‘Recommended Lawyer’ in The Legal 500 (2024). He frequently publishes content and industry updates and has been credited in an article on Lexis PSL. Prior to joining Ashfords, Tommy was awarded an Academic Excellence Scholarship to study LL.B (Hons) Law before completing the Legal Practice Course (LPC) and Professional Skills Course (PSC) at The University of Law.

Relevant experience

A Company Port: Advising in relation to the preparation of a works Harbour Revision Order to authorise a project and the interference with the public right of navigation.
A Company Port: Working together with the client to review and re-draft a set of modern general directions and pilotage directions.
A Trust Port: Reviewing the local legislation of a neighbouring statutory harbour authority and advising on overlapping jurisdiction.
A Municipal Port: Advising and reporting on the powers and duties afforded under the Pilotage Act 1987 in the client’s capacity as competent harbour authority.
A Municipal Port: Providing ‘Duty Holder Training’ as recommended by the Port Marine Safety Code to the Duty Holder covering their responsibilities, the role of the designated person, and the risks of non-compliance.
A Municipal Port: Advising in respect of compliance with section 33 of the Harbours, Docks and Piers Clauses Act 1847 (‘the Open Port Duty’) and the considerations which must be made before offering exclusive / preferential use of marine facilities.
A Trust Port: Progressing a Harbour Revision Order which includes the repeal and replacement of the harbour authority’s existing constitution.