In-House Legal Advisor

Reporting to the Commercial Director, the position is part of Management Team, with high levels of contact at parent company board level.

The position will be based at the Head Office in Farnham, Surrey, but the role will require business travel including trips to Brazil.

The successful applicant must have the following relevant skills and experience:
• A qualified Brazilian lawyer with specific experience in the Shipping, Offshore Oil and Gas Sector.
• Fluency in both written and spoken Brazilian Portuguese. The role includes a requirement to translate complex legal and technical documentation and therefore familiarity with such language is essential.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is essential and fluency in Spanish would be highly desirable.
• Experience in drafting and reviewing complex charter parties and contracts written in both English and Portuguese and to advise management team thereon.
• Experience of Brazilian statutory requirements affecting the maritime sector and in particular knowledge of CAA, AIT, DI, CI (TR).
• A detailed knowledge of Brazilian corporate law, including the law pertaining to Brazilian Shipping companies (EBN) and the legal corporate structures that may be utilised by an internationally based parent company trading in Brazil.
• A working knowledge of all aspects of Brazilian taxation relevant to the Shipping and Offshore industries, at state and federal levels and in particular the REPETRO regime.
• A working knowledge of all aspects of Brazilian customs legislation, at state and federal levels.
• Experience of working with Brazilian state organisations such as BNDES, ANTAQ, IBAMA and ANP.

The key responsibilities and duties of the In House Legal Advisor are as follows:
• Ensuring the company is aware of and registered for, all Brazilian tenders relevant to our existing and newbuilding vessels. Receiving, analysing and completing said tenders in close coordination with an associate company in Brazil.
• Analysis of tender documentation requirements and taking into account associated clarifications issued.
• Managing, monitoring, reporting on and taking necessary action(s), in conjunction with colleagues, to ensure the contractual, legal and fiscal status of Company’s operations and specifically the vessels themselves is not adversely affected in any way. This involves preparing for, applying and otherwise executing and where applicable renewing all necessary documentation, certification, contracts, letters and approvals in ample time.

Said documentation shall include but not be limited to:
• Letters of award and signed contracts.
• Preparation and construction of Bipartite or Tripartite Association Agreements with Contract Partners.
• Applications for entry into the REPETRO regime.
• Management of the CAA, AIT, DI, CI (TR) process.
• Any other associated documentary and certification matters necessary to ensure the vessels perform their contractual duties without interruption of hire trough defective or invalid documentation or process.
• Monitoring, and where necessary taking action to ensure all legal claims, injunctions and appeals are duly processed to ensure the company’s legal and fiscal interests are fully protected.
• Liaising with partners and clients in Brazil over new and existing business opportunities.
• Review of hire charges and resolution by negotiation with Contractual partners of hire disputes.
• Advising management on all matters of a legal, regulatory or fiscal nature affecting the company’s Brazilian operations.
• Familiarity with Marine Insurance (H+M / P+I) and ability to negotiate renewals.

Thank you for your application however due to the high volume of candidates applying, if you have not heard back from us within 5 days please assume that you have not been successful on this occasion.