Our People
In 2011, Helen won “Best in Shipping and Maritime” at the Euromoney Legal Media Group’s inaugural European Women in Business Law Awards. Based on research covering 21 jurisdictions, these awards celebrate the achievements of women leading the field in the legal sector across Europe.
Helen Noble is commended by clients as "the leading maritime lawyer in Ireland" for her "years of experience in all facets of the maritime field".
Maritime and Shipping: European Legal 500 2010
Helen is highly valued by her clients, one of whom commented: "She is incredibly knowledgeable - we have a fantastic relationship with her, which really makes things runs smoothly".
Insurance: Chambers Europe 2009
Helen has particular expertise advising P&I and defence clubs in relation to maritime insurance matters. Clients appreciated her responsiveness and availability: "I wish all my legal advisers were like her," said one.
Insurance: Chambers Europe 2008
Helen is also recognised as a leading lawyer by other international legal directories, including European Legal 500 and Who's Who Legal.
Expertise
Helen is a partner in the Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Group at Matheson Ormsby Prentice and Head of the firm's Shipping Law Group. The Shipping Law Group advises on all aspects of shipping and related transport law. On the non-contentious side, the group has particular expertise in advising shipping companies looking to establish their business/operations in Ireland and the advantages Ireland has to offer the shipping industry. The group advises clients on tonnage tax and related taxation issues and maritime regulatory issues. The group has also acted for a number of lenders in relation to recent ship finance transactions.
Helen also has extensive experience in the drafting and negotiation of various shipping contracts including; charterparties, bill of lading contract, ship management agreements, crewing agreements, supply vessel agreements and shipbuilding contracts.
On the contentious side, Helen regularly advises and represents shipowners, shipmanagers, operators, charterers, and the leading P&I and Defence Clubs in relation to all types of shipping disputes including charterparty, bill of lading, contract of affreightment, and shipbuilding disputes. Helen also has significant experience in advising on intermodal transport issues. Her clients include freight forwarders, road carriers, underwriters and liability insurers. Helen is also a partner in the Insurance Law Group.
The group practices in all areas of insurance and reinsurance law advising on policy wordings and coverage issues. Helen provides coverage and general advice on a variety of policies and has acted in a number of large disputes for insurance companies or their insured in relation to general liability and professional indemnity issues. Insurance clients include Beazley, Novae, Allianz, Chubb, Marsh Ireland and Chartis. Helen has also acted in a number of other commercial contractual disputes of significant high value before the Commercial Court.
Helen is the President of the Irish Maritime Law Association. She serves on the Council of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport of which she is a chartered member. She is currently serving as Rapporteur on the Comite Maritime International - Sub-committee on Limitation of Liability. She is also an overseas supporting member of the London Maritime Arbitrators Association, the Irish member for www.forwarderlaw.com and is a member of the International Bar Association and an officer of the Insurance Committee.
Helen has contributed several articles on the shipping industry in Ireland, the Irish tonnage tax regime and admiralty law in Ireland to journals and periodicals and is a regular speaker at conferences on shipping law, marine insurance and related areas. Prior to practising in Ireland, Helen practised as a solicitor in the UK and worked for a number of years for the London shipping law firm, Watson Farley & Williams, in their London and Singapore offices.
Education
Nottingham Trent University, LLB
Inns of Court School of Law Barristers Vocational Course
Nottingham University, LLM (International Commercial Law)
Highlights
Helen has advised:
- one of Ireland's major ports in relation to Port User Agreements and Bye-laws
- Governmental agency on provisions of Mercantile Marine Act, 1955
- A leading P&I Club and its member in relation to disruption of labour at Irish ports and protecting the members' interest
- clients on content of hull and machinery and P&I insurance in relation to a new building and obligations under charter arrangements to include
- on the obligations of a joint co-assured
- an in-rem creditor in relation to ship arrest proceedings
- a leading UK underwriter in relation to coverage proceedings and declinature of cover for material non-disclosure
- in relation to a number of substantial professional indemnity insurance policy claims
- in relation to a €4 million claim defending claims of malpractice and breach of contract in the provision of auditing services
- Towercom Holdings Limited in relation to substantial breach of warranty claims arising out of purchase of telecommunications business
- claimant in large professional negligence proceedings
- on various breach warranty claims in relation to purchase of drinks producer business
