Gerard Hopkins is a full-time independent arbitrator with over 35 years of experience in dispute resolution in the shipping and trading sectors.

After passing the Bar Finals in 1989, Gerard re-qualified as a solicitor in 1991 working at Sinclair Roche & Temperley and then MFB Solicitors. He was a partner at MFB Solicitors from 2000 to 2021.

Since becoming a full time arbitrator in September 2022 Gerard has received numerous appointments as sole arbitrator, tribunal member and tribunal chair under LMAA, LCIA Rules as well as ad hoc arbitrations in London.

The appointments have included disputes under charterparties (hire, freight & demurrage disputes, safe port claims, damage to ship’s equipment, loss of containers and damage/contamination of cargoes and disputes on vessel routing), bills of lading, ship sale & purchase, towage contracts, ship management agreements, ship financing agreements, super yachts, bunker and commodity contracts.

Honorary Secretary of the LMAA 2022 - 2025.

Member of the Baltic Exchange.