Lawyer specialized in Ship Arrest, Judicial Sale & Maritime Debt Recovery
In the maritime sector, unpaid debts often leave creditors with limited recourse beyond the vessel itself. Whether you’re a ship chandler, port authority, shipyard, crew member, financier, or marina operator, securing the payment of a maritime claim may require bold, swift legal measures. At Marty Legal, we have over twenty years of recognized expertise in the arrest of yachts and commercial vessels, the judicial sale of ships, and the enforcement of maritime liens and mortgages. Our firm acts across all French coasts and in foreign jurisdictions through a robust international network of correspondents.
We combine technical mastery of the Brussels Convention of 1952, French Transport Code, and relevant international instruments to initiate or resist ship arrest with efficiency and legal certainty. From pre-judgment precautionary arrests to post-judgment enforcement and judicial auctions, our practice ensures the swift immobilization, valuation, and liquidation of maritime assets. We secure your maritime claims with strategic foresight, procedural precision, and cross-border operational capacity.
Talk to a lawyer specialized in admiralty law today
Ship Arrest: Safeguarding Maritime Claims Through Vessel Immobilization
Ship arrest remains one of the most effective tools available to a creditor in the maritime field. When a foreign debtor fails to satisfy an outstanding obligation and the vessel is the only asset within reach, arresting the ship allows the creditor to exercise real leverage. Marty Legal intervenes urgently and rigorously to secure vessel arrest orders, ensuring prompt immobilization of yachts and commercial vessels within French jurisdiction or abroad through our network of local agents.
We act under both the Brussels Convention of 10 May 1952 on the Arrest of Sea-Going Ships and the French Transport Code, initiating precautionary or executory arrests to protect or enforce maritime claims. These may include unpaid invoices for ship repairs, crew wages, port dues, or mortgage defaults.
Executory Arrest and Judicial Sale of Ships
When precautionary arrest alone is insufficient to satisfy a maritime claim, executory proceedings and judicial sale become essential. Marty Legal initiates proceedings to transform an arrested vessel into a liquid asset through court-supervised auction. We prepare the claim file, obtain enforceable orders, and coordinate with the Tribunal Judiciaire to ensure procedural compliance and creditor priority during sale distribution.
In one notable case, we acted for a port authority that secured a judgment for unpaid berth fees and initiated a judicial sale of a deteriorating fishing vessel. Through the court-ordered auction process, we ensured debt recovery, compensation of preferential creditors, and clearance of the harbor basin. Our thorough handling of the sale—from notice publication to asset transfer—ensures transparency, legal robustness, and maximized recovery for creditors. Judicial sale is a complex mechanism governed by strict deadlines, creditor ranking, and procedural formalities. Marty Legal ensures your position is prioritized and the process is completed efficiently and lawfully.
Defending Against Ship Arrest: Release and Negotiation
While ship arrest can be a powerful tool for creditors, it can also be devastating for shipowners if improperly executed or unjustified. Marty Legal intervenes urgently on behalf of shipowners whose vessels have been seized, initiating proceedings to contest the arrest, lift the seizure, or substitute guarantees (such as bank letters of guarantee or escrow agreements) in place of the vessel itself.
Our firm recently defended a yacht owner whose vessel was arrested on questionable grounds during the Cannes Yachting Festival. By contesting the admissibility of the creditor’s claim and proposing a substitute security, we successfully negotiated the vessel’s release within days, avoiding loss of charter revenue and reputational harm. Whether through litigation or negotiation, our approach balances procedural rigor with pragmatic resolution. We work swiftly to mitigate the operational and financial impacts of arrest while protecting your legal standing and preserving vessel mobility.
Public Auctions and Forfeiture of Abandoned Vessels
Marty Legal also organizes public auctions of ships and pleasure vessels under judicial authority or administrative mandate. These auctions may arise in connection with repair claims, storage liens, or property forfeiture for vessels abandoned in marinas or shipyards. We act on behalf of port authorities, marine professionals, and judicial officers to prepare and manage the sale process, from initial public notices to final asset transfer.
In a recent intervention, we assisted a Mediterranean marina in auctioning several derelict vessels under forfeiture provisions following years of unpaid storage and lack of owner response. We handled all legal formalities and worked with bailiffs and notaries to ensure a lawful, clear-title sale. Our understanding of the intersection between maritime law and property law allows us to facilitate vessel disposition while minimizing exposure to challenge. Whether seeking to enforce a lien or dispose of abandoned property, Marty Legal ensures compliance, procedural integrity, and financial recovery.
Maritime Mortgages, Liens & Enforcement of Preferential Rights
Enforcing maritime mortgages and maritime liens requires a precise understanding of the creditor’s rights under both French law and international conventions. Marty Legal assists lenders, mortgagees, and preferred maritime creditors in securing, protecting, and enforcing their rights over vessels through judicial arrest, intervention in sale proceedings, and distribution of proceeds.
We frequently act for banks, ship financing institutions, and repairers invoking Article L.5114-8 of the French Transport Code, which enumerates the list of preferential maritime claims. Our legal analysis included priority evaluation among competing claims, defense against subordinate lienholders, and coordination with international registries. Through robust documentation, accurate legal structuring, and tactical enforcement, we ensure your security interest leads to actual recovery, not just theoretical entitlement.
Enforce Your Maritime Claims with Precision and Global Reach Through Marty Legal
By entrusting Marty Legal with your ship arrest or maritime debt recovery action, you gain access to a uniquely specialized team combining deep legal knowledge, procedural mastery, and international operational reach—ensuring your claim is preserved, enforced, and converted into results.
In maritime debt recovery, timing is everything. We act fast to immobilize assets, enforce your rights, and turn legal claims into tangible recoveries.
Our fields of expertise
Latest News & Publications
Talk to a lawyer specialized in admiralty law today