Lawyer specialized in sailing and yachting law
With over two decades of experience advising on the most sensitive aspects of buying, selling, owning and operating yachts, Marty Legal has built a reputation as a leading law firm in sailing and yachting law. We act internationally for clients across the yachting world—owners, yacht managers, brokers, operators, and syndicates—offering strategic, practical, and legally sound guidance in an evolving regulatory landscape. Whether it’s a superyacht sale, a flag registration, or a dispute under international arbitration, our team delivers clear, responsive, and results-focused solutions.
We operate out of France and Monaco, but our legal scope spans the UK and internationally, supporting clients across the globe in every stage of yacht ownership and operation. From structuring tax-efficient acquisitions to defending your rights in a charter dispute, we provide end-to-end support tailored to the marine industry’s highest expectations. Explore our five pillars of expertise below.
Our practices in sailing & yachting law
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Yachts Sale & Purchase
Legal Structuring for High-Value Yacht Acquisitions
The legal aspects of buying and selling yachts require precise contractual and regulatory control. We advise on all aspects of yacht ownership, whether it’s a straightforward transaction or a multi-jurisdictional super yacht legal services matter. Our firm regularly works alongside yacht brokers and financial advisors to ensure that clients across the globe are protected from hidden liabilities and contractual risks during acquisitions.
Transaction Support and Dispute Prevention
We recently advised a buyer acquiring a €12M yacht flagged in the Cayman Islands. Our team reviewed the Memorandum of Agreement, flagged title irregularities, and coordinated with foreign counsel to secure clear ownership transfer. Our yachting lawyers are skilled in international arbitration, offering robust protection in post-sale disputes. Whether you’re buying a performance sailing yacht or a 60m superyacht, we provide expert advice tailored to the marine market’s legal and practical realities.
Flag Registration
Navigating International Flagging Jurisdictions
Choosing the right flag is not just a matter of nationality—it’s a strategic legal and fiscal decision. We assist clients across the globe in registering yachts under reputable flags like the Cayman Islands, Malta, France, or the UK. Our team ensures your vessel’s status complies with boat ownership regulations and international maritime standards.
Legal Guidance for Owners and Managers
We recently supported a yacht manager in reflagging a 45m yacht from the Marshall Islands to France, optimizing its VAT status and enhancing EU cruising flexibility. Our legal guidance for owners covers everything from provisional certificates to liaising with registrars. Whether you’re aiming for commercial or private registration, we are your ownership regulations expert legal team, ensuring every formal step is watertight.
Maritime Tax & Customs Law
Structuring Tax-Efficient Yacht Ownership
Our team provides expert legal guidance on the tax aspects of yacht ownership, including VAT, TICPE, and import duties. We work with owners and yacht brokers to create optimal acquisition strategies, balancing legal compliance and fiscal advantage. Whether through leasing structures or customs reliefs, we help reduce your operational tax burden.
Customs Formalities and Cross-Border Advice
We recently acted for a UK-based owner importing a superyacht into the EU, managing the Temporary Admission regime and avoiding multi-million-euro liabilities. Our services include customs representation, regulatory analysis, and documentation review. With experience spanning France, Italy, the UK, and beyond, we offer seamless support for clients across the globe looking to own and operate their yacht with financial efficiency and peace of mind.
Maritime Social Legislation
Employment Contracts and Crew Management
Owning a yacht also means managing its personnel. We assist in drafting and reviewing seafarer employment agreements, ensuring compliance with EC Regulation 883/2004 and French Decree 2017-307. We guide owners, yacht managers, and captains through affiliation procedures with social security entities like ENIM.
Dispute Management and Legal Protection
We recently helped a superyacht owner resolve a crew dismissal dispute involving French labor law and a Panamanian flag. Our expert advice protected the owner from wrongful dismissal claims and secured compliance across jurisdictions. From employment obligations to dispute resolution, we provide legal guidance for owners and operational teams in every aspect of yacht staffing.
Vessel Freight & Charter
Charter Contracts and Syndicate Structures
Whether offering your yacht for charter or entering a yacht charter or syndicate arrangement, your legal framework must be robust. We draft and negotiate charter party agreements, advise on commercial licensing, and ensure clarity in use, liability, and termination clauses.
Commercial Operations and Dispute Resolution
In a recent case, we defended a client in an international arbitration related to breach of a summer charter in Sardinia. We secured partial reimbursement for loss of use and reputational damage. Our team also advises on boat mooring solutions, port access rights, and charter taxation across the EU. Whether it’s a day charter or full-season operation, we provide expert advice that protects your asset while maximizing legal security and operational flexibility.
Strategic Legal Partner for Yacht Owners and Marine Professionals
By entrusting Marty Legal with Sailing & Yachting Law matters, you gain a dedicated partner offering tailored legal guidance, transactional precision, and regulatory clarity—ensuring your yacht, crew, and commercial operations are protected from port to port, across the globe.
Owning a yacht requires more than passion, it demands legal precision. We guide owners and professionals through every regulatory, contractual, and operational aspect with confidence.
Our fields of expertise
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