A day in the life of...
Katherine Noble, first year trainee
solicitor, Holman Fenwick Willan
9.30am Arrive at my desk. Check my emails
for anything needing immediate attention and
then make a cup of coffee. I am currently in
the ship finance department and most of the
work involves clients (banks and shipowners)
in Europe, the Middle and Far East. I spend
the first part of my morning catching up on
what has happened overnight and early this
morning.
10.00am Speak to some of the other partners
for whom I am working to discuss matters
for the day. There is a closing meeting taking
place at our offices later as well as change of
ownership for a yacht registered under the
Bahamas flag.
10.15am Prepare the numerous execution
copies of the loan and security documents for
the closing meeting. This is a deal involving
a loan for three vessels, one registered under
the Panama flag and two registered under the
St Kitts & Nevis flag.
11.00.am Review and collate the documents
required for the Bahamas change of ownership
including notarised bill of sale, the seller's
corporate authorities and a power of attorney
for the buyer.
11.30am Collect the execution copies for the
closing meeting and go to reception to meet
the Notary. Join the solicitor and the parties to
the transaction for the closing meeting.
12.45pm Arrange for the mortgages to be
sent to the Panamanian Consulate and the St
Kitts & Nevis Registry for registration.
1.00pm Receive an email attaching
constitutional and vessel documents for
review from the borrower regarding another
loan transaction. I notice one of the vessel
certificates is missing. Much of this job is
being proactive and it is vital to deal with
issues immediately and efficiently.
1.30pm Grab a sandwich at a local café with
a couple of other trainees.
2.15pm Send an email to correspondent
lawyers in Malta. Instruct them to carry out
due diligence on the Maltese borrowing
companies and Malta flagged vessels and
to make arrangements for the mortgage
registrations.
2.30pm Make a telephone call to the
Maritime and Coastguard Agency regarding
a yacht flagged in the UK which is changing
ownership. I ensure that the relevant
documents are pre approved by the Agency.
3.30pm Head off to the Bahamas Maritime
Authority with the notarised bill of sale
and other documents needed for the change
of ownership. Unfortunately this does not
involve a trip to the Bahamas itself but instead
to offices only a short walk away...
4.45pm Return to the office with the new vessel
documents including the transcript of registry,
which I email to the client immediately. Make
copies of the other documents and send the
originals to the managing agent in time for
the yacht to sail.
5.00pm I am assisting on an amendment to
a loan facility secured by mortgages against
several vessels and by guarantees. One of
the vessels is changing flag and name and
the loan agreement and security documents
need to be amended and redrafted. I make a
cup of tea and then turn my attention to some
complicated drafting.
7.00pm Receive an email from correspondent
lawyers in St Kitts & Nevis regarding
loan and security documents for another
transaction. Send the drafts to the bank for
their approval.
7.30pm Make a list of matters to deal with
tomorrow. Arrange to meet a few trainees for
a quick drink before heading home.
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