Dr. Tim Schommer

Full Profile

Tim has been qualified as a German Rechtsanwalt in 2005. He studied in Kiel and Surrey and obtained an LLM in Shipping Law in Cape Town. Tim published his legal doctoral thesis in 2002.

In shipping, Tim advises on commercial and insurance litigation and arbitration matters. He specialises in shipbuilding, conversion and repair matters, advising owners, shipyards and suppliers on all types of vessels from conventional commercial ships, specialist vessels to military vessels. He frequently handles disputes in front of state courts and arbitration tribunals, but likewise negotiates contracts for ship owners, yards and manufacturers. He also advises on insurance matters.

Tim has extensive experience in the yachting industry. He frequently advises owners, builders, managers, lenders, insurers, brokers, designers on a range of matters from new building contracts, the sale and purchase of new and second-hand yachts, financing, registration, statutory compliance, commercial management and operation through to insurance, crewing and chartering. Tim has negotiated numerous yacht building projects of some of the most prestigious superyachts and has advised owners and shipyards on a number of multi-million Euro yacht disputes.

In aviation, Tim advises his private clients on all sorts of aviation matters, including sale and purchase, leasing and registration. In commercial aviation matters, Tim advises airlines and owners on finance, sale and purchase, leasing and regulatory issues.

Tim's general commercial dispute practice often concerns trade and insurance matters. He represents his clients in front of German state courts as well as German and international arbitration tribunals (e.g. DIS, GMAA, ICC and ad hoc tribunals).

Tim is recognized in “Best Lawyers® in Germany” for Litigation and has been listed for maritime and shipping in Legal 500 and by Who’s Who Legal, “singled out for his considerable expertise in shipbuilding issues and insurance litigation” (Who’s Who Legal Germany, 2022). Furthermore he is recommended as a “leading yacht lawyer” in the yacht & superyacht section of Chambers and Partner’s High Net Worth guide, stating “he is extremely deal-oriented meaning he never creates a problem, he only solves them” and “he has wide experience in maritime lawsuits, and combines that with his strategic and intelligent way of driving, consulting and influencing the case” (Chambers High Net Worth Guide, 2020). 

Memberships

• German Arbitration Institute (DIS) 
• German Boat- and Shipbuilding Association (DBSV)
• German Maritime Arbitration Association (GMAA)
• German Maritime Law Association (DVIS)
• International Association of Young Lawyers (AIJA)
• International Bar Association (IBA)
• Superyacht Germany (Deutsche Yachten)