Former Holman Fenwick Willan (HFW) partner James Gosling has been awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the Queen’s New Year honours list.
The legal firm said Gosling was recognised for his role in pioneering the global shipping industry's response to piracy in Somalia.
“Over a period of 11 years, James and the HFW team, including in particular partners Richard Neylon and George Lamplough and associate Michael Ritter, worked with organisations in the City of London and the global shipping industry to bring about the release of more than 1,750 seafarers, many of whom were subjected to mistreatment and torture during their ordeals,” HFW added.
“This included providing pro bono legal services and support to secure the release of the 48 ‘forgotten’ seafarer hostages from four vessels, some of whom had been held hostage on land in Somalia for more than four years.”
Gosling was previously head of HFW’s Admiralty department and is now a consultant with the company.
He said: "I am very honoured to have been awarded an OBE, which I believe is recognition of the real team effort which went into tackling the issue of marine piracy in Somalia.
“My particular thanks go to the management of HFW who trusted and supported the team to work on these difficult and challenging cases. We should never forget the unfortunate individuals who endured a terrible time in captivity and are now trying to recover."
Other honours with a maritime flavour include MBEs for Captain Donald Patrick Cockrill, secretary general of the UK Maritime Pilots Association, and cutter commander Shaun Nicholas Edwards for humanitarian services in the Mediterranean.
