Richard Smith

Richard Smith is a partner in the assets & structured finance group at Watson Farley & Williams LLP. He specializes in asset finance transactions with a particular focus on the shipping and offshore sectors. He advises banks, financial institutions and shipowners on all aspects of loan and security documentation.

• Phone: +44 20 7863 8970

ITLOS Ruling: A Landmark Defense of Freedom of Navigation

Aug 10, 2026

By Richard Gunn and Julia Cyrson, Reed Smith LLPIn the largest penalty the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) has ever levied, a Special Chamber ruled unanimously against Equatorial Guinea on May 27, 2026, ordering it to pay…