LMAA London

What LMAA London does

The London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA) is a non-profit professional membership association of maritime arbitrators practicing in London. It maintains approximately 30-40 Full Member arbitrators, 20-30 Aspiring Full Members, and 800+ Supporting Members drawn from law firms, P&I and defence clubs, insurance, brokers, owners, operators, charterers, and expert witnesses across many countries. The Association publishes the LMAA Terms 2021 — the standard procedural framework governing the conduct of maritime arbitrations by its members — which governs the vast majority of London maritime arbitrations. Additional procedural frameworks include the Small Claims Procedure (SCP) for disputes up to US$100,000, the Intermediate Claims Procedure (ICP), and Mediation Terms for facilitated negotiation. Standard BIMCO/LMAA arbitration clauses are widely embedded in charterparties, bills of lading, and shipbuilding contracts globally, with awards enforceable under the New York Convention in 170+ countries.

LMAA's products and services span procedural rules (LMAA Terms 2021, SCP, ICP, Mediation Terms), standard arbitration clauses, membership categories (Full, Aspiring Full, Supporting, Retired), committee and panel administration, and member directory services. The Association does not directly administer arbitrations — arbitrations remain ad hoc and are administered by the tribunals themselves. Service delivery is operationalized through member directories, presidential appointment mechanisms, annual events (Annual Dinner, Annual Lunch, AGM, Spring Seminar), newsletters, and links with allied bodies (BAILII, BMLA, COMBAR, GAFTA, Lloyd's Maritime Law Newsletter, London Shipping Law Centre, Maritime London).

LMAA generates revenue primarily through Supporting Membership subscriptions (£120 per year), Full Membership dues, Presidential Appointment administration fees, and limited other fees. The bulk of arbitration economics — appointment fees (£400), time-based charges, hearing booking fees (£1,250 per arbitrator per day), and SCP fixed fees (£5,000) — flow to the individual arbitrators rather than to the Association. Its customer base is highly diversified across shipping (charterparties, cargo, ship sale/building/repair), insurance and P&I, offshore and oil & gas, and maritime legal services globally.

Name

LMAA London

Legal name

London Maritime Arbitrators Association

Website

https://lmaa.london

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA) is a London-based non-profit professional membership association that publishes standard terms and procedures (LMAA Terms 2021) governing commercial maritime arbitration, serving approximately 30-40 Full Member arbitrators and 800+ Supporting Members from law firms, P&I clubs, insurers, and the global shipping industry.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Supporting Membership Subscriptions: Annual subscriptions from Supporting Members at £120 per year, providing access to newsletters, Annual Dinner, Annual Lunch, AGM & Spring Seminar, and Supporting Members Liaison Committee participation.
2. Arbitration Appointment Fees: Standard appointment fee of £400 payable to an arbitrator on appointment, covering acceptance and file opening charges.
3. Arbitrator Time-Based Charges: Charges based purely on time spent on a case after appointment, covering all subsequent work.
4. Booking Fees: Payable in advance when a hearing is booked at £1,250 per arbitrator per day booked. Non-refundable under certain conditions.
5. Small Claims Procedure Fixed Fees: Fixed fee of £5,000 (plus VAT) for SCP arbitrations commenced after 31st March 2024, including appointment fee, interlocutory work, hearing (if required), award writing, and cost assessment. Additional £3,000 for respondent counterclaims exceeding claim amount.
6. Presidential Appointment Administration Fees: Fee charged when arbitration agreement provides for the President of the LMAA to make an appointment, plus VAT where applicable.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

LMAA London (the London Maritime Arbitrators Association) is a professional membership association that provides commercial maritime dispute resolution services through its network of qualified arbitrators in London. The Association publishes and maintains standardized procedural frameworks — LMAA Terms 2021, Small Claims Procedure (SCP), Intermediate Claims Procedure (ICP), and Mediation Terms — that govern London maritime arbitrations. It offers standard arbitration clause templates for maritime contracts and connects disputing parties with Full Member arbitrators through direct appointment or Presidential appointment.

Product overview

LMAA London operates as a professional association offering a portfolio of commercial maritime dispute resolution services. The core offering consists of arbitration procedures at three tiers: the standard LMAA Terms 2021 governing most maritime arbitrations, the Small Claims Procedure for disputes up to US$100,000, and the Intermediate Claims Procedure for mid-tier matters. The Association also provides Mediation Terms for alternative dispute resolution. Services are delivered through a membership structure comprising approximately 30-40 Full Member arbitrators, 20-30 Aspiring Full Members, and 800+ Supporting Members. The Association publishes procedural rules, standard arbitration clauses, and maintains committees and panels including lists of mediators and neutrals. The organization does not administer arbitrations itself but supports the independent tribunals its members constitute.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LMAA Terms: Set of terms and procedures governing maritime arbitrations conducted by LMAA members
• Small Claims Procedure (SCP)
• Intermediate Claims Procedure (ICP)
• Mediation Terms

Products and services

• LMAA Terms 2021 Standard procedural framework governing London maritime arbitrations. LMAA members accept appointments on these terms, which set out tribunal fee structures, procedural requirements, questionnaires, checklists, reconstitution procedures, and provisions for virtual hearings. Replaced the LMAA Terms 2002.
• Small Claims Procedure (SCP) Expedited arbitration procedure for smaller maritime disputes up to US$100,000. Features a sole arbitrator, fixed fee of £5,000 (plus VAT) for arbitrations commenced after 31 March 2024, written submissions only, and capped recoverable costs of £6,000. Includes appointment fee, interlocutory work, hearing (if required), award writing, and cost assessment.
• Intermediate Claims Procedure (ICP) Mid-tier arbitration procedure for disputes of intermediate complexity and value, falling between the Small Claims Procedure and standard LMAA arbitration. Used for mid-range maritime disputes with modified procedural rules.
• Mediation Terms Procedural framework for mediation of maritime disputes, enabling parties to resolve disputes through facilitated negotiation. Many LMAA members are trained mediators who conduct mediations under these terms.
• Maritime Arbitration Services Dispute resolution services for commercial maritime matters including charterparty disputes, cargo claims under bills of lading, contracts of affreightment, ship sale, shipbuilding and ship repair cases, marine insurance disputes, and offshore/oil & gas disputes. Delivered through a network of approximately 30-40 Full Member arbitrators.
• Arbitration Clause Templates Standard arbitration clauses for incorporation into maritime contracts, including the BIMCO/LMAA clause and other standard forms specifying arbitration in London under LMAA Terms.
• Full Membership Membership category for arbitrators practicing maritime arbitration in London who have demonstrated capability in conducting arbitrations and writing awards. Approximately 30-40 Full Members at any time.
• Supporting Membership Membership for professionals from law, P&I Clubs, insurance, brokers, owners, operators, charterers, consultants, and expert witnesses. Annual subscription of £120 providing access to newsletters, Annual Dinner, Annual Lunch, AGM & Spring Seminar, and Supporting Members Liaison Committee participation. Approximately 800+ Supporting Members.
• Aspiring Full Membership Prospective candidates for Full Membership who have fulfilled certain requirements and are seeking further appointments to demonstrate experience criteria. Approximately 20-30 Aspiring Full Members at any time.

Quantifiable outcome

• About 80% of arbitrations settle before final award
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• British and Irish Legal Information Institute (BAILII)minorOthersReferenced as a linked resource on the LMAA Links page. BAILII provides free access to British and Irish primary legal materials including 46 databases and approximately 400,000 searchable documents.
• British Maritime Law Association (BMLA)minorOthersReferenced as a linked resource. BMLA acts as advisor to UK Government bodies responsible for maritime legislation and cooperates with CMI in research and drafting of international instruments for harmonisation of maritime and mercantile law.
• Commercial Bar Association (COMBAR)minorOthersReferenced as a linked resource. COMBAR was formed in July 1989 to bring together self-employed barristers practicing in international and commercial law.
• GAFTA (Grain and Feed Trade Association)minorOthersReferenced as a linked resource. GAFTA promotes international trade and protects member interests since 1878.
• Institute of Maritime Law (University of Southampton)minorOthersReferenced as a linked resource. Founded in 1982, the Institute has 15 lawyers engaged in teaching, writing, and consulting in maritime law, law of the sea, and international trade.
• London Shipping Law CentreminorOthersReferenced as a linked resource. Industry forum providing neutral platform for continuing education, exchange of ideas, research in shipping law, and development of professional links.
• Lloyd's Maritime Law NewsletterminorOthersReferenced as a linked resource. Fortnightly reports of legal decisions in the UK and overseas and summaries of LMAA arbitration awards.
• Maritime LondonminorOthersReferenced as a linked resource. Industry-led body representing maritime professional services in the UK.
• HMSO (Her Majesty's Stationery Office)minorOthersReferenced as a linked resource. Operates as a Division of the Cabinet Office providing access to UK legislation.
• Supporting Members Liaison Committee (Asia Pacific)minorOthersCommittee enabling the LMAA Committee to be in close contact with Supporting Members in the Asia Pacific region and consult them as necessary.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• American Arbitration Association (AAA) / ICDR: Large US-headquartered arbitration institution with an International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR). While not maritime-specialized, AAA/ICDR handles a portion of US-related maritime arbitrations and competes for cross-border commercial disputes.
• International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) International Court of Arbitration: The world's largest global arbitration institution with a broad commercial caseload that includes maritime disputes. ICC is a broad incumbent offering institutional arbitration services that compete with LMAA's ad hoc framework, particularly for complex cross-border matters.
• China Maritime Arbitration Commission (CMAC): China's principal maritime arbitration institution and a 'broad incumbent' in its domestic market. CMAC handles the majority of maritime disputes involving Chinese parties, representing a structural competitor for any cross-border shipping dispute.

Others

• BIMCO (Baltic and International Maritime Council): The world's largest international shipping association, which co-publishes the standard BIMCO/LMAA arbitration clause. BIMCO is an ecosystem partner that channels maritime contract drafting and arbitration clause selection toward LMAA arbitration.
• London Shipping Law Centre: London-based industry forum providing continuing education, research, and networking for shipping law professionals. Linked from LMAA's site, it functions as an adjacent ecosystem organization that supports the broader London maritime legal community feeding arbitration demand.

Direct peers

• London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA): Major London-based international arbitration institution administering commercial and maritime disputes. Although LMAA is the dominant maritime-specific body, LCIA is a direct competitor for commercial disputes that include maritime elements and operates under the same English legal framework.
• Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC): Asia's leading arbitration institution and a growing hub for maritime disputes. The Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration (SCMA) sits under its umbrella, making SIAC the most direct global competitor to LMAA for maritime arbitration caseload.
• Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC): Hong Kong-based arbitration institution with a dedicated maritime arbitration group (HKMAG). HKIAC competes directly with LMAA for Asian-related shipping disputes, particularly those involving Chinese parties.

Regional players

• Japan Shipping Exchange, Inc. (JSE): Operates the Japan Maritime Arbitration Commission (JMAC), primarily handling Japanese maritime disputes. JSE/JMAC is a regional specialist alternative to LMAA for parties seeking arbitration in Japan under Japanese maritime law.

Emerging players

• Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC): Middle East-focused arbitration hub that has been actively positioning itself for maritime and offshore disputes, particularly those involving Gulf-based parties. DIAC represents an emerging institutional alternative to LMAA in time zones closer to East-West shipping routes.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lmaa-london

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about LMAA London