Yachting Law
Assistance in the purchase, construction, and chartering of yachts, as well as all related contractual and technical-legal matters.
Legal assistance for yachts, superyachts, and pleasure vessels.
Yachting Law is a highly specialized and constantly evolving legal field. It requires in-depth knowledge of Italian, European, and international regulations, as well as familiarity with customs practices, ship registries, and the rules governing the circulation, ownership, chartering, and operation of yachts and pleasure craft, including those registered under foreign flags.
Legal work in this sector involves complex dynamics: from construction to sale and purchase, from commercial management to leasing, from flagging and registration abroad to the liability of the owner or the master. From a legal perspective, a yacht is not merely an asset; it is a mobile centre of interests, a significant investment, a source of liability, a commercial activity, and an asset to be safeguarded and regulated through appropriate legal instruments.
Capece Minutolo Law Firm provides legal advice and representation in the field of yachting, assisting yacht owners, brokers, shipyards, management companies, technical operators, and private clients in protecting and regulating all legal aspects connected with the use, ownership, and management of yachts, superyachts, and pleasure craft, both in Italian and international waters.
Areas of Legal Assistance
The Firm supports its clients in all phases of yacht-related transactions, with tailored legal solutions and careful attention to technical and contractual aspects.
- Sale and Purchase of Yachts and Superyachts
Drafting and reviewing sale and purchase agreements (including MoA templates), conducting technical and documentary due diligence, verifying registrations and authorisations, and liaising with maritime authorities and registries. - Construction and Refitting
Advising on shipbuilding contracts, evaluating penalties for delays or defects, managing relations with shipyards, overseeing sea trials and compliance checks, and coordinating with classification societies (e.g. RINA, Lloyd’s Register). - Registration and Flagging
Assistance in selecting the most suitable flag State (Italy, Malta, Cayman Islands, etc.), handling initial registration or reflagging procedures, structuring ownership through corporate vehicles, fiduciary solutions, or trusts. - Charter and Lease Agreements
Drafting and reviewing charter agreements (crewed or bareboat), including MYBA forms, allocating liabilities among owners, management companies, and clients, and addressing insurance coverage and regulatory compliance. - Maritime Litigation
Legal representation in cases involving contractual breaches, marine casualties, damages on board or in port, construction defects, late delivery, crew liability, claims for compensation, and insurance disputes.
