Lawyers of Wang Jing & GH Were Invited to Attend Ceremony for Wage Payment to Foreign Crewmembers of M/V “Angelic Power”

On 23 June 2022 when the 12th Day of the Seafarer was imminent, Guangzhou Maritime Court of China held a ceremony for wage payment to the foreign crewmembers of M/V “Angelic Power”. On this occasion, funds were allocated from the proceeds of sales of M/V “Angelic Power” for on-site distribution to her 15 foreign crewmembers who took priority in compensation from the sales proceeds for wage payment in the amount of over RMB3 million. Through timely enforcement of judgments, the Court pays tribute to seafarers. Our partner Mr. Wilson Wang and associate Ms. Niki Zhang, as agents ad litem of the 13 Philippine seafarers in their wage claims, were invited to participate in the event. Under the witness of a Deputy to the National People’s Congress, officials from Guangzhou Maritime Safety Administration, and representatives from Guangdong Seamen’s Union, Mr. Wang and Ms. Zhang took from the head of the Enforcement Division of Guangzhou Maritime Court bank checks for the crew’s wage payment.

Mr. Wilson Wang (third from the left) Ms. Niki Zhang (first from the right)

On the wage distribution occasion, Mr. Ismael Justo Baniqued who was chief engineer of M/V “Angelic Power” delivered a speech of thanks to Chinese government, Guangzhou Maritime Court and the lawyers on behalf of all the 13 Philippine seafarers.

(Mr. Ismael Justo Baniqued, chief engineer of M/V “Angelic Power”, attended virtually)

On June 7, the Supreme People’s Court of China published its 2021 Typical National Maritime Cases. We are honored see that the Philippine crewmembers’ wage claim is included and is recognized by the Supreme People’s Court as a 2021 Top 10 Typical Case. When handling the crew’s wage claims, Guangzhou Maritime Court offered cross-border litigation services to foreign crew through Mobile Micro-Court, a cellphone mini program, including online video agency witness, and proactively helped the foreign crew who had long been stuck on the abandoned ship to disembark and return to their home country. The Court also took into consideration other practical difficulties faced by the foreign crew as caused by the Covid-19 epidemic and shipping market fluctuation. After consulting the opinions of all the other creditors having claims against the ship/shipowner, the Court obtained their consent and decided to place the foreign crew on the prior line of compensation from the proceeds of sales of the vessel, so as to protect their right and interest to the fullest extent. The Court’s various endeavors fully demonstrate China’s judicial capacity and level.

Qualified in China, England and Wales
On National List of 1,000 Talented Lawyers in Foreign-related Practice
Leading Lawyer in Foreign-related Legal Service

Niki Zhang, Associate
LLM of the City University of Hong Kong;
Capable of handling cross-border legal matters, having knowledge and experience in cross-border dispute resolution (litigation and arbitration), maritime and admiralty, international trade and corporate matters

The Maritime & Admiralty Team of Wang Jing & GH comprises experienced legal professionals including partners, associates and consultants all with profound knowledge in the laws and judicial practice in China, the United Kingdom and other jurisdictions. The members of the Team have expertise in handling cross-border transactions, dispute resolution and other complex legal issues. The Team provides dispute resolution and consultancy services related to vessels and cargo transportation to shipowners, operators, brokers, charterers, underwriters, P&I clubs, navigation channel engineering companies, trading companies, shipping agents, port operators, and logistics companies, etc. Besides, it also provides legal services relating to the construction, financing and lease of ports, ships, offshore engineering and other non-contentious matters. The Team maintains close cooperation and contact with overseas shipping law firms, Queen’s Counsels, insurance companies and agents, thus can provide comprehensive, high-quality, and professional legal services to Chinese and foreign clients in cross border and multi-disciplinary complex maritime and admiralty matters.