Real Cases, Real Victories

The Situation

Got a call at 11 PM on a Friday - 400 containers of electronics supposedly "lost" somewhere between Vancouver and Tokyo. Our client, a major Canadian importer, was staring down an $18M loss plus angry customers. The carrier was being vague, the insurance company was dragging its feet, and we had maybe 72 hours before everything went sideways.

What We Did

First thing - we got on satellite tracking immediately. Turns out those containers weren't lost at all, just mis-routed to Busan during a port congestion mess. Then we had to deal with three different jurisdictions (Canada, Japan, South Korea) and their respective maritime laws.

We filed for emergency injunctive relief to prevent the containers from being auctioned off as abandoned cargo - that was probably the hairiest part. Meanwhile, we're negotiating with the carrier's lawyers about their liability under the Hague-Visby Rules, which they conveniently forgot applied here.

The Outcome

Got every single container recovered and delivered within 3 weeks. Secured full compensation from the carrier for delays and additional costs - about $2.1M total. Client didn't lose a single customer, and their insurance premiums didn't spike because we proved it wasn't their fault.

Key Takeaways

• Speed matters - maritime cases have super tight timeframes
• Satellite tracking is your best friend in cargo disputes
• Multi-jurisdictional coordination isn't optional, it's mandatory
• Know your conventions - Hague-Visby saved the day here

The Situation

Two satellite operators - one Canadian, one European - both claiming rights to the same geostationary orbital position at 107.3 degrees West. Both had filed with the ITU (International Telecommunication Union), but there was overlap in their frequency coordination filings. $450M in satellite infrastructure hanging in the balance, and launch dates approaching fast.

What We Did

This wasn't gonna be solved in a courtroom - it needed diplomatic-level negotiation. We dove deep into the ITU Radio Regulations, coordinated with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, and worked with ESA (European Space Agency) counterparts.

The trick was finding frequency bands where interference wouldn't be an issue. We brought in RF engineers to model every possible scenario, then negotiated a band-splitting arrangement that neither side had initially considered. Also had to deal with ground station licensing across multiple countries - Canada, US, and three EU nations.

The Outcome

Both satellites launched on schedule. No interference issues. Our client maintained their orbital rights and actually gained additional bandwidth in a different spectrum they hadn't originally considered. The European operator was happy too - turned a zero-sum fight into a win-win.

Key Takeaways

• Space law is 90% negotiation, 10% actual law
• ITU regulations are complex but they're your roadmap
• Technical expertise matters - you need to understand the engineering
• International cooperation beats litigation every time

The Situation

Vancouver-based shipping company wanted to merge with a Japanese competitor - $340M deal on paper. Sounds straightforward until you realize they operate under completely different regulatory frameworks, have vessels flagged in six different countries, and employ 3,000 crew members with various labor contracts across Asia and North America.

What We Did

This was a monster of a project. We coordinated with Japanese maritime lawyers, dealt with Transport Canada, U.S. Maritime Administration, and various Asian port authorities. Had to restructure vessel ownership, harmonize labor agreements, and navigate competition laws in three jurisdictions.

The vessel flagging was particularly gnarly - we had ships under Panamanian, Liberian, Marshall Islands, and Canadian flags. Each one needed separate treatment for the ownership transfer. Plus we had to satisfy the Jones Act requirements for U.S. coastal operations, which meant creative corporate structuring.

The Outcome

Closed the deal in 11 months - pretty fast for international maritime M&A. Created a holding structure that satisfied regulators in all jurisdictions. Zero interruption to operations, no crew layoffs, and the combined entity is now one of the top Pacific rim carriers. Client's stock jumped 23% on announcement.

Key Takeaways

• Flag state complications multiply fast in shipping mergers
• Labor law harmonization can't be an afterthought
• Competition clearance requires simultaneous multi-jurisdiction filing
• Cultural differences in corporate governance need early attention

The Situation

Client imports specialized underwater ROV equipment for offshore oil operations. CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency) classified it under a tariff code with 18.5% duty. We thought that was wrong - equipment should've qualified as "scientific instruments" at 0% duty. Over three years, they'd overpaid about $2.3M.

What We Did

We filed a tariff classification appeal and requested refunds going back the maximum allowable period. The technical specs on these ROVs were crazy detailed - had to prove they were primarily scientific/research tools rather than general industrial equipment.

Brought in expert witnesses from marine research institutes, compiled operational data showing the equipment's actual use cases, and cross-referenced with international customs rulings from EU and US where similar equipment got preferential treatment.

The Outcome

CBSA agreed with our reclassification. Got a full refund of $2.3M plus interest. More importantly, all future imports now come in duty-free, saving the client roughly $800K annually. They were thrilled - essentially found money sitting in tariff overpayments.

Key Takeaways

• Tariff classification is worth reviewing - companies overpay constantly
• Technical documentation is crucial for appeals
• International precedents carry weight with CBSA
• The retroactive refund window is limited - act fast

The Situation

BC-based aerospace startup wanted to launch small satellites from a mobile sea platform off Vancouver Island. Cool idea, but nobody in Canada had done this before. Transport Canada's regulatory process for launch licenses typically takes 18-24 months. Client neede