At the Bar - Soak up the spectacular view of Table Bay

AS anyone who has ever been to Cape Town will tell you, there are many vantage points from which to soak up the spectacular view of Table Bay. I was lucky enough to be treated to one such spot when interviewing Michael Tucker, partner in the shipping department at one of Cape Town's oldest maritime law firms, Fairbridge, Arderne & Lawton.

The bar in the sumptuous Radisson Hotel is perched on the water's edge just beyond the hustle and bustle of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Not only is it just feet from the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean, it affords a stunning panoramic view of the bay and Robben Island. And judging by the number of colleagues Michael bumps into there, it's obviously a popular hangout with the local legal fraternity.

But then that's one of the beauties of practising maritime law in South Africa. Not only is it a small, close-knit community, its practitioners are exposed to a wide variety of disputes. "The maritime field in South Africa is very broad-based, so not only do we deal in collisions, pollution and crew claims, we also get involved in ship arrest, security and ship sales," explains Michael.

In fact, Michael is also a director of Fair Sales, a sister company of Fairbridge, Arderne & Lawton, set up to facilitate ship sales and other commercial work. "As much as 20 or 30 per cent of my practice is taken up with non-marine commercial work," says Michael. "Most of us dabble in something outside the maritime field. It makes you a better lawyer."

It was dabbling that got Michael into the maritime field in the first place. Describing himself as a 'frustrated doctor', he didn't get the grades for medicine so settled on law instead. Having graduated from the University of Cape Town with a law degree, he joined Fairbridge, Arderne & Lawton in 1992, went on to gain a masters in commercial law in 1995, and eventually became a partner in 1998. "While I was training, an assistant working in the maritime department left to join another company. One of the partners asked if I would like to fill the gap and that was it," recalls Michael.

One complaint made by South African law firms is the growing tendency for young lawyers to train in South Africa but then to head for London in search of greater experience. Many of Michael's colleagues have done just that so, after ten years with the same firm, does he harbour any desire to spread his wings? "Being Cape Town born and bred, and having a young family here, now is not a good time to uproot and head abroad," he says. "Not only that, but in South Africa I get great international exposure, an international client base, deal with high-quality litigation and all in a challenging area of law. Besides, Cape Town's too good to leave." From where I'm sitting, I have to agree.

But is there not a downside to practising in what Michael openly describes as an 'outpost'? "The only disadvantage is that you are not really at the cutting edge of maritime law," he says. The distance between Cape Town and centres such as London can also be a problem when it comes to networking. "You have to make it your business to keep up to date with changes in the law," says Michael. "Conferences are good from a networking point of view as it's always good to know exactly who you might be up against or working with."

Michael also thinks South Africa could do with more female maritime lawyers. "There are currently just a handful of female practitioners in the maritime field. I think a female presence would help temper some egos," he says.

He may have only been in the industry for ten years, but Michael already has his fair share of high points, or rather low points, depending on how you look at it. One such incident took place on the way out to board a bulk carrier in Saldanha Bay on which a massive stash of cocaine had been found. Unfortunately, in the rolling seas, Michael was unable to contain his seasickness in front of a number of senior figures in the South African police and other colleagues - an incident he is rarely allowed to forget.

When he's not chasing drugs, Michael is also an active member of the South African Maritime Law Association and is closely involved in the day-to-day management of Fairbridge, Arderne & Lawton. "Something you wouldn't get to do in a London law firm," he points out.

Despite being quite happy to sit and take in the view for the afternoon, Michael has to get back to the office and I have a flight to catch. What a pleasure, though, to grab my final few hours in Cape Town this time around with one of its leading maritime lawyers, and a fantastic view to boot.