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Dimitrios K. Georgakopoulos
Criminal Maritime Law & Business Crime Litigation
Criminal Maritime Law & Business Crime Litigation
- INTEGRITY
- DETERMINATION
- PERSEVERANCE
Criminal maritime law and business crime (white-collar) advocacy has been my field of expertise throughout my 20-year career as a criminal defence lawyer practicing in Greece (adm.: Supreme Court of Greece).
Over these years, I have built an exceptional track record across a wide range of maritime crime cases.
My extensive hands-on experience in litigating criminal cases within the shipping business environment has provided me with comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the sector’s legal framework and trade usages.
Dimitrios K. Georgakopoulos
Expert Criminal Defence in Criminal Maritime Law and White-Collar Crime.
With twenty years of hands-on experience in criminal maritime law and business crime litigation, I serve as defence counsel in a broad range of cases, often subject to public scrutiny, regulatory oversight, and carrying substantial financial and criminal/penal consequences. My legal background spans both Common Law (Queen Mary, University of London) and Civil Law (University of Athens Law School), equipping me with a comprehensive understanding of international and domestic legal frameworks.
My practice focuses on criminal defence advocacy. I have a proven track record in criminal maritime law, marine casualties, and shipping business crime litigation, often involving cross-border legal challenges.
Having worked closely with Dr. Polys Tsiridis, a leading expert in Criminal and Criminal Maritime Law, I have built a solid track record in defending clients across a broad spectrum of criminal cases, ranging from marine casualties and pollution to white-collar crime such as fraud, embezzlement and breach of trust, as well as corporate disputes and financial crime within the shipping sector and beyond. My practice is defined by strategic advocacy, meticulous case analysis, and a deep understanding of the industry’s regulatory landscape.
Marine Casualties:
I have been heavily involved in several marine casualty cases with significant loss of life and the total loss of various types of vessels (oil/chemical tankers, bulk carriers, passenger ships, military vessels) across the world. In this context, I have acted as defense counsel at all stages of judicial proceedings following a casualty, including investigation, interrogation, indictment, trial, appeal, and petitions for further recourse.
Hands-On Experience (Illustrative Examples):
- Explosion and sinking of a chemical tanker in the Atlantic Ocean.
- Collision between a tanker and a bulk carrier in the Saronic Gulf.
- Capsizing of a bulk carrier in the Aegean Sea.
- Major marine casualty involving a ROPAX ferry with significant loss of life in the Adriatic Sea.
- Collision between a military vessel and a large container ship.
- Grounding of a passenger vessel.
- Fire aboard a bulk carrier off the coast of South America, resulting in significant loss of life.
- Sinking of a bulk carrier off the coast of South Africa.
- Explosion during a dry-docking operation at a Greek shipyard.
- Numerous wrongful death and personal injury cases involving deck and engine room officers, divers, and independent surveyors due to infringements of pertinent legislation (SOLAS, STCW, ISM, ISPS, IMDG Codes, etc.), and breaches of safety regulations.
In the aforesaid cases, charges were brought against both seafarers and personnel from managing companies, including DPAs, technical supervisors, and legal representatives.
I have also served as defence counsel for surveyors from major IACS Classification Societies in cases involving allegations of false seaworthiness attestations, improper inspections during shipbuilding and sea trials, and violations of safety regulations related to the reconstruction of high-speed passenger vessels.
Furthermore, I have been involved in cases that emphasise the increasing criminalisation of seafarers, particularly in pollution and drug smuggling incidents requiring multi-jurisdictional legal cooperation.
I have also handled disputes between Owners and:
- Banks (fraud, embezzlement of freight, false statements).
- Suppliers (fraud).
- Shipyards (fraud).
- Sellers of vessels (S&P fraud).
- Defamation by the press.
- Class/Flag states (document falsification).
I have also worked on cases involving money laundering, tax evasion, blackmail, and high-profile family disputes within family-owned shipping companies. Last but certainly not least, I played a key role in a case involving the collapse of a leading global vessel management company.
I also defend a broad range of general criminal law cases, with a particular focus on economic crime. Noteworthy cases include:
- Structured bond fraud.
- The collapse of a large investment scheme.
- High-profile insurance fraud.
- Cases involving damage to the financial interests of public institutions and organizations.
- 24/7 Crisis Response. Proactive Legal Support
My practice is defined by rapid response and strategic defense. I provide:
✔ Immediate legal intervention at the investigation stage.
✔ On-site assistance following marine casualties.
✔ Ongoing legal support in multi-jurisdictional cases.
With a deep understanding of both criminal litigation and the operational realities of the shipping industry, I offer tailored, results-driven defense strategies for my clients.
As part of my practice, I am retained by organisations such as P&I Clubs and Classification Societies, and work closely with industry experts including Master Mariners, Engineers, Naval Architects, Operators, DPAs, Technical Superintendents, and Surveyors.
For urgent legal assistance, contact me 24/7 on my mobile phone: +30 6945 55 45 15.
- About Dimitrios K. Georgakopoulos
I am a Greek Criminal Maritime Law lawyer nurtured in both Common (Queen Mary – University of London) and Civil Law (University of Athens Law School) traditions.
My field of expertise is advocacy and my track record is amalgamated by hands-on involvement in criminal maritime law, marine casualties and shipping business crime litigation often bearing an international character. I also handle criminal law cases of a diversified white collar crime nature.
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