The founding partners of the law firm Carlos A. Matheus and Wagner Ulloa have a continental and anglo-saxon academic background in maritime law. Carlos Matheus performed his maritime postgraduate studies in France at the University of Paris and Wagner Ulloa in England at the University of Southampton and at Cambridge University, Trinity College.

As both systems, continental and anglo-saxon, influence Venezuelan maritime law and its praxis, the command of both provides a global vision of the subject, allowing a productive professional practice of maritime law.

M&U is the only legal firm in Venezuela dedicated 100% to maritime law since 1977. With more than three decades of professional practice, M&U have accumulated great experience in all branches of Venezuelan maritime law as cargo claims, charterpaties, sale and registration of vessels, mortgages, maritime liens, death and personal injury, marine accidents, collision, allision, general average, salvage, oil pollution.

The fact that our law firm has handled a great number of maritime cases,  has provided us with ample knowledge and experience in this field and this is our main asset. M&U has intervened in such major maritime cases occurring in Venezuela as the case of the oil spillage of the tanker “Nissos Amorgos” which has been the most important maritime law case in Venezuela.

M&U is not only specialized in maritime law but also has handled many P&I cases in view that during its performance has worked considerably for P&I Clubs and Shipowners. In this way, the attorneys at M&U have extensive experience and training in P&I matters. No other legal firm in Venezuela has this kind of expertise and background with more than 35 years in the market.

Prompt intervention, correct diagnosis of problems involved, suggestion of proper course of action, close monitoring of cases and constant communication with Club/Members to keep them duly informed, are lines of actions permanently carried out by our law firm to render a quality service to our clients. 

International Maritime Law Firms

Our firm has worked with outstanding international law firms specialized in maritime law. M&U has had a professional relationship during many years with major worldwide legal firms as Ince & Co., Holman, Fenwick and Willan and Stephenson Harwood.

Technical Experts in the Maritime Area

M&U counts with a team of Venezuelan experts in technical matters attending main areas as cargo claims and maritime accidents. This team includes experts in Maracaibo and Orinoco River navigation channels (where most of maritime accidents occur in Venezuela) experts in maritime transportation of foods and agricultural products and experts in oil pollution.

Good Will.

Our firm has gained prestige throughout its existence due to our more than three decades of ethical, honorable and professional practice which is a significant factor that allows clients to have full confidence in the handling of their activities in Venezuela.

The reputation of M&U also lies in the contributions which its partners have given to the development of the Venezuelan Maritime Law mainly through the Maritime Law Association of Venezuela to which Wagner Ulloa was former President and Carlos Matheus former Legislation Vice-president. The reform works performed by the Association during that time influenced the new Venezuelan maritime legislation.

Their international participation has mainly taken place through the International Maritime Committee (CMI) from which the abovementioned partners are Titulary Members and through the Iberoamerican Institute of Maritime Law from which all the lawyers of the firm are also Titulary Members and Carlos A. Matheus its past Vice-president for Venezuela.

Caracas Offices

Our office is located in Caracas where the Maritime Courts as the Maritime Court of First Instance and the Appeal Maritime Court (both Courts with jurisdiction in the whole country) are also located. This location provides the faster air transportation logistics in the country to reach the major Venezuelan ports. 

M&U  counts with the assistance of local lawyers in different ports.