Tribute to former partner

Captain John Third, a senior partner with Brookes Bell for many years, sadly passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, 19th March.

Prior to joining Brookes Bell, John spent 14 years at sea, serving on passenger and cargo liners, general cargo and reefer vessels, bulk carriers and off-shore diving and support ships.

John first joined Brookes Bell in 1981, initially working in the London office, before transferring to the Hong Kong office where he was stationed in 1982 and 1983.  During his time in the Far East he developed an enviable reputation.

He returned to the London office in 1984 and thereafter became one of the leading experts in the world for a range of dispute types, including collisions, unsafe ports, groundings and container stowage collapses.

His work led him to give evidence at many arbitrations and court cases in London, the USA, Hong Kong, South Africa, Australia, Singapore and Germany, where his enviable professional reputation preceded him.

John retired as a full time partner at Brookes Bell in 2010, and thereafter spent several years as a Consultant before retiring from the firm.

He was a kind and humorous colleague, always generous with his time for his juniors, and did much to advance Brookes Bell’s reputation as the leading Marine Consultancy in the world.

John will be sadly missed by those of us that knew him.