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History

The origins of the firm can be traced to 1835 when Charles Walton, the founder of the firm, was admitted as a solicitor. By 1845 he had set up his own practice and five years later was joined in partnership by his brother, William.

They soon established a reputation as specialists in maritime law and marine insurance and in 1879 they moved their office to 101, Leadenhall Street, opposite Lloyd's and surrounded by the offices of all the great British shipping and marine insurance companies of the day. This was to remain the firm's principal office for almost 100 years. As the firm expanded, new partners joined and in 1890 the firm's name was changed to Waltons Johnson Bubb & Whatton, a name which features in the reports of many Admiralty and Commercial Court cases of the period.

However, the connection with the Walton family continued into the 20th century with the arrival in 1908 of another Charles Walton, who remained a partner until his death in 1951. Possibly as a result of his joining the firm, its name was altered in 1908 to Waltons & Co. which it retained for more than 50 years.

Historically, the firm has had a close connection with Lloyd's and acted as legal advisers to the Committee of Lloyd's. This involvement included the development of the Lloyd's Standard Form of Salvage Agreement towards the end of the 19th century and continues to this day. You can read an article by Michael Buckley describing the origins of Lloyd's Form. LOF as it is more commonly known nowadays, remains the most widely used form of salvage contract. Its terms and procedures are reviewed annually by the Lloyd's Form Working Party which formulates changes when required. The firm continues to represent Lloyd's on the Working Party in addition to acting regularly for property underwriters in LOF salvage cases.

Although shipping and marine insurance have always been at the core of the firm's business, diversification into other areas occurred after 1960 as a result of acquisitions of smaller firms with a different expertise. In the early 1960s the firm merged with Alfred Bright & Sons which acted exclusively for one of the major clearing banks. The name of the firm was then changed to Waltons Bright & Co. Another merger in 1975 with the corporate and property law firm of Sydney Morse & Co led to the firm's name being changed again to Waltons & Morse. However, in consequence of major changes in the structure of the partnership which occurred in 1996, Waltons & Morse has returned to its roots in the maritime, insurance and transport sectors in which it has had more than 150 years experience.

You can read more about the history of Lloyd's Form or see further information about the firm.

Casualty Reports

Added: 17 June 2008
Vessel: NORFOLK EXPRESS
When: 2008 May
Where: Off Ras Shukheir, Egypt
Type: Grounding
more..

Added: 17 June 2008
Vessel: LEHMANN TIMBER
When: 2008 May
Where: Off coast of Somalia
Type: Piracy
more..