Stephan Erbe is one of the leading Swiss specialists in transport law. He represents and advises clients in the transport, logistics and forwarding industry on transport law issues, including road transport, but also rail, air and sea transport. A particular focus is on inland waterway transport and ship financing. In addition to actual transport law issues, Stephan Erbe also advises on general commercial law issues such as contract, corporate and labour law. Stephan Erbe acts as counsel both before courts and arbitration tribunals.
Practice Areas
Transport law: advice and legal representation in matters of national and international transport law: road transport (CMR), rail transport (CIM), air transport (MÜ), inland waterway transport (CMNI) and multimodal transport
Ship financing: Advising shipping companies and banks in ship financing matters, shipbuilding contracts, securities (mortgages, share pledges, assignment of charter income or insurance claims, etc.), legal opinions
Acquisitions in the transport sector: advising buyers and sellers on the acquisition of individual ships or fleets, handling international ship purchases including acting as escrow agent
Logistics contracts and supply chain issues, including related topics of a corporate law, labour law or commercial lease contracts
Customs law: Representation of customs agents or shippers in customs law matters in administrative and judicial appeal proceedings
Representation of transport insurers, liability insurers (forwarder’s liability, carrier’s liability), claims handlers, insurance brokers, underwriters or their clients in recourse proceedings
Advice on general commercial law matters such as company law, contract law, labour law, enforcement proceedings (incl. Bankruptcy and Debt Enforcement matters)
Litigation in general civil law and administrative matters (in particular contract law) and in transport law
Profile
Partner at ThomannFischer (since 2011), Honorary Consul to the Republic of Malta (since 2013)
Lecturer at a higher technical college in Baden (2005-2007)
Partner in a commercial law firm in Basel (2004-2011)
Head of the legal department of KPMG Basel (2003-2004)
Solicitor at McGrigors, London (2002-2003)
Attorney-at-law at KPMG, Basel (2000-2002)
Bar exam, Canton of Basel-Stadt (2000)
Various internships at the Civil Court of Aarwangen, in a commercial law firm in Basel and in a US law firm in Brussels (1998-2000)
Studies of law at the University of Fribourg i.Ue. (1992-1997), lic. iur. 1997
Born in 1971; British-Swiss double citizen
Memberships
Swiss Lawyers Association
Basel Lawyers Association
Transport Committee of the Basel Chamber of Commerce
Legal Committee of the IVR (europ. Inland Waterway Association)
President of the Swiss Maritime Law Association
SVS – Swiss Shipping and Harbours Association
Propeller Club Port of Basel
Construction and Transport Committee of the city of Oberwil
Publications
Various Publications in the field of transport and commercial law.
New:
Author in the Basler Kommentar (BSK OR I) on contracts of carriage (Art. 440-457 OR), 8. Ed.
Author of the commentary on Art. 4-9 CMR in the Beck Online Grosskommentar, Germany
