My name is Aleka Sheppard and lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Si enim ad populum me vocas, eum. Quae quidem sapientes sequuntur duce natura tamquam videntes, Duo Reges, constructio interrete. A mene tu Iam enim adesse poterit. Roges enim Aristonem, bonane ei videantur haec.
Armed with a generous scholarship from Chandris Shipping, arrived in London as a qualified Greek Attorney-at law to pursue studies in English and International maritime law – loved England and stayed for good
Studied shipping law at UCL and was awarded her LLM degree
Studied psychology and law at Kings College London and obtained a Ph.D degree, while was also working part-time in the City of London (Richards Butler, Sedgwick Forbes, and Britannia P & I club).
Joined the firm of solicitors, HFW, (the first Greek female lawyer in the City of London) and later qualified as an English solicitor
Married to Colin Sheppard
Gave birth to their 1st child, Francesca
Published the book on ‘The dynamics of aggression in women’s prisons in England’
Reviewed as:
“Original and only comparative study of prisoners’ behaviour while in British prisons. It builds on an immense literature on the sociology of prisons which is skilfully linked by the author with studies of females generally and held in similar institutional situations. The author gives a comprehensive account of research in the field” https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/52907
Lost her daughter to meningitis
Gave birth to their beloved son Emmanuel
Practising maritime law
Involved in collision and salvage cases at Richard Butler, in P & I claims at Britannia, and handled insurance claims at Sedwick Forbes; from 1983 handled all types of charter party disputes and bill of lading claims, and was involved in highly complex litigation and arbitration cases arising from total losses of ships. As a senior solicitor, led disputes involving shipbuilding, sale and purchase, insurance, charter party and bill of lading disputes, and claims arising from serious casualties, such as engine breakdowns, fires and groundings.
Established the Cadwallader Fund for research in maritime law and began developing the Shipping law Unit at UCL.
The Cadwallader Debates held now biennially on International Shipping law and commercial shipping are renowned for the quality of the debates between the industry, the regulators and the legal fraternity
Founded the London Shipping Law Centre (LSLC) bringing the Business of Shipping and Academia together for advanced education in maritime law, the exchange of knowledge, and the promotion of London as the centre of excellence in maritime business and the law
Welcomed many maritime academics from abroad and professionals from the shipping industry, and the judiciary, for extra curricula lectures to students of maritime law. The Shipping Law Unit flourished under her direction
Presided over the inauguration of the London Shipping Law Centre at the House of Lords with Lord Mustill as the host; a landmark of her achievements
Established Risk Management Consultancy and in 2000 launched her company, ORA Maritime Risk Management, for raising awareness and the training of industry professionals in this novel, at the time, subject area
Published the first edition of her book on Modern Admiralty Law and Risk Management
Extract from the Foreword to the book by Lord Mustill
“…In addition to the general merits of this book, there is one particular theme that calls for particular mention. That is, the emphasis laid on risk management. In recent years this has become a commonplace of business law and practice in many areas, but with a few notable exceptions it has been an absentee from study and practice in the maritime world. Fortunately, this is now changing, and Dr Mandaraka-Sheppard’s focus on the subject will, it may be hoped, stimulate interest and promote a wider appreciation of its cardinal importance.”
Praise for the 1st edition:
“This is not just another solid textbook – though it is that also – but a comprehensive, up-to-date review of this rapidly changing area of the law as it affects owners, managers, charters and brokers. Its special contribution is to cover risk management in the maritime context …. The book makes the case that risk management is essential to maritime commerce not just an optional extra” – News Focus
“One of the most comprehensive and concise books on the subject published in recent years…
The thoroughness and clarity of presentation is very much a tribute to the author… the training and experience in commercial and legal shipping practice, along with formidable academic knowledge has resulted in this excellent book… in the various parts of the book the issue of risk management is discussed. The complexities are recognised and fully explained in the Epilogue: Risk Management Culture and Collective Responsibility…” – Numast Telegraph
Qualified and accredited as a Mediator of Disputes
Taught all subjects of maritime law and led the Shipping Law Unit to a position of excellence having created a community of intellectual practitioners from the industry, the English Bar, law firms and the Judiciary to take part in the teaching. Appointed Professor of Maritime Law in 2006
Published the second edition of her book on Modern Maritime Law with risk management aspects
Extract from the Foreword to the book by The Rt. Hon. The Lord Clarke of Stone-cum-Ebony
“This is by any standards a magnum opus… Like Michael Mustill, I am particularly struck by her focus on risk management, especially in the context of the management of ships and the ISM Code. The importance of risk management was brought home to me when I had the privilege of conducting the Thames Safety Inquiry and then the Formal Investigation into the collision between the Marchioness and the Bowbelle with its consequent loss of life. I hope that this book will help to underline this aspect of the legal responsibilities of ship-owners, managers and charterers alike.”
“Your excellent book Modern Maritime Law and Risk Management (2nd ed.) is a “must” for any professional involved in the maritime industry” – Nikos Νoulezas CEO SEVEN MARE SA
Stepped down from her full time academic post at UCL to devote time to her business and Dispute Resolution as an Arbitrator and Mediator for which she qualified and granted the Chartered status by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
Continued to contribute to teaching as a Visiting Professor
Published the third edition of her book on Modern Maritime law in 2 volumes, Vol 1: ‘Jurisdiction and Risks’, Vol 2: ‘Liabilities and Risk Management’
Extract from the Foreword to this edition by The Rt. Hon. Sir Bernard Rix
“The author’s insight, which represents the distinctive feature of this work, is her understanding that international conventions, regulations and codes of good practice, working together with the developing principles of the commercial common law of England and the lessons to be learned from the science of business risk management, have in the modern world revolutionised the conduct of shipowning.”
Celebrated the 20th Anniversary of the London Shipping Law Centre by hosting a Gala dinner at the Savoy Hotel, London