SHIPPING specialist Monica Kohli, from Mumbai, has joined the Ipswich office of Pretty's.Miss Kohli, who is dual-qualified in both India and England, will work alongside Dinesh Dorai Raj who is dual qualified in the UK and Singapore and is a long-standing partner in shipping at the law firm.

SHIPPING specialist Monica Kohli, from Mumbai, has joined the Ipswich office of Pretty's.

Miss Kohli, who is dual-qualified in both India and England, will work alongside Dinesh Dorai Raj who is dual qualified in the UK and Singapore and is a long-standing partner in shipping at the law firm.

She graduated with honours in law from the National Law School of India University, in 1999, and registered as an advocate at the Bombay High Court, with rights of audience in all High Courts as well as the Supreme Court of India, the same year.

She started practice in maritime and international trade law and studied for her masters degree in maritime law at the University of Southampton. She qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales in 2005.

She has advised and worked for major players in the Indian shipping market, including shipping companies and government authorities.

Prettys chief executive officer Paul Dickie, who heads the firm's maritime team, recently attended an international logistics and shipping conference in Mumbai, where he discussed cargo security and risk management.

“India requires a unique service because it is the largest democracy in the world and so it is subject to the laws of democratic countries everywhere - but some of its competitors in Asia are not,” he said.

“That makes India a unique country which requires tailor-made solutions rather than a stereotyped service.”