Derek Hodgson is a London based arbitrator specialising in maritime disputes. His practice involves disputes concerning charterparties, bills of lading, ship sale and purchase contracts, marine insurance, commodities, yachts, containers and road transport.

He was in practice as a Solicitor for thirty-two years at Clyde & Co, the international trade and transportation law firm ending this part of his career as joint head of the shipping department. 

He then spent six years at the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) as the Permanent Secretary (Secretary General) in London. IACS is an association of the twelve major classification societies in the world. His work concerned all aspects of ship regulation and interplay with the IMO and EU authorities.