Langlois’ inclination to law was dictated by the problems he had experienced in obtaining practical advice in foreign ports when claims and allied problems arose. This was prophetic as in 1871 during the Franco Prussian war there was serious congestion in Antwerp, which was then a neutral port between the two warring factions. Local advice was required. Thomas Miller, related to a ship owning family in Newcastle upon Tyne, had founded his
firm two years previously. Jacques Langlois had served on Miller vessels and he knew many North East Ship Owners, most of whom were Master Mariners commanding their own vessels.

Jacques Langlois

Thomas Miller appointed Jacques Langlois his man in Antwerp and thuis started the profession of Club Correspondent. It was another 20 years before other appointments were made, firstly in Prussia. Jacques Langlois then accompanied Arthur Bilbrough, John Holman and Thomas Miller to the US and the Far East on a trip to identify and appoint other Correspondents. He also played a prominent part in the unification of maritime law both before and after the formation of the Comité Maritime International in 1897 of which he was a founder member.

In 1910, Jacques Langlois recruited Jack Drory, an English lawyer prectising in Lille (France) where his family had long been established. 1914 marked the end of both a golden age of Jacques Langlois' career. After the Great War, though he was penniless, The partnership with Jack Drory was resumed, it is believed with financial help from friends in Newcastle. However, Jacques Langlois was coming to the end of a long life during which he never took a holiday. In 1922 Jack Drory engaged his English cousin, Leslie Fletcher then a trainee lawyer in Paris where his family had lived for many years.

Jack Drory

Between the wars Jack Drory and Leslie Fletcher established in Belgium one of the biggest P&I practices in Europe. In 1940 it all ended. The office was sequestrated. Jack Drory did not survive captivity. Leslie Fletcher made his way to London through occupied France but returned to Belgium in 1944 to reopen the office with three survivors from the pre-war staff. Later they were joined by his son Geoffrey in 1949. Whilst the firm's funds had been
diverted by the occupying power, Dawson Miller lent a helping hand. The first instructions they received were regarding an Admiralty chartered vessel, which had run down a flotilla of Belgian barges whilst avoiding a minefield.

By the 1950's the firm was on its feet again and prospering. In the 60's the traditional system of partners aided by clerks was abandoned. Work was delegated within three disciplines: Law, Navigation and Civil Engineering, the latter being necessary to investigate the damage caused by vessels navigating the locks and bridges. Because of its ideal geographical location the Langlois Ghent office was established in 1971 to deal with claims arising at the ports of Ghent, Ostend and Zeebrugge.

Both the ports of Zeebrugge and Ostend are only half an hour's drive away from Ghent on a straight motorway making it possible to board vessels at these ports quickly in case of an emergency. Furthermore the ports of Zeebrugge, Ghent and Ostend are all within the jurisdiction of the Ghent Court of Appeal.

In 1998 after some 49 years with the company, Geoffrey Fletcher retired, handing over the Management and ownership of the company to the senior claims handlers and an independent financier.

A Management Team headed by Philippe van Havre (General Manager) who had been with the company since 1967 was established. Philippe was ably assisted by Hendrik Vanhoutte, Manager of the Ghent Office (joined 1971), Paul Goossens, Manager Cargo Department (joined 1975) and Bruno Van Steenberghe, Manager Admiralty Department (joined 1982), in running the company.

In 1999 after one year at the helm Philippe van Havre resigned as General Manager and retired in 2000.

Paul Pistorius was then appointed as General Manager and was supported by the same able Management Team and experienced claims handlers in both Antwerp and Ghent, most of whom have in excess of 15 years either in P&I or appropriate shipping experience.

Meantime, Paul Pistorius has left the company and has been succeeded by Paul Goossens as General Manager.

Today, Langlois & Co is a company which is continually adapting to meet changing requirements in the markets that we serve. Great strides to turn the company into a modern one utilising the best that technology has to offer to ensure efficiency whilst maintaining traditional values have been made. Improvements to current information systems where they result in cost efficiencies or improved service to our clients are continually being made.

The company remains independent. This allows the Management to react quickly and positively to market forces and thereby maintain a high level of service and meet the ever-changing needs and expectations of our clients.

England is Langlois & Co's main client base but over the years close connections have been established with Insurers and Owners all over the world.