Shipping
Leading Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
Michael Ashcroft KC
Twenty EssexMichael has a richly deserved reputation as one of the foremost silks at the shipping bar.
David Bailey KC
7 King's Bench WalkHe knows the bench and tailors his advocacy effectively.
Steven Berry KC
Essex Court Chambers
Elizabeth Blackburn KC
The 36 GroupEBKC consistently demonstrates exceptional legal expertise, sound judgment, and outstanding advocacy skills. She is highly professional, articulate, and thoroughly prepared, with an impressive ability to analyze complex matters and present clear, persuasive arguments. Her approachable and reassuring manner inspires confidence, while her attention to detail and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome for clients is evident throughout every stage of proceedings. She communicates effectively, remains composed under pressure, and shows genuine dedication, integrity, and professionalism at all times. Overall, she is an excellent barrister whose expertise and client-focused approach set her apart.
Simon Croall KC
Quadrant ChambersSimon always works hard to provide efficient legal services, and his advice is very straightforward and helpful.
Graham Dunning KC
Essex Court ChambersDeep knowledge of shipping law, highly respected, realistic advocacy.
Christopher Hancock KC
Twenty Essex
Stephen Hofmeyr KC
7 King's Bench WalkExcellent to work with, highly skilled.
Nigel Jacobs KC
Quadrant ChambersA silk with an easy manner and clear advocacy.
Peter MacDonald Eggers KC
7 King's Bench WalkPeter is very user-friendly. He is approachable and flexible in finding time for you, however busy he is. His turnaround of work is very impressive, and it is very thorough and absolutely addresses the issue.
Sean O’Sullivan KC
4 Pump Court
Luke Parsons KC
Quadrant Chambers
Luke Pearce KC
Twenty Essex
Simon Rainey KC
Quadrant Chambers
John Russell KC
Quadrant ChambersJohn is a standout KC for shipping and international trade disputes. His advocacy is exceptional: clear, persuasive, and strategically astute. He has a remarkable ability to absorb vast quantities of complex material and distill it into compelling oral submissions that carry real weight with courts and arbitral tribunals. His cross-examination is incisive without being theatrical, and he consistently demonstrates outstanding judgement on the points that will decide the case. He is calm and authoritative, has strong commercial insight, and an ability to lead teams effectively in the most demanding disputes.
Alistair Schaff KC
7 King's Bench Walk
Vasanti Selvaratnam KC
The 36 GroupVasanti is one of the top shipping KCs and brilliant at everything she does. Her advocacy skills are of the highest order. She is particularly strong in advancing her client's case and persuading tribunals and judges of the merits of her case.
Christopher Smith KC
Essex Court Chambers
Robert Thomas KC
Quadrant Chambers
Timothy Young KC
Twenty EssexTim is a wonderful barrister! He is very smart, sharp-minded, and helpful in handling all types of disputes.
Jonathan Gaisman KC
7 King's Bench Walk
Timothy Hill KC
Twenty EssexAlways first class.
Philippa Hopkins KC
Essex Court Chambers
Dominic Kendrick KC
7 King's Bench Walk
James Leabeater KC
4 Pump CourtJames is a very persuasive advocate and has an excellent manner with judges and arbitrators. He is clever and also willing to propose commercial solutions, which is much appreciated. He is also very good at making himself available, often at short notice.
David Lewis KC
Twenty EssexDavid is extremely meticulous and experienced in this field. He is strategic in his approach and demonstrates a strong understanding of how judges think, while remaining quick and responsive throughout.
Richard Lord KC
Brick Court Chambers
Duncan Matthews KC
Twenty EssexHis advocacy was exceptionally fluent and persuasive, yet always measured and firm. A genuine pleasure to watch him in action.
Poonam Melwani KC
Quadrant Chambers
Nick Vineall KC
4 Pump CourtIn short, Nick is the “best of the best” in his areas of practice. He is formidable in the courtroom, and when the task is nearly impossible, Nick is the person for it.
Nigel Cooper KC
Quadrant ChambersNigel is a quietly highly effective advocate who is always impeccably prepared. Good at working with and promoting the right junior for the case. Client-friendly and commercially astute across the maritime and marine insurance sector.
Michael Davey KC
Quadrant Chambers
Nigel Eaton KC
Essex Court Chambers
Philip Edey KC
Twenty Essex
Siobán Healy KC
7 King's Bench WalkSioban is a superb shipping lawyer. Always calm and has huge knowledge. Very commercial outlook and very thorough. Highly approachable and a team player.
Chirag Karia KC
Quadrant ChambersChirag is an excellent barrister who combines strong legal expertise with a highly practical approach. His advocacy before the tribunal is first-class, particularly in complex or tricky shipping matters.
Julian Kenny KC
Twenty EssexHe sees the big picture of the whole case.
Stephen Kenny KC
7 King's Bench WalkStephen is an excellent cross-examiner and oral advocate. He excels at court craft, adjusting to unforeseen developments with aplomb. He gets on top of expert evidence quickly and thoroughly.
Charles Kimmins KC
Twenty EssexAn outstanding silk at the top of his game. Incredibly intelligent and a pleasure to deal with. A calm but ruthless advocate.
Richard Southern KC
7 King's Bench WalkRichard is an excellent advocate with a real eye for detail. His cross-examination is fantastic, and he always keeps the ear of the Tribunal or Court.
Alexander Wright KC
4 Pump CourtExcellent advocate, very high quality written advice, hard working, always available, and fits in very well with the team and clients. One of the barristers we always look to instruct.
Guy Blackwood KC
Quadrant Chambers
Jeremy Brier KC
Essex Court ChambersVery enthusiastic and responsive. Extremely personable. Practical and clearly written work. Solid advocate.
Stewart Buckingham KC
Quadrant Chambers
Henry Byam-Cook KC
Twenty EssexTop quality, charming, and persuasive advocate. Master of the facts and law. Doesn't take bad points. Charms tribunals even when they are against him on a particular point. Able to win tribunals round in reply - a rare skill.
Oliver Caplin KC
Twenty EssexHe combines first-rate drafting skills with impressive advocacy, particularly during the cross-examination of experts, and has a notable ability to anticipate the Court’s concerns as matters develop.
Michael Collett KC
Twenty EssexMichael demonstrates exceptional technical expertise and a meticulous approach to complex litigation and arbitration. His mastery of the legal and factual detail is second to none, and he has an outstanding ability to analyze intricate contractual, commercial, and evidential issues with precision and rigor. His preparation is invariably comprehensive and methodical, ensuring that no point is overlooked and that every aspect of the case is strategically deployed to maximum effect. He combines intellectual depth with sound commercial judgment, making him a trusted adviser for us and our clients on the most challenging shipping and trading disputes. I value his thoroughness, strategic insight, and unwavering attention to detail.
Gavin Kealey KC
7 King's Bench Walk
Jawdat Khurshid KC
7 King's Bench Walk
John Passmore KC
Quadrant ChambersFirst-rate on shipping matters and more.
Nathan Pillow KC
Essex Court ChambersHe is exceptionally knowledgeable and collaborative, an excellent advocate.
Chris Smith KC
Quadrant ChambersChris Smith KC's advocacy is first class and his cross-examination skills are second to none, showing excellent adaptability throughout.
Paul Toms KC
Quadrant ChambersWritten advice: Uncompromising, tells it like it is. And that is what clients value. Good advocacy in applications.
James Turner KC
Quadrant ChambersJern-Fei Ng KC
Duxton Hill Chambers
Noel Casey KC
7 King's Bench Walk
Josephine Davies KC
Twenty EssexPowerful, punchy, takes no prisoners, but pragmatic and sensible at the same time.
Neil Hart KC
Essex Court ChambersClose attention to details. One can clearly identify the actual issues upon which the case will be decided and then work on getting the Court or Tribunal to focus on such actual issues.
John Kimbell KC
Quadrant Chambers
Yash Kulkarni KC
Quadrant ChambersYash is a seasoned advocate who is able to read the room and is not easily ruffled under pressure.
Thomas Macey-Dare KC
Quadrant ChambersThomas is a first-rate KC. His advocacy skills are excellent, as are his writing skills.
Sara Masters KC
Twenty Essex
Simon Milnes KC
Twenty EssexSimon is very sharp-minded and can always figure out the core disputes in a case with complex factual backgrounds.
Michael Nolan KC
Quadrant ChambersMichael is clear, concise, commercial, and always a pleasure to work with. He is always our first choice when in need.
Thomas Raphael KC
Twenty EssexThomas Raphael KC is one of the most intellectual and impressive commercial silks I have had the pleasure to work with. His knowledge is formidable and is admired by clients and peers alike.
Matthew Reeve KC
Quadrant Chambers
Philip Riches KC
Twenty Essex
Nigel Tozzi KC
4 Pump Court
Richard Waller KC
7 King's Bench Walk
Nichola Warrender KC
Quadrant ChambersLikeable, hard-working, high standard of written opinions.
2026 Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
Ravi Aswani KC
The 36 Group
Gemma Morgan KC
Quadrant ChambersGemma is a superstar. She is always a pleasure to work with and makes even the most complex cases seem straightforward and manageable.
Caroline Pounds KC
Quadrant ChambersThe work has covered both substantive and procedural aspects of arbitration, including drafting pleadings and submissions, advising on jurisdictional issues and strategy, procedural timetabling, and settlement-related matters.
2025 Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
