Stephen Moriarty KC > Fountain Court Chambers > London, England > Barrister Profile
Fountain Court Chambers Offices
FOUNTAIN COURT, TEMPLE
LONDON
EC4Y 9DH
England
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Stephen Moriarty KC
Position
Stephen Moriarty has a very broad commercial litigation and advisory practice, with a particular emphasis on banking and financial services, professional negligence disputes, insurance and reinsurance disputes, aviation cases, and international commercial arbitration. . The international nature of his practice frequently involves him dealing with issues of foreign law, which have included, over the years, French, Italian, Greek, Mexican, US, Indian, Indonesian, Egyptian, Chinese, Polish and Iranian law.
Prominent work includes acting for the successful appellants in the Supreme Court cases of Angove’s v Bailey [2016] 1 WLR 3179 (concerned with the termination of agency, and constructive trusts) and The Commissioners for Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs v Investment Trust Companies (In Liquidation) [2017] 2 WLR 1200 (a leading case in the law of restitution concerned with the circumstances which an unjust enrichment claim can be asserted against an indirect recipient); and appearing in a nine day hearing before the Court of Appeal in the UBS v Kommunale Wasserwerke Leipzig GMBH proceedings (concerned with the enforceability of a series of single tranche collateralized debt obligations).
As well as acting as counsel in many international commercial arbitrations, he also sits as an arbitrator.
Career
Called Middle Temple 1986; QC 1999; fellow and tutor in law, Exeter College, Oxford, 1979-86; co-editor, ‘Chitty on Contracts’ (insurance chapter), 26th and 27th editions; contributor, ‘Laundering & Tracing’, OUP 1995; general editor ‘Commercial Court Procedure’ (Sweet & Maxwell).
Memberships
Commercial Bar Association (COMBAR); London Common Law and Commercial Bar Association; British Insurance Law Association; American Bar Association. Chairman, Commercial Bar Association 2011–13; member of Bar Council 2011–13. Bencher, Middle Temple.
Education
Brasenose College, Oxford (1977 BA; 1978 BCL; 1978 Vinerian Scholarship; 1982 MA).
Leisure
Music, opera, theatre; member of Reform Club.
Lawyer Rankings
London Bar > Aviation
(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 2London Bar > International arbitration: counsel
(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 2Stephen Moriarty KC –Fountain Court Chambers ‘Brilliant legal mind, able to advocate even foreign law issues, with excellent legal writing skills.’
London Bar > Insurance and reinsurance
(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 3Stephen Moriarty KC –Fountain Court Chambers ‘One of the biggest names at the Bar. Genuinely time to worry if he is your opponent. Outstandingly intelligent even by the standards of the commercial Bar, with superb oral and written advocacy skills. Everything a client could want in a senior leader.’
London Bar > Commercial litigation
(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 3Stephen Moriarty KC –Fountain Court Chambers ‘Stephen combines powerful mastery of fine detail with sensible commercial and tactical oversight. His advice is always clear and succinct, and he does not shy away from giving confident assessments of the merits of each point.’
London Bar > Professional negligence
(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 4Stephen Moriarty KC –Fountain Court Chambers ‘Stephen is one of the most collaborative senior silks going. He is always interested in the thoughts of the client and instructing solicitors. He is not only brilliant but he also provides very thoughtful and clever strategic advice.’
Asia Pacific - The English Bar > Commercial
(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 1Stephen Moriarty KC – Fountain Court Chambers ‘A silk with a superb legal and commercial mind, great intellect and commercial wisdom, with the highly valued ability to guide you through some of the most perplexing legal issues.’
Fountain Court Chambers‘ barristers are ‘not only among the best at every level in leading commercial and financial cross border disputes, but are always a pleasure to work with, commercially savvy, and user friendly‘. The set maintains a close connection to Singapore; Andrew Pullen, who is a highly regarded specialist in international arbitration, is the key contact in the jurisdiction. Professional negligence mandates have been prominent in the group’s recent caseload, and is a core area of strength for the ‘forthright and effective‘ Anneliese Day KC. Stephen Moriarty KC is sought after for his expertise in financial litigation, and Matthew Gearing KC stands out for his established track record in acting in complex arbitrations across the Asia Pacific region.
Asia Pacific: Regional International Arbitration > Arbitrators
(Leading arbitrators)Ranked: Tier 1Stephen Moriarty KC – Fountain Court Chambers ‘Stephen handles the arbitration process very well and provide parties with fantastic hearing experience. He is also quick with grasping the issues and is a top-notch arbitrator all round.’