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David Allen KC

David Allen KC

David Allen KC is consistently recognised as one of the English Bar’s top commercial law advocates. He is in high demand as leading counsel in all manner of commercial cases in the London Commercial Court and Court of Appeal as well as in arbitrations. He is a recognised leader in many fields of commercial law including fraud, shareholder disputes, share purchase agreements, banking, energy, infrastructure, shipping, insurance and reinsurance cases. His practice is London-based mainly in the Commercial Court, but he is frequently instructed to appear overseas most recently in Singapore, Shanghai, Hong Kong and the British Virgin Islands.
Frederick Alliott

Frederick Alliott

Frederick Alliott is a commercial barrister specialising in complex, high-value commercial litigation and arbitration. His broad practice has a particular focus on insurance and reinsurance, civil fraud, energy, shipping and commodities, aviation, international trade and professional negligence. He is used to appearing on his own (very often against more senior counsel, including silks), as well as working as part of large multi-counsel teams. Fred is recognised by The Legal 500 in a number of categories – Commercial Litigation, Insurance, Civil Fraud and Aviation. To give a flavour of his work: Fred is currently instructed in the largest piece of insurance litigation in the market (namely the ‘Russian Aviation’ litigation), heard by the Commercial Court in 2024/2025 (and with a further trial date set for late 2026). He has also recently been involved in, amongst other things: a billion-dollar s.67 arbitration appeal relating to a gas supply contract which went to the Court of Appeal; two high-value arbitrations concerning, respectively, political risk and political violence insurance; two sets of related proceedings in arbitration and in the Admiralty Court relating to the ‘Maersk Honam’ casualty (the largest containership general average loss in history); and a c.€50 million dispute concerning the breach of an oil supply contract, in which Fred acted alone against an established silk. Fred is used to acting in international arbitrations, both ad hoc and under a variety of rules (including LCIA, ICC, SCC, LMAA, GAFTA and FOSFA) as well as in court in aid of arbitral proceedings and concerning the enforcement, challenge or appeal of arbitration awards. Fred is frequently instructed in cases involving allegations of dishonesty, corruption and other serious misconduct. He is developing a reputation as being highly experienced in this area: recent led work has included a number of multi-million-dollar fraud actions, two of which resulted in lengthy commercial court trials, as well as ongoing $1 billion worldwide freezing order proceedings (with associated jurisdictional challenge). Fred is delighted to accept instructions in any type of commercial dispute, whether alone or being led.
Sushma Ananda

Sushma Ananda

Sushma Ananda is a commercial barrister who has been described in the directories as “very bright”, “a feared opponent” and “great on her feet”. Her practice encompasses commercial law generally, with a particular emphasis on insurance and reinsurance, international arbitration, professional negligence, shipping and international trade. She won Insurance Junior of the Year in the 2023 Chambers & Partners UK Bar Awards and is ranked as a leading junior in the directories in Insurance & Reinsurance, International Arbitration, Shipping and Commodities. In October 2010 Sushma was cited by Legal Week as one of the “Stars at the Bar”. Sushma was also called to the Singapore Bar in February 2015. Sushma has been instructed in a wide variety of commercial disputes both as sole counsel and as a junior (including to several silks out of Chambers). Sushma has appeared in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, Commercial Court, county courts and in many international arbitrations (including LMAA, LCIA, ICC, ARIAS, SIAC and Bermuda Form arbitrations). She has undertaken advocacy on her own in many of these forums, including successfully appearing against counsel significantly more senior than her. Sushma also often works as part of a wider counsel team in complex commercial disputes leading to lengthy trials. Sushma’s highlighted cases and current instructions include: Appearing unled, against a silk, in the Circuit Commercial Court in a reinsurance ‘follow the settlements’ dispute: Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Limited and others v Equitas Insurance Limited (2025). Successfully appearing unled, against a Singaporean Senior Counsel, in a COVID-19 business interruption arbitration seated in Singapore (2025) concerned with the impact of the pandemic on international tourism. Appearing as junior counsel in the liability phase of an insurance arbitration concerned with defective wood products, and continuing to appear unled in the quantum phase, against two silks. Junior counsel for insurers in Pizza Express Group Ltd v Liberty Mutual Insurance Europe SE [2023] EWHC 1269 (Comm), procuring a favourable outcome on the limits of liability applicable to Pizza Express’s claim. Junior counsel for multiple insurers involved in the COVID-19 business interruption ‘at the premises’ litigation, both in the Commercial Court and in the Court of Appeal: London International Exhibition Centre Plc and others v RSA Plc and others [2023] EWHC 1481 (Comm); [2024] EWCA Civ 1026. Successful appearing as junior counsel for insurers in the important COVID-19 business interruption case of Stonegate Pub Company v MS Amlin and others [2022] EWHC 2548 (Comm) dealing with issues of aggregation and post-policy period causation. Junior counsel in the seminal 2020 COVID-19 business interruption test case (at first instance and in the Supreme Court [2020] EWHC 2448 (Comm); [2021] UKSC 1) brought by the FCA against eight insurers, including Ecclesiastical Insurance Office plc and MS Amlin Underwriting Ltd (Sushma’s clients). Appearing in the Court of Appeal as junior counsel in Ferster v Ferster [2016] EWCA Civ 717, a case concerned with the unambiguous impropriety exception to without prejudice privilege. Junior counsel in Involnert Management v Aprilgrange Limited [2015] EWHC 2834 (Comm), a multi-million euro professional negligence claim in the Commercial Court concerned with the insurance of a super yacht. Sushma also accepts arbitration appointments. She has acted as an arbitrator appointed by the LCIA Court in several arbitrations. She is also on the panel of arbitrators for the Lloyd’s Arbitration Scheme, Tiers 1 and 2. She is also a Non-Executive Director of the Bar Mutual.
Henry Ashwell

Henry Ashwell

Henry is a highly versatile commercial barrister with particular expertise in insurance, professional negligence, international arbitration, shipping, and civil fraud. With experience at several leading City law firms, Henry is regularly instructed in international and domestic commercial matters, serving as sole and junior counsel in high-value disputes both in arbitration and the Commercial Court. Notable recent instructions include: Insurance: Junior counsel on multiple high-value Bermuda Form insurance arbitrations relating to pharmaceuticals and environmental disasters. Professional Negligence: Sole and junior counsel in various major audit negligence disputes; junior counsel in two claims by a financial institution against its former solicitors. International Arbitration: Sole counsel in a Commercial Court claim for recognition of a foreign arbitration award; junior counsel on a €50 million international arbitration. Shipping: Junior counsel on a high-value shipping claim concerning alleged sanctions breaches; advising on jurisdictional issues relating to a superyacht dispute. Civil Fraud: Junior counsel in a lengthy civil fraud trial concerning the trading of forward freight agreements.
Philip Aspin

Philip Aspin

Philip maintains a broad practice encompassing shipping, (re)insurance, civil fraud, and general commercial litigation. He has appeared as sole counsel in the Commercial Court and County Court, as well as being led in the Commercial Court and in arbitration. Current or recent instructions include (as junior counsel) a US$290 million shipbuilding arbitration, a Commercial Court civil fraud case, and a number of Covid-related insurance/reinsurance disputes, as well as instructions to act as sole counsel in several substantial LMAA shipping matters. Philip has also been extensively involved in advising on the impact, principally in the insurance and reinsurance context, of the sanctions imposed in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Philip has also spent time on secondment at a number of leading solicitors’ firms, where he worked on a wide range of commercial matters, including disputes over jurisdiction, conflict of laws and state immunity as well as an extensive regulatory review of a complex programme of international reinsurance arrangements. Philip accepts instructions, led or unled, in any commercial dispute.
David Bailey

David Bailey

David has a broad commercial practice and is regularly sought after for his expertise in shipping, insurance and arbitration. David has been described in the directories as “a genius” and “a thorough and engaging advocate”. His experience extends to shipbuilding, aviation, energy, charterparties, the carriage of goods, banking, sale and distribution contracts, professional negligence and reinsurance. He has particular expertise in relation to jurisdictional disputes and private international law. High profile cases include leading in Enka v Chubb and The Alexandros T in the Supreme Court and appearing in the West Tankers litigation. He also acted for Lloyds Bank in relation to PPI and for insurers in the £1 billion SBM/MPOUstor dispute. Recent instructions include a substantial energy related dispute, various claims following the COVID-19 pandemic; a long running arbitration concerning a €100 million build project for a superyacht (warranty and damages claims) and a $150,000,000 ($150m) marine insurance dispute following the alleged detention of three vessels in Venezuela. In a recent arbitration David acted for the successful owners in a $200,000,000 dispute relating to a fatal explosion on board a vessel, which killed three people and forced the crew to abandon ship in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
James  Bailey

James Bailey

James specialises in commercial litigation and international arbitration, including insurance and reinsurance, general commercial disputes, civil fraud, shipping, offshore litigation, company and insolvency disputes, financial services and professional negligence. James has considerable advocacy and appellate experience both in London and abroad, having appeared in or assisted with disputes in the BVI, Bermuda, the Bahamas, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Jersey. He is regularly instructed in high-value court and arbitration proceedings both in London and abroad. His current and recent instructions as junior counsel include acting for the Malaysian sovereign wealth fund 1MDB in a US$1 billion dishonest assistance / fraudulent trading claim (led by Tom Smith KC), successfully defending a US$65 million HKIAC joint venture dispute (led by David Allen KC), appearing in a year of attachment dispute concerning professional indemnity insurance (led by James Brocklebank KC), and successfully resisting a challenge under ss. 67 and 68 of the Arbitration Act 1996 alleging bias by an arbitrator (led by Marcus Mander). James has considerable advocacy experience, including making the oral submissions in a successful appeal in the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal (Lau Man Sang, James v King Bun Limited BVIHCMAP 2022/0019), appearing as sole counsel in the High Court in a challenge under section 68 of the Arbitration Act 1996 and appearing regularly in the Scottish courts, prior to transferring to the English Bar. James retains an interest in disputes with a Scottish dimension. James has a keen interest in appellate proceedings, having appeared in the Privy Council and numerous appeals and arbitration challenges. James is also presently assisting with an appeal to the Federal Court of Malaysia on the seaworthiness obligation in the Hague Rules.
Dave Barnard

Dave Barnard

Dave Barnard has a busy practice spanning all of Chambers’ areas of practice, including commercial litigation, insurance and reinsurance, shipping, aviation, commodities, civil fraud, and professional negligence. Dave has a keen interest in shipping and insurance; he became an Associate of the Association of Average Adjusters in 2022, following his completion of exams concerning the Marine Insurance Act 1906 and the Insurance Act 2015. Dave is regularly instructed as sole counsel, and he has appeared alone in the High Court and in the County Court on numerous occasions. He particularly enjoys instructions which seek injunctive or other interim relief; he has previously been involved proceedings concerning freezing orders, third-party costs orders, various forms of disclosure orders, and mandatory injunctions. Dave is a member of the Bar of the British Virgin Islands.
Clara Benn

Clara Benn

Clara specialises in all aspects of commercial law, with a particular emphasis on private international law, insurance/reinsurance (including marine insurance), shipping, commodities, aviation and civil fraud. Since joining Chambers in 2014, she has appeared in the Supreme Court (twice), the Court of Appeal and the High Court, as well as in the DIFC Courts and LCIA, SIAC and LMAA arbitration. In 2022, Clara was appointed to the Attorney General’s B Panel of Counsel. Clara is ranked in the directories in multiple practice areas and has been nominated by The Legal 500 as Shipping, Commodities and Aviation Junior of the Year 2026. The directories describe her as “fiercely intelligent, approachable and charming”, “invaluable on a practical/commercial level”; “awesome on her feet” and bringing “a joie de vivre to any case”. Clara has acted in a number of high-profile cases, including Enka v Chubb [2020] UKSC 38 (governing law of arbitration agreements, anti-suit injunctions), described by The Lawyer as “a landmark judgment that is likely to become the leading authority in this area”, and the OW Bunker litigation [2016] UKSC 23 (sale of goods, retention of title clauses), described by Lloyd’s List as “the most spectacular shipping legal imbroglio so far this century”. She is instructed to appear in the Russian aviation insurance mega trial commencing in October 2024. Clara is developing a busy practice as an arbitrator. She has received six appointments to date, including as chair, and welcomes new appointments.
John Bignall

John Bignall

John specialises in commercial law, in particular in the following areas: General Commercial Disputes, Insurance/Reinsurance, International Trade, Sale of Goods, Shipping, Carriage of Goods, Arbitration, Agency, Fraud, Professional Negligence (not medical).  He has extensive experience of disputes concerning a wide range of commercial contracts. In the context of those disputes, he has dealt with a wide range of ancillary issues, including the jurisdiction of the court or arbitral tribunal, and various forms of injunctive relief. He has appeared as an advocate in the Court of Appeal, the Commercial Court, the Queen’s Bench and Chancery Divisions and in arbitration. John's work includes: advising on merits, advising on evidence, drafting correspondence, drafting statements of case, drafting case management documentation, drafting witness statements, preparation of expert reports, review of disclosure and supervision of disclosure review teams, advice on disclosure (such as scope of searches, specific disclosure etc), identification of documentation for hearing bundles, drafting of skeleton arguments, appearing as advocate (both at interlocutory and final hearings), advising in relation to appeals from awards and judgments, drafting appeal documentation, appearing as advocate at appeal hearings, and advising on enforcement.
James Brocklebank KC

James Brocklebank KC

James is highly sought-after as both adviser and advocate across a broad range of commercial specialisms, appearing regularly in both court and arbitration. He has a particularly prominent reputation in the areas of professional negligence, insurance and reinsurance, and commercial arbitration (often with an international element). James has wide experience of advising and acting in relation to all manner of contractual and tortious disputes, including matters relating to energy and natural resources, corporate acquisitions, product liability, international trade, confidentiality and privilege, and conflicts of laws. He has frequently been involved in substantial pieces of litigation and is familiar with the particular demands of large-scale court and arbitration proceedings. James also has significant experience acting in professional disciplinary proceedings, particularly concerning accountants and auditors.
Noel Casey KC

Noel Casey KC

Noel Casey KC specialises in all aspects of commercial law including insurance and reinsurance; shipping; international trade; sale of goods; professional negligence and private international law. He has consistently been recognised in the legal directories as an “excellent advocate” and a “great cross-examiner”. He is also a qualified Chartered Accountant. He acts in disputes arising out of a wide range of contracts, from share purchase agreements to reinsurance treaties, from charterparties to derivative instruments. He also has extensive experience of contempt motions, enforcement proceedings, and applications for the full range of injunctive relief (including freezing injunctions, search orders, electronic disclosure orders, passport orders, anti-suit injunctions and prohibitory mandatory injunctions).
Jeremy Cooke

Jeremy Cooke

Sir Jeremy Cooke retired from the High Court Bench in 2016, having been appointed in 2001. He sat regularly in the Commercial Court presiding over the full gamut of business conducted in that court and being the Judge in charge of that court from 2012 – 2014. He is now an international arbitrator and a Justice of the Dubai International Financial Court and an International Justice of the Singapore International Commercial Court. He regularly sits as party appointed arbitrator or as chairman in arbitrations conducted under the rules of the ICC, LCIA and LMAA and is appointed to the panel of Shanghai International Arbitration Centre (SHIAC) and other panels elsewhere as well as sitting in ad hoc arbitrations or arbitrations under the auspices of other international institutions.
Daniel Corteville

Daniel Corteville

encompassing insurance and reinsurance; professional negligence; civil fraud; shipping and general commercial disputes. Daniel is also a mediator (CEDR-accredited and a Registered Mediator with the Civil Mediation Council) and accepts instructions as a mediator across a broad range of commercial disputes. Daniel has particular expertise in insurance and reinsurance. He has acted (both led and as sole counsel) in a wide variety of insurance and reinsurance disputes, and spent eight months on secondment at the insurance and reinsurance team of a leading London firm. Daniel’s expertise has been recognised by The Legal 500, which ranks him as a leading junior (band 3) in this area. Much of Daniel’s work has an international dimension, and he has experience of jurisdiction and private international law issues. Daniel is also a fluent Spanish speaker. Examples of Daniel’s recent work include: Acting for Dubai Aerospace (one of the lead Claimants) in the Russian Aircraft Litigation. In the trial of claims under the “Lessor Policies”, Daniel’s clients successfully argued that the decision to retain leased aircraft in Russia was covered as a War Risk peril (amongst other points). Junior counsel in major reinsurance arbitrations concerning coverage for aggregated losses arising out of the Covid-19 pandemic. Sole counsel in a claim for Covid-19 Business Interruption losses, applying the High Court and Supreme Court judgments in the FCA Test Case. Junior counsel in a major commodities arbitration relating to Russian sanctions imposed by the UK and other jurisdictions. Various applications in the Commercial Court, including an urgent interim application for the payment of a specified fund into court and an application for summary judgment on a defaulted loan. Before commencing practice, Daniel spent five months as a full-time Judicial Assistant in the Commercial Court, assisting Judges with a variety of trials and procedural hearings, including sitting as the judicial assistant to Bryan J in the trial of National Bank Trust v Yurov & Others [2020] EWHC 100 (Comm), a fraudulent misappropriation claim brought by a Russian bank against its former directors and shareholders.
Sarah Cowey

Sarah Cowey

Sarah Cowey specialises in all areas of commercial law with a particular emphasis on insurance and reinsurance, professional negligence, shipping and international trade and sale of goods. Sarah is regularly instructed as sole counsel as well as being led, often as part of a team of counsel, in large, complex commercial disputes. She has appeared in the Court of Appeal, Commercial Court, County Courts and in arbitration (both in London and in Singapore). In addition, Sarah has a substantial advisory practice, regularly advising and settling pleadings in a wide variety of commercial disputes, with particular experience in shipping and insurance and reinsurance matters.
Patrick Devine

Patrick Devine

Patrick accepts instructions across all areas of commercial law. His recent and current instructions include: Acting for a multinational in a civil fraud claim in the Commercial Court worth c. £100m. Acting for reinsurers in a multimillion-pound Bermuda arbitration relating to an E&O policy. Acting for a multinational seeking a permanent anti-suit injunction in the Commercial Court. Acting for the respondent to a s. 69 arbitration appeal in the Commercial Court. Before joining 7 King’s Bench Walk, Patrick was the Judicial Assistant to Lord Leggatt in the Supreme Court and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (2022-2023) and to Mr Justice Calver in the Commercial Court (2021-2022). He has therefore gained significant insight into both first instance and appellate proceedings from the judicial perspective. Patrick also previously practised as a solicitor at a Magic Circle law firm working in commercial litigation and arbitration in London and Washington DC where he gained experience of large-scale commercial disputes, investor-State dispute settlement and SFO investigations.
James Drake KC

James Drake KC

James is a full-time arbitrator, with a practice covering a wide range of international commercial and sporting disputes. James has extensive experience in international commercial arbitrations (whether as sole or co-arbitrator or chairman) under the auspices of the American Arbitration Association (AAA), the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), the Singapore Maritime Academy (SMA) and the Swiss Arbitration Centre (SAC), as well as in ad hoc arbitrations.  He is a member of ICC (Australia), the LCIA, a fellow of the CIArb, a fellow of the Australian Centre for International Arbitration (ACIA), a member of the CIArb’s Presidential Panel, and a chartered arbitrator. His recent appointments in the commercial arena have included disputes in areas such as: commodities and international sale of goods, energy, oil rigs, finance, share sales, corporate fraud, joint ventures, limited liability partnerships, insurance/reinsurance, and international infrastructure projects.  His recent commercial appointments are listed below. James also has had extensive experience in sport arbitrations and is a member of the panel of arbitrators for the Court of Arbitration for Sport (in Lausanne) (CAS) and of Sport Resolutions (SR). His recent appointments in sport arbitrations are listed below.
David Edwards KC

David Edwards KC

David Edwards KC specialises in commercial litigation and arbitration, both as an advocate and as an advisor, in particular in insurance and reinsurance - where he is acknowledged as one of the leading silks at the bar - banking and finance, professional negligence, commercial arbitration and shipping and international trade. A good deal of his work is done in confidential arbitration. His practice is international, and he has substantial experience of working together with foreign lawyers (particularly United States lawyers) and dealing with cases governed by a foreign substantive law (in particular New York law).  He is well known as an expert in Bermuda Form arbitrations and has acted as leading counsel in a number of very high value cases.  He was Chambers & Partners Insurance Silk of the Year in 2013 and has been nominated for the same award on three other occasions. In addition to his practice as an advocate, David Edwards has sat and accepts appointments as sole or as party-appointed arbitrator in ad hoc or institutional (ICC and LCIA) arbitrations. He has also been instructed to give expert evidence on English insurance law for the purposes of foreign proceedings. David Edwards was appointed by the Lord Chief Justice as a Deputy High Court Judge, sitting in the King’s Bench Division, predominantly in the Commercial Court, between 2017 and 2023.
Adam Fenton

Adam Fenton

Adam acts as an advocate in Court and Arbitration work in the following core areas of practice: Insurance (non-marine and marine), Reinsurance, Professional Negligence, Shipping and Sale of Goods. In the past four to five years, the focus of his work has remained his ongoing insurance and reinsurance practice and his prominence in that field is reflected in his involvement in the major cases of the last three or four years. He appeared in the COVID-19 test case FCA v Arch Insurance, which was heard in the Divisional Court [2020] EWHC Comm 2448 and then the Supreme Court [2021] UKSC 1 on an expedited basis. He acted for Hiscox, instructed by A&O Sherman. He then appeared in a further COVID-19 test case Stonegate v MS Amlin [2022] EWHC 2549 acting for insurers, instructed by DACB. He is acted for All Risk Insurers in the Russian Aircraft litigation, concerning insurance claims for western leased aircraft remaining in Russia, heard as a 12-week trial in the Commercial Court in October 2024. Adam also sits as an arbitrator in his core areas of practice and is a CEDR accredited mediator. Current arbitration cases include maritime and international sale of goods and shipbuilding cases, as well as insurance matters. Adam has recently mediated sale of goods, maritime and insurance matters.
Peter Ferrer

Peter Ferrer

Peter Ferrer is an experienced and robust trial lawyer practising in a wide range of commercial matters in England and Wales, the British Virgin Islands and in international arbitration. He is a trusted adviser to private individuals, corporations, office holders and governments. Peter has appeared at every court level including both Courts of Appeal of England and Wales and the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, the United Kingdom Supreme Court and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. Prior to joining chambers, Peter was Co-Global Head of Harneys’ Litigation, Insolvency and Restructuring team based in the British Virgin Islands. He is known for his approachable manner combined with first class legal skills and his law firm experience means he understands law firm dynamics and the importance of teamwork. He is regularly recommended in the global legal directories. Peter has acted as an expert in various jurisdictions including the United States, Singapore and Pakistan. He served on the British Virgin Islands Commercial Court Users committee and the British Virgin Islands Civil Procedural Rules steering committee. He is a former member of the BVI IAC Arbitration Committee. He has acted as arbitrator and mediator and accepts appointments for both. He undertakes all forms of advocacy including drafting and advisory work in the following fields: Offshore disputes involving joint ventures, companies, directors’ liabilities and shareholder disputes. Insolvency and Restructuring, particularly relating to BVI company structures. Asset tracing and enforcement. Fraud including relating to cryptocurrencies. Shipping including charter party and bill of lading disputes, ship sale and construction disputes. Commercial litigation. Insurance and Reinsurance. International Arbitration including ad hoc, ICC, LCIA, JAMS, AAA and BVI IAC. Injunctive Relief including Norwich Pharmacal Orders, freezing injunctions (domestic and worldwide) and anti-suit injunctions.
Emma Franklin

Emma Franklin

Emma is developing a busy practice across the breadth of commercial law, including insurance, general commercial disputes, international arbitration, shipping, shipbuilding and civil fraud. Her current and recent instructions include being led in a multi-million euro arbitration involving the breach of a yacht construction agreement, being led in a civil fraud dispute concerning an unlawful means conspiracy and acting as sole counsel in an LMAA arbitration involving the constructive total loss of a yacht. Emma accepts instructions as sole counsel and as junior counsel in all of 7KBW’s specialist areas. Before commencing pupillage, Emma worked as a legal researcher at the “Zondo” Commission of Inquiry into State Capture in South Africa. During the year in which she was a member of the legal team, she was seconded to the Chief Evidence Leader. She assisted with drafting heads of argument, conducting legal research, preparation for leading of witnesses and drafting analyses of evidence which formed part of the Chairperson’s final report. She co-authored the chapter on public procurement reform.
Joshua Fung

Joshua Fung

Joshua accepts instructions across all areas of commercial law. He acted in the Russian Aircraft LP Claims [2025] EWHC 1430 (Comm), which were some of the largest insurance claims ever brought before the English courts. He continues to act in other significant insurance disputes arising out of the war in Ukraine. Joshua’s other recent and current instructions include: acting, successfully, for charterers in an arbitration involving allegations of dishonesty; acting for reinsurers in a Bermuda Form arbitration (applying New York law) in relation to liabilities arising out of the opioid epidemic in the US; acting for insurers in relation to a dispute involving US sanctions; acting for a mining company in a very high value dispute involving allegations of bribery; and acting and advising, unled, in relation to various commercial disputes with arbitration in London and Singapore. Joshua has spent time seconded to a law firm in Singapore, where he was instructed on an investor-state dispute and assisted with submissions to the Singapore Court of Appeal on a novel point of law concerning the relationship between a seat court and an enforcement court: The Republic of India v Deutsche Telekom [2023] SGCA(I) 10. Joshua is comfortable receiving instructions and documents in Mandarin Chinese, Bahasa Malaysia, and Bahasa Indonesia.
Jocelin Gale

Jocelin Gale

Jocelin’s practice covers all aspects of commercial litigation and arbitration, with a particular emphasis on shipping, private international law, insurance and reinsurance, and banking (particularly derivatives). Jocelin was nominated for “Financial Services and Insurance Junior of the Year” by the Legal 500 in 2022. Jocelin has appeared at all levels of the court system, including the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom and the Court of Appeal. His practice covers a wide range of commercial litigation, including charterparty and (re-)insurance disputes, as well as finance and banking, civil fraud and conflict of laws. Recently instructed on a large-scale action involving the alleged mis-selling of a US$1bn synthetic leveraged option on a fund of hedge funds, Jocelin was also instructed by the Defendants in the Djibouti v Boreh matter (a US$150m claim heard over ten weeks before the Commercial Court) and by the successful appellants in The “Alexandros T” (a landmark jurisdiction dispute under the Brussels Regulation that went before the Supreme Court). Previously, Jocelin worked as an investment banker for several years in Paris, London, and latterly as an equity derivatives trader with Credit Suisse in New York, where he was responsible for the US single stock correlation book and the Nasdaq exotics book. Jocelin has extensive experience in capital markets instruments, including swaps (and associated ISDA agreements), derivatives (both vanilla and exotic), and structured products generally.
Gavin Geary

Gavin Geary

Gavin Geary’s practice encompasses most areas of commercial law seen in the Commercial Court and London arbitration, including shipping, trade, and carriage of goods, professional negligence, and insurance and reinsurance, as well as more general contractual disputes and general commercial law. He has extensive experience as an advocate in both shorter trials, applications and arbitrations, and in substantial litigation involving complex factual and technical issues. He is equally at home dealing with extensive documentary and witness evidence as in analysing and presenting detailed legal argument. “He marshals the facts of the case superbly and really operates on the level of a QC.” (WWL) Gavin aims to be approachable and to work as part of a team with solicitors, clients and experts, and to be engaged as much in the strategic planning and general preparation of a case in the months before a trial as with the presentation of it on the day. Gavin’s advisory work is often related to ongoing or anticipated litigation, but is always given with a firmly commercial perspective. “Definitely somebody it is good to have on your side.” (Legal 500)
Julia Gibbon

Julia Gibbon

Julia Gibbon practises across all areas of commercial law, with a particular emphasis on insurance, jurisdiction / conflict of laws, professional negligence, shipping, civil fraud, and commodities. She has been recognised by The Legal 500 2024, 2025 and 2026 as a “rising star” in the field of insurance and reinsurance. Julia accepts instructions as sole counsel and as a junior in all of 7KBW’s specialist areas. Current and recent led work includes: Greensill Bank v Zurich Insurance (led by Noel Casey KC and Sarah Cowey) Wahaca v QIC Europe Limited [2024] EWHC 394 (Comm) (led by Peter MacDonald Eggers KC) the SKAT litigation (acting for a group of alleged fraud defendants, led by Keir Howie) the Russian Aircraft Operator Policy Claims (led by Alistair Schaff KC, Rebecca Sabben-Clare KC, Alexander MacDonald, Sandra Healy and Frederick Alliott) Carillion v KPMG (led by Rebecca Sabben-Clare KC, Tim Kenefick and Andrew Fenn) Bell v Singh [2022] EWHC 3272 (representing the successful claimants in a six-day civil fraud trial, led by Jason Robinson) Compagnie des Grands Hôtels d’Afrique SA v Purdy [2021] EWHC 1031 (QB) (a dispute arising from a letter of request which raised issues relating to the privilege against self-incrimination and Article 6 ECHR, led by David Edwards KC) Knapfield v C.A.R.S Holdings Limited [2022] EWHC 1437 (led by Jessica Sutherland) ABN Amro Bank v RSA [2021] EWHC 442 (Comm) (led by Rebecca Sabben-Clare KC and Benjamin Parker) Julia appears unled in the High Court and the County Court. She recently appeared as sole counsel in a successful application for a freezing injunction in the Commercial Court, and has acted on matters relating to business interruption insurance, solicitors’ invoices, shipping and commodities.
Anna Gotts

Anna Gotts

Anna has a broad commercial practice, with a particular emphasis on insurance (in which she is a leading junior) and international arbitration.  She is regularly involved in high profile cases and has appeared in the Commercial Court, the Court of Appeal and the Privy Council in a wide variety of disputes, as well as in many international arbitrations (including LMAA, LCIA and ICC).   Anna also has a strong advisory practice, with a loyal following of solicitors who frequently seek her advice on complex commercial issues including policy coverage and validity, professional negligence and sanctions. Anna is currently engaged by Reed Smith LLP in well-publicised proceedings involving Barclays Bank PLC and in a significant product liability insurance arbitration.  Other highlighted cases include: Quadra Commodities SA v XL Insurance Company SE, now the leading case on insurable interest; Mamancochet Mining Ltd v Aegis Managing Agency Ltd (and others) addressing the impact of US sanctions against Iran; and Aircraft Purchase Fleet Limited v Compagnia Aerea Italiana S.p.A., concerning the lease of aircraft to the former operator of the Alitalia airline.
James Goudkamp

James Goudkamp

James practises in all areas of commercial law although he has a particular interest in professional negligence, property damage, civil fraud and insurance. He is widely acknowledged, both in England and internationally, as one of the leading scholars on the common law of torts. James regularly appears in the Commercial Court in high-value complex cases. James’s practice involves a mixture of work in which he is led and in which he is instructed as sole counsel. Alongside litigation, his practice extends to arbitration in insurance and shipping matters and involves a significant advisory element. In addition to his busy practice, James is Professor of the Law of Obligations at the University of Oxford and is the author of almost 150 publications. His work is regularly cited by judges throughout the common law world and James is widely regarded as a leading expert on tort law. Internationally recognised for his work in this regard, James is a member of the American Law Institute and served as an Advisor to the Restatement (Third) of Torts: Intentional Torts to Persons (the Restatement is the most important source of tort law in the United States). His writings address myriad topics including the duty and standard of care in the tort of negligence, the illegality defence, the law of contributory negligence (on which he has written two books) and the law of damages.
Douglas Grant

Douglas Grant

Douglas Grant specialises in commercial litigation and arbitration, with a particular focus on insurance, shipping, commodities and energy. Douglas’ current and recent work includes: Nordic Power Partners v Rio Alto Energia, acting as sole counsel for companies connected with the Danish climate investment fund in a dispute arising out of the sale of solar power projects in Brazil. Douglas successfully obtained interim injunctions to restrain the distribution of the sale proceeds until trial: [2025] EWHC 2875 (Comm). Russian Aircraft OP Claims, acting for the lead group of claimants in the multi-billion-dollar Russian Aircraft Operator Policy claims, in which the claimants successfully resisted a jurisdiction challenge on the grounds that (among other things) they were unlikely to obtain a fair trial in Russia: [2024] EWHC 734 (Comm). Tyson International Company Ltd v Partner Re Insurance Europe SE [2023] EWHC 3423 (Comm); [2024] EWCA Civ 363, acting for the successful defendant in obtaining a stay of English proceedings under s.9 of the Arbitration Act 1996 and resisting an appeal to the Court of Appeal, led by James Brocklebank KC. Technip Saudi Arabia v Mediterranean & Gulf Insurance and Reinsurance Co. [2023] EWHC 1859 (Comm); [2024] EWCA Civ 481, acting for the successful defendant in a US$31m claim under a policy of offshore construction all risks insurance and resisting an appeal to the Court of Appeal, led by James Brocklebank KC. R (Manchikalapati & Ors) v Financial Services Compensation Scheme [2022] EWHC 2228 (Admin); [2023] EWCA Civ 1006, a judicial review of a decision by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, led by James Drake KC. Greggs Plc v Zurich Insurance Plc [2022] EWHC 2545 (Comm), a preliminary issues trial concerning the aggregation of Covid-19 business interruption losses and deductions for government support, led by Peter MacDonald Eggers KC and Sandra Healy. FCA v Arch [2021] UKSC 1, a leapfrog appeal to the Supreme Court concerning insurance cover for business interruption losses arising out of the Covid-19 pandemic, led by Jonathan Gaisman KC and Adam Fenton KC. In addition to the reported cases above, Douglas’ recent work includes a range of confidential arbitrations, including: A £50m+ arbitration involving allegations of fraudulent non-disclosure, led by Peter MacDonald Eggers KC. Acting as sole counsel in multiple commodities arbitrations under GAFTA and FOSFA rules. Acting as sole counsel in multiple shipping arbitrations under LMAA and other institutional rules. A Bermuda Form arbitration concerning defective products sold in the US market, led by Gavin Kealey KC and Sushma Ananda. Before coming to the Bar, Douglas graduated from the University of Oxford with a First Class degree in Modern Languages. He speaks French, German and Swedish.
Sandra Healy

Sandra Healy

Sandra is a “reliable and responsive” barrister who has a broad commercial practice with particular focus on insurance and reinsurance, shipping, international trade, energy and international arbitration. Sandra regularly appears as an advocate in Court and in international arbitrations. Sandra has experience acting as sole advocate, with leading counsel and as part of larger legal teams. Recent work includes Covid-19 business interruption insurance disputes, aviation insurance disputes, and a range of charterparty and sale of goods disputes. Many of Sandra’s cases involve jurisdiction issues and interim relief. She particularly enjoys working on these cases and has been instructed to appear in a number of jurisdiction challenge, anti-suit injunction and freezing injunction hearings. She also accepts appointments to act as an arbitrator. She has acted as an arbitrator appointed by the LCIA Court and in ad hoc arbitrations.
Siobán Healy KC

Siobán Healy KC

Siobán Healy KC practises commercial law, including; arbitration, insurance and reinsurance, international carriage of goods and commodities, shipping, professional negligence, conflict of laws and jurisdiction disputes, and banking. Siobán acted for the lead Claimants in the litigation arising out of the Buncefield explosion and for the appellant reinsurers in Wasa v. Lexington, one of the last ever judgments to be given by the House of Lords. She is retained in several unrelated Commercial court actions involving allegations of professional negligence by insurance brokers and solicitors. Siobán acted for insurers in the long-running Metro litigation. She has also been involved in the film finance insurance litigation. In recent years Siobán has been instructed in a number of insurance disputes relating to political risks and trade credit insurance, directors’ and officers’ liability, mis-selling of financial products, construction risks, the Lloyd’s market, alleged brokers’ negligence and commodity and shipping and arbitration appeals. She is frequently involved as an advocate or arbitrator in insurance, reinsurance, maritime and sale of goods arbitrations and mediations, and in advisory work in relation to commodity arbitrations where legal representation at hearings is not ordinarily permitted. During the last year her shipping and commodities practice has included disputes under charterparties and bills of lading, shipbuilding and ship sale contracts, sale of goods contracts and related financial transactions.
Sophie Hepburn

Sophie Hepburn

Sophie accepts instructions as sole counsel and as a junior in all 7KBW’s practice areas, including insurance, shipping, aviation, international arbitration, commodities, civil fraud, professional negligence and professional discipline. Her current and recent work includes: Acting for the Claimant in a high-value international arbitration concerning a contractual dispute under a commercial agreement (led by Stephen Hofmeyr KC). Acting for Insurers in a complex D&O coverage dispute concerning defence costs and issues arising from alleged criminal conduct (in a team led by Peter MacDonald Eggers KC). Acting for the Claimant policyholders in a substantial property insurance dispute arising out of alleged defects in residential properties (led by Jawdat Khurshid KC). Acting as sole counsel for the Claimant policyholders in a cargo insurance claim arising from the alleged misappropriation of agricultural commodities. Acting for the Financial Reporting Council in a disciplinary matter under the Accountancy Scheme. From July to December 2025, undertook a six-month secondment in Kennedys’ insurance team, acting for insurers in a wide range of insurance disputes across professional indemnity, D&O, crime, political risk, marine/cargo, property and trade credit insurance, including the high-profile Australian Greensill insurance litigation. Acted for the successful aviation hull all risks insurers in the multi-billion-pound Russian Aircraft LP Claims [2025] EWHC 1430 (Comm), concerning the loss of aircraft following the invasion of Ukraine (in a team led by Gavin Kealey KC). Acted for the successful Claimants in Delos Shipholding SA & Ors v Allianz Global Corporate and Specialty SE & Ors (“WIN WIN”), a major Commercial Court and Court of Appeal dispute arising from the detention of a vessel (in a team led by Peter MacDonald Eggers KC): [2024] EWHC 719 (Comm); [2025] EWCA Civ 1019.
Josephine Higgs KC

Josephine Higgs KC

Josephine Higgs KC has a broad commercial practice with particular expertise in insurance and reinsurance, professional negligence, civil fraud, conflict of laws and jurisdiction, and international arbitration. She is regularly instructed in high value commercial disputes in the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, and in domestic and international arbitrations (including ICC, LCIA, ARIAS and Bermuda Form). She frequently acts in matters with an international flavour, often involving conflicts of laws and jurisdictional issues and matters of international commerce. Jo has extensive experience of large-scale, long-running, complex disputes working closely with other counsel, solicitors, clients, factual and expert witnesses. Her ability to work well with others is often cited as one of her particular strengths. Recent cases include: International Entertainment Holdings & Ors v Allianz [2025] 1 All E.R. (Comm) 623 (Court of Appeal, business interruption insurance claim) Liberty Mutual v Bath Racecourse [2025] EWCA Civ 153 (Court of Appeal, business interruption insurance claim) Russian Aircraft Operator Policy Claims [2024] 4 WLR 47 (jurisdiction challenge); Al Mana Lifestyle Holdings v United Lifestyle [2023] Lloyd’s Rep IR 359  (Court of Appeal, jurisdiction challenge) Harcus Sinclair LLP v Your Lawyers [2022] AC 1281 (Supreme Court, restraint of trade and solicitors’ undertakings) the FCA Covid Business Interruption Insurance test case (acting on behalf of successful policyholders) Patisserie Valerie Holdings v Grant Thornton [2021] EWHC 3022 (Comm) (auditors’ negligence claim acting for claimants and Simetra Global Assets v Ikon Finance [2019] 4 WLR 112 (civil fraud, successful appeal to Court of Appeal).
Emma Hilliard

Emma Hilliard

Emma Hilliard specialises in commercial litigation and confidential arbitration, with particular expertise and experience in insurance and reinsurance, aviation, shipping, energy, sale of goods, professional negligence, banking, conflict of laws and other general commercial disputes. Emma was called to the Bar in 2006 and joined 7KBW as a tenant in 2007, following the completion of her pupillage here. As well as appearing in Court (the Court of Appeal, Commercial Court, Queen’s Bench Division, Technology and Construction Court, London Mercantile Court, Coroner’s Court and County Courts), Emma has substantial experience of appearing in confidential arbitrations. She acts as sole counsel in smaller disputes in Court and arbitrations and as junior counsel (including as part of a team of counsel) in larger trials and arbitrations. Emma has been described as “a very good communicator” who “has a very bright future” (The Legal 500). She has experience acting in variety of contractual disputes (having previously been a Supervisor in Contract Law at Gonville and Caius College, University of Cambridge, 2005-2006).
Stephen Hofmeyr KC

Stephen Hofmeyr KC

Stephen Hofmeyr KC is a leading commercial barrister with a wide-ranging international commercial law practice. He is also a part-time judge in the Commercial Court in London (Deputy High Court Judge) and a seasoned international arbitrator. His relatively unique combination of legal and accounting qualifications has equipped him to specialise in all aspects of commercial law and make him particularly suited to complex disputes. With a strong sectoral focus across a wide range of practice areas, Stephen’s expertise in commercial law ranges from complex commercial contract disputes, to related company law claims, both for individuals and corporate clients, in particular, shareholder disputes and claims against directors. Stephen Hofmeyr KC’s substantial diet of work includes international arbitration, energy and natural resources, insurance and reinsurance and professional negligence disputes. His transport sector experience encompasses aviation, rail, shipping and related commodities claims.  His off-shore and on-shore construction experience includes complex, long-running, substantial and technical on-shore and off-shore energy, rig, FPSO and shipbuilding litigation and arbitration, with the subject matter covering power stations, pipelines (sub-sea and land based), ships, rigs, FPSOs, facilities and equipment, through all stages from construction to decommissioning, involving expert evidence, in highly complex and time-consuming cases, with heavy factual and expert evidence.
Michael Holmes KC

Michael Holmes KC

Michael Holmes KC specialises in all aspects of commercial law, including insurance and reinsurance, shipping and international trade, commercial fraud, professional negligence (including underwriting agents, brokers and solicitors), conflict of laws and jurisdiction disputes, as well as more general commercial disputes. He appears regularly in the Commercial Court, and the Chancery Division of the High Court as well as in arbitration. Recent cases include Libyan Investment Authority v JP Morgan Markets Limited [2019] EWHC 1452 (Comm) (contesting jurisdiction on limitation grounds), AXA Versicherung AG v Arab Insurance Group [2017] Lloyd’s Rep IR 216 (Court of Appeal; avoidance of a reinsurance treaty), and Pan Oceanic Chartering v Unipec UK [2017] Lloyd’s Rep Plus 32 (suit by sole agent in a long-term contract of affreightment).
Keir Howie

Keir Howie

Keir Howie maintains a wide-ranging practice in commercial litigation and arbitration. He has particular expertise in insurance and reinsurance, civil fraud, shipping and international trade, and all aspects of private international law. Keir has substantial experience of large-scale disputes, and he is familiar with the unique demands of heavy commercial trials in which very large sums are at stake. He has acted in several of the most high-profile commercial cases of recent years: prominent examples include the Russian Aircraft LP Claims (concerning aircraft lost following the war in Ukraine), Brillante Virtuoso (marine insurance fraud), Republic of Djibouti v Boreh (alleged corruption relating to infrastructure projects in Africa) and Excalibur v Gulf Keystone (dispute over oil and gas exploration rights in Iraqi Kurdistan). Each of these disputes involved claims for hundreds of millions of dollars and trials lasting for several months, and all attracted significant media interest.
Rebecca Jacobs

Rebecca Jacobs

Rebecca has a broad commercial practice, with a particular focus on insurance and reinsurance, jurisdiction and conflicts of laws, commodities, shipping, civil fraud, and general commercial disputes. She has appeared led in the Court of Appeal, Commercial Court, Chancery Division and in international arbitrations and unled in the Commercial Court, Queen’s Bench Division and County Court. Current and recent instructions include: V Ships Limited v Luna [2025] EWHC 3329 (Comm): acted for successful claimant in an expedited Commercial Court trial for contempt of court concerning breach of an antisuit injunction. Transworld Shipping Lines Limited v Globwin For Forwarding Company: obtained (as sole counsel) an interim mandatory injunction before Henshaw J in the Commercial Court compelling the provision of security under a letter of indemnity. In a subsequent hearing, Dias J awarded Rebecca’s clients their costs. AerCap Ireland Ltd v AIG Europe SA & Ors (Russian Aircraft Lessor Policy Claims) [2025] EWHC 1430 (Comm): acted for a major insurer in three-month mega trial of claims under lessor policies arising out of aircraft stranded in Russia. Earlier in the proceedings, Rebecca’s client was successful in a joinder application (AerCap Ireland Limited v AIG and Others [2023] EWHC 96 (Comm)). Unipolsai v Covea; Markel v General Reinsurance AG [2024] EWHC 253 (Comm): appeared in the first Covid-19 reinsurance case before the Commercial Court, determining issues of major market importance concerning the application of standard CAT XL wording to Covid BI losses.
Tim Jenns

Tim Jenns

Tim has a broad commercial practice with a particular focus on insurance and reinsurance; commercial fraud; banking and finance, shipping; international trade; energy and natural resources; sale of goods; professional liability and conflict of laws.  Tim accepts instructions as sole counsel or as part of a team.  Tim has appeared in the Supreme Court (in the seminal insurance aggregation case, AIG Europe Ltd v Woodman [2017] UKSC 18), the Court of Appeal, the High Court, the Dubai International Financial Centre Court, in numerous arbitrations and before a joint disciplinary tribunal regarding the alleged misconduct of auditors, actuaries and accountants in business.
Gavin Kealey

Gavin Kealey

Gavin Kealey KC is widely acknowledged to be one of the leading commercial silks practising at the English Bar both as Counsel and as Arbitrator. He is Head of Chambers at 7 King’s Bench Walk, a Deputy High Court Judge with significant judgments to his name, and a Bencher of the Inner Temple. He specialises in commercial law, and practises at all levels, including in reported decisions in the last five years in the Supreme Court, the Privy Council, the Court of Appeal, and the Commercial Court, and the Abu Dhabi Global Market Court of Appeal. He is exceptionally well-known and in demand both as counsel and as arbitrator in international arbitrations in all parts of the world, and additionally as expert on English law and jurisdiction. He holds rankings across eight practice areas, including Star Individual or Band 1 rankings in Insurance & Reinsurance, Aviation and International Arbitration (as both Counsel and Arbitrator). In 2022 he was The Legal 500’s Financial Services Silk of the Year.
Dominic Kendrick KC

Dominic Kendrick KC

Dominic Kendrick KC had been regularly appointed as a sole arbitrator, a party-appointed arbitrator or a chairperson since 1997, and he became a full-time arbitrator in 2025. His last trial was the multi-billion dollar Russian Airline commercial court case in which he had a major role, presenting the argument on construction for virtually the entire insurance market. He acts as arbitrator in a wide range of contractual disputes. The staple fare of his arbitration work is shipping and shipbuilding, insurance and reinsurance, offshore energy and construction, oil trading, commodity contracts, and one-off commercial disputes particularly where fraud has been alleged. Dominic is deeply experienced in arbitrations conducted under the auspices of the major arbitral institutions, notably LCIA, LMAA, ICC, ARIAS, DIAC, SIAT and UNCITRAL. He is also regularly appointed under contracts with ad hoc arbitration clauses, such as Bermuda Form, sale of goods, shipping, insurance, agency and construction contracts. He is also fairly frequently appointed in disputes where English is not the proper law of the contract.
Stephen Kenny KC

Stephen Kenny KC

Stephen Kenny KC acts as an advocate in commercial litigation and arbitration and advises on all stages of the conduct of such proceedings. He also has significant advisory practice, particularly in relation to insurance matters. From the outset of his career, he has acted in all manners of shipping and marine insurance matters. He has appeared in numerous shipping arbitrations and court hearings. He has unique experience of “scuttling” cases, having represented insurers in The Captain Panagos DP, The Ikarian Reefer, and The Brillante Virtuoso. He has acquired a rare understanding of the law of general average, acting in The Maersk Neuchatel; and leading for owners in a successful appeal to the Supreme Court in The Longchamp. He has advised and acted extensively in relation to the commercial and insurance consequences of the Russian invasion of Ukraine; including the imposition of UK and international sanctions. He also has long practice in non-marine insurance and reinsurance cases, including claims against brokers and other professional advisers. He has acted for the Corporation of Lloyd’s, both in civil disputes and in relation to disciplinary proceedings. More recently, he has extended his experience to aviation insurance; acted in credit-hire cases; advised in relation to a long-term gas supply contract, appeared in ship-building-related arbitrations, and acted for English buyers of Cypriot holiday homes bought “off-plan”. He has advised in relation to insurance of the risk of losing an appeal; on the insurance aspects of an internet lottery; on the insurance regulation of invoice discounters; and on various aspects of trade credit insurance and travel insurance cover. He has also given expert evidence on English law to courts in Belgium and in the United States, and to a Swedish arbitral tribunal. He has extensive experience of acting in large-scale and multi-jurisdictional disputes (and thus has a detailed understanding of conflicts of law issues). He is a team player who enjoys working with technical experts, with foreign lawyers and with foreign clients. Most of his recent work has been related to confidential arbitrations, or other matters, the details of which cannot be disclosed. He also accepts appointments as an arbitrator; and has acted (successfully) as a mediator in a significant ship-building-related dispute.
Simon Kerr

Simon Kerr

Simon is a barrister specialising in commercial law and all aspects of commercial litigation and arbitration, with particular expertise in insurance and reinsurance, shipping, energy and natural resources, professional negligence and general commercial disputes. He has been involved in a large number of high profile commercial cases in the Commercial Court, in the appellate courts and in arbitration.  His work is split evenly between cases in the High Court and those involving arbitration, whether English arbitration, international arbitration (under rules such as ICC or LCIA) or “Bermuda Form” arbitration.
Jawdat Khurshid KC

Jawdat Khurshid KC

Jawdat specialises in all aspects of commercial litigation and arbitration, with a particular prominence in insurance and reinsurance disputes, where he has long been acknowledged as a leading practitioner at the bar. As part of a broad commercial litigation and arbitration practice, Jawdat acts as an advocate and as an adviser in a wide range of commercial disputes, many of which are complex and have an international element.  In addition to insurance and reinsurance matters, Jawdat is regularly engaged in matters in the fields of shipping and commodities, commercial fraud, energy and natural resources, banking and finance, and sanctions. Jawdat is currently engaged on behalf of members of the War Risks insurance market in AerCap Ireland Limited v AIG Europe S.A. and Lloyd’s Insurance Company S.A. and in other leading cases concerned with the alleged loss of aircraft and engines leased to Russian airlines following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent imposition of Western sanctions against Russia.  Other current instructions include arbitrations concerned with claims under policies of political violence insurance and trade credit insurance, and with the operation of a container terminal. Recent cases include Quadra Commodities S.A. v XL Insurance Company SE [2023] EWCA Civ 432 (CA) (a case arising out of the Agroinvestgroup fraud concerned with the question whether an insured who had paid the purchase price had an insurable interest in unascertained goods); CRF I Limited v Banco Nacional de Cuba and the Republic of Cuba [2023] EWHC 774 (Comm) (a challenge by the former central bank of Cuba to the jurisdiction of the English Court to determine a creditor’s claim to enforce historic Cuban sovereign debt); McPhee v Colina Insurance Limited [2023] UKPC 8 (PC) (an appeal from the Court of Appeal of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council concerned with the operation of ‘universal life’ insurance policies); Aramco Trading Fujairah FZE v Gulf Petrochem FZC (“The Kronviken”) [2022] EWHC 57 (Comm) (a case arising out of the Gulf Petrochem fraud in which a buyer of fuel oil, who paid against a letter of indemnity in the absence of the bills of lading, obtained a mandatory injunction against the seller); Harcus Sinclair LLP v Your Lawyers Limited [2021] UKSC 32 (SC) (a case before the Supreme Court concerned with the question whether a restriction in a non-disclosure agreement signed in connection with the Volkswagen diesel emissions scandal constituted a solicitor’s undertaking enforceable by the Court pursuant to its inherent supervisory jurisdiction over solicitors).
Elizabeth Lindesay

Elizabeth Lindesay

Barrister practising across a wide range of areas of commercial law, with particular emphasis on insurance and reinsurance, aviation, professional negligence and civil fraud. Some highlights include: Representing the reinsured in a number of Covid-19 business interruption reinsurance claims Representing trade credit insurers in a US$32 million arbitration claim in Singapore Representing Excess Insurers in a US$34 million Bermuda Form arbitration Dana Petroleum (E&P) Ltd v. Zurich Insurance PLC and Ors, representing the oil and gas company in its £30 million claims against its insurers Deslauriers v Guardian Asset Management Limited in the Privy Council, acting on behalf of the successful Respondent lender, in a case concerning the scope of a lender’s duty to advise borrowers Ardila Investment NV v ENRC NV, a US$285 million SPA dispute involving allegations of fraud Defending aviation liability insurers against a US$30 million claim AB Orlen Lietuva v Aon UK Ltd, a US$100 million professional negligence claim against the insurance brokers
Charles Littlewood

Charles Littlewood

Charles is developing a busy practice across the breadth of commercial law, including insurance, general commercial disputes, international arbitration, shipping, commodities, and civil fraud. He accepts instructions as sole counsel and as junior counsel in all 7KBW’s specialist areas. Before joining 7KBW, Charles worked as a legal researcher for counsel acting for Ukraine in litigation before the International Court of Justice. He maintains a keen personal and professional interest in Public International Law and accepts instructions in this field. Charles studied Modern and Medieval Languages at the University of Cambridge, where he achieved a Double First. After graduating, he was awarded the Paul Mellon Fellowship, a fully-funded scholarship for postgraduate study at Yale University. Upon completing his MA degree (which was focused principally on Russian foreign policy), Charles was awarded funding to spend a year as a Visiting Fellow at Yale’s MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies. Having taken the opportunity to explore the legal side of his research interests at Yale, he commenced his formal legal studies at City Law School on his return to the UK.
Alexander MacDonald

Alexander MacDonald

Alexander has a broad commercial practice and is recommended as a leading junior in the fields of Commercial Litigation, Energy, Insurance and Reinsurance, International Arbitration, and Shipping. The legal directories describe him as “phenomenally talented and hardworking” and have awarded him “Insurance Junior of the Year” and “Shipping Junior of the Year”. He has considerable experience in complex, large-scale disputes, such as aviation insurance claims arising out of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the US opioids litigation, and the Yme MOPUstor litigation. He has particular expertise in political and war risks disputes. Alexander also has a well-established practice as an advocate in his own right, appearing in particular in the Commercial Court and in arbitration in both trials and interlocutory matters. His experience includes a range of UK and international commercial disputes including those related to professional negligence, banking, commodities, energy, insurance and shipping. Alexander is one of the contributing editors to Carver on Charterparties.
Peter MacDonald Eggers KC

Peter MacDonald Eggers KC

Peter MacDonald Eggers KC is a “very user-friendly and commercial barrister” who specialises in all aspects of commercial law, with a particular focus on insurance and reinsurance , shipping and transport, energy, commodities and international trade, financial services, professional negligence, and international investment projects. Peter appears before the Commercial Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court and in commercial and international arbitrations. Peter has also appeared before Courts in other jurisdictions. Peter accepts appointments to act as an arbitrator. Peter sat as a Deputy High Court Judge from 2017 to 2023 and is the Past Chair of BILA. He teaches at UCL, KCL and QMUL and is the author, co-author or editor of Good Faith and Insurance Contracts, Deceit: The Lie of the Law, The Vitiation of Contractual Consent, Carver on Charterparties and Chitty on Contracts.
Jonathan Mance

Jonathan Mance

Lord Mance was Deputy President of the Supreme Court. He sat from 1993 to 1999 as a Commercial Judge, was appointed to the Court of Appeal in 1999, and to the House of Lords in 2005 where he spent four years as a Law Lord before becoming a Justice of the Supreme Court on its formation in 2009 and its Deputy President in 2017-2018. Since joining 7 King’s Bench Walk, Lord Mance has been appointed in a wide range of arbitrations (in a majority of cases as sole arbitrator or chair, but also as a wing arbitrator) under ICC, LCIA, UNCITRAL and ICSID Rules and ad hoc in fields including insurance/reinsurance, energy, construction, international trade, joint venture and shareholder agreements and investment. He has wide-reaching experience of international, commercial and European law, having written many judgments in all these areas as both first instance and appellate levels.
Marcus Mander

Marcus Mander

Marcus Mander specialises in commercial litigation and arbitration and is recognised by the directories as a leading junior. Marcus won the “Junior of the Year” award for Shipping in the Legal 500 UK Awards 2018. He was also shortlisted for International Arbitration “Junior of the Year” in both the 2024 and 2019 Legal 500 UK awards, and for “Shipping Junior of the Year” at the Chambers UK Bar Awards in 2016 and 2025. Notable cases in recent years include V v. K [2025] 2 Lloyd’s Rep. 90 (apparent bias and arbitrators’ duties of disclosure); Tumpuan Megah Development v. ING Bank N.V. [2025] 1 Lloyd’s Rep. 181 (issue estoppel and arbitration agreements); SK Shipping Europe Ltd v. Capital VLCC 3 Corp. [2022] 2 All E.R. (Comm) 784 (misrepresentation); Enka Insaat vs Sanayi A.S. v. OOO Insurance Company Chubb [2020] 1 W.L.R. 4117 (S.C.) (arbitration agreements; described by The Lawyer as “a landmark judgment that is likely to become the leading authority in this area”), Generali Italia SpA v. Pelagic Fisheries Corp. [2020] 1 W.L.R. 4211 (conflict of laws); Clearlake Shipping Pte Ltd v. Xiang Da Marine Pte Ltd [2020] 1 All E.R. (Comm) 61 (anti-suit injunctions); The Cultural Foundation v. Beazley Furlonge Ltd [2019] Lloyd’s Rep I.R. 12 (notification of insurance claims); Natwest Markets v. Stallion 8 Shipping Co. [2018] 2 Lloyd’s Rep. 601 (vessel arrests); and PST Energy 7 Shipping LLC v. O.W. Bunker Malta (the “Res Cogitans”) [2016] A.C. 1034 (sale of goods; described by Lloyd’s List as “the most spectacular shipping legal imbroglio so far this century”). Marcus’s practice covers all areas of commercial law, from general commercial disputes to specialist areas such as shipping, insurance, reinsurance, international arbitration and civil fraud. He has acted in a wide variety of cases of different types and sizes, both on his own and as a junior. Before being called to the Bar, Marcus practised as a solicitor with the City firm Lovells (now Hogan Lovells). He was involved in a broad range of general corporate and commercial disputes and also gained valuable experience of non-contentious work. As a result, he understands the requirements of solicitors and their clients particularly well.
Sarah Martin

Sarah Martin

Sarah practises in all areas of commercial law, with a particular emphasis on insurance and shipping, and has appeared as sole counsel in the Commercial Court, the former Mercantile Court, the Companies Court and the County Court. The majority of her cases include a jurisdictional and/or foreign law dimension, so she has a detailed understanding of conflicts of law issues, and she is accustomed to working closely with teams of foreign lawyers, most recently in Venezuela, Bulgaria, Greece and the U.S. In the insurance sphere, Sarah has extensive experience of coverage disputes involving questions of construction of insurance and reinsurance contracts, and she has established a significant reputation in total loss claims arising from large-scale marine casualties, including vessel collisions, detentions and appropriation. In recent years, Sarah has also built a substantial practice in very high value Bermuda Form arbitrations arising from U.S. mass tort litigation, frequently involving complex issues relating to proof of the insured’s underlying liability to third party claimants. Sarah has a wide-ranging shipping practice, and her expertise extends across a broad range of sectors, including charterparties, carriage of goods, commodities, shipbuilding, and matters falling within the jurisdiction of the Admiralty Court. She has acted in a large number of LMAA arbitrations, and is also experienced in obtaining urgent injunctive relief from the Commercial Court in support of ongoing arbitrations, including worldwide freezing injunctions and anti-suit injunctions.
Henry Moore

Henry Moore

Henry Moore is an experienced commercial barrister. He specialises in commercial litigation and international arbitration across the following main practice areas: commercial disputes, energy, civil fraud, shipping and international trade, jurisdiction and procedure, insurance, and financial services. Recent cases include: Arsenal Football Club Plc & Ors v Allianz & Ors: acted for the defendants in a £100m business interruption claim by Premier League clubs and others, led by Alistair Schaff KC and Simon Kerr Infinity Treasures PTE Ltd v Global Currency Exchange Network Ltd (CA-2024-000184): acted as sole counsel in the Court of Appeal in a stakeholder dispute about the distribution of funds held by a global FX provider Desai & Shah v RSA: acted as sole counsel for RSA in its successful defence of a conspiracy claim in the High Court (discontinued by the claimants following the Court of Appeal’s judgment in Desai & Shah v Wood [2025] EWCA Civ 906) NWP Electrical & Mechanical Limited v Travelers: acted as sole counsel for the claimant in a high-value TCC dispute about a defective lighting control system on the Oxford Brookes campus (settled shortly before a 6-day trial listed in early 2025) Hiscox Services Limited & Ors v Abraham: successfully obtained a final charging order over the assets of a former CFO who misappropriated US$1.5m+ of company funds (as sole counsel in the High Court) Re Russian Aircraft Operator Policy Claims [2024] EWHC 734 (Comm); [2024] EWHC 3299 (Comm); [2024] EWHC 3300 (Comm): litigation worth in excess of US$10 billion concerning the loss of aircraft in Russia (one of The Lawyer’s Top 20 Cases of 2024) In addition to the cases above, Henry has gained significant trial and hearing experience from a number of high-profile reported cases (including several in which he conducted oral advocacy): Commercial disputes: Gunvor SA v Zambia (Permanent Court of Arbitration) (led by Stephen Hofmeyr KC), Consulting Concepts International Inc. v CPA (Saudi Arabia) [2022] EWCA Civ 1699; [2022] EWHC 461 (Comm) (led by Gavin Kealey KC), and Lamesa Investments Limited v Cynergy Bank Limited [2020] EWCA Civ 821 (led by Jonathan Crow KC) Civil fraud: BV Nederlandse Industrie Van Eiprodukten v Rembrandt Enterprises, Inc. [2019] EWCA Civ 596; [2020] QB 551 (led by Gavin Kealey KC) and VTB Commodities Trading DAC v JSC Antipinsky Refinery [2021] EWHC 1758 (Comm) (led by Michael Holmes KC) Energy: Apache North Sea Ltd v Euroil Exploration Ltd [2020] EWCA Civ 1397; [2019] EWHC 3241 (Comm) (led by David Allen KC) and Apache Beryl I Ltd v Marathon Oil UK LLC [2017] EWHC 2504 (Comm); [2017] EWHC 2462 (Comm) (led by David Allen KC and Jason Robinson KC) Insurance: Zephyrus Capital Aviation Partners 1D Ltd v Fidelis Underwriting Ltd [2024] EWHC 734 (Comm) (led by various KCs), FCA v Arch [2021] UKSC 1; [2020] EWHC 2448 (Comm) (led by Gavin Kealey KC and Andrew Wales KC), Stonegate v MS Amlin [2022] EWHC 2548 (Comm) (led by Gavin Kealey KC and Adam Fenton KC), and The Cultural Foundation v Beazley Furlonge Ltd [2018] EWHC 1083 (Comm); [2018] EWHC 2185 (Comm); [2018] EWHC 2548 (Comm) (led by James Brocklebank KC) Shipping / international trade: Quiana Navigation SA v Pacific Gulf Shipping (Singapore) Pte Ltd (The “Caravos Liberty”) [2019] EWHC 3171 (Comm) (led by Robert Bright KC) and Aegean Baltic Bank SA v Renzlor Shipping Ltd [2020] EWHC 2851 (Comm); [2020] EWHC 2736 (Comm) (led by Peter MacDonald Eggers KC)
Ralph Morley

Ralph Morley

Ralph practises in all areas of commercial law, including international arbitration, general commercial litigation, wet and dry shipping, insurance, aviation, professional negligence, sale of goods, jurisdiction and civil procedure. He has a particular interest in Admiralty Court work, having appeared as sole counsel in high-profile limitation proceedings concerning the "EVER GIVEN" and the "X-PRESS PEARL", and across a wide range of charterparty, cargo, salvage and other maritime disputes. His writing on admiralty law was recently cited with approval in the Supreme Court in The MSC Flaminia [2025] UKSC 14. His insurance work spans both casualty (including marine, aviation and offshore risks) and liability work, particularly Bermuda Form. Recent commercial disputes experience includes several multi-million-dollar international arbitrations concerning SPAs and shareholder agreements, as well as jurisdiction challenges, enforcement and contempt. Ralph was part of the 7KBW team representing KPMG in matters relating to the collapse of Carillion, including FRC v KPMG (a top 20 case in The Lawyer), and KPMG’s defence of a professional negligence claim of in excess of £1 billion. Ralph regularly acts in cases which depend on technical questions of expert evidence across a range of disciplines and tribunals. Ralph has been appointed to the Attorney-General’s London C Panel of junior counsel to the Crown, acting for HM Government in commercial and public law matters.
Alice Osman

Alice Osman

Alice Osman accepts instructions across all areas of commercial law. She joined 7KBW in September 2025 following the successful completion of her pupillage. Alice is an experienced commercial disputes lawyer.  Before joining Chambers, she worked as a Senior Associate in the international arbitration team of a leading US law firm (London office). In that role, she represented corporations and sovereign States in investment treaty and commercial arbitrations relating to oil and gas, energy, mining, pharmaceuticals and shipping. Her experience includes conducting oral advocacy and cross-examining fact and expert witnesses in hearings of high-value arbitral proceedings. Alice also previously practised at a leading commercial and competition law set in New Zealand, and worked as a judges’ clerk (judicial assistant) at the High Court of New Zealand. She holds an LLB (First Class Honours) and BA (Politics major) from the University of Otago and an LLM from Harvard Law School. In addition to her commercial law practice, Alice has experience in public international law and accepts instructions in this area.
Benjamin Parker

Benjamin Parker

Benjamin Parker has a breadth of experience across a wide range of commercial law disciplines. He is rated by the legal directories as a leading junior in all his practice areas—commercial law, insurance, shipping & commodities, and international arbitration. Leading market participants describe him as a “class act” with “star quality”, who is “always a delight to work with” and “has an excellent reputation which is fully deserved”. He “represents a triple threat: his drafting, advices and advocacy skills are all really impressive. He takes complex and detailed information and converts it into clear, sound and practical advice.” Ben has significant appellate experience and has appeared in the House of Lords, the Supreme Court, and the Court of Appeal. He often acts unled against KCs. He has a substantial advisory practice on top of his litigation and arbitration work.
Charlotte Payne

Charlotte Payne

Charlotte Payne specialises in all areas of commercial law, particularly shipping and commodities, insurance (including marine insurance) and reinsurance, professional negligence, superyacht and general commercial disputes. Charlotte works on high-quality matters, both led and unled, in court proceedings and in arbitration. Charlotte was nominated for Junior of the Year in The Legal 500 UK Bar 2025 Awards for Shipping, Commodities and Aviation and has been ranked as a ‘Rising Star’ in shipping by The Legal 500. Recent work includes: Acting (led by Stephen Hofmeyr KC and Gavin Geary) in a 10-day LMAA arbitration concerning allegations of an “unsafe berth” in South America following a drug smuggling incident by malicious third parties, and the subsequent detention of the vessel in West Africa. Acting (led by David Bailey KC and Jessica Sutherland) in a high-value ship building dispute (warranty dispute and damages claim) in arbitration concerning a c.€63 million build project for a 77-metre super yacht. Acting (led by Jessica Sutherland) in a high-value ship building dispute (warranty dispute and damages claim) in an LMAA arbitration concerning a c.€45 million build project for a 61-metre super yacht. Delos Shipholding SA & Ors v Allianz Global Corporate and Speciality SE & Ors [2024] EWHC 719 (Comm) (the ‘Win Win’) (led by Peter MacDonald Eggers KC and Sandra Healey): Acting for international shipowners in a dispute concerning an insurance claim worth c.US$40 million for the constructive total loss of the ‘Win Win’. Advising (led by James Brocklebank KC), a large accountancy firm in a professional negligence dispute. Acting (led by Stephen Hofmeyr KC) for international shipowners in an arbitral dispute following the termination of 17 time charterparties. Atlantic Bulk Carriers Management Ltd v Arrowresources AG (CL-2024-000482) (led by Jessica Sutherland): Representing international ship owners in a £6 million High Court dispute concerning a claim under a guarantee. Libyan Navigator Co Ltd and General National Maritime Transport Company v Libya Insurance Co (‘The Badr’) (led by Peter MacDonald Eggers KC, Sarah Martin and Stephen Du): Acting for ship owners in a marine insurance claim valued in excess of US$40 million arising from the arrest and subsequent detention of ‘The Badr’ in Bourgas, Bulgaria. A settlement was reached in May 2021, shortly before the originally scheduled trial.
Andrew Pearson

Andrew Pearson

Andrew is “a creative tactician and strategist” who is “very good at understanding the bigger picture and commercial issues”.  He gives practical advice and takes a no-nonsense approach to achieving his clients’ commercial goals. His practice covers all aspects of commercial litigation and international arbitration. He has deep expertise in civil fraud, as well as in cases to do with international trade, shipping and commodities. Andrew particularly enjoys cases where some sort of urgent interim relief is required.  As sole counsel, he has obtained freezing injunctions of every variety: domestic, worldwide, and proprietary.  He has obtained a Chabra injunctions against non-parties, anti-suit injunctions, Bankers Trust orders and Norwich Pharmacal orders. The directories consistently describe Andrew as a “fearless” advocate.  It is not uncommon for him to appear alone against leading counsel.  He has argued in the High Court and Court of Appeal, as well as under ICC, LCIA, UNCITRAL, HKIAC and LMAA arbitration rules. Having frequently worked with boutique fraud firms, Andrew has an unusual degree of expertise in tracing assets and enforcing awards / judgments. Andrew accepts instructions as sole counsel and as part of a wider team.
S J Phillips KC

S J Phillips KC

Stephen Phillips KC practices exclusively in commercial law, both as an advisor and at trial and appellate level, often leading large multi-disciplinary teams. Known for his cross-examination skills, he is acknowledged as one of the leading advocates in high-value cases in both the Commercial Court and international arbitration, where much of his work lies. Extensively experienced in shipping, insurance and reinsurance, he was recently named as Barrister of the Week by The Lawyer following a lengthy Commercial Court trial involving long and complex cross-examination exposing a €27 million conspiracy.
Jocelyn Plant

Jocelyn Plant

Jocelyn was educated in Canada and the UK, is also qualified in New York and Ontario, and has practised as a litigator in New York. Prior to joining Chambers, Jocelyn worked as a senior litigation associate at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP in New York (2019-2023). In that role, she represented and advised corporations and financial institutions in connection with complex litigation, internal inquiries, and regulatory and criminal investigations. Jocelyn’s legal writing has been published in English and Canadian law journals. She is co-author of the forthcoming expanded and retitled second edition of Professor Andrew Higgins’s Legal Professional Privilege for Corporations (OUP 2014).
Charles Priday

Charles Priday

Charles Priday specialises in all areas of commercial law, with a particular emphasis on shipping, shipbuilding, sale / carriage of goods, insurance, all aspects of international trade including banking, as well as general contractual disputes. He undertakes advisory work, including advising commercial clients on a direct access basis. He appears as an advocate in arbitrations (both domestic and international) and before the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court (House of Lords). Charles also accepts appointment as arbitrator, particularly in London Maritime Arbitrators Association disputes. He is a supporting member of the LMAA and a former secretary to the Commercial Bar Association. Charles was nominated for the Shipping, Commodities, and Aviation Junior of the Year in Legal 500 2022. He has also been voted one of the top 100 juniors at the UK Bar, out of more than 10,000.
Ritin Rai SA

Ritin Rai SA

Ritin started his career in 1998 as an Associate in the Business Practice Group of Jones Day in its Cleveland office before relocating to India to practice corporate law.  He transitioned to a disputes practice in 2004 when he joined the Chambers of Ashok H. Desai, a Senior Advocate and formerly Attorney General for India. Ritin brings his experience as a corporate lawyer to bear on a variety of commercial and regulatory disputes, including in company, competition, insolvency and telecommunications law.  His practice spans appearances in the Supreme Court of India, the High Court of Delhi, the commercial tribunals situate in Delhi and before arbitral tribunals. Ritin accepts instructions to appear both as counsel and as arbitrator in arbitral disputes, and as an Indian law expert in courts or forums outside India. Ritin has acted as an arbitrator in arbitrations governed by ICC Rules and SIAC Rules, in addition to ad-hoc arbitrations where he has been appointed by the High Court of Delhi.
Jason Robinson KC

Jason Robinson KC

Jason is a go-to silk in high-stakes commercial litigation and arbitration, consistently described by the directories as “an absolute star”, “a natural advocate” and “respected commercial litigator”. Before taking silk, after only 13 years, he was hailed as “one of the best juniors at the London Bar”. He has an extensive commercial practice, which includes aviation, banking & finance, civil fraud, commodities, construction, energy, insurance, reinsurance, professional negligence, sanctions, shareholder & company disputes, shipping & admiralty, and superyacht & supercar disputes. Recent work includes acting for the aviation hull all risks insurers in a 48-day Commercial Court trial, in their successful defence of multi-billion dollar claims regarding the loss of aircraft following the invasion of Ukraine: [2025] EWHC 1430 (Comm). Jason also acted successfully in a jurisdiction challenge that went to the Court of Appeal in a civil fraud case: [2026] EWCA Civ 986, [2026] EWCA Civ 1080.
Michael Ryan KC

Michael Ryan KC

Michael Ryan KC is a leading silk practicing in a wide spectrum of commercial disputes before the High Court in London and in international courts and arbitrations. Michael is recognised in the directories as a leading silk in the following six fields: Commercial Dispute Resolution, Civil Fraud, Banking and Finance, Insurance and Reinsurance, Energy and Professional Negligence. In addition, Michael is experienced in collective redress actions, including group actions and test cases. Many of Michael’s cases involve allegations of dishonesty and Michael has extensive experience of commercial fraud, asset tracing and committal proceedings within commercial cases. Michael’s advocacy has won praise in the directories, he is described as “an excellent advocate – he can outperform silks on the other side”; “a strong advocate who outshines his opponents”; and “a great advocate, who is calm in a crisis”. He has extensive trial experience and the directories note that he “produces excellent cross examinations that are minutely prepared and strongly delivered” and he is described as “a compelling advocate and an excellent cross-examiner”. He has appeared in numerous substantial trials and appeals. He has appeared in all the commercial divisions of the High Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. Michael enjoys legal analysis: “A real intellectual force”; “Michael is excellent in addressing complex, novel issues”; “Michael provides very thorough legal analysis”; “works hard to dig through issues and find solutions”. Michael works both as a leader and as part of a team and is familiar with the demands of hard-fought commercial cases: “Incredibly user friendly, turns things around quickly, great written work, and very good to deal with”; “Michael is responsive and pinpoints the potential issues in a claim in a clear and concise manner. Easy to work with”; “very bright and yet also very approachable”; “super bright, very practical and someone who is really nice to work with”. Michael also has extensive experience of interim relief applications, including on an urgent basis. The directories note that he “is highly knowledgeable in respect of obtaining worldwide freezing orders”. He has experience with freezing injunctions (domestic, worldwide and proprietary injunctions), anti-suit injunctions, Norwich Pharmacal Applications, Bankers Trust Orders and jurisdictional applications. He has also has experience of committal applications to compel compliance with Court orders, having successfully prosecuted such cases and obtained orders for imprisonment for contempt.
Rebecca Sabben-Clare KC

Rebecca Sabben-Clare KC

Rebecca Sabben-Clare KC has a wide-ranging commercial practice, focusing on insurance / reinsurance, professional negligence and general commercial disputes. Rebecca is listed as a leading silk in The Legal 500 directory. The directories describe her as “incredibly bright” and “very talented”, praising her ability as “a fearless advocate” and recognising that she is “very cool, calm and easy to work with”. She is listed as a leading silk in the fields of commercial dispute resolution, insurance/reinsurance, international arbitration, professional negligence and professional discipline. In 2026, she was named Professional Negligence Silk of the Year. In 2025 she was shortlisted by Chambers as International Arbitration Silk of the Year and was nominated by the Legal 500 as Professional Negligence Silk of the Year. In 2024, the Legal 500 shortlisted her in its overall category for Silk of the Year. In 2021, Rebecca won both the Legal 500 and Chambers Awards for Professional Negligence Silk of the Year, an award for which she was also nominated by the Legal 500 in 2018 and 2023. In 2020 and 2023, she was nominated for Insurance Silk of the Year at the Chambers Bar Awards. Current and recent cases include: the Russian Aircraft Litigation (acting for Dubai Aerospace) Motorola v. Ericsson (cellular phone patent licence dispute) Hamilton v. Afghan Global Insurance (political violence insurance) Unipol v. Covea (reinsurance of Covid-19 business interruption losses) Manchester Building Society v. Grant Thornton (Supreme Court re-consideration of scope of duty) Carillion v KPMG (audit negligence claim following the collapse of Carillion) ICC arbitrations in Paris acting for a Middle Eastern government concerning oil and gas concession agreements D&O insurance and W&I insurance claims. Rebecca is a supporting member of the LMAA and a member of the LCIA. She accepts appointments as arbitrator. She has been appointed as arbitrator in Bermuda Form, LMAA, LCIA, ICC, SCC and ad hoc arbitrations. Rebecca was a director of Bar Mutual Indemnity Fund Limited from 2013-2025 and served as Chair from 2022-2025.
Richard Sarll

Richard Sarll

Richard Sarll is a barrister specialising in commercial and admiralty law, with particular expertise in the shipping and insurance sectors.  He was nominated as junior of the year in the 2024 Legal 500 UK Bar Awards. His distinctively commercial approach to cases sees him ranked in the legal directories as a Leading Junior, noted in particular for his "real effort to understand the commercial realities of the business". Richard’s unique combination of professional qualifications adds significant value to a case, having sat exams of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers and the Association of Average Adjusters. Whichever industry is involved, Richard is keen to listen to and absorb the views of the businesspeople instructing him regarding this as instrumental in persuading tribunals of the justice of their position.
Alistair Schaff

Alistair Schaff

Barrister and Arbitrator specialising in all aspects of international commercial law, including international arbitration (in the UK and abroad, both as advocate and arbitrator), insurance and reinsurance, conflict of laws/jurisdiction disputes, shipping, international sale of goods, oil disputes, professional and commercial negligence. He was named the Chambers Bar Awards Insurance Silk of the Year for 2009 and has been regularly shortlisted ever since. He was named the Legal 500 Awards Shipping Silk of the Year for 2015 and the Chambers Bar Awards Shipping Silk of the Year for 2018. Significant cases as a barrister include: Equitas v Municipal Mutual [2019] EWCA Civ 718 - the application of principles of good faith to a claim under a reinsurance in respect of mesothelioma liabilities Atlas Navios v Navigators [2018] UKSC 26 – a war risks insurance case in which a vessel was detained when cocaine was discovered strapped to her hull Clarks v In Focus [2014] EWCA Civ 118 – a financial services case in which res judicata principles precluded subsequent court proceedings for claims in excess of the maximum amount awardable under the FOS jurisdiction Helmot v Simon [2012] UKPC 5 – a personal injury case upholding the use of a negative discount rate for lump sum awards of damages Standard Life v Ace [2012] EWHC 104 (Comm), [2012] EWCA Civ 1713 – a pension fund mis-selling case involving a claim for ‘mitigation costs’ under a professional liability policy Aioi v Heraldglen [2013] EWHC 154 (Comm) – a reinsurance case involving ‘9/11 – one event or two?’ Wasa v Lexington [2009] UKHL 40 – a leading House of Lords case on the nature/scope of ‘back to back’ reinsurance. In addition, he has been involved in countless high-profile international arbitration disputes ranging from Middle East oil concessions, South American political risks and pharmaceutical liabilities to Far Eastern hotels damaged by the Tsunami and banking fraud. Currently involved in Covid-19 insurance and reinsurance disputes. As an arbitrator, he is regularly appointed in all manner of international commercial arbitrations, both institutional (ICC, UNCITRAL and LCIA) and otherwise, and as sole or party-appointed arbitrator or chair. He has considerable experience as an arbitrator not merely in insurance and shipping matters but in commercial disputes more generally. Recent appointments as arbitrator include disputes relating to alleged banking fraud, bribery in relation to large commercial contracts, product liability, gas pricing, oil pollution and the transfer of shares, as well as insurance and shipping disputes by the dozen.
Aradhya Sethia

Aradhya Sethia

Aradhya practises in all areas of commercial litigation and international arbitration, including civil fraud, energy, financial services, international trade, sanctions, information technology, professional negligence, and sports. He also accepts instructions in commercial cases involving issues of public law and international law. He joined 7KBW as a tenant in September 2025 following the successful completion of pupillage. Before coming to the Bar, Aradhya taught law at the University of Cambridge, where he also completed his PhD in Law as a Cambridge International Scholar. His legal scholarship has been cited (with approval) by the Supreme Court of India and the Supreme Court of Pakistan. Aradhya has also served as the Executive Director of the Cambridge Pro Bono Project, leading various research projects in the fields of public international law and sports law. He read for the MPhil in Law at the University of Oxford, and completed the LL.M. at Yale Law School as an Inlaks Scholar, serving as an Articles Editor of the Yale Journal of International Law and Resident Fellow at the Yale Information Society Project. His research on internet law and copyright law has been published in leading academic journals. He also holds a BA LLB from the National Law School, Bangalore, where he was awarded the Best Outgoing Student prize. He is qualified as an advocate in India, where he previously assisted two Justices of the Supreme Court and the Attorney General.
Richard Southern KC

Richard Southern KC

Richard Southern KC specialises in commercial litigation and arbitration, including shipping, energy, commodities and international trade, as well as professional negligence, marine and non-marine insurance, and reinsurance. As a silk, Richard’s work has included a wide range of litigation and arbitration. Recently Richard has been involved in several significant cases including one about counterfeit crude oil, a claim for investments misappropriated by their custodian. He represented Classic Maritime in a series of heavily contested cases no less than sixteen times both at trial and on appeal. He recently won a landmark shipbuilding arbitration before a panel of three retired Commercial Court judges and he represents the London reinsurance market in proceedings arising out of the Chapeconese air disaster. He is ranked by Chambers UK as a leading silk in shipping & commodities and energy & natural resources (“He is extremely good. He is very thorough, always delivers on time and has a very good instinct for where a case is going to go”) and by The Legal 500 as a leading silk in commodities, insurance and reinsurance, and shipping (“an excellent advocate who picks the right points”). His work is principally advocacy and advisory. Richard sits regularly as an arbitrator in LMAA, LCIA and SIAC disputes, and is an IMI Qualified Mediator.
Jerome Squires

Jerome Squires

Jerome Squires practises across all areas of commercial law including civil fraud, insurance, financial services, and professional negligence. High-profile recent work includes acting for the Joint Administrators in NMC Healthcare Ltd v Shetty, Manghat and Bank of Baroda, a 15-week civil fraud claim in the Abu Dhabi Global Market Court. In July 2026, the Joint Administrators settled with the Bank of Baroda, with a USD 600 million payment by the Bank of Baroda. Given this work, Jerome has particular experience in disputes involving UAE law, as well as the practice and procedure of the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) Court. Prior to joining Chambers, Jerome worked as a Senior Associate in the London office of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, where he experienced a wide range of corporate and commercial work, including substantial civil fraud work. As a result of this experience, Jerome is used to working in teams and understands the needs of instructing solicitors and clients.
Jessica Sutherland

Jessica Sutherland

Described as “a very impressive barrister”, Jessica has a wide-ranging commercial practice including shipping, shipbuilding, international trade, insurance & reinsurance, professional negligence & regulatory work (auditors). She is regularly instructed in high value disputes often with jurisdictional issues. She is consistently listed as a leading junior in the directories and has been nominated as junior counsel of the year (shipping, commodities & aviation) and junior counsel of the year (insurance). Recent work includes: A ‘warranty and indemnity’ insurance claim in the Commercial Court worth €40 million; an urgent injunction in the Commercial Court to prevent the sale  of a superyacht under construction in Turkey; a 4-week shipbuilding dispute (LMAA arbitration); a SIAC arbitration commodities dispute worth US$14 million (successful on all issues); a LCIA Arbitration (share purchase dispute) worth US$100million; acting as sole counsel in three high-value superyacht disputes. She regularly appears in Court and in International Arbitration proceedings (ICC, LCIA, LMAA, ARIAS, SIAC, Bermuda Form and ad hoc arbitrations) and has been appointed as an arbitrator by the LCIA and in ad hoc arbitrations.
Stephen Tomlinson

Stephen Tomlinson

Sir Stephen retired from the Court of Appeal in January 2017 and now accepts appointment as arbitrator. A former Head of Chambers, Sir Stephen Tomlinson was in practice as a barrister at 7 King’s Bench Walk from 1975 until 2000, appointed a Queen’s Counsel in 1988. In 2000 he was appointed a High Court Judge in the Queen’s Bench Division where he sat principally in the Commercial Court.  In 2010 he was appointed a Lord Justice of Appeal. At the Bar, Sir Stephen practised in all the major areas of commercial law and international trade, particularly in the fields of shipping, marine insurance, oil and gas exploration, production and trading, commodity trading, international sale of goods, non-marine insurance and reinsurance, banking and professional negligence. As a first-instance judge Sir Stephen heard a wide range of commercial disputes in the Commercial Court, but he also sat in the other civil jurisdictions of the Queen’s Bench Division, where the work was sufficiently diverse to include a dispute over the provenance of an egg-clock attributed to Carl Fabergé.  He also presided over criminal trials in the Crown Court. In the Court of Appeal his work covered the full breadth of the Court’s civil jurisdiction.
Adam  Van Schaik

Adam Van Schaik

Adam van Schaik has a broad practice across all areas of commercial law, including insurance and reinsurance, international arbitration, civil fraud, general commercial disputes, commodities, shipping, energy and natural resources, professional negligence and aviation. Adam has been recognised as a “Rising Star” by the Legal 500 in insurance and reinsurance. Adam’s current and recent led work includes: Acting, led by Philip Marshall KC, in a circa £3 billion multi-jurisdictional civil fraud and mining dispute. Being led by Peter MacDonald Eggers KC and Sushma Ananda in a circa £150 million insurance and reinsurance dispute. Acting in a multi-million pound professional negligence and civil fraud case relating to class-action style construction proceedings in New Zealand. Being led by Michael Holmes KC in a multi-million pound international commodities arbitration. Acting in respect of a circa £160 million aviation insurance and reinsurance claim, led by James Drake KC. Adam has spent time seconded to the insurance litigation departments of a Magic Circle and City law firm. Prior to joining Chambers, Adam qualified as a solicitor at Slaughter and May where he experienced a wide range of corporate and commercial work involving a number of FTSE 100 companies and other businesses. Adam is used to working in teams and understands the needs of instructing solicitors and clients. Adam was also previously the judicial assistant to the President of the Queen’s Bench Division at the Court of Appeal where he experienced a wide range of appellate work and was involved in several high-profile cases. Adam studied law at the University of Cambridge, graduating within the top ten of his year with a double first and 11 academic prizes. Although a fully qualified solicitor, Adam currently practices solely as a barrister.
Andrew Wales KC

Andrew Wales KC

Andrew Wales is well known for insurance and reinsurance, as well as professional negligence, energy and shipping and professional negligence. He is regularly instructed in the most high-profile insurance disputes. He represented two insurers in FCA v. Arch, the Covid business interruption test case. He acted for contingent all risks insurers in the lead claim by an aircraft leasing company for the alleged total loss of $3.5bn of aircraft in Russia. He is also involved in property insurance issues relating to Ukrainian properties damaged by Russian missiles and liability insurance issues relating to, amongst others, Carillion, NMC Health and Grenfell Tower. Described as “a strong communicator and excellent strategist” as well as “a brilliant, methodical advocate on his feet”, he is regularly instructed to advise on and argue coverage issues relating to professional indemnity, political risk, trade credit, warranty and indemnity, D&O and POSI policies, especially for banks and financial institutions. He is also involved in several Bermuda form arbitrations, where his work has required familiarity with CDO transactions, private equity investments, offering circulars, IPOs, structured finance and various forms of securitisation.
Richard Waller KC

Richard Waller KC

Richard Waller KC has acted in a wide spectrum of cases, of different types and sizes and has extensive experience of litigating in the commercial court and representing clients in all forms of arbitration, including shipping arbitrations before the LMAA, insurance arbitrations under the ARIAS Arbitration Rules and international arbitration before the LCIA. He has acted in some of the heaviest pieces of litigation seen in the Commercial Court in recent years: in 2013, he acted for the successful defendant in the high value, one billion US$, Excalibur case relating to oil exploration rights in Kurdistan; in 2016, he acted for the successful defendant in the high profile Republic of Djibouti case involving fraud and alleged misfeasance in public office; in 2019, he acted for the successful defendants in a $100 m insurance claim involving the scuttling of an oil tanker off Yemen by way of a fake “piracy” attack; in 2024/2025, he represented the Lloyds war market in the multi-billion dollar “Russian aircraft mega trial.”
Gwyn Williams

Gwyn Williams

As a pupil, Gwyn assisted in matters across Chambers’ areas of practice, including civil fraud, financial services, professional negligence, insurance and reinsurance, shipping and international trade. He now accepts instructions both as sole counsel and as part of a team. Before coming to the Bar, Gwyn qualified as a solicitor and practised in the London offices of Cleary Gottlieb and WilmerHale. In that role, he acted in commercial litigation across a range of sectors, including financial services, aviation, energy and technology. He also worked on arbitrations under ICC, LCIA and SIAC rules.
Harry Wright

Harry Wright

Harry Wright is a commercial barrister who specialises in (re)insurance, professional negligence, aviation, shipping & shipbuilding, and other commercial disputes.   During 2020, he appeared in the FCA Test Case on business interruption insurance claims arising from Covid-19 (recently decided by the Supreme Court); a Supreme Court appeal in a professional negligence claim against auditors (Manchester Building Society v Grant Thornton); a shipbuilding case currently on appeal to the Court of Appeal (Shanghai Shipyard v Reignwood); and in a heavy and valuable High Court insurance trial, acting for the broker (ABN Amro v RSA and others).   As well as forming part of a team in large and high-profile commercial cases, Harry regularly appears as sole counsel in court and arbitral proceedings. He has already developed a reputation for the quality of his oral advocacy and cross-examination: the 2021 Legal 500 describing him as an “excellent advocate” with “good instincts for how to deal with both witnesses and the court”.   Harry has been recognised by Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500 in the fields of insurance & reinsurance, professional negligence and aviation. He is known for his particular expertise in the Insurance Act 2015, having co-written A Practical Guide to the Insurance Act 2015 with David Kendall. He also edits the chapter in Simpson on the liability of auditors and accountants. He is a junior barrister who “performs significantly above his year of call.”