An ‘excellent set’, 7 King’s Bench Walk’ is recognised for its strength in complex aviation insurance disputes. Head of chambers Gavin Kealey KC is a leading figure in commercial litigation, appellate advocacy, and international arbitration. In one of the set's many teams in the blockbuster Russian aircraft trial, he continues to represent AIG in a landmark series of cases brought by aircraft owners and lessors against insurers, involving nearly 150 aircraft leased to Russian operators. Andrew Wales KC, drawing on his extensive expertise in aviation disputes, serves as co-lead counsel for AIG and also advises on broader insurance and sanctions matters. Harry Wright plays a key role in the Swiss Re strand of the litigation and is also engaged in two ongoing satellite disputes. Emma Hilliard regularly supports silks in reinsurance matters in both court and arbitration, while also handling aircraft leasing, maintenance, and carriage issues.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Profile
Position
Gavin Kealey 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.
Career
Lecturer in Laws, King’s College, London University; qualified 1977; QC 1994; recorder 2000; deputy High Court judge in the QBD Commercial Court; head of chambers.
Languages
French.
Education
Fletcher Scholar, University College, Oxford University (1975 BA Jurisprudence First Class).
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- '7KBW is an excellent pre-eminent chambers in aviation insurance.'
- 'The barristers are excellent, quick, and responsive.'
- '7KBW is probably the best commercial law set at the Bar with a brilliant quota of senior silks and clerks.'
- 'The clerks are very responsive and helpful.'
- 'The barristers within 7KBW are very approachable.'
- 'The set is known for its aviation insurance and shipping expertise.'
- 'The quality of the legal advice is excellent.'
- 'Top class.'