Essex Court Chambers regularly acts on the full range of insurance and reinsurance disputes, some being complex cross-border disputes, and some involving high-profile clients. John Lockey KC is a known name in Russian aircraft claims, David Scorey KC, on the other hand, appears in business interruption claims for losses brought on by Covid-19 lockdowns. In all of the several test scenarios that are being handled, Scorey KC represents Liberty Mutual Insurance in Gatwick Investments, Hollywood Bowl and Liberty Retail v Liberty Mutual Insurance. Helen Morton can be seen in other areas of the chambers in the Greensill Bank AG v Zurich Insurance Company Limited case, in which the bank’s administrators are suing Zurich, their insurer, for losses allegedly covered by trade credit insurance contracts. David Walsh KC took silk in 2025.
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Profile
Position
Wide-ranging practice in international and domestic commercial law, litigating in both domestic courts and tribunals in addition to international arbitrations. Has acted in a wide variety of commercial disputes including insurance and reinsurance (particularly in respect of high-level excess liability insurance on the Bermuda form), Lloyd’s litigation, shipping and the carriage of goods, banking and civil fraud. Also has considerable experience in VAT, insurance premium tax and other duties instructed by solicitors, accountants and other professionals. Practice includes both advisory work and litigation and he has appeared in cases in the Commercial Court, Queen’s Bench Division, Chancery Division, Court of Appeal and the House of Lords. His litigation experience extends beyond domestic cases and he is accustomed to working with foreign lawyers and particularly US attorneys, both instructed directly and also in conjunction with English solicitors.
Career
Called 1997, Lincoln’s Inn.
Languages
French (working knowledge).
Education
St John’s College, Oxford (BA); Leiden University, The Netherlands (LLM).
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