Noted for its dedicated arbitration clerking team that delivers ‘a fabulous service’, 7 King’s Bench Walk’s stable of arbitrators has experience in insurance and reinsurance, aviation, commercial, shipping and logistics disputes. Members appear across Europe, the US and South East Asia. Jeremy Cooke KC regularly acts as sole arbitrator and chair of arbitral tribunals. Lord Mance is another key name, acting under ICC, LCIA, SIAC, UNCITRAL and ICSID rules. Gavin Kealey KC specialises in construction, insurance, civil fraud and aviation arbitrations. Other noted names include Alistair Schaff KC, James Drake KC, Stephen Hofmeyr KC and Siobán Healy KC.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Profile
Position
Stephen Hofmeyr KC is a leading commercial barrister with a wide-ranging international commercial law practice.
With a strong sectoral focus across a wide range of practice areas, Stephen’s expertise in commercial law ranges from complex commercial disputes (aviation, energy, insurance/reinsurance, shipping, banking), to related company law claims, including shareholder disputes and claims against directors. 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.
The breadth and nature of his practice is reflected in the fact the he appeared twice in the Supreme Court in late 2023 – in Herculatio Maritime v Gunvor (MV POLAR) and Argentum Exploration Ltd v Silver – and is due to appear in the Privy Council in 2025 on an appeal from Mauritius. He is also involved in dealing with, amongst other matters, more than 80 aviation insurance claims arising out of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, a US based insurance claim following the destruction by fire of 5 Monet paintings, a London based arbitration concerning the safety of an international container terminal. He also continues to advise on on-going Business Interruption, Bermuda Form and M&A insurance claims.
Career
Qualified 1982; Gray’s Inn; practised as an Attorney and Conveyancer with Bisset, Boehmke & McBlain, Cape Town 1984-86; practised as a barrister in current chambers from 1987; took silk 2000; appointed to Securities and Futures Authority Arbitration Panel 2000; Recorder 2005.
Languages
Afrikaans, an understanding of Flemish and Dutch.
Education
Diocesan College, Cape Town (Theron Scholar); University of Cape Town (Abe Bailey Travel Scholar); University College, Oxford (Rhodes Scholar); (1976 BCom; 1978 LLB; 1981 MA Juris); called to the bar by the Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn 1982; Attorney and Conveyancer of the Supreme Court of South Africa 1984; Advocate of the Supreme Court of South Africa 1986.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- '7KBW would typically be our go to set for insurance arbitration disputes.'
- 'The clerk team are responsive and have good availability as needed.'
- 'This set has strength-in-depth in relation to disputes involving banking and sanctions issues.'
- 'Good clerking service.'
- 'The clerks are responsive and helpful.'
- 'The clerks are up there with the very best at the bar and deliver a fabulous service.'