Frequently praised as ‘the very best for insurance and reinsurance’, 7 King’s Bench Walk’s international arbitration capabilities further extend across banking and finance, transport, energy construction and commodities sectors. The set also has a strong track record in Bermuda Form disputes, in which Gavin Kealey KC, David Edwards KC and Marcus Mander have recently been active, with pharmaceutical, medical and environmental matters being among the claims typically handled. Siobán Healy KC continues to handle high value shipping and insurance arbitrations, which often concern complex sanctions, delays and force majeure aspects, while David Bailey KC and Jessica Sutherland have experience in investor state proceedings, most recently representing the National Iranian Oil Company in National Iranian Oil Company v Crescent Gas Corporation in the Court of Appeal against the ad-hoc award passed down in 2021 over a gas supply dispute.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Profile
Position
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.
Career
Qualified 2003 Middle Temple. Tenant since 2004.
Education
Cambridge University, Downing College (2001 MA; 2002 LLM).
Content supplied by 7 King's Bench Walk
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The team is excellent and well led by Greg Leyden. The team, in particular Gray Rose and Joe Clayton, is friendly, knowledgeable, responsive and understanding of both the solicitor's and the underlying client's requirements.'
- 'Greg Leyden is a fabulous clerk with excellent judgment.'
- 'Zoe Hamilton has been very helpful throughout.'
- 'The clerks are fantastic - they are always incredibly helpful in answering all manner of questions. In particular Greg Leyden has been amazing to work with, he is very easy to deal with, incredibly organised and always goes out of his way to assist the client.'
- '7KBW is a leading set in the insurance/reinsurance field and in associated arbitrations.'
- '7 King's Bench Walk is highly regarded and well respected for its experience in international arbitration. It is the "go to" set for this area of work.'
- 'They have top rate barristers and a wealth of top rate experience. First class clerks who are always willing to help. The team has been together for decades and are absolutely brilliant to work with.'
- 'Very impressed by the set, in particular the availability of counsel, diversity, and broad skillset across each level of barristers i.e. juniors to seniors.'