The 36 Group is widely recognised for its depth of expertise in maritime law and arbitration, with additional strengths in insurance disputes and contractual matters arising from bills of lading and contracts of affreightment. Vasanti Selvaratnam KC recently appeared before the Supreme Court in MUR Shipping BV v RTI Ltd, a case which clarified the application of force majeure clauses, after the purchaser of a shipment of bauxite proposed to pay in Euros rather than US dollars. Mark Jones also acted before the Supreme Court in Herculito Maritime Ltd v Gunvor International BV, a key decision examining liability issues arising from Somali pirate attacks. Andrew Ng appeared in the Supreme Court of Gibraltar in a matter addressing the scope of liability limitation in maritime claims, acting for Oldstone Cargo Limited. Charles Debattista was instructed in Stouranas Stylianos Monoprosopi v Maersk, a use concerning the description of goods on bills of lading after the buyers of scrap metal sought to bring an action against the carriers of a cargo of cement tiles were fraudulently labelled as scrap metal.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'The clerks are responsive and easy to work with. Reiss Nott and Sam Medlock deserve particular recognition.'
  • 'The 36 Group demonstrates notable strength-in-depth, particularly in maritime law and arbitration. Its barristers are highly experienced and offer a broad range of expertise across maritime disputes, including charterparty issues, ship arrest, and international trade.'
  • 'The set consistently delivers high-quality advocacy and advice, making it a dependable choice for complex maritime and arbitration matters.'
  • 'I have instructed Chambers for over 20 years and can say with complete confidence that they continue to produce dynamic, highly skilled barristers with an exceptional command of the law and strong commercial insight.'
  • 'Their barristers are not only technically excellent but also strategically astute—able to anticipate and navigate complex challenges with clarity, confidence, and precision. The standard of advocacy, both written and oral, is consistently first-rate, and their grasp of industry-specific nuances sets them apart.'
  • 'This is a Chambers that cultivates excellence. They remain my first port of call for high-stakes, commercially sensitive matters.'

Lawyers

Leading Silks

KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.