David Allen KC
‘David is an excellent silk who brings real insight to his conferences. ’
Described as ‘thorough and very strong on the law’, 7 King’s Bench Walk offers a wide-ranging practice that spans wet shipping, shipbuilding disputes, and maritime insurance matters, with a strong international reach and a particular focus on the Asia Pacific region. Jonathan Gaisman KC is representing the salvors in Luster Marine v Smit Salvage, a case concerning the salvage of the Ever Given. Peter MacDonald Eggers KC successfully represented the claimant in Delos Shipholding SA & Ors v Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty, leading Sandra Healy, Sophie Hepburn, and Charlotte Payne – the matter was a dispute after a bulk carrier was detained by the Indonesian authorities. Payne was also led by David Bailey KC, alongside Emma Franklin, in Oceanus Capital SARL v Beazley (the VYSSOS), a case in which the legal concept of ’privity of the insured’ was further developed.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
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.
David Bailey KC
‘David has a remarkable depth of knowledge and an ability to draw together disparate legal concepts to concoct unique and winning arguments for clients.’
Jonathan Gaisman KC
Very detailed in his preparation, with a clear vision and an ability to express himself with great clarity.'
Dominic Kendrick KC
Peter MacDonald Eggers KC
Alistair Schaff KC
"Clear and precise in legal analysis and presentation, with an in-depth knowledge of the law."
Stephen Hofmeyr KC
‘Stephen is a very strong advocate operating at the highest level. An advocate who you want on your side.’
Siobán Healy KC
"Excellent attention to detail, with extensive knowledge of insurance and reinsurance law. Provides robust, clear advice and delivers persuasive advocacy."
Gavin Kealey KC
‘ Brilliant lawyer with great charm and authority. ‘
Jawdat Khurshid KC
'Clarity of thought, a personable and collaborative approach, firmness of view, and quiet confidence. A genuine delight to work with as part of a team.'
2025 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.
Leading Juniors
Leading juniors are those with significant experience of key cases, strong market recognition from both peers and clients, and are seen as future candidates for silk.
Clara Benn
' She wears her undeniable intellectual capacity and powers of analysis very lightly. It means that she is a very supportive but also a very personable colleague. Her analyses are always invaluable and her insights mean that any inconsistencies in arguments are swiftly identified.'
Stephen Du
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Gavin Geary
Alexander MacDonald
His attention to detail, the consistently high quality of his written and oral advice, and his user-friendly manner make him a highly valued member of any team.'
Benjamin Parker
Jessica Sutherland
‘She brilliantly grasps of all the details of a case, assimilates complex technical information quickly and uses it to produce excellent legal arguments.’
Adam Turner
‘He is superb in every respect: his written submissions are elegant, his advocacy is measured, focused, and persuasive, and he excels at working collaboratively with solicitors and other professionals’
Frederick Alliott
‘ Fred is intelligent, hard-working and easy to work with. His written work is of a very good standard, and he communicates clearly and confidently. ’
Jocelin Gale
‘Highly knowledgeable of general insurance principles and practices and, importantly, very quick to understand and absorb rare and complex issues.’
Tim Jenns
‘Tim is a capable and intelligent barrister and has the benefit of a solicitor's experience. He is a pleasure to work with.’
Sarah Martin
xceptionally bright, detail oriented, hard-working and practical.’
Philip Aspin
'Philip is very responsive and efficient. He has very good interpersonal skills and his work is of the highest quality.'
John Bignall
‘John is extremely thoughtful and great to have on one's team.’
Emma Hilliard
'Very responsive and intelligent. Thorough and hard-working. '
Charles Holroyd
"Strengths include an analytical, detail-oriented approach to complex legal and factual matters, responsiveness, and the ability to distil complexity into clear, accessible language, particularly for clients from other jurisdictions and legal traditions."
Elizabeth Lindesay
‘ Her attention to detail and thoroughness is phenomenal, and her drafting is impeccable. She is incredibly bright and has a searching, forensic approach which produces excellent results.’
Andrew Pearson
‘Sharp mind and hard-working.’
Sushma Ananda
‘Sushma’s attention to deal is fantastic, and she is a great asset to have on your team. ‘
Ralph Morley
‘Ralph is very bright and hardworking. He displays excellent attention to detail, is wise beyond his years and confident on his feet. ’
Rising stars
Rising stars at the Bar are defined as barristers between four and eight years’ call who are seen as up-and-coming members of the Bar in their respective practice areas by clients and peers alike. They will already be instructed in high-profile, complex, and high-value contentious and non-contentious matters, working with and opposite more experienced leading counsel.
Rebecca Jacobs
‘Hardworking and a wonderful interface between the KC and the solicitor legal team. She also has a wonderful sense of humour, which is needed when very much at the coalface of trial or submission prep.’
Charlotte Payne
'Impressive drafting skills, excellent technical mastery of details of case and excellent knowledge of shipping industry, and exceedingly dedicated and incredibly responsive.