Quadrant Chambers ‘has stellar barristers at all seniority levels, covering every possible type of shipping and shipbuilding disputes’, and the set is also ‘widely recognized for its strength-in-depth in commodities arbitration and litigation’. In a recent high-profile case heard before the UK Supreme Court, Chirag Karia KC and Ben Gardner acted for the successful buyers in Sharp Corp Ltd v Viterra BV, a dispute concerning the importation of peas and lentils into India. The case involved issues arising from the construction of the default clause included in GAFTA) forms, and the effect of the clause on the quantification of losses for non-acceptance of goods. In a boost to chambers, Paul Toms KC was elevated to silk in March 2024.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Profile
Position
Commercial litigation and arbitration, shipping, commodities, energy, insurance/reinsurance and international arbitration. Cases: GTLK v Aviation Reinsurers (lead counsel in US$2.2 billion aviation insurance claim following Russian seizure of leased aircraft); Sharp v Viterra 2023] 2 All E.R.(Comm) 457(CA) (GAFTA Default-Clause construction); Stema Barge II [2022] 1 Lloyd’s Rep. 170 (CA)(meaning of “operator” in Limitation Convention); OCM v Gulf-Petrochem (2022)(LOI enforcement); Maersk v Mercuria [2022] 2 Lloyd’s Rep. 95 (2021)(anti-suit injunction in US$45 million fraud); Hin- Leong/Ocean- Tankers Fraud (US$800 million oil fraud); Sakizaya Kalon [2021] 2 Lloyd’s Rep. 70 (100% recovery in 3-vessel Suez Canal collision); Setana v Hafesa (2021)(trigger-pricing in term diesel- sale); Tenacity (2020) (impecuniosity defence to LOI); Arbitration (contaminated bunkers); Arbitration (lien-on-sub-freights); Arbitration (bunker-fraud); Committeri v ClubMed (CA)(Rome I vs. Rome II Regulations); Sea Master [2019] 1 Lloyd's Rep. 101 (switch bills; arbitral jurisdiction); Yusuf Cepnioglu [2016] 1 Lloyd’s Rep. 641(CA)(contractual anti-suit injunction vs. 3rd party); Ramburs [2016] Bus.L.R. 135 (GAFTA Substitution Clause); Crudesky [2014] 1 Lloyd’s Rep 1(CA)(force majeure; novus actus); Proton [2014] 1 Lloyd’s Rep 100 (contract formation); Merwestone [2013] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 131 (“perils of the sea” & Inchmaree insurance cover; fortuity requirement); Lehmann Timber [2013] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 541 (CA)(GA; lien exercise costs); Ratna (CA)(US$60M oil dispute; state immunity); Arbitration (subsea blowout preventer defects); Choil v Sahara (hedging losses).
Career
Called 1988, Lincoln’s Inn (Denning Scholar); Queen’s Counsel 2012; MA(Cantab.), Slaughter & May Prize (top 1st in Law at Cambridge University); LL.M. (UC Berkeley), Harkness Fellow; Attorney practising in California (1990-2000).
Joint Editor, “Butterworths Commercial Court and Arbitration Pleadings”
Languages
Gujarati (spoken); basic French.
Memberships
COMBAR; State Bar of California.
Education
Cambridge University (1987 MA Hons); Slaughter and May prize for top 1st in Law at Cambridge University (1987); Denning Scholar, Lincoln’s Inn (1988); University of California, Berkeley (1990 LLM); Harkness Fellow, Commonwealth Fund of New York (1989-90).
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Simon Slattery is the consummate barristers' clerk - he really goes the extra mile every time.'
- 'Simon Slattery is fantastic.'
- 'The clerking team demonstrates exceptional legal knowledge and is incredibly responsive to client and lawyers' needs.'
- 'The clerks are always fast to respond.'
- 'Very professional and friendly.'
- 'Quadrant is simply outstanding. They have enormous experience and depth when it comes to all shipping matters.'
- 'Quadrant Chambers is famous in shipping.'
- 'The set is high quality with good value.'