Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Insurance - London (Bar)

1
Band 1

What the Team is Known For

7 King’s Bench Walk enjoys an undisputed reputation as the leading insurance and reinsurance set, with a breadth and depth of bench that is unmatched by its peers. Its members are consistently sought after to handle the most complex and high-stakes domestic and international disputes, particularly those arising from the marine, energy and life sciences sectors. The set acts for both defendants and claimants, and represents insurers and underwriters as well as corporate and individual claimants. Recently, tenants acted in Dubai Aerospace Enterprise & Others v Lloyd's Insurance Company & Others. Solicitors comment that "7KBW boasts some of the leading insurance talent" with regular mentions of "an exceptionally deep bench of insurance specialists" and that "its experience and expertise in complex insurance matters is unrivalled."

Greg Leyden is the senior clerk.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Gavin Kealey
Gavin Kealey
Star Individuals

Gavin Kealey KC is a highly regarded advocate and arbitrator who is head of chambers. He exhibits skill in handling international insurance disputes, including high-value arbitrations. Kealey represents insurers and insured parties in a wide range of disputes, including those relating to pharmaceutical, construction and aviation liabilities.

Gavin really is the best there is. He's our go-to when it's complicated and it really matters. He's never going to change.

Gavin works enormously hard. He thinks on his feet and develops good legal arguments as a result of his intellect and experience.

Gavin is a ruthless cross-examiner who leaves no stone unturned. He is the leading silk at the London insurance bar, who adeptly handles the most complex disputes that impact the insurance industry.

He is a brilliant advocate and insurance heavyweight.

Gavin is an insurance heavyweight with sound judgement

Alexander MacDonald
1
Alexander MacDonald
1
Band 1

Alexander MacDonald has notable expertise in marine insurance and claims arising out of professional liability and reinsurance disputes. As well as acting as an advocate in court and arbitration, he is also regularly instructed in an advisory capacity. He represents insurers and insured parties in domestic and international insurance disputes.

Alexander MacDonald is very knowledgeable and user-friendly.

He is excellent all round and has a reputation for being the "engine-room" on a matter.

1
Alistair Schaff
1
Band 1

Alistair Schaff KC is a standout silk for both insurance and reinsurance disputes, who is also adept in the field of international arbitration. Schaff has an extremely active practice and has argued cases in courts of the highest level in the UK and abroad. He is particularly skilled in maritime and aviation-related insurance concerns.

Alistair is fantastic in terms of his advocacy. He is the most persuasive in the technical points.

Alistair is one of the best in Bermuda Form.

Alistair is devastating. When he opens his mouth, everyone listens. He is absolutely brilliant on his feet.

He is an effective leader in any complex disputes and a persuasive advocate.

Alistair Schaff is the best the bar has to offer in this space.

Andrew Wales KC
1
Andrew Wales KC
1
Band 1

Andrew Wales KC takes on insurance work covering a range of different areas, including disputes in the pharmaceutical industry, major D&O claims and international cases involving political unrest. He also offers expertise in cases involving allegations of fraudulent behaviour.

Andrew is a very intelligent and very strong barrister.

Andrew is excellent at distilling the matter to the key issues.

Andrew is incredibly well-regarded for his hard-working, continuous approach. He has a very credible advocacy style.

He is very experienced on insurance and reinsurance matters and gives good, practical advice.

David Edwards
1
David Edwards
1
Band 1

David Edwards KC is an outstanding silk known for his forensic attention to detail and meticulous preparation. He has an impressive international practice and notable expertise in New York law and Bermuda Form work. He is noted for his extensive expertise in high-value insurance arbitrations.

He continues to be one of the leading practitioners at the insurance and reinsurance bar. His forensic analysis of issues is exemplary.

He is responsive and cuts to the heart of the issues in a commercial and concise manner.

David is first-class for Bermuda Form coverage work.

He is a safe pair of hands who always gets winning results.

David is very highly regarded and his work is absolutely first rate.

1
Jonathan Gaisman KC
1
Band 1

Jonathan Gaisman KC is consistently instructed in complex and high-profile insurance and reinsurance claims. He has extensive arbitration expertise, both as an advocate and as arbitrator. He is particularly well versed in Bermuda Form arbitrations and insurance disputes involving political risk. He is particularly experienced in marine insurance and energy-related claims.

He brings excellent energy and cracks on with the work.

He is very tough and extremely good.

Jonathan Gaisman is the leading insurance silk of his generation. He is immensely strong intellectually and has a forceful personality. People naturally listen to him in court.

Peter MacDonald Eggers
1
Peter MacDonald Eggers
1
Band 1

Peter MacDonald Eggers KC is a go-to silk for high-value insurance and reinsurance matters. He is involved in a wide array of international cases arising from complex issues such as political perils, trade sanctions and natural disasters. He has further expertise in insurance disputes relating to the financial, construction and energy sectors.

Peter is one of the best insurance lawyers at the Bar. His depth is unparalleled and he is a good advocate.

Peter is the best marine insurance KC at the bar.

He is a highly impressive KC who picks up the issues remarkably quickly.

He has a calm, gentle manner. He is a beautiful advocate and incredibly knowledgeable.

He is always available and his advice is nuanced and detailed.

Rebecca Sabben-Clare
1
Rebecca Sabben-Clare
1
Band 1

Rebecca Sabben-Clare KC possesses an impressive breadth and depth of insurance expertise. She acts for both insurers and insured parties in complex and high-value disputes across a variety of sectors. Political and war risks, professional indemnity and reinsurance disputes form key components of her practice.

She's very comfortable in any tribunal and has the ear of the court. Rebecca acts as an arbitrator herself so she has a good balance on what points to make and how. She is excellent and unflappable.

Her written style is fantastic. She breaks complexity down well. Her responsiveness is great too.

Not only does she understand the client's business, but she can adapt very quickly to client preferences and has the ability to think outside the box to find commercial solutions.

Rebecca is very able technically and has sound judgement.

Rebecca is very clear and succinct in her advice and an effective advocate.

Siobán Healy
1
Siobán Healy
1
Band 1

Siobán Healy KC is widely renowned for her work in the insurance industry, particularly when it comes to professional indemnity matters. She has impressive expertise in arbitrations and international disputes, and also acts in an advisory capacity for insurance companies. Additionally, she has considerable experience handling reinsurance and political risk disputes.

Siobán is a very careful, thorough lawyer. She is very user-friendly.

She is a great barrister.

Sushma Ananda
1
Sushma Ananda
1
Band 1

Sushma Ananda is a well-regarded junior active in the insurance space. She acts in cases regarding business interruption and public liability insurance, as well as Bermuda Form arbitrations.

Sushma produces a top quality work product.

Sushma is very bright and down-to-earth, along with being very confident and clear in oral advocacy.

A very experienced junior counsel who has loads of experience in international disputes.

Sushma is truly a pleasure to work with. Her soft client skills are fantastic. She is incredibly responsive and goes the extra mile.

2
Adam Fenton KC
2
Band 2

Adam Fenton KC receives instructions in a wide range of insurance and reinsurance disputes. He acts as both advocate and arbitrator, often in cases relating to the financial sector. He is also well versed in insurance coverage claims involving shipbuilding. His cases concern a wide array of allegations including fraud and professional negligence.

Adam is consistently top drawer. Clients warm to him instantly.

His work product is excellent.

Adam is very responsive, very user-friendly and always available to the team. He is also very thoughtful and thinks things through very carefully.

2
Benjamin Parker
2
Band 2

Benjamin Parker has significant involvement with insurance litigation and arbitration in domestic and international markets. He has particular expertise in claims arising out of the maritime and energy spheres. His experience includes appearances before the Supreme Court and the House of Lords.

Ben Parker is my first choice for all insurance and reinsurance cases. He is engaging and level-headed. He fits seamlessly into the team and the clients hugely appreciate that.

Ben is a very intelligent and supportive junior. He works hard and thinks outside the box.

2
Dominic Kendrick KC
2
Band 2

Dominic Kendrick KC is well known for handling high-value commercial disputes, including insurance and reinsurance litigation, arbitrations and appeals. He receives praise for his academic prowess and is also a highly sought-after arbitrator. He is particularly adept at insurance disputes arising out of shipping.

Dominic is wonderful.

He is very experienced and gives good practical advice.

Harry Wright
2
Harry Wright
2
Band 2

Harry Wright is a well-regarded junior who has developed an impressive reputation for his knowledge of the 2015 Insurance Act. He is also skilled in Bermuda Form arbitrations and marine-related insurance disputes. Alongside direct insurance matters, he handles high-profile and complex reinsurance cases.

Harry is a delight to work with. He cuts to the chase with client-focused advice and is whip smart too.

A superstar of the Commercial Bar: excellent on paper, very responsive and unflappable.

James Brocklebank
2
James Brocklebank
2
Band 2

James Brocklebank KC handles insurance claims arising out of a wide range of commercial matters, and has a particularly strong reputation in professional negligence cases and in the energy sector. He is skilled in cross-border disputes, including matters involving conflict of laws. He is also experienced in dealing with contractual and tortious matters. He demonstrates additional strength handling reinsurance disputes.

He is extremely well prepared, authoritative and clear in his submissions. James dealt with the client's nerves about the case very well.

James is particularly good on his feet.

He is clever and hard-working.

James delivers analytical and commercial advice.

He is pretty exceptional. James provides clear and concise advice which very much gets to the point.

Jessica Sutherland
2
Jessica Sutherland
2
Band 2

Jessica Sutherland maintains a broad insurance practice acting in brokers' negligence claims and reinsurance matters, in addition to coverage disputes. She offers expertise in both marine and non-marine claims. She is also proficient in cross-border matters involving shipping. She has notable experience in Bermuda Form arbitrations.

Jessica Sutherland is incredibly knowledgeable of all aspects of insurance law and provides clear and concise advice for the client.

Jessica is excellent and has particular experience of the intricacies of insurance claims in involving UHNWI and their assets.

Jess is a real star- she gets to grips with the detail, provides clear and focused advice, and understands the client concerns.

Josephine Higgs
2
Josephine Higgs
2
Band 2

Josephine Higgs KC is active across a wide spectrum of insurance and reinsurance disputes. She is experienced in domestic and international matters, and particularly skilled in Bermuda Form arbitrations. She is also well regarded for her astute handling of professional liability and property damage claims.

Her written advocacy is very strong.

She is great in distilling complex information into terms for clients to understand.

Her advocacy is exceptional and she has a real presence, be it in conference or the courtroom. When Jo speaks, people listen. On top of all that, she is fun to work with.

She is very detail-oriented and picks up on all the angles and remains very clear. Her care and caution have really served the client well.

She is very intelligent, clear on the merits and rarely wrong. Josephine is also impressive on her feet. She is the full package.

2
Keir Howie
2
Band 2

Keir Howie has a growing insurance practice encompassing a broad array of marine and non-marine matters. He has experience assisting with a diverse range of disputes, including those in connection with war risks, product liability and professional indemnity policies.

Keir Howie works incredibly hard and he's very good at reading the court.

He is extremely methodical, meticulous in his analysis, incredibly creative-minded and efficient.

Keir is thorough, displays common sense and clients like him.

2
Richard Waller
2
Band 2

Richard Waller KC specialises in political risk cases but also handles a wider range of international insurance and reinsurance work, particularly disputes with a large element of fraud. He has significant knowledge of business interruption and property damage claims. Waller is particularly well versed in insurance disputes relating to the financial sector and shipping.

Richard is an exceptional cross examiner and presents oral arguments with real flair. He has also established himself as the go-to silk for political risk and trade credit matters.

Richard Waller is good on the evidence and has excellent advocacy.

Richard Waller is an excellent advocate and leader who really gets on top of the detail, and works out how to deliver difficult arguments attractively.

2
Simon Kerr
2
Band 2

Simon Kerr acts for both insurers and insureds in high-value cases, including Bermuda Form arbitrations. He handles claims arising out of disputes in the energy, construction, shipping and commodities sectors, among others. He is regularly instructed in connection with cross-border insurance disputes.

An impressive and forensic advocate.

David Bailey
3
David Bailey
3
Band 3

David Bailey KC handles a broad spectrum of insurance work across numerous sectors, including shipping and construction, and is both an experienced litigator and arbitrator. He has extensive expertise in cases involving property damage claims. He is regularly involved in cross-border disputes and is especially knowledgeable about jurisdiction conflicts.

He has an encyclopaedic knowledge of insurance and reinsurance and case law. David is good on his feet, happy to help, approachable and technically outstanding.

He is an absolute fountain of wisdom and has great judgement.

David is a brilliant silk who is excellent in court.

David really is exceptionally skilled.

Jawdat Khurshid KC
3
Jawdat Khurshid KC
3
Band 3

Jawdat Khurshid KC is sought out for his insurance expertise, which forms a substantial part of a broader commercial practice. He is capable of handling both marine and non-marine cases and complex disputes relating to D&O insurance, professional indemnity and construction all-risks policies.

He is exceptionally user-friendly and responsive and can explain the most complex of issues with the utmost clarity. Jawdat is also an exceptional advocate and cross-examiner.

He is great to work with and very good technically.

Jocelin Gale
3
Jocelin Gale
3
Band 3

Jocelin Gale has a commercial practice that straddles insurance, shipping, civil fraud and banking. He is experienced in handling insurance matters relating to reinsurance, trade credit and directors' and officers' claims.

Jocelin is dedicated and engaged. He has real attention to detail - never any question of things slipping through the net with him.

Marcus Mander
3
Marcus Mander
3
Band 3

Marcus Mander is experienced in handling insurance and reinsurance matters involving fire damage, political risk, professional indemnity and marine insurance claims.

Marcus is very client-friendly, pragmatic and commercially-minded.

Michael Holmes
3
Michael Holmes
3
Band 3

Michael Holmes KC has a solid reputation in the market, particularly for reinsurance disputes, where he is a noted specialist. He is regularly involved in international arbitrations, particularly in the construction and energy sectors, and is highly adept at Bermuda Form arbitrations. He is also well acquainted with the insurance implications of the financial crisis, especially with regard to derivative transactions.

He has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the insurance market. Michael is forward thinking and good with clients.

He is very user-friendly.

Michael is easy to work with and accessible.

There is nobody that gets into the detail of a matter better than Michael Holmes; absolutely nothing gets past him.

He's phenomenally clever.

Sandra Healy
3
Sandra Healy
3
Band 3

Sandra Healy acts for both insurers and reinsurers in complex disputes arising from claims made on business interruption, all-risks and war risks policies. She is noted for her adroit handling of matters arising in the shipping sector and is often instructed to tackle high-value litigation concerning marine policies.

Sandra is very effective and knowledgeable.

A very capable senior junior.

Sarah Martin
3
Sarah Martin
3
Band 3

Sarah Martin has significant expertise in handling total loss claims within the marine insurance space. She is also instructed in war risks and Bermuda Form claims.

She combines a first class command of the law with astute commercial understanding and application. She is also extremely responsive and a pleasure to work with. Her skill set compliments any team.

She is a formidable intellect and able to grapple with the most complex legal problems. Sarah is exceptionally diligent and her attention to detail is second to none.

Stephen Hofmeyr
3
Stephen Hofmeyr
3
Band 3

Stephen Hofmeyr KC is recognised for his wide-ranging insurance expertise and strong track record in handling international insurance disputes arising from significant global crises. He is also noted for his prominence in marine insurance, and is further instructed in complex insurance disputes involving warranty and indemnity policies.

Stephen is an excellent counsel.

He is a very good communicator of complex facts.

3
Timothy Kenefick
3
Band 3

Timothy Kenefick is a well-respected and experienced junior capable of handling an array of complex insurance and reinsurance disputes, typically on behalf of insurers. He is also experienced in domestic and international arbitration and mediation. He has experience of marine insurance claims.

The most wonderful team member.

Tim is extremely good to work with - attentive, responsive and willing to listen and tailor his work accordingly.

Clara Benn
4
Clara Benn
4
Band 4

Clara Benn is a highly sought insurance junior. Benn is noted for her work on high-profile matters including those involving war and political risk insurance, liability issues and D&O disputes, among numerous other concerns. She is trusted by major law firms to act as sole counsel in many matters.

A top-flight insurance junior. She is almost unrivaled in her knowledge, ability and skill.

Michael Ryan
4
Michael Ryan
4
Band 4

Michael Ryan is a very trusted junior counsel for high profile insurance disputes. He has in-depth knowledge of such issues as war risk insurance and political violence and high value property damage to name but a few. He has experienced of acting both led and unled.

Michael is very clear in his advice and easy to work with. He quickly grasps complex issues.

Michael is an excellent senior junior. He is exceptionally bright, his written advice is top quality and he is very good on his feet.

4
Stephen Du
4
Band 4

Stephen Du is a well-regarded junior who regularly acts for insurers and insureds across various commercial and financial lines. He has particular and noteworthy experience in tackling complex matters arising out of credit-risk policy disputes.

With Stephen, you are getting KC quality for junior rates.

U
Douglas Grant
U
Up and Coming

Douglas Grant is a strong up and coming junior insurance practitioner. Grant has acted some of the most high profile cases at the bar including the Russian aviation matter. He also has experience in arbitration related litigation along with matters involving such issues as construction all risk insurance and marine insurance.

A strong barrister who is easy to work with and responsive.

Douglas Grant is very hard-working and responsive, with an impressive eye for detail.

A very user-friendly and highly intelligent barrister who I would recommend for any litigation.

Ranked Barristers at
7 King's Bench Walk

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Silks (KC)

London (Bar)

Insurance

Gavin Kealey KC
Gavin Kealey KC
Star Individuals
1
Alistair Schaff KC
1
Band 1
Andrew Wales KC
1
Andrew Wales KC
1
Band 1
David Edwards KC
1
David Edwards KC
1
Band 1
1
Jonathan Gaisman KC
1
Band 1
Peter MacDonald Eggers KC
1
Peter MacDonald Eggers KC
1
Band 1
Rebecca Sabben-Clare KC
1
Rebecca Sabben-Clare KC
1
Band 1
Siobán Healy KC
1
Siobán Healy KC
1
Band 1
2
Adam Fenton KC
2
Band 2
2
Dominic Kendrick KC
2
Band 2
James Brocklebank KC
2
James Brocklebank KC
2
Band 2
Josephine Higgs KC
2
Josephine Higgs KC
2
Band 2
2
Richard Waller KC
2
Band 2
David Bailey KC
3
David Bailey KC
3
Band 3
Jawdat Khurshid KC
3
Jawdat Khurshid KC
3
Band 3
Michael Holmes KC
3
Michael Holmes KC
3
Band 3
Stephen Hofmeyr KC
3
Stephen Hofmeyr KC
3
Band 3

Juniors

London (Bar)

Insurance

Alexander MacDonald
1
Alexander MacDonald
1
Band 1
Sushma Ananda
1
Sushma Ananda
1
Band 1
2
Benjamin Parker
2
Band 2
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