Shipping & Commodities

7 King's Bench Walk is an outstanding chambers that offers first-rate expertise in shipping and commodities. Members of 7 King's Bench Walk have appeared at all levels of court in many recent, high-profile shipping cases, including YieldStreet v QBE,a high-value fraud claim involving vessels sold for scrap. The set is particularly recognised for its capabilities in insurance coverage disputes, fraud-related cases and loss of cargo claims. An interviewee notes: "7KBW is capable of quickly providing clear and concise advice to complicated matters," while another adds: "It is a go-to set for shipping disputes."

"The clerks are top-notch and professional."

"All the clerks are helpful and responsive, providing an excellent service."

"The clerks have an approachable manner and provide a strong level of service."

"The clerks at 7KBW provide prime service."

"Excellent service, and Gary Rose, joint deputy senior clerk, is an experienced and commercially minded clerk."

Greg Leyden is the senior clerk.

Charles Priday
Charles Priday is a highly accomplished and respected junior with an admirable practice covering dry shipping, shipbuilding and international trade disputes. He regularly acts on a sole basis against KCs in litigation and arbitration, and has notable experience advising on charter. "Charles is commercially savvy and provides a fantastic service every time." "Charles is a knowledgeable and strong advocate on shipping matters." "He is always very reliable, competent and on top of the detail."

Alistair Schaff KC
Alistair Schaff KC is a leading commercial barrister renowned for his ability in shipping, insurance and international trade disputes. An admired advocate, he is also regularly called on to act as an arbitrator. He has been engaged in relation to a wide variety of topics, from charter parties to shipbuilding. "Alistair has an excellent way of communicating, a really good courtroom presence and pitches the case perfectly."

Dominic Kendrick KC
Dominic Kendrick KC is an eminent silk with a commercial practice of the highest calibre. He has considerable expertise in sophisticated shipbuilding cases and charter party disputes. He appears in both high-profile court cases and confidential arbitrations. "Dominic is an excellent silk with incredible insight into the shipping space."

Jonathan Gaisman KC
Jonathan Gaisman KC is a highly regarded barrister who has worked on some of the most significant shipping cases in recent years. With shipping a core strength of his practice, Gaisman advises on high-value and complex cases, with particular excellence in marine insurance fraud. "He provides unbelievably strong legal knowledge and very sound commercial advice."

Peter MacDonald Eggers KC
Peter MacDonald Eggers KC is a dynamic commercial barrister with capability across shipping, commodities, insurance and energy matters, among other areas. He has experience in piracy, sanctions, charter party and sale of goods disputes, as well as a niche specialism in losses caused by natural disasters. "I very strongly recommend Peter and have very high confidence in him." "I think extremely highly of Peter, he's first class." "Peter is a very good silk."

Alexander MacDonald
Alexander MacDonald is a formidable junior with considerable experience in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. He advises on international sanctions and shipbuilding contracts, as well as significant cases involving marine insurance cover. "Alexander is really excellent."

Benjamin Parker
Benjamin Parker is a highly regarded junior, adept at handling a range of commercial shipping disputes. He regularly appears in the Commercial Court and in arbitration, and also has a burgeoning advisory practice. Many of his cases are international in origin or have international elements. "Benjamin is very experienced and has extremely deep knowledge of the law." "He offers thoughtful and measured advice throughout."

David Allen KC
David Allen KC is a tough and technically knowledgeable barrister. His practice encompasses a range of shipping and commercial disputes, and he has particular expertise in offshore and superyacht-related matters.

Marcus Mander
Marcus Mander is a capable practitioner who undertakes cases across the whole range of commercial shipping litigation. He takes on shipbuilding and ship finance disputes in litigation and arbitration. "Marcus is an excellent barrister."

Richard Sarll
Richard Sarll is an adroit junior who acts in both commercial shipping and admiralty law and frequently contributes to the academic literature on the subject. He is instructed in charter party disputes, general average cases and collisions. He is adept at handling claims relating to commodities contracts. "Richard is great. He is extremely knowledgeable and has a very nice manner about him." "Richard is excellent. He is very fast, offers great advice and has a fantastic reputation."

Richard Southern KC
Richard Southern KC is an excellent barrister with marked ability in shipping matters. He has a particular focus on charter party disputes involving such commodities as crude oil and iron ore. An accomplished advocate, he also accepts instruction as an arbitrator. His clients hail from around the world. "Richard is a top-notch KC with great advocacy skills." "He commands the tribunal's attention in both written and oral submissions." "Richard is all over the detail and will pick up anything that has been missed."

Richard Waller KC
Richard Waller KC is a highly regarded practitioner with experience in a range of shipping disputes. He acts in both litigation and arbitrations under LMAA rules, and easily turns his hand to charter party disputes and fraud cases. "Richard is a very good silk."

Sandra Healy
Sandra Healy is a strong junior regularly instructed in shipping and commodities matters in litigation and arbitration. She has marked ability in charter party and cargo claim disputes, and has expertise in interim relief and jurisdiction matters. "Sandra is very responsive and has a great ability to balance complex legal arguments with the commercialism required by clients." "Her work product is really well considered and immediately usable." "Sandra is a very strong barrister."

Siobán Healy KC
Siobán Healy KC is a notable silk specialising in shipping, commodities and international trade matters including dangerous cargoes, demurrage and shipbuilding disputes. She regularly acts in arbitrations as an advocate and is frequently appointed as an arbitrator. "She is very experienced. A great, thorough and wonderful lawyer." "She is very impressive and sees things from the point of view of the client." "She is an excellent advocate."

Stephen Hofmeyr KC
Stephen Hofmeyr KC is an experienced barrister with expertise in a range of shipping matters including shipbuilding disputes, yacht-related litigation and charter party disputes. He appears as an advocate in Commercial Court and arbitration and also engages in advisory work. "He has precise and deep knowledge of shipping law and handles matters effectively." "Stephen is excellent. He is incredibly polite, intelligent and a trusted adviser in large cases." "He understands the technical evidence and has the ability to manage parties in a friendly and efficient manner."

Adam Turner
Adam Turner is an experienced junior who is well versed in dry shipping matters as well as international trade and insurance. He is instructed both led and unled and has expertise in cases involving commercial fraud, jurisdictional issues and interim relief. "Adam is a good lawyer who is very calm." "Adam is very committed and well versed in the law."

Clara Benn
Clara Benn is an accomplished shipping and commodities-focused junior noted for her work on high-profile shipping cases. She is further highlighted for her competencies in ship financing disputes. She appears both in court and in arbitration proceedings. "Clara is really bright and very commercial." "Clara is really excellent at getting to the heart of a dispute and is really clear in her thinking." "Clara is excellent, she's got a really good working relationship with her solicitors and counsels."

David Bailey KC
David Bailey KC is a strong practitioner with capability in a range of shipping matters in both litigation and arbitration. He is recognised for his experience in shipbuilding and yacht-related disputes.

Gavin Geary
Gavin Geary is a well-regarded junior frequently appearing in the Commercial Court on a variety of shipping and commodities disputes. He is also well acquainted with international cases as well as arbitrations. "Gavin is very thorough, very considerate and pleasant to deal with." "Gavin is very pragmatic and wraps his head around issues very quickly." "Gavin is a pleasure to work with."

Jason Robinson
Jason Robinson is regularly instructed by leading shipping solicitors and P&I clubs to handle high-value cases. He is well known for representing clients in superyacht and shipbuilding cases. "Jason is incredibly responsive, gets familiarised with matters incredibly quickly and is able to understand the client's goals." "Jason is very user-friendly, robust and commercial."

Jessica Sutherland
Jessica Sutherland is an effective barrister whose practice covers shipping litigation and arbitration. She acts on matters arising from charter party disputes and general average claims. She upholds an active cross-border practice and has experience taking on cases originating in Hong Kong and South Africa. "Jessica is very good, efficient and user-friendly."

Stephen Kenny KC
Stephen Kenny KC is admired for his long experience of dealing with shipping, commodities and international trade disputes, and he also handles cases involving allegations of fraud. He is further noted for his work on energy and insurance matters. "Stephen is technically astute and able to give clear advice on complex issues." "He is a very intelligent barrister." "Stephen is really good and very efficient."

Andrew Pearson
Andrew Pearson has experience acting on significant shipping cases in the High Court. He is well regarded for his shipbuilding and yachts practice. "Andrew is hard-working, responsive and pragmatic." "Andrew has a very approachable style and has a rare ability to provide straightforward advice on complex legal issues with practical commercial vision." "He is a very good lawyer with solid experience and is very user-friendly."

Charles Holroyd
Charles Holroyd is an experienced and established junior with a vast knowledge of shipping law, including shipbuilding, ship finance, sale and purchase, international trade and more. "Charles is able to turn complex legal and factual questions to short and straightforward advice." "Charles gives sensible advice in disputes and provides strong support to his clients." "He handles disputes impeccably and is a very bright lawyer who is very calm and provides good, considerate advice."

Gavin Kealey KC
Gavin Kealey KC is the head of chambers and has deep shipping expertise which he puts to use on complex matters. He often receives high-value international instructions and also appears in arbitrations. "Gavin has a very strong reputation in the shipping space and is a fearless advocate for his client." "His knowledge is incredible."

Jawdat Khurshid KC
Jawdat Khurshid KC is a well-respected silk who advises on complex commercial disputes in the shipping and commodities spaces. He is noted for his presence on significant international matters. "Jawdat is calm, good forensically and explains the issues and how to deal with them well." "Jawdat is a practical and talented advocate, providing excellent service and quality work." "He is solid throughout, very accessible and very good with clients."

Jocelin Gale
Jocelin Gale is an expert in commercial litigation and arbitration with a focus on shipping. He has a background in banking and is regularly instructed on cases involving insurance issues or complex financial structures. "Jocelin is extremely committed and clever. He is good to work with and a fierce opponent." "Jocelin is a very good barrister."

Michael Holmes KC
Michael Holmes KC is a highly proficient silk whose practice includes cargo claims, international carriage of goods and a range of charter party disputes including unsafe ports, quarantine and dangerous cargoes. He also acts in yacht-related actions. Holmes has notable experience in LMAA arbitrations with the Commercial Court.

Sarah Martin
Sarah Martin has impressive capabilities when working across commodities as well as wet and dry shipping issues. She has extensive experience working on multi-jurisdictional cases and excels in litigation and arbitration settings. "Sarah has a first-class intellect backed up by a commercial mind. She is highly approachable and a pleasure to work with." "Sarah is very clear on case detail and strategy."

Stephen Du
Stephen Du works at the forefront of the shipping and commodities industry with a standout multi-jurisdictional practice. He is particularly experienced leading cases in Asia. "Stephen shows a remarkable ability to revert quickly on complex issues with clear advice." "He is very capable and delivers advice in a very user-friendly manner." "Stephen is an extremely skilled barrister who provides a prompt and diligent service."

Tim Jenns
Tim Jenns is a barrister with experience handling a broad range of charter party disputes. He has handled arbitrations and boasts a cross-border commercial litigation practice. "His approach ensures no stone has been left unturned by the time you reach the court."

N G Casey KC
N G Casey KC is a new silk with strength in a range of litigation and arbitration cases. He frequently tackles charter party disputes and has a noteworthy specialism in high-value cases involving the design and construction of superyachts. "He is very commercial, understands what the client wants to achieve and finds solutions." "He is very strong, user-friendly and approachable."