Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Shipping & Commodities - London (Bar)

1
Band 1

What the Team is Known For

A market-leading set, Quadrant Chambers continues to excel, offering a raft of stellar silks and high-calibre juniors who exhibit strong sector expertise in both dry and wet shipping matters as well as significant commodities disputes. Members regularly appear in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court in the highest-profile cases, often with far-reaching implications. Recent instructions include work for The X-press Pearl, representing the owners in Admiralty Court limitation action proceedings against salvors in respect of a claim arising out of a container ship fire. Sources say the set has "experienced barristers with a number at the top of the tree". Another interviewee noting the set is "by far the largest shipping-focused chambers with a large number of excellent barristers".

Strengths

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Notable Practitioners

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Luke Parsons
Luke Parsons
Star Individuals

Luke Parsons KC is an esteemed silk who is well respected for his broad shipping and commodities practice covering issues such as shipbuilding, ship sale and charter party disputes. He is highly active in the Court of Appeal, the Commercial Court and the High Court, and is equally adept at arbitrations.

Luke is excellent across the board.

A top silk, I'm always very impressed by him.

Nevil Phillips
Nevil Phillips
Star Individuals

Nevil Phillips is an outstanding junior with an excellent and longstanding reputation who frequently appears unled against KCs. He has marked experience covering wet and dry shipping disputes, and he has authored a leading text on the Merchant Shipping Act 1995.

If you need an expert, you go to him as he knows the topic inside out.

Nevil is widely acknowledged as one of the leading barristers of the London shipping and commodities Bar. His intelligence and knowledge are second to none.

You can always be sure that he will provide a deep and thorough analysis of the law and its impact upon the merits of the claim.

Simon Rainey
Star Individuals

Simon Rainey KC is a highly acclaimed silk active across the shipping and commodities spaces. His exceptional practice covers diverse matters including shipbuilding, piracy and explosion, dangerous cargo and charter party disputes. He is further noted for his excellence in superyacht disputes.

It is always a pleasure to work with Simon and to witness his incredible brain in action.

Simon has a unique ability to distil complex litigation into a handful of propositions, and to develop arguments straightforwardly and clearly without ever compromising on accuracy and sophistication.

He always has the ear of court and comes up with good potential arguments in tricky cases.

Ben Gardner
1
Ben Gardner
1
Band 1

Ben Gardner is a well-regarded junior with a broad practice covering commodities and shipping matters as well as insurance and conflict of laws. He regularly receives direct in-house instructions from industry clients to appear in courtroom trials and confidential arbitrations.

Ben is extremely sharp and gets to the heart of a matter very quickly.

Ben has the best commercial awareness and understanding of any barrister.

Ben was hugely impressive and displayed a creative yet sophisticated approach.

Benjamin Coffer
1
Benjamin Coffer
1
Band 1

Benjamin Coffer is a standout shipping and commodities junior. He has expertise in charter party, shipbuilding and ship finance disputes, as well as in both hard and soft commodities including oil, coal, steel, sugar and grain.

Benjamin writes with elegance and economy, and has a strong insight into which issues will really matter to the eventual outcome.

Benjamin is extremely clever and approachable.

Ben is superb - he is responsive and user-friendly, gives commercial advice and is realistic on the merits.

Caroline Pounds
1
Caroline Pounds
1
Band 1

Caroline Pounds is a sought-after junior regularly engaged in a broad range of high-profile wet and dry shipping disputes and commodities cases. She is highly commended for her ability in the High Court and in arbitration, frequently appearing on a sole basis. Her instructions arise from around the world.

Caroline is extremely clever and approachable, one of my go-to counsel.

Caroline is a very capable lawyer and drafts very good pleadings.

Caroline is a fantastic junior. She is just on top of everything and really keeps her eye on the ball. She is super user-friendly and she covers everything.

Her clear, strategic thinking, combined with effective communication and a pragmatic approach, ensures the best possible outcomes for clients.

John Russell
1
John Russell
1
Band 1

John Russell KC is a tough advocate whose shipping practice includes charter parties, shipbuilding and piracy claims. He has particular acumen in both cargo claims and yacht-related disputes. He is as at ease appearing in arbitrations as he is in courtroom trials. He has marked experience in cases concerning force majeure clauses.

He can hold his own against very good KCs so I think he is a great advocate.

His ability to wield Occam's razor against opponents' lengthy diatribes and distil the essence of a problem to one or two paragraphs of text is one of his great draws and is a genuine talent.

He is a winning combination of incredibly bright, commercial and client-focused. His advice is user-friendly, he is highly responsive and I would want him on my team for any difficult case.

Paul Henton
1
Paul Henton
1
Band 1

Paul Henton is an experienced junior with capability in a range of Commercial Court and arbitration actions. His practice encompasses both wet and dry shipping cases, many of which are the subject of considerable press interest.

Paul is a real fighter in cross-examination and absolutely brilliant at strategic examination.

Paul is a very sound shipping barrister. He is in the top drawer of senior juniors.

Paul is consistently excellent and very user-friendly.

Poonam Melwani
1
Poonam Melwani
1
Band 1

Poonam Melwani KC is a well-regarded silk who approaches shipping and commodities cases within the context of a far-reaching commercial practice. She is regularly instructed in charter party, bill of lading and general contract disputes. Her practice also includes disputes regarding alleged fraud.

Poonam is good at presenting the big picture in a way that is very understandable.

Robert Thomas
1
Robert Thomas
1
Band 1

Robert Thomas KC is a switched-on barrister whose varied practice includes shipping and commodities matters and advice on anti-suit injunctions. He is recognised for his ability in both arbitrations and litigation.

He is always available, very user-friendly and happy to work alongside other barristers.

Robert is an excellent advocate, technically very good and incredibly easy to work with.

Rob was a pleasure to work with and provided excellent and timely assistance.

1
Ruth Hosking
1
Band 1

Ruth Hosking is commended for her practice covering bills of lading, charter parties and commodities disputes as well as anti-suit injunctions. She appears in the Commercial Court and the Admiralty Court as well as in arbitrations. She is regularly instructed directly.

Simon Croall KC
1
Simon Croall KC
1
Band 1

Simon Croall KC is a distinguished barrister with a superb practice that takes in shipping, commodities and international trade matters. He has a fantastic track record in the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court and the Commercial Court, as well as in arbitrations. He is experienced in handling disputes regarding charter parties and matters pertaining to ship detention and shipbuilding.

Simon is a superb tactician and advocate. He spots issues before they are on anyone else's radar and is a trusted hand to steer a case to victory.

Andrew Carruth
2
Andrew Carruth
2
Band 2

Andrew Carruth impresses with his wet and dry shipping practice. He has the skills to act in high-profile shipping cases and is frequently instructed as sole counsel on matters.

Andrew's opinions are clearly presented with a good analysis and consideration of the issues in dispute.

Andrew is a good junior with great potential, and his advocacy is good for his years.

Andrew is a barrister who performs above his level of call, and he has good commercial awareness and strong written advocacy. He is one to watch.

Andrew Leung
2
Andrew Leung
2
Band 2

Andrew Leung is a notable junior, regularly instructed in complex and high-value proceedings before the Commercial Court, Admiralty Court and Court of Appeal. He is regularly instructed in wet and dry shipping disputes as well as significant commodities claims.

A very capable barrister with excellent legal knowledge and clearly a rising star.

Andrew Leung is an outstanding, reliable and user-friendly junior who is very popular with the shipping and commodities spaces in Asia.

Andrew is excellent to work with, reliable and efficient.

Andrew Stevens
2
Andrew Stevens
2
Band 2

Andrew Stevens is a respected junior in demand for his capabilities in international shipping arbitrations. He possesses additional expertise acting in shipbuilding cases.

I can recommend Andrew for assistance in international, cross-border litigation, in particular international arbitration.

Andrew handled the oral advocacy, and we were just so impressed with his advocacy and he was easy to work with.

Chirag Karia
2
Chirag Karia
2
Band 2

Chirag Karia KC is a barrister with a significant shipping and commodities practice who undertakes work in a variety of areas including cargo claims, collisions and marine insurance disputes. Many of his instructions cross multiple jurisdictions. He has notable experience in cases concerning anti-suit injunctions.

Chirag is a strong all-round shipping and commercial silk.

He has performed consistently outstandingly throughout the time that I have worked with him.

Gemma Morgan
2
Gemma Morgan
2
Band 2

Gemma Morgan has a broad practice covering wet and dry shipping work as well as matters concerning commodities and international carriage of goods. Morgan has a prominent arbitration practice, regularly undertaking shipbuilding and technical disputes. She is especially adept at conducting arbitrations under LMAA terms. She is further noted for her yachts work.

She is super friendly, super accommodating and a great advocate to boot.

Gemma is a highly skilled barrister renowned for her deep knowledge of shipping law and impressive advocacy abilities.

Gemma is undaunted by facing much more senior opponents, and her sense of the direction of travel of a case and whether or not 'blows have landed' with the tribunal is uncanny.

2
Henry Ellis
2
Band 2

Henry Ellis is highly regarded for his work across both dry and wet shipping matters as well as commodities disputes. He appears in both courtroom trials and arbitrations, and is particularly recognised for his experience of dispute resolution in Asia. He is further recognised for his capabilities in international trade work.

Henry has provided ongoing support which has been very helpful.

James M Turner
2
James M Turner
2
Band 2

James Turner KC is a highly recommended barrister regularly instructed in shipbuilding, salvage and marine casualties. He also covers charter parties and trade finance matters, including bills of exchange and letters of credit. He is a familiar presence in the Commercial and Admiralty Courts. He also appears regularly in arbitration proceedings.

James is very commercial, responsive and has also embraced new regulation. He is a go-to person on maritime technology and environmental regulation.

James grasps complex technical and legal problems and explains these with ease. He is a true team player and delight to work with, and we trust his judgement fully.

James gets to the nub of matters and quickly sees the real essence of a problem.

2
Michael Davey KC
2
Band 2

Michael Davey KC is well regarded for his ability in wet and dry shipping disputes including charter parties, bills of lading, salvage and collisions. He also covers related insurance and conflict of law matters. He has significant knowledge of fisheries disputes.

Michael is an outstanding barrister who is extremely bright, commercial and has the interest of the client at heart.

2
Natalie Moore
2
Band 2

Natalie Moore is an accomplished junior with capability to act in international trade and in wet and dry shipping matters in the Commercial Court and in arbitration. She has handled cases relating to piracy as well as bill of lading and charter party disputes. She has a strong knowledge of anti-suit injunctions.

We rely on her a great deal.

Natalie is an outstanding barrister with exceptional expertise in shipping and commercial litigation, combining sharp analytical skills with strategic and persuasive advocacy.

Natalie punches way above her weight and you definitely want her on your team, especially for a large, complex matter.

Nigel Cooper KC
2
Nigel Cooper KC
2
Band 2

Nigel Cooper KC is a well-known silk engaged in both wet and dry shipping work as well as insurance and international trade matters. He frequently advises on shipbuilding and yacht-related disputes. He represents clients both as an advocate in court cases and arbitrations and as an arbitrator. He accepts instructions from law firms, corporations, insurance companies and the UK government.

Nigel is a silk who is not afraid to roll his sleeves up and is very approachable and available.

Nigel knows his stuff and how to apply it.

2
Nigel Jacobs KC
2
Band 2

Nigel Jacobs KC is an esteemed practitioner who frequently tackles collision, salvage and marine insurance matters as well as dry shipping work. He is regularly called on to handle complex international cases across a range of jurisdictions.

He is a very bright, responsive and user-friendly KC.

Nigel is a tried and trusted silk for many types of shipping matters and much easier to work with than some of comparable experience.

Stewart Buckingham KC
2
Stewart Buckingham KC
2
Band 2

Stewart Buckingham KC demonstrates considerable expertise across a wide practice area, taking on work in energy commodities, shipbuilding, and wet and dry shipping law. He has notable experience of both highly technical arbitrations and litigation in the Commercial Court. He has acted in numerous cases concerning piracy, collision and salvage.

Stewart is very direct in his approach and is not shy giving his opinion.

Stewart is clever, commercial and a pleasure to work with.

Stewart is an excellent barrister and great to work with.

Tom Bird
2
Tom Bird
2
Band 2

Tom Bird is an impressive junior with a burgeoning dry shipping practice. He regularly acts in charter party, bill of lading and shipbuilding disputes. He represents ship owners and cargo interests in significant arbitrations and court actions. He also has notable expertise in commodities cases.

Tom is fantastic on the insurance side of things.

He is able to distil complex, legal issues succinctly and suggest solutions which are tailored to the commercial needs of the clients.

3
Chris Smith
3
Band 3

Chris Smith KC is an accomplished silk with a wide-ranging practice encompassing dry shipping, commodities, transport and insurance disputes. He is a familiar figure in court and arbitration proceedings.

Chris put the case across very clearly and compellingly.

Chris is user-friendly, responsive and good on his feet. He is able to deal with complex legal and factual issues very well.

Chris is really good - he's approachable and knows shipping law inside out.

3
John Passmore
3
Band 3

John Passmore KC is a highly able silk with a broad practice covering wet and dry shipping as well as commodities disputes. He also takes on ship sale and purchase, shipbuilding and offshore construction matters. He is also frequently sought out to provide advice on marine insurance issues.

John is able to deal with complex issues swiftly and able to offer strategic input in addition to pure legal guidance.

John thinks deeply about the details and the nuances. He is a master of condensing the essence of the dispute and is a delight to work with.

John provided clear legal and practical advice in a focused and responsive manner.

Koye Akoni
3
Koye Akoni
3
Band 3

Koye Akoni is a noteworthy junior who boasts an international commercial practice encompassing both wet and dry shipping matters. Akoni is experienced in representing clients in shipping disputes, often relating to liability, risk, smuggling and default.

Koye's advocacy is very strong and he gives pragmatic advice.

Koye is easy to work with.

Mark Stiggelbout
3
Mark Stiggelbout
3
Band 3

Mark Stiggelbout is a well-regarded shipping and commodities practitioner with additional faculty in insurance, energy and insolvency disputes. He regularly acts in court and arbitration proceedings and has experience obtaining urgent injunctive relief.

Mark is a pleasure to work with. He is always approachable and collegiate while remaining very strong on the law.

Max Davidson
3
Max Davidson
3
Band 3

Max Davidson offers expertise across wet and dry shipping disputes. He has particular experience handling complex LMAA arbitrations. He is further noted for his competencies in commodities cases.

Max obtained a great result and was a pleasure to work with.

Max is extremely clever and not afraid to express a strong view and super quick.

Max has strong communication and straightforward drafting in relation to complex issues.

Michael Nolan KC
3
Michael Nolan KC
3
Band 3

Michael Nolan KC manages an extensive shipping practice covering litigation, arbitration and advice. He deals with charter party, bill of lading and shipbuilding contract disputes. He has particular knowledge of the sea-fishing industry as well as harbour law.

Michael is very experienced in complex cases.

His advice is always of a high quality, and he is very user-friendly and always appreciates the commercial nuances of the claim.

Nichola Warrender KC
3
Nichola Warrender KC
3
Band 3

Nichola Warrender KC is an experienced barrister with significant expertise in wet and dry shipping, international trade and commodity matters. She also handles shipbuilding cases and other commercial disputes.

Nichola is eloquent, calm and collected, and the detail of the advice is exceptional.

Nichola has detailed, forensic, relentless focus to understand the evidence and present the client's case with the best possible arguments.

3
Peter Stevenson
3
Band 3

Peter Stevenson focuses on high-value commodities and shipping disputes. His practice covers wet and dry shipping work as well as marine insurance and shipbuilding. He is well known for his ability to take on a range of disputes involving affreightment, dangerous cargo, collisions and unsafe port claims.

Peter is excellent all round.

Not only is he incredibly clever but he keeps in mind the commercial realities of any dispute.

Peter is a very bright barrister who gets to the nub of the issue very quickly.

Saira Paruk
3
Saira Paruk
3
Band 3

Saira Paruk is a respected junior with a broad knowledge of the shipping industry. Her practice spans bills of lading and charter party disputes as well as cargo damage claims.

Saira is very cerebral, very calm and methodical in her approach, which was very much appreciated in the midst of aggressive litigation.

Saira is extremely intelligent.

Saira is very clever and approachable.

Thomas Macey-Dare KC
3
Thomas Macey-Dare KC
3
Band 3

Thomas Macey-Dare KC is a highly commended practitioner specialising in wet and dry shipping, international trade and insurance disputes. He has particular strength in emergency applications as well as technical issues related to navigation and seamanship. He is a frequent presence both on the courtroom circuit and in trade arbitrations.

Tom Nixon
3
Tom Nixon
3
Band 3

Tom Nixon is capable of working across all facets of shipping and commodities. He possesses the acumen to work as a sole counsel and is comfortable acting in high-value cases.

He has been excellent on the advisory side of work, with really good attention to detail, and he provides helpful advice.

Tom is certainly one of our preferred counsels and we always strive to appoint him. He is bright, user-friendly and cost-efficient.

He is very astute and good at taking a look at the case and turning out submissions. He will drop everything to assist a case.

Yash Kulkarni
3
Yash Kulkarni
3
Band 3

Yash Kulkarni KC is a skilful barrister with an active shipping and commodities practice, who works to resolve disputes through litigation and arbitration. He has marked experience in freezing, search and asset preservation orders, as well as anti-suit injunctions.

Yash is an excellent operator. He is reassuringly cool, calm and collected.

Yash is an unflappable advocate with a strong and measured style of advocacy.

Yash is exceptionally bright and a pleasure to work with.

4
Andrew Guy Blackwood
4
Band 4

Andrew Guy Blackwood KC is a well-regarded silk who is experienced in commercial litigation, specifically relating to cargo recovery, insurance disputes and smuggling matters.

He is extremely highly regarded and a very good advocate, and judges trust him.

Andrew is a marine insurance guru.

Jakob Reckhenrich
4
Jakob Reckhenrich
4
Band 4

Jakob Reckhenrich is a talented shipping and commodities junior with a wide range of experience covering such matters as charter party agreements, vessel damage issues and sale disputes. He is fluent in German and has a working knowledge of French, allowing him to be instructed in international matters on a regular basis.

Jakob is user-friendly and works great as part of a counsel team. He is very responsive, and his drafting is very good.

He has an impressive ability to grasp large amounts of content and detail and convert these into meaningful work product. His written work is excellent and misses nothing.

4
James Shirley
4
Band 4

James Shirley accepts shipping instructions within a broad-ranging commercial practice. He has experience in charter party disputes, demurrage and unsafe port claims. He handles both litigation and arbitrations.

James consistently delivers high-quality, solution-oriented work.

He had a remarkable attention to detail and thoroughness, while impressing during cross-examination.

Jamie Hamblen
4
Jamie Hamblen
4
Band 4
Jamie Hamblen has a notable and wide-ranging commercial practice with experience as both a sole and junior counsel. His work encompasses a broad range of shipping, shipbuilding and commodities matters. He has experience acting in arbitrations.

Jamie is very responsive, hard-working and a good advocate. He is our go-to junior.

Jamie punches above his weight; the service he provides far exceeds his years of call. He is smart, responsive and a pleasure to work with.

John Kimbell
4
John Kimbell
4
Band 4

John Kimbell KC has a flourishing commercial practice encompassing wet and dry shipping work. He routinely acts in LMAA arbitrations and in the Commercial and Admiralty Courts. He enjoys a substantial following among clients in Germany, where he is a qualified lawyer. He also sits as a GMAA arbitrator.

John is exceptionally capable, consistently delivering clear, commercially focused and highly responsive advice.

Paul Toms
4
Paul Toms
4
Band 4

Paul Toms KC is a highly regarded barrister with marked capability in shipping and commodities actions in the High Court and London Mercantile Court and in arbitration. He acts in piracy and charter party disputes, among other areas, and has a burgeoning appellate practice.

Paul is a very clever chap and is a very good operator in this space.

Paul is very effective, has a high level of commercial awareness and is quick to turn around high-quality work.

He is very organised, gives very clear advice and is very thoughtful.

Ranked Barristers at
Quadrant Chambers

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Silks (KC)

London (Bar)

Shipping & Commodities

Luke Parsons KC
Luke Parsons KC
Star Individuals
Simon Rainey KC
Star Individuals
John Russell KC
1
John Russell KC
1
Band 1
Poonam Melwani KC
1
Poonam Melwani KC
1
Band 1
Robert Thomas KC
1
Robert Thomas KC
1
Band 1
Simon Croall KC
1
Simon Croall KC
1
Band 1
Chirag Karia KC
2
Chirag Karia KC
2
Band 2
James M Turner KC
2
James M Turner KC
2
Band 2
2
Michael Davey KC
2
Band 2
Nigel Cooper KC
2
Nigel Cooper KC
2
Band 2
2
Nigel Jacobs KC
2
Band 2
Stewart Buckingham KC
2
Stewart Buckingham KC
2
Band 2
3
Chris Smith KC
3
Band 3
3
John Passmore KC
3
Band 3
Michael Nolan KC
3
Michael Nolan KC
3
Band 3
Nichola Warrender KC
3
Nichola Warrender KC
3
Band 3
Thomas Macey-Dare KC
3
Thomas Macey-Dare KC
3
Band 3
Yash Kulkarni KC
3
Yash Kulkarni KC
3
Band 3
4
Andrew Guy Blackwood KC
4
Band 4
John Kimbell KC
4
John Kimbell KC
4
Band 4
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