Chirag Karia KC
UK Bar Guide 2025
Band 2 : Shipping & Commodities
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+44 20 7583 4444Share profile
Band 2
About
Provided by Chirag Karia KC
Practice Areas
Commercial litigation/arbitration, shipping, commodities, energy, insurance/reinsurance and international arbitration. Cases: GTLK v Aviation Reinsurers (lead counsel in US$2.2 billion aviation insurance claim for Russia’s seizure of leased aircraft); Sharp v Viterra [2023] 2 All E.R.(Comm) 457(CA)(GAFTA Default-Clause construction); Stema Barge [2022] 1 Lloyd’s Rep. 170(CA)(meaning of “operator” in Limitation Convention); 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); Arbitrations on contaminated bunkers, lien-on-sub-freights & 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).
Professional Memberships
COMBAR; State Bar of California.
Publications
Joint Editor, “Butterworths Commercial Court and Arbitration Pleadings”
Chambers Review
UK Bar
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.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Chirag provides prompt, clear and concise advice which contributes substantially to commercial settlements."
"Chirag provides very clear and succinct advice."
"Chirag is excellent in advising on points of contractual interpretation."
"Chirag provides prompt, clear and concise advice which contributes substantially to commercial settlements."
"Chirag provides very clear and succinct advice."
"Chirag is excellent in advising on points of contractual interpretation."