SILK PROFILE
Michael Holmes KC

Michael Holmes KC

UK Bar 2026

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Chambers ranking badge

Ranked in 5 practice areas

About

Provided by 7 King's Bench Walk

Practice Areas

Michael specialises in all aspects of commercial law, including insurance and reinsurance, shipping and international trade, commercial fraud, professional negligence (including underwriting agents, brokers and solicitors), conflict of laws and jurisdiction disputes, as well as more general commercial disputes. He appears regularly in the Commercial Court, and the Chancery Division of the High Court as well as in arbitration.

In 2018 Michael was nominated for the Chambers Bar Awards Insurance Junior of the Year. He is ranked as a leading silk in both Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500 in Insurance, International Arbitration, Shipping & Commodities, Commercial Litigation and Civil Fraud.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

UK Bar

Insurance - London (Bar)

Band 3
Band 3

Individual Editorial

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.

Shipping & Commodities - London (Bar)

Band 4
Band 4

Individual Editorial

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.

International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance - London (Bar)

Band 4
Band 4

Individual Editorial

Michael Holmes KC provides robust representation in international arbitrations and related court applications, and has expertise in the spheres of insurance and reinsurance, telecommunications, and energy and natural resources. He has notable experience acting in high-value Bermuda Form arbitrations as well as under the rules of the LMAA and LCIA.

Fraud: Civil - London (Bar)

Band 4
Band 4

Individual Editorial

Michael Holmes KC is considered a must-have silk to instruct by well-regarded fraud practices. He is skilled in acting on behalf of both claimants and defendants in high-profile fraud cases arising in the financial sector.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

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

    InsuranceUK Bar
  • He is very user-friendly.

    InsuranceUK Bar
  • Michael is easy to work with and accessible.

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

    InsuranceUK Bar
  • He's phenomenally clever.

    InsuranceUK Bar
  • He is very clever and user-friendly. He has a calm and persuasive advocacy style.

    Shipping & CommoditiesUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at 7 King's Bench Walk (124)

London (Bar)

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