SILK PROFILE

Michael McLaren KC

UK Bar 2026

Fountain Court Chambers

Ranked in 3 practice areas

Aviation

London (Bar)

23 years ranked

Professional Discipline

London (Bar)

14 years ranked

Commercial Dispute Resolution

London (Bar)

19 years ranked

About

Provided by Fountain Court Chambers

Practice Areas

Michael McLaren KC is widely experienced in all areas of commercial litigation, regulation and professional discipline, with particular expertise in aviation, banking and finance, commercial dispute resolution and regulatory law.

Recent experience includes: Celestial Aviation v. Volga Dnepr (5.25; relief from sanctions in $500m claim); Agrofirma v. ABH Ukraine [2025] EWHC 300 (Comm) (proceedings deemed served on oligarch outside jurisdiction); Rostrum v. TRI-MG Airlines (11.24; injunction re aero-engines); FW Aviation v. Vietjet [2024] EWHC 3337 (Comm) (anti-suit injunction); Stoop v. Johnson [2024] EWHC 286 (Ch.) (damages-based agreements); Saudi Arabian Airlines v. International Airfinance Corp. [2024] EWHC 242 (Comm) (interim injunctions); Olympic Council of Asia v. Novans Jets [2023] EWHC 276 (Comm) (contempt), [2021] EWHC 1063 (Comm) (unjust enrichment and CPR24); LLC Eurochem v. Tecnimont [2022] EWHC 2444 (Comm) (anti-suit injunction); Gama Aviation v. MWMMWM [2021] EWHC 2229 (Comm) (non-setting aside default judgment), [2021] EWHC 3667 (Comm) (debarring order), [2022] 4WLUK 364 (summary judgment); Integral Petroleum v. GPB Bank [2000 Jacobs J] (non-setting aside anti-suit-injunction), [2022] EWHC 659 (Comm) (summary judgment); Odyssey Aviation v. GFG [2019] EWHC 1927 (Comm) (aircraft purchase); Bank Mellat v. HM Treasury ($4bn claim); Nesbit v. Acasta [2018] EWCA Civ 268 (construction of insurance policy); acting for litigation funder resisting security for costs in £700m claim; Williams v. SRA [2017] EWHC 1478 Admin (solicitor challenging strike off); Dubai Financial Group v NATS Services [2016] EWCA Civ 71 (setting aside default judgment entered simultaneously with alternative service order).

Career

Called to the Bar 1981; Silk 2002.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

UK Bar

Aviation - London (Bar)

Band 2

Individual Editorial

Michael McLaren KC is held in high regard by clients and peers alike for his effective advocacy. His practice has a noteworthy commercial edge, with leasing disputes a specialism, but he also regularly acts in matters regarding regulatory issues. He additionally operates in cases arising from headline-grabbing air accidents, employing notable multi-jurisdictional expertise.

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Professional Discipline - London (Bar)

Band 2

Individual Editorial

Michael McLaren KC is a highly skilled and commercially-minded advocate whose experience in administrative law complements his distinguished professional discipline practice. He is frequently instructed by professional individuals, law firms and the SRA in significant cases. He is also notable for his advisory work for regulators.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

An approachable barrister who makes himself available. He understands the issues at play quickly, and provides technically sound and commercially sensible advice.
AviationUK Bar
A very experienced aviation silk who has a lovely style. He's very good at reading the bench, and adept at minimising bad points and emphasising good points. He knows what will fly with the judge.
AviationUK Bar
Michael is very good. He's very clever and intellectual.
Professional DisciplineUK Bar
Michael always delivers in depth and on time, even out of hours.
Commercial Dispute ResolutionUK Bar
Michael is excellent and hugely well prepared.
Commercial Dispute ResolutionUK Bar
Michael has great attention to detail, persistence and tact. He's great to deal with.
Commercial Dispute ResolutionUK Bar