David Allen KC
7 King’s Bench Walk‘David is an excellent silk who brings real insight to his conferences. ’
Shipping
Leading Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
Michael Ashcroft KC
Twenty Essex‘Excellent black letter knowledge of the law, very good strategically and client friendly. ’
David Bailey KC
7 King’s Bench Walk‘David has a remarkable depth of knowledge and an ability to draw together disparate legal concepts to concoct unique and winning arguments for clients.’
Steven Berry KC
Essex Court Chambers ‘Steven has encyclopaedic knowledge of the law, he is a fierce cross-examiner and brilliant strategist.’
Elizabeth Blackburn KC
The 36 Group‘Elizabeth is an excellent salvage advocate.’
Simon Croall KC
Quadrant Chambers'Simon is an excellent communicator and very user-friendly in terms of making himself available at inopportune times.'
Jonathan Gaisman KC
7 King’s Bench WalkVery detailed in his preparation, with a clear vision and an ability to express himself with great clarity.'
Christopher Hancock KC
Twenty Essex 
Stephen Hofmeyr KC
7 King’s Bench Walk ‘Stephen is a very strong advocate operating at the highest level. An advocate who you want on your side.’
Nigel Jacobs KC
Quadrant Chambers
Dominic Kendrick KC
7 King’s Bench Walk
Peter MacDonald Eggers KC
7 King’s Bench Walk
Luke Parsons KC
Quadrant Chambers ‘He is extremely clever and quickly gets to the heart of legally and factually complex cases.’
Luke Pearce KC
Twenty Essex
Simon Rainey KC
Quadrant Chambers ‘Simon is a brain. His approach though is one of practical and commercial experience, applying the law at every step.’
Alistair Schaff KC
7 King’s Bench Walk"Clear and precise in legal analysis and presentation, with an in-depth knowledge of the law."
Vasanti Selvaratnam KC
The 36 Group‘ Vasanti is a class apart - an extremely skilled advocate. Hardworking and ingenious with her thoughts and ideas.
Christopher Smith KC
Essex Court Chambers‘Chris is without doubt the most proactive and team focussed KC many solicitors have worked with. ’
Robert Thomas KC
Quadrant Chambers‘Excellent advocate and brilliant under pressure. A real street fighter.‘
Timothy Young KC
Twenty Essex‘Top-class legal knowledge and advocacy – all delivered with panache and a sense of humour.’
Graham Dunning KC
Essex Court Chambers'Graham is a very creative and effective advocate - able to masterfully distil complex and vast matters into simple, yet powerful, submissions. '
Timothy Hill KC
Twenty Essex‘First rate knowledge of the area and excellent at marshalling a team on high value and complex disputes. Incredible attention to detail in his hearing preparation and a highly effective advocate.’
James Leabeater KC
4 Pump Court ‘ He is extremely articulate and able to distil his arguments in a way that judges, opponents and lay clients alike can easily follow - no easy feat. ’
Richard Lord KC
Brick Court Chambers‘Cuts through to the key issues and articulates his views clearly and succinctly. Thoroughly recommended.’
Duncan Matthews KC
Twenty Essex ‘Duncan possesses a rare combination of intellectual rigour, strategic thinking, and eloquence. He has a talent for distilling complicated legal and factual issues into what ultimately matters to the outcome of the case.’
Poonam Melwani KC
Quadrant Chambers ‘Poonam is a force of nature. Her presence, authority and stature is intimidating and reassuring in equal measure.’
Sean O’Sullivan KC
4 Pump Court
John Russell KC
Quadrant Chambers‘ Insightful and succinct in his written advice and oral submissions and always commercial in his approach, he has a gift for getting the judge on his side from the outset of a hearing. ’
Nick Vineall KC
4 Pump Court‘Nick is personable, incisive, and fantastically clear.‘
Nigel Cooper KC
Quadrant Chambers
Michael Davey KC
Quadrant Chambers’
Nigel Eaton KC
Essex Court Chambers
Philip Edey KC
Twenty Essex‘He is a fantastic advocate, persuasive, he has presence and courtroom craft. When he speaks, the judge listens.’
Philippa Hopkins KC
Essex Court Chambers‘ If there is something that needs serious firepower, Philippa would be the first person to ask. ’
Stephen Kenny KC
7 King’s Bench Walk ‘He has impressive mastery of difficult foreign law issues and he is an excellent team leader at trial: collaborative and responsible.’
Charles Kimmins KC
Twenty Essex‘Strongly commercial and very user-friendly. '
David Lewis KC
Twenty Essex‘David is excellent at identifying the arguments that will appeal to the judges and arbitrators. ’
Richard Southern KC
7 King’s Bench Walk ‘Very good judgement, pleasant courtroom demeanour, and on top of the details. ‘
James Turner KC
Quadrant Chambers 'He is adept at handling large scale litigation. He is excellent at dealing with legal issues and difficult clients.'
Guy Blackwood KC
Quadrant Chambers
Stewart Buckingham KC
Quadrant Chambers
Henry Byam-Cook KC
Twenty Essex ‘Henry is also an elegant and persuasive advocate who is always well-prepared. He can be firm, but never pugnacious and engages courts and tribunals well.’
Michael Coburn KC
Twenty Essex’
Michael Collett KC
Twenty Essex‘Excellent grasp of the law.’
Siobán Healy KC
7 King’s Bench Walk"Excellent attention to detail, with extensive knowledge of insurance and reinsurance law. Provides robust, clear advice and delivers persuasive advocacy."
Chirag Karia KC
Quadrant Chambers ‘ His key strengths are numerous and consistently recognised: he possesses a formidable intellect and a deep, sophisticated understanding of the law, capable of unravelling the most complex technical and legal issues with remarkable speed and clarity. ’
Gavin Kealey KC
7 King’s Bench Walk‘ Brilliant lawyer with great charm and authority. ‘
Julian Kenny KC
Twenty Essex
Jawdat Khurshid KC
7 King’s Bench Walk 'Clarity of thought, a personable and collaborative approach, firmness of view, and quiet confidence. A genuine delight to work with as part of a team.'
John Passmore KC
Quadrant Chambers ‘John is a very skilled advocate, providing carefully crafted oral submissions and also with the ability to readjust and think on his feet.’
Nathan Pillow KC
Essex Court Chambers'Nathan is outstanding, and ought to be recognised as one of the very best silks at the top of the market. '
Christopher Smith KC
Quadrant Chambers
Alexander Wright KC
4 Pump Court'He is brilliant.'
Jeremy Brier KC
Essex Court Chambers ‘ Excellent oral advocacy that comes with a great deal of thought and precision. Clients love him and his manner.’
Noel Casey KC
7 King’s Bench Walk'Noel is a terrific advocate with exceptional client skills. '
Neil Hart KC
Essex Court Chambers
John Kimbell KC
Quadrant Chambers
Yash Kulkarni KC
Quadrant Chambers ‘ Calm and measured on his feet and a shrewd tactician, he is much liked and respected by courts and tribunals and gets them on his side quickly. ’
Thomas Macey-Dare KC
Quadrant Chambers
Sara Masters KC
Twenty EssexVery efficient, effortlessly manages proceedings, and consistently demonstrates sharp astuteness throughout.'
Simon Milnes KC
Twenty Essex ‘Simon is an exceptional advocate who combines legal expertise with a practical, results-driven approach. His depth of knowledge, particularly in complex commercial and shipping disputes, is impressive, but it is his ability to simplify and clearly communicate intricate legal issues that really stands out.’
Michael Nolan KC
Quadrant Chambers‘ Good humoured approach and immensely capable in analysing complex legal disputes.
Thomas Raphael KC
Twenty Essex‘He thought process is amazing and his ability to problem-solve and provide positive and forceful challenges is exceptional and is highly noted by clients. ’
Matthew Reeve KC
Quadrant Chambers
Philip Riches KC
Twenty Essex'Very driven and competent.'
Nigel Tozzi KC
4 Pump Court
Richard Waller KC
7 King’s Bench Walk ‘He is personable to clients, the tribunal and opponents, and his cross-examination skills are devastatingly good.‘
Nichola Warrender KC
Quadrant Chambers‘ Able to quickly identify the issues. Excellent drafting.’
Jern-Fei Ng KC
Duxton Hill Chambers‘Brilliant, super-clever, incredibly hardworking. A fantastic advocate who is client-driven.’
2024 Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
Oliver Caplin KC
Twenty Essex‘Oliver is very thorough and provides well reasoned advice. His advocacy is clear and to the point – very effective. ‘
Josephine Davies KC
Twenty Essex‘Authentic and a pleasure to work with, always ready to speak up and offer thoughtful opinions. A smart, strategic thinker.’
Paul Toms KC
Quadrant Chambers2025 Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
