Quadrant Chambers

Alexander Uff

Alexander Uff specialises in international commercial and investment treaty arbitration. Originally qualified as a barrister, Alexander was a partner in an elite global arbitration practice at Shearman & Sterling for several years before joining Quadrant Chambers in 2021. He provides advice, representation and advocacy to corporations, States and State-owned entities in complex international commercial and investment treaty arbitrations. His work has focused in recent years on disputes in the energy, mining and infrastructure sectors, investment treaty claims and commercial disputes, while his experience covers numerous other industries and subject matters including IP and licensing, M&A, shareholder and joint venture disputes, pharmaceuticals, IP, retail, food industries, aviation and agribusiness, among others. He sits as an arbitrator and has conducted arbitrations under the ICSID, ICC, LCIA and CRCICA Rules, as well as ad hoc arbitrations including under the UNCITRAL Rules. Alexander’s practice is fully international and before relocating to London in 2013 he spent substantial parts of his career practicing international arbitration in Paris and New York, where he is also admitted. He has handled disputes in Western and Eastern Europe and CIS countries, North and South America, South Asia, the Middle East and North and sub-Saharan Africa. Alexander has been recognized for several years as a “future leader” in international arbitration by Who’s Who Legal (2018-2021). The 2020 edition reports that he is ‘a name to remember in investment treaty arbitration’; while the 2021 edition describes him as ‘an extremely sharp and a creative lawyer’ with ‘great commercial sense’.

Andrew Leung

Andrew has a broad commercial practice which encompasses Chambers core practice areas. He regularly appears both as sole and junior counsel in the High Court (including the Commercial Court, the London Mercantile Court, Queen's Bench Division and the Chancery Division) as well as arbitrations.

Andrew Carruth

Andrew practises primarily in the areas of shipping, offshore construction, shipbuilding, commodities, energy and marine insurance. His shipping work encompasses all areas of both wet and dry shipping including disputes under charterparties and bills of lading, collisions, salvage claims, limitation claims and general average. Andrew is currently instructed in one of The Lawyer’s top 20 cases of 2023, Tata Consultancy Services Limited v Disclosure and Barring Service. The majority of Andrew’s shipping cases are in arbitration and he has experience of the full range of arbitral rules including LCIA, LMAA, LOF, ICC, UNCITRAL, SIAC, HKIAC, GAFTA and FOSFA. He also appears regularly in the Commercial Court and the Admiralty Court. Reported shipping cases include The Ever Given [2023] EWHC 697 (Admlty); The Wilforce v The Western Moscow [2022] EWHC 1190 (Admlty); The Baltic Strait [2018] EWHC 629 (Comm); The Muammer Yagci [2018] EWHC 3873 (Comm); The Nordlake v The SeaEagle [2015] EWHC 3605 (Admlty); and Deleclass Shipping Co Ltd v Ingosstrakh Insurance Co Ltd [2018] EWHC 1149 (Comm). Andrew’s recent salvage work includes major casualties such as the groundings of ‘EVER GIVEN’ and ‘CSCL JUPITER’ and the fire aboard ‘MAERSK HONAM’.

Andrew Guy Blackwood KC

Guy has a comprehensive commercial practice, which includes insurance & reinsurance, large contractual disputes, international and investment treaty arbitration, banking & finance, civil fraud, energy & utilities, commodities and shipping, shipbuilding and offshore construction. Recent reported cases include: Herculito Maritime v. Gunvor [2022] 1 Lloyd’s Rep. 375 (Court of Appeal, presently on appeal to the Supreme Court, piracy, code of insurance, incorporation, Guy represented the successful underwriters); Piraeus Bank v. Antares [2022] 2 Lloyd’s Rep. 1 (Commercial Court, MII insurance, Guy represented the successful MII insurers). Guy is presently instructed in many arbitrations, including commercial arbitrations (ICC and others) and investment treaty disputes (ICSID).

Ben Gardner

Ben is a commercial barrister, with a particular focus on international arbitration, commodities, shipping, energy and insurance work. Much of his work is in international arbitration, including under the rules of the ICC, LCIA, LMAA, SIAC, HKIAC and DIAC and in jurisdictions including Dubai, Geneva, The Hague, Hong Kong, Paris and Singapore. He also appears regularly in the English Courts, including in three Supreme Court cases (JTI Polska v Jakubowski [2023] 3 WLR 50, The New Flamenco [2017] 1 WLR 2581 and Versloot Dredging v HDI Gerling [2017] AC 1). For a detailed CV, please visit www.quadrantchambers.com.

Benjamin Joseph

Benjamin Joseph specialises in shipping, international trade, aviation and insurance disputes. He is regularly instructed as sole counsel against significantly more senior opposition in the Commercial Court and in arbitration, as well as acting as junior counsel in complex and high value disputes. Benjamin is ranked as a Rising Star in Shipping by Legal 500.

Benjamin Coffer

Ben has a broad international commercial practice, with a particular emphasis on shipping, commodities and insurance / reinsurance. He was named Shipping Junior of the Year at the Chambers & Partners Bar Awards 2019, and shortlisted for Shipping Junior of the Year for Chambers & Partners UK Bar Awards in 2022. He has appeared in several of the leading shipping cases in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal in recent years, including The Thorco Lineage [2023] EWHC 26 (Comm), The CMA CGM LIBRA [2021] UKSC 51 (Supreme Court); Volcafe v. CSAV [2019] AC 358 (Supreme Court); The Lady M [2019] 2 Lloyd's Rep. 109 (Court of Appeal); The Maersk Tangier [2018] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 59 (Court of Appeal); and The Aqasia [2018] 1 Lloyd's Rep 530 (Court of Appeal). Ben is increasingly appointed as an arbitrator and is a supporting member of the LMAA.

Caroline Pounds

Caroline is an experienced and sought after junior whose practice encompasses all aspects of general commercial litigation and arbitration, including international arbitration. Her particular areas of specialism include shipping, energy / offshore, shipbuilding and commodities. As regards her shipping practice, Caroline has extensive experience of bill of lading and charterparty disputes, including claims for damage to/mis-delivery of cargo, unsafe port claims, claims for early/late/wrongful redelivery, off-hire disputes, claims for demurrage/damages for detention and claims concerning the application and effect of the Hague/Hague-Visby/Hamburg Rules. Caroline’s practice in the energy sector has gone from strength to strength in recent years, with a focus on upstream matters in particular. She is regularly instructed on high-value and complex disputes arising out of contracts for (e.g.) the construction / operation of semi-submersible drilling rigs and FPSOs. Caroline’s practice also includes a broad range of other shipbuilding, ship sale and purchase and commodity disputes. Please visit www.quadrantchambers.com for Caroline's detailed CV.

Celine Honey

Celine is developing a busy commercial practice which reflects the breadth of work undertaken by Chambers including commercial disputes, shipping, commodities and international trade, insurance and international arbitration. Celine has appeared as sole and junior counsel in the High Court (including the Commercial Court and Admiralty Court) and regularly assists members of Chambers as junior counsel in arbitration.

Chirag Karia KC

Commercial litigation and arbitration, shipping, commodities, energy, insurance/reinsurance and international arbitration. Cases: GTLK v Aviation Reinsurers (lead counsel in US$2.2 billion aviation insurance claim following Russian seizure of leased aircraft); Sharp v Viterra 2023] 2 All E.R.(Comm) 457(CA) (GAFTA Default-Clause construction); Stema Barge II [2022] 1 Lloyd’s Rep. 170 (CA)(meaning of “operator” in Limitation Convention); OCM v 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); Arbitration (contaminated bunkers); Arbitration (lien-on-sub-freights); Arbitration (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).

Christopher Jay

Barrister specialising in commercial litigation across the full range of chambers’ practice areas, including: shipping, insurance, reinsurance, commodities and transport, aviation, banking and finance.

Christopher Smith KC

Principal areas of work are shipping, energy, commodities, commercial litigation, and insurance. Cases include Granville Oils & Chemicals Ltd v Davies Turner Co Ltd [2003] 2 Lloyd's Rep 356; Assimina Maritime Ltd v Pakistan National Shipping Corp (The Tasman Spirit) [2005] 1 Lloyd's Rep. 525; Bandwidth Shipping Corp v Intaari (The Magdalena Oldendorff) [2008] 1 Lloyd's Rep 7; Hashwani v OMV Maurice Energy Ltd [2015] EWCA Civ 177; MCH Realty LLC v CFS 915 LLC [2016] EWHC 2877 (Comm); The Zagora [2017] 1 Lloyd’s Rep 194; Glencore Energy UK Ltd v OMV Supply & Trading [2018] EWHC 895 (Comm).

Claire Stockford

Claire Stockford specialises in arbitration, both international commercial arbitration and investor state disputes. Claire was called to the Bar of England and Wales in 1999. Before joining Quadrant, Claire spent more than 20 years practising from the London offices of international and UK law firms, for the last seven of those years as a partner. Claire's advises and advocates for clients in disputes across a range of industries from oil and gas to hospitality, concerning jurisdictions as diverse as Kazakhstan and Madagascar. Recently, Claire's practice has focused on renewables, including solar, on-shore and off-shore wind and battery storage. She is particularly interested in climate change disputes and in 2021 appeared on a panel during New York Climate Week discussing the role courts and international tribunals will play in addressing the climate crisis. Claire's experience encompasses arbitrations under many of the most frequently encountered arbitration rules including the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), United National Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) and the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR) rules. Claire's experience positions her to act not only as sole counsel or in combination with other barristers, but also as part of a team with in-house lawyers or instructing lawyers from law firms in the UK and elsewhere. She is experienced in working as part of a team, and also managing teams of lawyers, as well as overseeing the strategic direction and conduct of disputes.

Claudia Wilmot-Smith

Commercial litigation; dry-shipping, commodities and transport; insurance and reinsurance; aviation and travel; banking and finance. Contributor to ‘Wilmot-Smith on Construction Contracts’ (OUP 2nd ed 2010).

Craig Williams

Craig is developing a broad commercial disputes practice encompassing shipping, energy, international trade, aviation, and insurance. Craig acts in both court litigation and international arbitration. Craig was recently involved in AHAB v Saad, the largest case ever to be heard in the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands.He regularly acts as both junior and sole counsel.

David Goldstone KC

David is a highly experienced barrister who has appeared in the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court and has acted for most of the UK`s leading commercial solicitors. He is now accepting appointments as arbitrator and mediator but also continues to advise clients across the full spectrum of commercial law, international trade and shipping. David is also one of the very few barristers in the UK who is able to provide specialist expert advice to companies and individuals operating in the increasingly significant sector of digital and crypto-currencies.

David Semark

Dry shipping disputes; energy, trade and commodities litigation; insurance and reinsurance. Co-author of ‘P&I Clubs: Law & Practice’ (4th ed 2010 Informa).

Emily Saunderson

Emily is a general commercial practitioner specialising in commercial fraud, and banking and finance.

Emmet Coldrick

Specialises in commercial law and arbitration, with a focus on shipping and the international sale of goods.

Gaurav Sharma

Gaurav is a highly accomplished advocate having appeared as lead counsel in disputes throughout his career. He was named in the Legal 500 as a “Future Leader” and “Next Generation Lawyer” in 2018 and 2019 and is recommended as a leading barrister in 2021. Gaurav has acted in many leading international disputes over the last decade or so, ranging from commercial and investment arbitration disputes for and against states and state-parties, to group litigation matters in the English courts of wide public importance concerning jurisdictional and policy issues of a transnational nature. Gaurav acts as sole counsel, together with other barristers or as part of a team with lawyers from instructing companies and law firms (whether internationally or UK-based). Having previously worked as a senior lawyer at the leading disputes firms Debevoise & Plimpton and 3C, he is perfectly comfortable handling the day to day conduct of cases, including managing in-house teams and law firm associates on work streams in complex matters. In addition to his work in the energy industry, Gaurav has substantial experience acting in commercial litigation and arbitration matters in other industry sectors, notably including banking and financial disputes, as well as corporate disputes between shareholders arising from M&A transactions and joint ventures.

Gemma Morgan

Gemma has a broad commercial practice with particular focus on shipping, international trade, commodities, insurance, international arbitration and aviation. She appears regularly in the High Court, and has particular experience of jurisdictional disputes and commercial injunctions. Gemma also appears regularly in arbitrations, particularly those held on LMAA and LCIA terms.

George C Economou

Barrister specialising in arbitration, ADR, finance, shipping, EC, Greek law, Cypriot law.

Henry Ellis

Henry has a broad commercial practice, with an emphasis on shipping and international trade litigation. He has appeared in the Commercial Court and the Court of Appeal and regularly acts in confidential arbitration (LMAA, LCIA, SIAC, ICC and ad hoc). Henry’s practice is a blend of advocacy, drafting and advisory work. He is instructed to appear in trials, and has experience of handling both lay and expert witnesses. He also appears in appeals, CMCs and interlocutory hearings, and has obtained injunctive relief for clients. He is often appointed as sole counsel, but has been led by Leading Counsel both in and out of Chambers. Henry has experience of working in-house at solicitors' firms, having spent time on secondment at Holman Fenwick Willan LLP in London and at Nordisk Skibsrederforening in Oslo. In 2014-2015, Henry primarily practised from Singapore, and he was licensed by the Singapore Attorney General to practise in Singapore. Reported cases include: BNP Paribas SA v OJSC Russian Machines & anr [2012] 1 Lloyd's Rep. 61 (Blair J.) and (2012] EWHC 1023 (Teare J.); Joint Stock Asset management Company lngosstrakh-lnvestments v BNP Paribas SA [2012] EWCA Civ 644; X v Y (2013] EWHC 1104); and The Nordlake and The Sea Eagle [2015] EWHC 3605 (Admlty); Pan Oceanic Chartering Inc v Unipec & anr [2016] EWHC.

Jakob Reckhenrich

Jakob practises across the whole range of Chambers’ core areas, with many of his matters having an international element. Jakob is regularly instructed at all stages of proceedings, providing advice, settling pleadings and appearing at interlocutory hearings and trials, both led and as sole counsel. Jakob’s recent work includes a USD 35 million ICC arbitration relating to the breach of a mezzanine loan facility in which he appeared as sole counsel. The award obtained in favour of his clients is being challenged under section 67 and Jakob is led by Philippa Hopkins KC of Essex Court in defending the challenge in the Commercial Court. He is also due to appear in a 4-day LMAA arbitration, led by David Lewis KC of Twenty Essex, in a USD 4 million dispute concerning failure to give contractual redelivery notices at the end of a long-term charterparty for an LNG carrier. Jakob was a judicial assistant in the Commercial Court, where he sat with Mrs Justice Cockerill, Mr Justice Butcher and Mr Justice Jacobs, assisting, among other matters, on The London Steam-Ship Mutual Insurance Association Limited v The Kingdom of Spain (The Prestige) [2021] EWHC 1247 (Comm), which concerned a challenge to the registration of a USD 1 billion judgment of the Spanish court against the Club. Jakob also did a secondment at the London office of an international shipping and commodities firm, where he gained valuable insight into the day-to-day work of a firm and how counsel can most productively become a part of the team for a particular matter. His written work has been praised as “succinct” and “superbly analytical”; his legal research has been described as “especially impressive” and his advocacy has been noted as being “very much at the top end of the range”. Recent client feedback includes the following: “Jakob was very much on top of the brief and his advocacy was excellent”; “I was very impressed with Jakob. His drafting was spot on, as was his advice on the claim and his tactical comments” and “I have been very impressed with [Jakob’s] work over a number of matters.” Jakob came to the Bar after working as an academic philosopher for a few years, completing his PhD and teaching at Brown University after studies at University College, Oxford and in Berlin. Outside his work, Jakob keeps trying to become a proficient pianist, alas, with no great success.

James Shirley

James Shirley practises in all areas of commercial law: contract disputes, complex fraud claims, shipping and international arbitration, jurisdiction disputes, the sale and carriage of goods, and insurance. He appears regularly in court and in arbitration, normally as sole counsel.

James M. Turner KC

Advocate and arbitrator across a wide range of energy, shipping (wet and dry), shipbuilding and commercial disputes. Fluent in German and Dutch. For detailed CV, see Quadrant Chambers website.

Jamie Hamblen

"Ferociously bright and very hard working. Definitely a star of the future." (Legal 500, 2022) Jamie has a wide-ranging commercial practice, with extensive experience of disputes in the areas of shipping, commodities, and international trade, in High Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court proceedings, along with ad hoc and institutional arbitrations, including pursuant to LMAA, LCIA, ICC, SIAC, GAFTA, and FOSFA rules. Jamie has particular experience of complex cases engaging issues of private international law and state immunity, having acted on behalf of states in a number of recent leading cases (e.g. The Prestige [2022] 1 WLR 3434 (CA) and The Resolute [2022] 1 WLR 4856).

Jeremy Richmond

Barrister specialising in modern chancery and commercial law (including company/shareholder disputes, international arbitration, banking law, fraud, complex jurisdictional disputes, sale of goods and cross-border and domestic insolvency). Jeremy works on high-value cases and has considerable experience in working closely with counsel from other jurisdictions, general counsel and expert witnesses. Reported cases include: Union Properties P.J.S.C. et. al. v. Khouri et. al. [2023] ADGMCFI 0009; HC Trading Malta v. KI (International) Limited [2022] EWHC 1387 (Comm); L&T Electrical & Automation FZE v. Synectics [2022] EWHC 819 (TCC); Selevision Saudi Company v. beIN Media Group LLC [2021] EWHC 2802 (Comm); Khalifeh v. Blom Bank [2020] EWHC 2427 (QB); Damazein v. Salamanca [2019] EWHC 2730 (Comm); Tech 21 (UK) Limited v. Design Blue Limited [2017] EWHC 2181 (Ch) and [2017] EWHC 2288 (Ch); George Scarr-Hall v ISS (UK) Ltd [2017] EWHC 689 (Ch); PST Energy 7 Shipping LLC & Another v OW Bunker Malta Limited & Others [2015] EWCA Civ 1058; Cartus Corporation v. Atlantic Mobility Limited [2014] EWHC 2868 (QB); Caterpillar (NI) Ltd v. John Holt & Company (Liverpool) Limited [2013] EWCA Civ 779; Levin v Tannenbaum [2013] EWHC 4457 (Ch); Moseley v Else Solicitors LLP [2010] BPIR 1192; Re Tulsesense Limited [2010] EWHC 1990 (Ch); In re Metrocab [2010] EWHC 1317 (Ch); Peters v Menzies [2009] EWHC 3709 (Ch); Vertex Trading Sari v Infinity Holdings Limited [2009] EWHC 461(Ch); Re Hawkes Hill Publishing Co. Ltd [2007] BCC 257; Caterpillar Financial Services Limited v Goldcrest [2007] EWCA Civ. 272; S.E.R.E. Holdings Limited v Volkswagen Group UK Limited [2004] EWHC 1551(Ch); Shogun Finance v Hudson [2004] 1 AC 919; OBG v Allen (Manchester District Registry, February 2004).

John Russell KC

John Russell is a commercial advocate, specialising in shipping, commodities and international trade, energy and natural resources, and related insurance disputes. He has also recent experience in major civil fraud cases, including payment frauds, warehousing frauds and bribery. He has been ranked in the leading directories for many years. His recent experience encompasses charterparty, bill of lading, sales and financing disputes in both arbitration (LMAA, LCIA and ICC) and the Commercial Court, as well as FOSFA and GAFTA disputes. John has extensive appellate court experience, in both the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. John also practices in travel law including litigation and regulatory advice. Recent cases have included successes in the Supreme Court in Volcafe v CSAV, in the Court of Appeal in The Pacific Voyager and in the Commercial Court in The CMA CGM LIBRA.

John Ashley Kimbell KC

John Kimbell QC is a maritime and aviation law specialist. He is instructed on a regular basis to appear in the Admiralty Court, the Commercial Court and arbitrations in London (LCIA, ICC and LMAA) and in Hamburg (GMAA). His shipping work encompasses both 'wet' collision and other Admiralty Court matters and 'dry' bill of lading and charterparty disputes. He was appointed a Deputy High Court Judge in September 2018 and is chair of the Admiralty Bar Group.John has acted on a number of leading cases in the shipping arena over recent years including advising a number of Owners and Charterers in relation to proceedings arising from the insolvency of OW Bunkers – see e.g. Stena Bulk AB v Copley [2015] Lloyd’s Rep Plus 5. He further acted on Stolt Kestrel BV v Sener Petrol Denizcilik Ticaret AS; and CDE S.A. v Sure Wind Marine Ltd - [2015] All ER (D) 146 (Oct) two cases concerning collision actions in the Admiralty court, the claimant ship owners had been refused an extension of time for issuing their actions in personam. He was involved in the first West-African piracy case to be litigated in the High Court (“CAPE BIRD”). John also advises clients on jurisdictional, private international law and foreign law aspects to disputes. He successfully represented Thomas Cook in the Court of Appeal and in the Supreme Court in Stott v Thomas Cook [2014] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 207 on the exclusivity of the Montreal Convention. John is rare in the marketplace as a barrister who is fluent in, and accepts instructions in German. Since 2001 he has been qualified to practice as a lawyer ('Rechtsanwalt') in Germany. He uses his knowledge of German law to provide a specialist service not only to German, Austrian and Swiss clients but more generally to clients from civil law countries. He recently acted for in German insurer in Woodford v AIG [2018] EWHC 358 (QB) and for a German ship manager in Harms Bergung, Transport & Heavylift GmbH & Co KG v Harms Offshore AHT 'Uranus' GmbH & Co KG and others - [2015] All ER (D) 72 (May). He acts as an arbitrator in London and Hamburg. He is the joint editor (with Nigel Meeson QC) of Admiralty Jurisdiction & Practice (5th edition, 2017) Informa and one of the authors (with Michael Howard QC and John Knott) of Foreign Currency: claims, judgments and damages (2016) Routledge.

John William Passmore KC

Commercial law, including shipping, international trade, aviation, insurance (marine and non-marine) and banking/financial services.

Joseph Gourgey

Joseph Gourgey joined Quadrant Chambers on 1 October 2021, upon successful completion of pupillage. He is developing his practice in line with Chambers’ core areas of work, with a particular focus on commodities, shipping and international arbitration. Joseph has appeared regularly as sole and junior counsel in the Commercial Court and Admiralty Court (Ducat Maritime Ltd v Lavender Shipmanagement Inc [2022] EWHC 766 (Comm); Olympic Council of Asia v Novans Jets LLP [2022] EWHC 88 (Comm); Havila Kystruten v Abarca CDS [2022] EWHC 3196; The Maersk Honam), as well as in London Arbitration.

Joseph England

Joe is ranked in the latest edition of Legal 500 as a Leading Junior in four separate categories: International Arbitration, Energy, Civil Fraud and Insolvency, where feedback includes: “He is a dangerous adversary, constantly looking for weaknesses in his opponent’s position and clients love him.” He qualified as a solicitor at Allen & Overy LLP before transferring to the Bar. He spent the first year of his practice as the Judicial Assistant to Lord Sumption and Lord Wilson in the Supreme Court. Joe soon returned to the Supreme Court as Counsel in Bank of Cyprus UK Limited v Menelaou [2015] UKSC 66. Recent work includes: • Acting (as sole Counsel) in c.20 interim hearings and at trial in the Commercial Court for XL Insurance, including a ground-breaking fraud case involving HMRC’s receipt of proprietary funds (XL v IPORS & Others [2021] EWHC 474 (Comm); [2018] EWHC 2251 (Comm.); multiple worldwide injunctions and one of the first contempt applications relating to commercial freezing injunctions under the new CPR 81 (XL Insurance Company SE v Paul Alan Corcoran [2021] EWHC 1407 (Comm)) • Acting with Paul Downes QC and Quinn Emmanuel on live claims in the Commercial Court for a Brazilian Bank against Tranferwise involving currency exchange transactions. • Acting (with Matthew Reeve) for the family of footballer Emiliano Sala in civil proceedings and Inquest relating to his death and for the successful claimants in a trial in the BVI concerning the landing of a helicopter onto a superyacht (The M/Y “Bacarella” BVIHC (Com) 2018/0062, Judgment 17 May 2021) (Appeal October 2022) • Appearing (unled) in the Court of Appeal in a second appeal concerning premature execution of registered foreign (Islandsbanki hf, HMRC, Shinclear Holdings Ltd v Kevin Gerald Stanford - [2020] EWCA Civ 480), arising from the largest and hotly contested personal insolvencies against Founder of All Saints fashion brand, including a successful case management appeal ([2019] EWHC 307 (Henry Carr J); [2019] EWHC 595 (Ch.) [2019] (ICC Judge Jones); [2019] 6 WLUK 295 (Fancourt J)) • Acting in c.10 cases involving email frauds, including World Proteins v Persons Unknown [2019] EWHC 1146 (QB) (injunction); [2019] 6 WLUK 500 (judgment). • Acting (led by Chris Smith QC) in Commercial Court proceedings concerning the sale of crude oil arising from a joint venture with the Government of Turkmenistan, including discharging a freezing order (and resisting a subsequent appeal) - United Petroleum Trading Switzerland SA v Mitro International Ltd [2019] EWHC 1382 (Comm.) • Acting for the Government of India, most recently (led by David Wolfson QC) resisting enforcement of a c.£70 million award under s.103 of the Arbitration Act 1996 - A v B [2018] 5 WLUK 366; Hardy Exploration and Production vs India [2018] EWHC 1916 (Comm.). • Ongoing ICC ship-building arbitration (led by Thomas Macey-Dare QC) and several international oil and gas/construction arbitrations (led by Steven Walker QC) which involved near-full time work from 2013-2018 and 2019-2021, and appearing or giving evidence in the Courts of Switzerland, France, Ireland, Poland, Caraco, Mauritius, Nigeran, Scotland and The Netherlands. • Acting and advising AXA XL on disputes including relating to Covid-19 and acting in multi-party fraud claims against coverholders ([2022] EWHC 985 (Comm); [2022] EWHC 306 (Comm); | [2021] EWHC 3551 (Comm)); and acting for coverholders in a c.£6 million arbitration against a Bermudan insurer.

Joseph Sullivan

Barrister specialising in commercial law, banking and finance, commercial fraud and professional negligence.

Koye Akoni

Koye has an international commercial practice which encompasses general commercial disputes, energy, shipping, commodities, aviation, and insurance. He regularly appears as sole and junior counsel in arbitrations and in the High Court, and has appeared in the Court of Appeal and Privy Council. Koye has also appeared in the Belgrade Special Court as a representative of the Cypriot holding company of Miroslav Miskovic in criminal proceedings against Mr Miskovic and others. Prior to joining Quadrant Chambers, Koye worked in the litigation team of an oil major between 2012 and 2014. Since joining Quadrant Chambers in 2014, Koye has been involved in several high profile cases across his various practice areas including “The Atlantik Confidence” which is a landmark case in the Admiralty Court regarding the breaking of limits under the Limitation Convention 1976, “The Prestige” concerning the interplay between state immunity, jurisdiction and the enforcement of European Union judgments in England, and most recently, Selevision Saudi Company v beIN Media Group LLC which concerned the availability of counterclaims in arbitration claims commenced to enforce New York Convention awards.

Lionel Persey KC

Lionel Persey is a leading commercial barrister specialising in a wide range of areas, including Energy (upstream, midstream and downstream), every aspect of Shipping (including Shipbuilding), Infrastructure, Construction and Engineering disputes, International Arbitration and Insurance. He appears as an advocate both in court and in arbitration worldwide and has considerable experience in running technically and legally complex cases. He is a fearless advocate and cross-examiner. Lionel Persey is also an experienced arbitrator, having received over 350 appointments (as sole arbitrator, party-appointed arbitrator and chair) in ICC, LCIA, UNCITRAL, LMAA, SMCA, SIAC, HKIAC, AAA and Lloyd’s arbitrations.

Luke Parsons KC

Luke is a Commercial and Admiralty silk whose practice encompasses insurance and reinsurance, international trade, energy, sale of goods, banking, commercial contracts, and shipping. Luke is often called in to handle the highest value, most complex claims, involving coordinating large teams of experts and has acted on many precedent-setting cases in the High Court, and Court of Appeal; recent and reported cases include: BHP Billiton v TMT Asia (Ongoing), Borco v Phillips 66: ‘Cape Bari’ (2016); W Ltd v M Sdn Bhd [2016]; Shagang Shipping v HNA Airlines (2016); Bloehm & Vos v Enquest Britain: 2014; E D and F Man Sugar Ltd v Unicargo Transportgesellscaft GmbH, E D and F Man Sugar Ltd v Unicargo Transportgesellschaft GmbH [2013]; Itochu Corporation v Johann MK Blumenthal GmbH & Co & Ors [2012]; Berezovsky & Anor v Edminston & Company [2011]; JSC Bank v Solodchenko [2011]; Vitol SA v Capri Marine Ltd [2010]; Cosco Bulk Carrier Co Ltd & Anor v MV Saldanha [2010]; Raiffeisen Zentralbank Oterreich AG v. China Marine Bunker (Petrochina) Co Ltd [2008]; Shipping Co. SA v. Trafigura Beheer BV & Anor (The "MSC Amsterdam") [2007]; Anton Durbeck GmbH v. Den Norske Bank ASA [2006]; Mediterranean Den Norske Bank ASA v. Acemex Management Company Ltd [2004]; Mamidoil-Jetoil Greek Petroleum Co. SA v Okta Crude Oil Refinery AD [2003]; Canara Bank v Standard Bank [2002] Luke has extensive experience in dealing with foreign law and multi-jurisdictional disputes and frequently acts in arbitrations with a cross-border element and is experienced in making applications to the High Court in support of English arbitrations and also in support of foreign arbitrations in the English courts and advises on the enforcement of awards under the New York Convention.

Lydia Myers

Lydia is developing a busy litigation and arbitration practice in wet and dry shipping, commodities, banking, financial services, and insurance matters. Lydia has gained experience in a broad range of work in these specialist fields and in general commercial and international law. Lydia has experience both as sole and junior counsel in arbitrations and court proceedings. Lydia’s recent instructions include work on a s67 challenge to an arbitral award in the High Court, instructions in a high value misdelivery claim in the Admiralty Court and she also frequently acts in LMAA and GAFTA arbitrations as sole counsel dealing with issues ranging from standard charterparty disputes around demurrage and off hire to high value super yacht disputes. Lydia is often praised for her skills as an advocate and her ability to cut through complex issues with ease and clarity. Before joining the Bar, Lydia spent two years studying at the Sorbonne in Paris for her Licence 3 and Masters in French Law. Lydia has been exposed to international private law from both a French and English perspective and is able to conduct legal submissions and witness handling in French if required. Lydia is developing a practice with a strong international element and can accept instructions in all areas of Chambers’ work.

Mark Stiggelbout

Commercial barrister specialising in shipping, commodities, international sale of goods, insurance, energy and aviation matters. Mark regularly acts in litigation and arbitration proceedings, including trials, appellate work and obtaining injunctive relief. Recent notable cases include Deleclass Shipping v. Ingosstrakh Insurance (The Siderfly) [2018] EWHC 1149 (Comm) and [2018] EWHC 1135 (Comm), The Bulk Indonesia [2017] 2 Lloyd's Rep. 385, and the Supreme Court case of Bunge SA v. Nidera BV [2015] 3 All E.R. 1082.

Max Davidson

Max Davidson is an experienced junior barrister specialising in a broad range of commercial disputes, including shipping, commodities, international arbitration and civil fraud. He regularly appears as sole and junior counsel in the Commercial Court and in international arbitration, and has been listed as a leading junior and rising star in the main legal directories for a number of years in a number of practice areas, including shipping, commercial disputes, aviation and commodities. He regularly acts for global energy, shipping and commodities companies, and also for ultra-high net worth individuals.

Maya Chilaeva

Maya Chilaeva joined Quadrant Chambers on 1 October 2021 following the successful completion of her pupillage. She is developing a broad commercial practice in line with Chambers’ profile.From October 2019 to August 2020, Maya spent ten months as a judicial assistant to the Commercial Court, sitting with a number of judges on matters ranging from without notice applications for freezing injunctions to an eight-week trial in the case of PCP Capital Partners LLP v Barclays Bank [2021] EWHC 1852 (Comm). This experience, as well as the training received during pupillage, informs her approach to case preparation and advocacy as a junior barrister.Prior to becoming a barrister, Maya worked for three years as an analyst in Equity Research at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. In that role she worked on the valuation of listed and unlisted companies in the Retail and European Diversified Financials sectors. She was also involved in regulatory work in relation to the operation of exchanges and produced written reports on the implications of MiFID II, the Financial Transaction Tax and Target2Securities for capital markets. Maya has passed the level 1 CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) exams.Maya graduated from the London School of Economics and completed the GDL with distinction at City University. She was the winner of the Times 2TG national mooting competition in 2020.

Michael Proctor

Barrister practicing commercial law specialising in Shipping and International Trade & Commodities.

Michael Howard KC

Barrister and arbitrator specialising in commercial and shipping law, including carriage, trade, banking, charterparty, insurance and Admiralty law; considerable experience as arbitrator (several hundred appointments since 1983); qualified mediator; has given expert evidence on English law (oral or written) for several courts in Europe, Asia and America; junior counsel for the successful party in NYK v Karageorgis [1975] 1 WLR 1093, the case in which Mareva injunctions (freezing orders) were invented and appeared for the successful claimants in the Despina R [1979] AC 695 (HL), the case which established that damages for tort are recoverable in foreign currencies; in recent years balance of advocacy practice has been in arbitrations; litigation in court includes The Evpo Agnic [1988] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 411 (CA), Admiralty jurisdiction; The Inez [1990] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 390 (CA), collision; The Y Mariner [1994] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 595, collision; The Lok Vivek [1995] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 230, collision; The Herdentor (1996) (unreported) (noted 1996 3 Int ML 75), construction of Towcon charterparty; recent cases include: shipping – Admiralty: 2 formal investigations into the loss of The Derbyshire; shipping – marine: Bergen v Dalmore Product (ship repair arbitration, ship sale arbitration); common law – general: Mamidoil-Jetoil v Okta Petroleum [2000] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 76 (supply contract); litigation – commercial: The Epsilon Rosa [2002] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 701; The Byzantio [2005] 1 Lloyd’s Rep 53; Advent Capital PLC v GN Ellinas Imports/ Exports Limited [2005] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 607; Linsen v Humpuss [2010] EWHC 303; The Baltic Navigator [2012] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 388; The Eugenia [2017] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 186.

Michael Davey KC

Barrister specialising in commercial and shipping: charterparties and bills of lading; international sale of goods; insurance; salvage and collisions; shipbuilding; fisheries. Significant recent cases: MSC v Cottonex Anstalt [2016] EWCA Civ 789 (Court of Appeal decision on repudiation and liquidated damages); Loose v Lynn Shellfish Ltd [2016] 2 W.L.R. 1126 (Supreme Court decision on the boundary of private fisheries); Fish & Fish Ltd v Sea Shepherd [2015] A.C. 1229 (Supreme Court decision on joint liability in tort for environmental protest); The “Ocean Victory” [2015] 1 Lloyd's Rep. 381 (Court of Appeal decision on unsafe ports and demise charters, appeal in the Supreme Court in November 2016).

Michael Nolan KC

All aspects of the law relating to ships and the sale and carriage of goods; pollution; commodities; insurance and reinsurance; harbour law; conflicts of laws and arbitration. Cases include: A v B [2022] 1 Lloyd’s Rep 65 (Sale of Goods FOB, invalid nomination of vessel); K v A [2020] 1 Lloyd’s Rep. 28 (Sale of Goods, fraudulent interception of payment); Kaefer Aislamientos v AMS Drilling Mexico [2019] 2 Lloyd's Rep. 128 C.A. (Jurisdiction; Oil rigs); P v Q [2018] 2 Lloyd’s Re. 452 (Arbitration, extension of time); Imperator I Maritime Co v Bunge SA [2016] EWHC 1506 (Comm) (Charterparty, hull fouling); Sarpd Oil v Addax Energy SA [2016] B.L.R. 301, CA (Commodities, security for costs); Ramburs Inc v Agrifert SA [2016] Bus. L.R. 135 (Commodities, GAFTA, substitution); The Styliani Z [2016] 1 Ll. Rep. 395 (Action in rem, amendment); Zhoushan Jinhaiwan Shipyard v Golden Exquisite [2015] 1 Ll. Rep. 283 (Shipbuilding, Cancellation), Seagrain LLC v Glencore Grain BV [2014] 1 Ll. Rep. 598, CA (GAFTA Prohibition Clause), The Athena [2013] 2 Ll. Rep. 673, CA (Charterparty, Off-hire), Pacific Basin IHX v Bulkhandling Handymax [2012] 1 Ll. Rep. 151 (Charterparty, Piracy, Conwartime), Midgulf v Groupe Chimiche Tunisien [2010] 2 Ll. Rep. 543 (Commodities, anti-suit injunction), Petroplus Marketing AG v Shell Trading [2009] 2 Ll. Rep. 611 (Commodities, oil), Pratt v Aigaion Insurance [2009] 1 Ll. Rep. 225, CA (Shipping, Marine Insurance), CTI v Transclear [2008] 2 Ll. Rep. 526, CA (Commodities, frustration), TNT Global v Denfleet [2007] 2 Ll. Rep. 504, CA (CMR, wilful misconduct), The Kitsa [2005] 1 Ll. Rep 432, (Shipping, Time Charter, barnacles), Exxonmobil v Texaco [2003] 2 Ll. Rep. 686 (Commodities, "final and binding" clause), Bayview Motors v Mitsui Fire and Marine Insurance [2003] 1 Ll. Rep 131, CA (Insurance), Dart Harbour v Sec of State for Transport [2003] 2 Ll. Rep. 607 (Administrative law, Harbour), Sandeman Coprimar v Transitos y Transportes Integrales [2003] Q.B. 1270, CA (CMR), The Margaretha Maria [2002] 2 Ll. Rep. 293, CA (Shipping, Limitation Convention, share fishermen). For further details see www.quadrantchambers.com

Natalie Moore

Barrister specialising in shipping and commercial law.

Nevil Phillips

Barrister specialising in commercial and shipping law, including international contracts of sale, sale of goods, carriage of goods, energy, shipbuilding, insurance, insolvency and arbitration; Admiralty law including towage, salvage, collision; associated aspects of dry and wet shipping law.

Nichola Warrender KC

Nichola Warrender specialises in general commercial, shipping, admiralty, international trade and insurance disputes, both in court and arbitration, and the various procedural issues, including injunctive relief and jurisdictional/conflicts of law, which can arise in these types of disputes.

Nicola Allsop

Nicola has a modern commercial chancery practice encompassing company litigation (particularly shareholder disputes), insolvency and civil fraud. She appeared as a junior in the ten week fraud trial in Sita v Serruys and was called to the Bar of the BVI in 2012 where she successfully represented the majority shareholders of the only oil-producing company in Belize (SM Life Ventures LLC v BNE and others). Nicola is regularly retained by insolvency practitioners with a view to recovering assets for the benefit of insolvent estates and appeared for the appellants in Helman v John Lyon Free Grammar School [2014] 1 WLR 2451], a case concerning the impact of a bankruptcy order on the right to serve a notice to enfranchise. Her cases frequently involve applications for freezing injunctions and similar interim remedies

Nigel Jacobs KC

Specialising in shipping, admiralty, insurance and general commercial law in court and arbitration with an increasing focus on marine casualties (collision, salvage, limitation and unsafe ports). Nigel successfully led the team in The "ATLANTIK CONFIDENCE" in a 29-day “scuttling” trial, the only case in the English Court in which the shipowner's right to limit has been challenged under the 1976 Limitation Convention, and is presently acting for H & M Underwriters in related Dutch proceedings. Appeared in Supreme Court in “ALEXANDRA 1 – EVER SMART” collision (1st collision appeal for 44 years) and, more recently, in The WILFORCE and FMG SYDNEY collision actions. (An appeal in the latter case is due to be heard by the Court of Appeal in December 2023.) He also represented the Owners of the EVER GIVEN in their salvage dispute. Overseas cases include commodity/letter of credit dispute in Kuala Lumpur Arbitration Centre and in the Hong Kong Final Court of Appeal in Kulemesin v. HKSAR and expert evidence in Spain, Holland and the U.S.A.

Nigel Cooper KC

Barrister; practice covers the fields of shipping, shipbuilding (including superyacht and military build projects), insurance/reinsurance, energy and offshore, and commercial disputes (including international trade and conflicts of law). Full practice details are available at www.quadrantchambers.com or by contacting chambers. Nigel is an experienced advocate appearing regularly in the Commercial and Admiralty courts, arbitrations and in the appellate courts; he has acted for the government at three major formal investigations as well as appearing as an expert witness in overseas proceedings. Recent cases include major arbitrations and commercial court actions in all areas of Nigel’s practice but particularly, shipbuilding in the commercial and yacht sectors, sanctions and fraud, unsafe ports, oil and gas and commodities. Reported cases include Kaefer Aislamientos SA v. AMS Drilling Mexico SA [2017] 2 Lloyd’s Rep. 575 (rig repairs and jurisdiction); Bug-5 Shipping Ltd v. Allia Systems Ltd. SA [[2015] EWHC 2550 (Comm) (sale of damaged cargo) BHP Biliton Marketing AG v. TMT Asia Ltd [2012] EWHC 3913 & [2016] EWHC 287 (Ch) (liability under a series of FFAs); Seadrill Management Services Ltd v Gazprom [2010] 1 Lloyd’s Rep 543 and [2010] EWCA Civ 691 (claims arising out of the collapse of an oil rig); the Western Neptune [2010] 1 Lloyd’s Rep 158 and 172 (collision accident); Ferryways NV v Associated British Ports [2008] 1 Lloyds Rep 639; Almatrans SA v Tutova Shipping Co Ltd [2007] 1 Lloyds Rep10; The Doric Pride [2005] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 470 and court of Appeal (unreported) – charterparty dispute; WISE Underwriting Agency Ltd and Ors v Grupo Nacional Provincial SA [2004] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 483 (CA) – reinsurance dispute; Great North Eastern Railway Ltd v Railcare Ltd [2003] – claim for losses arising from a derailment; Seascope Capital Services ltd v Anglo-Atlantic SS Co Ltd [2002] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 611 – ship financing; reopened formal investigations into the loss of the bulk carrier MV ‘Derbyshire’ (2000) and the fishing vessel FV ‘Gaul’ (2004); formal investigation into the collision between the ‘Marchioness’ and the ‘Bowbelle’ (2001). Nigel was also heavily involved in the Fiona Trust Litigation

Paul Toms KC

Paul specialises in commercial, maritime and international trade litigation. His practice areas include shipping, commodities, insurance and re-insurance (both marine and non-marine), energy, shipbuilding and offshore construction, conflicts of law, unjust enrichment, information technology, transport and carriage of goods by road, and general commercial litigation. He is a registered DIFC practitioner and appears regularly in international arbitrations including LCIA/ICC/LMAA/GAFTA/FOSFA. Significant cases include Unicredit Bank AG v Euronav NV, Rhine Shipping DMCC v Vitol SA, Alpha Marine Corp v Minmetals Logistics Zhejiang Co Ltd, The Longchamp, BP Oil International Ltd v Target Shipping Ltd, Hatzl v XL Insurance Company Ltd, Rohlig (UK) Ltd v Rock Unique Ltd and Crystal Palace (2000) Ltd v Iain Dowie.

Paul Henton

Paul’s practice focuses on shipping, international trade, commodities, energy, banking, aviation and insurance. His recent and reported cases include Vitol v JE Energy Ltd [2023] 1 Lloyd’s Rep 558 (FOB sales, Letters of Credit, termination dispute); Havila Kystruten AS v Abarca Companhia De Seguros SA [2022] EWHC 3196 (Comm) (shipbuilding, refund guarantees, termination dispute); “Columbus” and “Vasco da Gama” [2021] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 323 (Admlty) (in rem claims, bunkers); Maersk A/S v Mercuria Energy Trading SA [2022] 2 Lloyd's Rep 95 (anti-suit injunction, container fraud); First City Monument Bank Plc v Zumax Nigeria Ltd [2019] EWCA Civ 294 (CA), [2022] EWHC 2885 (Ch) (trusts, international banking); “ALEXANDRA I” v “EVER SMART” [2019] 1 Lloyd’s Rep 130 (collision, damages, impecuniosity); Heiser v Republic of Iran [2019] EWHC 2074 (QB), [2019] EWHC 2398 (QB) and [2020] 12 WLUK 267 (State Immunity; foreign judgments); "CAPE BARI" [2016] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 469 (contracting out of statutory tonnage limitation); S v A & B [2016] 1 Lloyd's Rep 604 (commodities arbitration; s. 68/69 challenge/appeal); "ASTIPALAIA"[2014] EWHC 120 (Admlty) (damages; loss of oil major approvals); Taurus Petroleum v Oil Marketing Company of Iraq [2014] 1 Lloyd's Rep 432 (commercial enforcement; letters of credit; State immunity); Vitol v Sterling Oil Trading [2012] EWHC 3108 (Comm)(oil supply contract dispute); ‘CENK KAPTANOGLU’ [2012] 1 Lloyd's Rep 501 (Charterparty; economic duress) and "PRINCESS 7" [2011] EWHC 3940 (Comm) (Marine insurance; jurisdiction; conflict of laws).

Paul Downes KC

Commercial Barrister specialising in banking and finance, shareholder/joint venture disputes, commercial fraud, insurance, and international arbitration.

Peter Stevenson

Peter has a broad commercial practice with a particular emphasis on shipping, marine insurance, private international law, insolvency law and commercial injunctions. Peter is recommended as a leading junior in The Legal 500 and in Chambers & Partners UK in which he is variously described as ‘bright and punchy on his feet.’ ‘savvy, quick and sharp’, ‘someone who can turn things around very quickly” and ”very good at getting to the nub of the issue." Peter regularly appears in the High Court and has been led in a number of significant appellate cases both in the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court including The Alexandros T [2014] 1 Lloyd's Rep. 223, Star Reefers v JFC [2012] 1 C.L.C. 294 and The Cendor Mopu [2011] UKSC 5

Poonam Melwani KC

Poonam Melwani KC is Head of Quadrant Chambers. She is a commercial silk who practises across the full spectrum of commercial, insurance, energy and shipping law, providing advisory and advocacy services. Poonam’s clients want her for their “difficult cases” where innovative thinking and oversight of a large team, complex issues and multi-strands are necessary. Praised as “clever, imaginative and user-friendly … diligent and fights very hard for her clients.” Poonam has been ranked as a ‘Leading Silk’ over many years by the Legal Directories and is shortlisted for Shipping, Commodities & Aviation Silk of the Year 2023 at the Legal 500 Bar Awards. She was also shortlisted for Shipping Silk of the Year at the Chambers & Partners UK Bar Awards 2020. She represents clients in a wide variety of jurisdictions and arbitral regimes including ICC, LCIA, LMAA and ad hoc, as well as English High Court Litigation, mainly in the Commercial Court and the Appellate Courts.

Robert Ward

Rob has developed a busy practice spanning the breadth of Chambers’ practice areas including shipping, commercial disputes, international arbitration and aviation. He has appeared as sole counsel in the High Court and County Court and as a junior in several high value matters. Recent cases of note include Pan Ocean Co Ltd v Daelim Corp [2023] EWHC 391 (Comm) (led by Michael Davey KC) in which he acted for the successful appellant in a challenge to an LMAA arbitration award concerning off-hire for the failure of a vessel’s cargo holds inspection. Rob is also currently instructed (led by Christopher Hancock KC; Guy Blackwood KC; and Tom Bird) on a multi-billion dollar aviation reinsurance dispute arising out of the Russia-Ukraine war. Prior to joining Chambers, Rob was a judicial assistant to Lord Justice Longmore in the Court of Appeal and worked on a number of large commercial disputes such as Banco Santander Totta SA v Companhia de Carris de Ferro de Lisboa SA [2016] EWCA Civ 1267, in which the Court addressed the proper interpretation of Article 3 of the Rome Convention.

Robert Thomas KC

Robert is an established commercial silk. His practice focuses on the following core areas: shipping, commodities and international trade; energy and natural resources; international arbitration and commercial litigation (in particular, in commercial fraud and related relief). He has been consistently ranked as a Leading Silk in both directories, and has been praised (amongst other things) for having a "fantastically effective and intellectual style", for "consistently deliver[ing] a first-class service" and for his ability to handle "difficult cases on a tight timetable". Clients particular appreciate his tenacity and insightful cross-examination, as well as his appreciation of the commercial and practical considerations that are in play. He is also receiving an increasing number of appointments as an arbitrator.

Ruth Hosking

Ruth's practice spans the full spectrum of commercial litigation and arbitration including general commercial, commodities, energy, insurance, international trade and shipping. Since joining chambers in 2003, she has appeared in the House of Lords, Court of Appeal, and High Court. She has also represented clients in a variety of international and trade arbitrations (including ICC, LCIA, LMAA and GAFTA) and assisted clients in FOSFA arbitrations. Ruth has acted in a number of high profile cases, including "The Achilleas", a leading case on the contractual principles of remoteness of damage. Most recently, she was junior counsel to Nigel Jacobs QC in "The Atlantik Confidence", a 7-week trial challenging the right to limit under the Limitation Convention (judgment awaited). She is a meticulous advocate, devoted to the needs of her client, combining rigorous analysis with a common sense commercial approach. Please visit www.quadrantchambers.com for Ruth's detailed CV

Saira Paruk

Barrister specialising in commercial litigation and arbitration. Saira practises across the full range of chambers’ areas of expertise, including shipping, carriage of goods by land, air and sea, sale of goods, insurance and reinsurance, conflicts of laws, aviation and travel and general commercial and contractual disputes. She also has experience in insolvency, company law and chancery matters. Much of Saira’s practice involves arbitration, but recent court cases include: Specialised Vessel Services Ltd v MOP Marine Nigeria Ltd [2021] EWHC 333 (Comm); The Gravity Highway v The Maritime Maisie [2020] EWHC 1697 (Comm); QBE Europe SA/NV v Generali Espana de Seguros Y Reaseguros [2022] EWHC 2062 (Comm); Robertson v Bembridge Harbour Improvements Co Ltd [2021] EWHC 1025 (Comm). For further details please visit www.quadrantchambers.com.

Sam Mitchell

Having completed pupillage at a commercial chancery set, Sam Mitchell joined Quadrant Chambers on 20 December 2022, upon successful completion of his third six. Sam graduated from the University of Oxford with a First Class degree in Philosophy and Theology and achieved Distinctions in both his MA Law conversion course and the Bar Vocational Studies. He is now developing his practice in line with Chambers’ core areas of work with a particular emphasis on shipping, commercial, insolvency, and international work, regularly appearing before arbitration tribunals and the High and County Courts. Shipping Sam regularly works with shipowners, time charterers, voyage charterers, insurers, cargo interests, and charities to assist with: the construction of charterparties, demurrage disputes, cargo damage claims, and the interpretation of international conventions. Sam also regularly advises on CMR claims. Commercial Sam advises and assists clients in disputes arising from a variety of commercial contexts, including the sale of commodities, loan/guarantee agreements, promissory notes, trusts, and service agreements. Sam has also acted for clients in cases of fraud, misrepresentation, and the economic torts (including unlawful means conspiracy) and has recently worked with other members of chambers on several FSMA claims. International Almost all of the work Sam undertakes involves an international dimension, and as well as appearing before international arbitral tribunals, Sam often advises clients on principles of private international law, including the English courts’ jurisdiction and applicable governing law of contracts.

Simon Croall KC

Simon Croall is an established commercial silk who has appeared in every court (including twice in the House of Lords). He is a sought after trial advocate as well as being respected in the appellate courts. In recent years much of his work has been in the context of International Arbitrations. He led the team for Owners in landmark case on remoteness in contract damages Transfield Shipping v Mercator Shipping ("The Achilleas") [2009] 1 AC 61. Recent reported highlights include another important case on damages Fulton Shipping v Globalia (The New Flamenco) in both the Court of Appeal [2016] 1 Lloyd’s Rep. 383 and below [2014] 2 Lloyd’s Rep. 230, Mitsui v Beteiligungsgesellschaft (“The Longchamp”) [2016] EWCA 708 in which the Court of Appeal ruled on controversial aspects of general average in the context of piracy, Essar Shipping v Bank of China [2016] 1 Lloyd’s Rep. 427 on factors relevant to the grant of anti suit injunctions and ST Shipping v Space Shipping [2016] 2 Lloyd’s 17 on arbitration appeals. Simon is particularly well known for his experience in the following fields: shipping and commodities, commercial litigation, International Arbitration, energy, insurance and Information Technology (see for example De Beers v Atos Origin [2011] BLR 274, a claim arising out of a large scale IT project). He also has a global practice with a depth of experience working with Chinese and south east Asian clients.

Simon Oakes

Simon practises in commercial dispute resolution, with a particular focus on banking & financial services, and complex commercial fraud cases. He has a wealth of experience in some of the most significant banking and financial services cases of recent years, from major interest rate hedging litigation to regulatory investigations against individuals. Simon is instructed across a broad range of commercial litigation, and is very experienced at developing strategy and arguments as part of counsel teams, and also as a highly effective sole advocate. Please visit www.quadrantchambers.com for a detailed CV.

Simon Rainey KC

Simon Rainey QC is one of the best-known and most highly regarded practitioners at the Commercial Bar with a high reputation for his intellect, advocacy skills, commercial pragmatism and commitment to client care. He has established a broad commercial advisory and advocacy practice spanning substantial commercial contractual disputes, international trade and commodities, shipping and maritime law in all its aspects, energy and natural resources and insurance and reinsurance. He appears mainly in the Commercial Court and Court of Appeal and has extensive experience of arbitration, regularly appearing before all of the main domestic and international arbitral bodies and trade associations. He particularly relishes complicated legal disputes and also cross-examination, especially in cases involving heavy expert evidence, of both technical disciplines and foreign law. He is well-known as a cheerful and easy to work with team player who rolls his sleeves up in long and complex trials and arbitrations. He is frequently appointed as arbitrator (LCIA, ICC, LMAA and ad hoc, sitting both sole and as co-arbitrator) and has given expert evidence of English law to courts in several countries. He also sits as a Recorder in the Crown Court and as a Deputy High Court Judge. He has been cited for many years as a Leading Silk in the areas of shipping, commodities, commercial litigation and dispute resolution, international arbitration, energy and natural resources, and insurance and reinsurance by Chambers & Partners and/or The Legal 500.

Stephanie Barrett

Stephanie's practice encompasses a wide range of commercial litigation and arbitration, particularly in the areas of shipping (both wet and dry), energy, shipbuilding, aviation, international trade and commodities. She undertakes drafting and advisory work in all areas of her practice. Stephanie also appears regularly (both as a junior and as sole counsel) in court hearings at High Court and County Court levels and in commercial arbitrations (on both LMAA and LCIA terms). Stephanie acted as junior counsel in the reported cases of Emma Moore v Hotelplan, t/as lnghams [2010] EWHC 276 (QB), concerning tour operator liability for excursions, and Lloyds TSB Equipment Leasing (No.1) Ltd v Revenue and Customs Commissioners [2014] EWCA Civ 1062, concerning capital allowances on LNG tankers used in the Norwegian Snøhvit project. She also appeared as junior counsel in the Court of Appeal in Ford v Malaysia Airlines [2014] 1 Lloyd's Rep. 301, concerning the meaning of 'accident'' under Article 17 of the Montreal Convention and as sole counsel in The Amity [2017] EWHC 2893 (Comm), which dealt with the proper service of arbitration notices under Section 76 of the 1996 Act. Stephanie has appeared as junior counsel in several substantial shipping, shipbuilding and offshore construction arbitrations.

Stewart Buckingham

Practises in the fields of commercial law, including commercial contracts, energy, shipping, international sale of goods, commodities, shipbuilding, conflicts of law, insurance, carriage of goods and professional negligence; including interim relief and injunctions.

Stewart Chirnside

Barrister specialising in commercial litigation, including banking and finance, commercial fraud, professional negligence, property damage and product liability. Stewart also has experience of international arbitrations.

Thomas Macey-Dare KC

Tom Macey-Dare practices commercial law, with a particular focus on shipping, international trade and insurance. His main areas of specialism are charterparties, commodities, collisions, salvage, cross-border insolvency, civil fraud, international arbitration, general commercial litigation, offshore energy, marine and non-marine insurance, banking and finance, freezing injunctions, jurisdictional disputes and conflict of laws. He is adept at handling cases involving technically complex subject-matter, including issues of navigation, seamanship and engineering. He has particular experience of freezing injunctions (including Chabra injunctions), anti-suit injunctions and other forms of urgent interlocutory relief. Recent reported cases include The “Eleni P” [2014] EWHC 4202 (Comm), [2019] EWHC 910 (Comm); The “Jag Pooja” [2017] EWHC 3217 (Admlty), [2018] EWHC 389 (Admlty); and The "Atlantik Confidence" [2014] EWCA Civ 217, [2016] EWHC 2412 (Admlty).

Tom Hall

Tom joined Quadrant in October 2023 upon successful completion of pupillage. He is developing his practice in line with Chambers’ core areas of work. Prior to completing pupillage, Tom completed the BCL at Oxford, obtaining a Distinction overall and the Peter Birks Prize for coming top of the year in Restitution of Unjust Enrichment. Tom achieved a Distinction in both the GDL and the Bar Course, and was awarded the William Rose Prize for obtaining the highest mark in his year for Drafting. Before coming to law, Tom graduated with a first-class degree in History. Since being offered tenancy, Tom has begun developing his shipping and commercial practice, which has so far included: Settling pleadings and arbitration submissions in charterparty and COA disputes, as well as cargo claims; Working with Tom Nixon and Robert-Jan Temmink KC on the pending appeal to the Supreme Court in Zavarco plc v Nasir; Drafting GAFTA appeal submissions; Being instructed as sole counsel in County Court applications and trials; and Assisting senior members of chambers in preparing for cross-examination of expert witnesses.

Tom Nixon

Tom is developing his practice in line with Chambers’ core areas of aviation and travel, banking and financial services, commercial disputes, commodities and international trade, energy and natural resources, insurance and reinsurance, international commercial arbitration and shipping.

Turlough Stone

Turlough has a wide-ranging commercial dispute resolution practice, specialising in banking and financial services (including asset finance and consumer credit), as well as in commercial fraud, domestic and international insolvency, insurance, company law (including shareholder and partnership disputes), and professional negligence. Turlough appears regularly in the Business and Property Courts of England & Wales (including in the Financial List, the Business List and the Commercial Court), and is regularly instructed by institutional clients, public authorities and individual clients in high-value claims involving financial service providers. Turlough acts frequently for institutional clients (banks, finance houses and London Market insurers), but also acts regularly for public authorities, companies (including companies in administration or liquidation), and high net worth individuals. Much of Turlough’s work has an international element and involves the obtaining of interim relief, including freezing, search and asset preservation orders.

William Mitchell

Will has a broad and growing practice in line with chambers core areas of aviation and travel, banking and financial services, commercial disputes, commodities and international trade, energy and natural resources, insurance and reinsurance, international commercial arbitration and shipping. Will has market experience in marine, aviation and space insurance having undertaken a placement with a leading insurer with their complex claims department. During the placement he advised on stock throughput, P&I, War Risks and H&M policies.

Yash Kulkarni KC

Barrister with broad commercial practice covering areas such as international trade, shipping, banking, information technology, insurance and insolvency. He has particular experience of applications for urgent interim relief, including applications to appoint receivers, freezing and search orders and asset preservation orders.

Simon Croall KC

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