Jonathan Gaisman KC
7 King’s Bench Walk 'Jonathan continues to be at the top of his game. His views are always right and his leadership strength can be a superpower.'
7 King’s Bench Walk offers an impressive ‘array of talent at all levels’ and is particularly renowned for its expertise in insurance, reinsurance, and shipping disputes as part of a broader commercial disputes offering. Barristers in the set have been instructed by various parties in aviation litigation concerning whether aircraft expropriated by the Russian Federation – after the imposition of sanctions following its invasion of Ukraine – are permanently lost, and whether this loss is attributable to a war risk or an all-risk insured policy. This includes Gavin Kealey KC, Clara Benn, and Ralph Morley’s defence of AIG, and Richard Waller KC and Michael Ryan’s defence of Lloyds Insurance Co against aircraft lessor AerCap Ireland. Additionally, Alistair Schaff KC and Rebecca Sabben-Clare KC are acting for the claimant in Dubai Aerospace Enterprise Ltd v Lloyd’s Insurance Company and others, with Jonathan Gaisman KC, Siobán Healy KC, Keir Howie, and others representing Global Aerospace. Members have also been active in a number of COVID-19 business interruption cases, including Gavin Kealey KC and Josephine Higgs KC acting for the Al Mana group in its Commercial Court claim against three Gulf-based insurers.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Greg Leyden is the driving force behind the Chambers expansion into areas beyond insurance. He is exceptional - forever seeking to introduce work to firms, very commercial and generous with his time.'
- 'Greg Leyden, Joe Clayton and Gary Rose are all incredibly helpful.'
- 'The clerks are excellent. Joe Clayton and Greg Leyden offer a first-class clerking service. They are responsive, flexible to client needs, and a pleasure to work with.'
- 'Greg Leyden is a supreme clerk and they have a very strong clerking team.'
- 'In the field of insurance and reinsurance, the set is unequalled.'
- 'The leading set for all insurance and reinsurance matters - as well as for commercial litigation.'
- '7KBW is the go-to set for insurance and reinsurance disputes.'
- '7KBW has an array of talent at all levels. Its strength lies in the sheer number of excellent barristers - from the senior KCs to the juniors.'
Silks
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.
Gavin Kealey KC
7 King’s Bench Walk
Rebecca Sabben-Clare KC
7 King’s Bench Walk
Richard Waller KC
7 King’s Bench Walk ‘Richard is the best advocate and is extraordinarily intelligent. His cross-examination is at the level of top KCs.'
David Edwards KC
7 King’s Bench Walk 'Deep understanding of the insurance industry and the applicable law. He is prepared to engage and work with the team.'
Siobán Healy KC
7 King’s Bench Walk ‘There is a good reason why she is so well respected by tribunals. She is a towering intellect and tenacious advocate.'
James Brocklebank KC
7 King’s Bench Walk
Michael Holmes KC
7 King’s Bench Walk ‘Michael is an absolute expert. He is extremely responsive, commercial, and client-friendly.’
Josephine Higgs KC
7 King’s Bench Walk ‘Very user-friendly and hands-on. Her written advocacy is excellent and she is very good with clients.'
David Bailey KC
7 King’s Bench Walk ‘David exudes trust. He has tremendous presence in every tribunal. He understands implicitly what clients are trying to achieve and he gets there.’
Jawdat Khurshid KC
7 King’s Bench Walk ‘He has strong powers of analysis and is very good at explaining complex points orally, in a concise and persuasive manner.’
Juniors
Leading Juniors
Leading juniors are those with significant experience of key cases, strong market recognition from both peers and clients, and are seen as future candidates for silk.
Michael Ryan
7 King’s Bench Walk ‘Michael is an impressive oral advocate and holds his own against KCs. He also has good written submissions.’
Keir Howie
7 King’s Bench Walk
Alexander MacDonald
7 King’s Bench Walk ‘Alex is in a league of his own – an exceptionally strong technical lawyer who can get to the bottom of any issue. He is incredibly hard-working and provides an excellent service. His written and oral advocacy is of a high standard.’
Marcus Mander
7 King’s Bench Walk
Jason Robinson
7 King’s Bench Walk ‘Jason is an excellent advocate. He clearly distils the most complicated subject matter into clear, comprehensive submissions. He is very user-friendly and takes a pragmatic, commercial approach – and produces excellent paperwork at a speed unmatched at the London Bar.’
Benjamin Parker
7 King’s Bench Walk
Frederick Alliott
7 King’s Bench Walk ‘Excellent in writing, adroit with pleadings. Responsive, charming and articulate.’
Henry Moore
7 King's Bench Walk 'He is very calm on his feet, and his powers of recall allow him to make snap decisions on submissions and deal with judicial intervention. A must for heavy-duty commercial litigation.'
Clara Benn
7 King’s Bench Walk ‘Exceptional legal ability; exceptional judgement; real common sense. An unusual blend of skills that makes her a stand-out junior. A powerful barrister to have on your side.’