Quadrant Chambers remains one of the leading shipping sets in the market, with its members continuously involved in the biggest cases arising out of the maritime industry. The Eternal Bliss, which was set to go to the Supreme Court in 2023 but settled shortly beforehand, included appearances from Simon Rainey KC and Tom Bird; the former also acted in the limitation action arising out of the fire on board the Maersk Honam in 2018. Another Supreme Court case was the Herculito Maritime v Gunvor International, dealing with ransom payment to pirates, in which Guy Blackwood KC acted on behalf of the insurers. Stewart Buckingham continued to have another busy year in shipping, with cases including the litigation after the Ever Given ran aground in 2021, obstructing the Suez Canal for six days. Matthew Reeve KC was appointed to silk in 2023, while James Shirley joined the set from The 36 Group.
Shipping in
London Bar
Quadrant Chambers
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‘The clerking is really good. Simon Slattery is in particular efficient and a pleasure to deal with every time.’
‘The clerks are exceptional. They understand the wider market and pressures instructing solicitors operate under. Mike Wright in particular stands out. He is particularly commercial, switched on and practical.’
‘Daniel Westerman is first class. Always approachable, available and prepared to go the extra mile.’
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7 King's Bench Walk
With ‘excellence across the board’, barristers at 7KBW offer clients a diverse set of expertise that covers both wet and dry shipping. The set remains a go-to choice for a variety of stakeholders in the maritime sector, including insurers, charterers, P&I clubs, and shipowners. One of the highlights for Stephen Hofmeyr KC in 2022 was the Argentum Exploration Limited v Silver, a case that decided the Republic of South Africa was not entitled to immunity from the jurisdiction of the court under the State Immunity Act 1978 regarding the salvage of silver from a ship sunk in the Indian Ocean in 1942. Alistair Schaff KC has a strong reputation regarding superyachts, while Dominic Kendrick KC acts in cases relating to sanctions, amongst others. Marcus Mander also had another strong year, acting in SK Shipping Europe PLC v. Capital Maritime & Trading Corp, a case that arose out of the charter of four crude carriers, opposite Christopher Smith KC. N G Casey KC took silk in 2023, and Robert Bright KC (as was) was appointed to the High Court bench at the beginning of the same year.
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‘The clerks are very helpful. I have had many dealings with Gary Rose whom I consider particularly friendly, helpful and of great assistance.’
‘Excellent, I trust Gary Rose and Greg Leyden completely – they are some of the best clerks in the market.’
‘Clerks, especially Gary Rose, are superb.’
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Essex Court Chambers
At Essex Court Chambers, shipping remains a core area of expertise, reflected in the set’s ongoing involvement in complex and high-profile cases along the full range of maritime disputes. Steven Berry KC continuous to be tied up in a number of major shipping cases including MT Phoenix Vanguard about the collapsed purchase of a crude oil tanker; he leads Bibek Mukherjee in this case, a junior experienced in both wet and dry shipping. The interpretation of contractual force majeure clauses in relation to sanctions lies at the core of MUR Shipping BV v RTI Ltd, handled by Nigel Eaton KC on behalf of the shipowners, where he led Adam Woolnough. Elsewhere, Philippa Hopkins KC represents insurers in The Win Win, a ship that was seized by the Indonesian Navy on allegations that she illegallty entered the country’s waters. David Walsh and Freddie Onslow are juniors with active shipping practices and are both frequently instructed by leading law firms in LMAA arbitrations and before various courts.
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‘The chamber is always supportive, efficient and with a kind approach. Top-class service.’
‘A strong commercial, shipping and insurance set. Many good KCs and barristers.’
‘Excellent in terms of quality and expertise.’
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Twenty Essex
Lauded as ‘one of the pre-eminent shipping sets’, Twenty Essex’ strengths are well-distributed along the full range of maritime disputes. The charterparty dispute Trafigura Maritime Logistics Pte Ltd v Clearlake Shipping Pte Ltd kept a number of members busy, with Michael Ashcroft KC, Daniel Bovensiepen, and Timothy Young KC all being involved. The latter also led Colleen Hanley in the Shagang Giant, a case dealing with the interpretation of a force majeure clause in light of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions. Damages caused by the detention of a vessel and the subsequent claim for demurrage are central in Rhine Shipping v Vitol, where Patrick Dunn-Walsh is led by Philip Edey KC on behalf of Rhine Shipping.
Referenzen
‘There are some excellent shipping counsel working at Twenty Essex Street – it is one of our go-to sets.’
‘Very helpful clerking team. Arron Zitver is a joy to work with.’
‘Brilliant chambers. Leaders in their respective fields.’
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4 Pump Court
4 Pump Court fields an in-depth shipping practice, which sees members of the set regularly appear in arbitration and litigation concerning substantial disputes in relation to shipbuilding, commercial shipping, as well as yachts. James Leabeater KC and Sean O’Sullivan KC are two of the group’s leading silks, with the latter appearing in and leading Rani Noakes in Havila v Hijos de J Barrerras, a shipbuilding dispute about two LNG powered ferries. Nick Vineall KC also continues to have a strong practice, having been instructed in a case arising out of a drill ship construction which went to the Supreme Court on appeal. The highly publicised Eternal Bliss was scheduled for the Supreme Court but ultimately settled beforehand; Alexander Wright KC acted in this case about demurrage on behalf of the charterers.
Referenzen
‘An excellent set for shipping work with a deep selection of KCs and juniors. 4PC barristers stand out for their commercial and practical approach which goes down well with clients.’
‘Worked with Paul Bloxham – very cooperative and helpful.’
‘The shipping team has gone from strength to strength, recruiting new members and increasing its profile with the big shipping firms and the clubs.’
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The 36 Group
Hailed as ‘an excellent shipping set with real depth‘, The 36 Group is noted for its strengths across shipping, where the set’s capabilities extend to issues arising out of contracts, transactions, as well as collisions and salvage. Elizabeth Blackburn KC continues to have a vibrant practice, with cases including the infamous Ever Given. A collision in the Singapore Strait was at the centre of The Wilforce, which saw involvement from Vasanti Selvaratnam KC and constituted the first time that liability for a collision in a precautionary area was considered. Mark Jones features in the Polar, a long-running case arising out of the hijacking of a vessel by Somali pirates that has been granted permission to appeal by the Supreme Court in 2022. Turning to more junior names, Emile Yusupoff and Andrew Ng are being led by leading silks or acting as sole counsel in shipping arbitration and litigation.
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‘Sam Medlock is a great junior clerk who is going places.’
‘Reiss Nott is the excellent senior clerk, highly experienced, gives great client service and is very effective when it comes to strategic direction and practice management.’
‘Billy Brett and Sam Medlock are both excellent supporting clerks. Billy has particular marketing skills and Sam is of particular importance to those members who also act as arbitrators, and I have found him to be of great assistance in running my cases as an arbitrator.’
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Quadrant Chambers
Referenzen
‘The clerking is really good. Simon Slattery is in particular efficient and a pleasure to deal with every time.’
‘The clerks are exceptional. They understand the wider market and pressures instructing solicitors operate under. Mike Wright in particular stands out. He is particularly commercial, switched on and practical.’
‘Daniel Westerman is first class. Always approachable, available and prepared to go the extra mile.’
Highlight-Mandate
7 King's Bench Walk
With ‘excellence across the board’, barristers at 7KBW offer clients a diverse set of expertise that covers both wet and dry shipping. The set remains a go-to choice for a variety of stakeholders in the maritime sector, including insurers, charterers, P&I clubs, and shipowners. One of the highlights for Stephen Hofmeyr KC in 2022 was the Argentum Exploration Limited v Silver, a case that decided the Republic of South Africa was not entitled to immunity from the jurisdiction of the court under the State Immunity Act 1978 regarding the salvage of silver from a ship sunk in the Indian Ocean in 1942. Alistair Schaff KC has a strong reputation regarding superyachts, while Dominic Kendrick KC acts in cases relating to sanctions, amongst others. Marcus Mander also had another strong year, acting in SK Shipping Europe PLC v. Capital Maritime & Trading Corp, a case that arose out of the charter of four crude carriers, opposite Christopher Smith KC. N G Casey KC took silk in 2023, and Robert Bright KC (as was) was appointed to the High Court bench at the beginning of the same year.
Referenzen
‘The clerks are very helpful. I have had many dealings with Gary Rose whom I consider particularly friendly, helpful and of great assistance.’
‘Excellent, I trust Gary Rose and Greg Leyden completely – they are some of the best clerks in the market.’
‘Clerks, especially Gary Rose, are superb.’
Highlight-Mandate
Essex Court Chambers
At Essex Court Chambers, shipping remains a core area of expertise, reflected in the set’s ongoing involvement in complex and high-profile cases along the full range of maritime disputes. Steven Berry KC continuous to be tied up in a number of major shipping cases including MT Phoenix Vanguard about the collapsed purchase of a crude oil tanker; he leads Bibek Mukherjee in this case, a junior experienced in both wet and dry shipping. The interpretation of contractual force majeure clauses in relation to sanctions lies at the core of MUR Shipping BV v RTI Ltd, handled by Nigel Eaton KC on behalf of the shipowners, where he led Adam Woolnough. Elsewhere, Philippa Hopkins KC represents insurers in The Win Win, a ship that was seized by the Indonesian Navy on allegations that she illegallty entered the country’s waters. David Walsh and Freddie Onslow are juniors with active shipping practices and are both frequently instructed by leading law firms in LMAA arbitrations and before various courts.
Referenzen
‘The chamber is always supportive, efficient and with a kind approach. Top-class service.’
‘A strong commercial, shipping and insurance set. Many good KCs and barristers.’
‘Excellent in terms of quality and expertise.’
Highlight-Mandate
Twenty Essex
Lauded as ‘one of the pre-eminent shipping sets’, Twenty Essex’ strengths are well-distributed along the full range of maritime disputes. The charterparty dispute Trafigura Maritime Logistics Pte Ltd v Clearlake Shipping Pte Ltd kept a number of members busy, with Michael Ashcroft KC, Daniel Bovensiepen, and Timothy Young KC all being involved. The latter also led Colleen Hanley in the Shagang Giant, a case dealing with the interpretation of a force majeure clause in light of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions. Damages caused by the detention of a vessel and the subsequent claim for demurrage are central in Rhine Shipping v Vitol, where Patrick Dunn-Walsh is led by Philip Edey KC on behalf of Rhine Shipping.
Referenzen
‘There are some excellent shipping counsel working at Twenty Essex Street – it is one of our go-to sets.’
‘Very helpful clerking team. Arron Zitver is a joy to work with.’
‘Brilliant chambers. Leaders in their respective fields.’
Highlight-Mandate
4 Pump Court
4 Pump Court fields an in-depth shipping practice, which sees members of the set regularly appear in arbitration and litigation concerning substantial disputes in relation to shipbuilding, commercial shipping, as well as yachts. James Leabeater KC and Sean O’Sullivan KC are two of the group’s leading silks, with the latter appearing in and leading Rani Noakes in Havila v Hijos de J Barrerras, a shipbuilding dispute about two LNG powered ferries. Nick Vineall KC also continues to have a strong practice, having been instructed in a case arising out of a drill ship construction which went to the Supreme Court on appeal. The highly publicised Eternal Bliss was scheduled for the Supreme Court but ultimately settled beforehand; Alexander Wright KC acted in this case about demurrage on behalf of the charterers.
Referenzen
‘An excellent set for shipping work with a deep selection of KCs and juniors. 4PC barristers stand out for their commercial and practical approach which goes down well with clients.’
‘Worked with Paul Bloxham – very cooperative and helpful.’
‘The shipping team has gone from strength to strength, recruiting new members and increasing its profile with the big shipping firms and the clubs.’
Highlight-Mandate
The 36 Group
Hailed as ‘an excellent shipping set with real depth‘, The 36 Group is noted for its strengths across shipping, where the set’s capabilities extend to issues arising out of contracts, transactions, as well as collisions and salvage. Elizabeth Blackburn KC continues to have a vibrant practice, with cases including the infamous Ever Given. A collision in the Singapore Strait was at the centre of The Wilforce, which saw involvement from Vasanti Selvaratnam KC and constituted the first time that liability for a collision in a precautionary area was considered. Mark Jones features in the Polar, a long-running case arising out of the hijacking of a vessel by Somali pirates that has been granted permission to appeal by the Supreme Court in 2022. Turning to more junior names, Emile Yusupoff and Andrew Ng are being led by leading silks or acting as sole counsel in shipping arbitration and litigation.
Referenzen
‘Sam Medlock is a great junior clerk who is going places.’
‘Reiss Nott is the excellent senior clerk, highly experienced, gives great client service and is very effective when it comes to strategic direction and practice management.’
‘Billy Brett and Sam Medlock are both excellent supporting clerks. Billy has particular marketing skills and Sam is of particular importance to those members who also act as arbitrators, and I have found him to be of great assistance in running my cases as an arbitrator.’