International Arbitration - The English Bar

7 King's Bench Walk is home to a celebrated bench of silk and junior talent, frequently sought out to handle complex commercial and insurance arbitrations. The set offers an enviable breadth of expertise, with members acting for clients in the pharmaceutical, energy, aviation, insurance and shipping sectors in arbitrations under ICC and LCIA rules. The barristers wield strong international capabilities, appearing in arbitrations seated across Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai and Europe as both advocates and arbitrators. The set is a go-to choice for Bermuda Form claims and award enforcements. Over the past year the barristers have been involved in a number of prominent matters including cases involving maritime piracy and the detention of a vessel, as well as UNCITRAL arbitration relating to oil issues in Africa.

"Eddie Johns, joint deputy senior clerk, stands out. He is great."

"It has always been a pleasure to liaise with the clerks at 7KBW. Gary Rose, joint deputy senior clerk, and his colleagues are extremely helpful and responsive."

"Gary Rose is experienced, friendly and a pleasure to deal with. He is a credit to chambers."

Alistair Schaff KC
Alistair Schaff KC is an acclaimed international arbitration advocate and adviser with significant experience in insurance and reinsurance, infrastructure and construction-related matters. He brings his expertise in pharmaceutical and product liability to his arbitration practice, coupled with a strong understanding of Bermuda Form insurance policies. He also takes regular appointments as arbitrator. "Alistair Schaff is very clever and brilliant."

Gavin Kealey KC
Gavin Kealey KC is a celebrated counsel in international arbitration, with the skills to handle multi-jurisdictional insurance disputes. His practice often involves matters of gross negligence and medical malpractice, acting for various insurers across the globe. He has particular prowess in acting before foreign tribunals and in arbitrations subject to Bermuda, Brazilian and New York law. He also sits as an arbitrator. "He is an excellent lawyer and has good judgement." "He gives the impression of someone who makes it look easy, but he does an incredible amount of work to make it look easy."

David Edwards KC
David Edwards KC is well regarded for his international arbitration practice, with prowess in handling disputes relating to insurance and reinsurance, pharmaceutical and professional negligence issues. He is adept at advising on or advocating foreign law cases, with particular expertise in the law of Bermuda. "David Edwards is an excellent advocate who puts across arguments clearly and succinctly, commanding the attention of the arbitral panel."

Peter MacDonald Eggers KC
Peter MacDonald Eggers KC is a well-reputed silk with a far-reaching arbitration practice. He is best known for his work in the insurance sphere, handling numerous claims involving reinsurance and D&O policies, as well as charter party and commodities disputes. He acts as both counsel and arbitrator for clients across the world, including in Asia and the Middle East. "The thing that sets him apart from most of his peers is his client interaction and bedside manner. He is very good with clients and really understands their business." "He is our favourite; he is very clever and responsive. He understands the commercial client side."

Rebecca Sabben-Clare KC
Rebecca Sabben-Clare KC is highly regarded for her expertise in multimillion-pound LCIA and ICC arbitrations. She is frequently instructed by top-tier law firms and takes instruction as sole counsel. She has notable experience handling disputes arising in the oil and gas sector. "She doesn't sit on the fence and always provides sound advice." "She is a very good court advocate, incredibly clever and easy to deal with."

Richard Waller KC
Richard Waller KC specialises in insurance and reinsurance-related arbitrations, accepting a steady stream of instructions from insurers in high-value disputes including trade credit and political risk policy matters. He is particularly adept acting in arbitrations under LCIA rules. "Richard Waller is acutely impressive and among the best in the field." "He is extremely good on his feet, is excellent and punches well above his weight."

Dominic Kendrick KC
Dominic Kendrick KC acts as counsel in international arbitrations, and has particular expertise in disputes regarding matters of jurisdiction and conflicts of law, insurance and reinsurance, finance, shipping and commercial fraud. He has notable experience handling ICC, UNCITRAL and LCIA arbitrations. "He is very measured, very thoughtful and very good." "It is always a pleasure to deal with him; he is willing to give advice on his feet."

Jonathan Gaisman KC
Jonathan Gaisman KC has experience of a range of international arbitrations, including energy and insurance-related disputes. He also handles proceedings before courts in matters linked to arbitration. He accepts regular appointments as an arbitrator.

Michael Holmes KC
Michael Holmes KC provides robust representation in international arbitrations and related court applications, and has expertise in the spheres of insurance and reinsurance, telecommunications, and energy and natural resources. He has notable experience acting in high-value Bermuda Form arbitrations as well as under the rules of the LMAA and LCIA. "He is a good team player. There are no airs and graces to him."