7 King's Bench Walk

⭐ "An outstanding chambers” ⭐ ⭐ “This is a sophisticated set with a deep bench of talent.” ⭐ With thanks to members’ clients and the set’s friends across the commercial disputes and international disputes landscape – we have seen more members ranked than ever before with particular bench strength in commercial disputes resolution, insurance (where the set remains the undisputed top set), international arbitration (for both arbitrators and for members’ counsel work), and in shipping and commodities. 

Come and meet John Bignall, Henry Moore, Henry Ashwell, James Bailey, Joseph Rich and Patrick Devine at the King's College London Law & Justice Showcase Pupillage Fair this Tuesday. For more information on our upcoming pupillage events, please click here: https://lnkd.in/emxjuM5f

I was part of the European Law Institute team that produced the Principles Governing the Third Party Funding of Litigation, which came out last week. If 103 pages on TPLF isn't your thing, the thrust is that we should be treading carefully when it comes to regulation. When it works well, funding enables access to justice and levels the playing field between resourced and unresourced parties. We've proposed a set of principles that seeks to ensure those benefits are preserved, while protecting against the risk of exploitation. Hopefully it will serve as a blueprint as jurisdictions come to terms with this multi-billion dollar industry.

Come and meet Julia Gibbon, Emma Franklin and Jerome Squires at The Bar Council of England and Wales Pupillage Fair this Saturday. For more information and to secure your place, please click here: https://lnkd.in/emxjuM5f

Very sad to be saying goodbye to the current incumbent at the end of the year - we are looking for an expert pair of hands to take on his mantle for 2025 and beyond. 7KBW is a top tier commercial set with a wonderfully supportive and sociable internal culture. Come and join us.

Come and meet Josephine Higgs KC, Sarah Cowey, Sarah Martin, Henry Ashwell, Patrick Devine and Jerome Squires this Thursday at the Legal Cheek Pupillage Fair. For more information and to secure your place, please click here: https://lnkd.in/emxjuM5f

The Court of Appeal has handed down judgment in UnipolSai Assicurazioni SpA v Covéa Insurance Plc [2024] EWCA Civ 1110 (30 September 2024), providing authoritative confirmation of the recoverability of Covid-19 business interruption losses under Property Catastrophe XL Reinsurance. Covéa provided insurance cover to businesses running children’s nurseries and other childcare facilities. Its nursery care cover insured against a wide range of risks commonly found in policies written by the property departments of UK insurers, including cover for business interruption caused by perils other than physical damage to insured property. Policyholders sustained business interruption losses when, in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the UK Government instructed schools, colleges and early years facilities to close with effect from 20 March 2020. Covéa paid substantial sums to its policyholders and sought indemnity from its Property Catastrophe XL reinsurer, UnipolSai. Alistair Schaff KC and Simon Kerr were instructed by Slaughter and May For more information and to view a copy of the judgment please click here: https://lnkd.in/eVjT6q5N

Commercial Court strikes out proceedings on the grounds that a prior arbitral award created an issue estoppel which barred the claim, rejecting the claimant’s argument that the award had no res judicata effect for lack of jurisdiction. In Tumpuan Megah Development Sdn Bhd v. ING Bank N.V. and O.W. Bunker (Far East) Ltd [2024] EWHC 2350 (Comm), the Commercial Court granted applications by the Defendants to strike out the claimant’s claim on grounds of res judicata and abuse of process, to set aside service on the Second Defendant (“OWBFE”), and to set aside an order extending time for service of the claim form under CPR 7.6(2). Marcus Mander was instructed by A&O Shearman. For more information and to view a copy of the judgment please click here: https://lnkd.in/exaJHyGQ

Chambers was delighted to see so many aspiring female barristers last night at its “Women at the Commercial Bar" networking event.  The event included talks from Josephine Higgs KC, Jessica Sutherland, Sarah Martin and Emma Franklin as they shared their career journeys and insights about life at the Commercial Bar. To be kept up to date with pupillage news and events at 7KBW, please sign up to our mailing list here: https://lnkd.in/dRsVdR_Q

David Bailey KC and James Goudkamp successfully challenge jurisdiction. Three New Zealand companies in the timber industry (“the Exporters”) were sued in the High Court of England and Wales by ship owners for more than US$6 million. Owners alleged that the Exporters were undisclosed principals to letters of indemnity which had been issued to Owners but which had gone unpaid by the (insolvent) issuer (“TPT Shipping”). The letters of indemnity provided for English jurisdiction. David and James were instructed by Herbert Smith Freehills LLP. For more information and to view a copy of the judgment please click here: https://lnkd.in/euQ6Jzsm