Head of Chambers Steven Gee QCSenior Clerk Jean-Pierre SchulzMEMBERS
- Steven Gee QC (1975) (QC-1993)
- John Reeder QC (1971) (QC-1989)
- Elizabeth Blackburn QC (1978) (QC-1998)
- Vasanti Selvaratnam QC (1983) (QC-2001)
- Timothy Hill QC (1990) (QC-2009)
- Sarah Miller (1971)
- Colin Wright (1987)
- Dominic Happé (1993)
- Rachel Toney (1998)
- Ishfaq Ahmed (1999)
- Mary Gibbons (1999)
- Mark Jones (2000)
- Ravi Aswani (2000)
- Philip Riches (2002)
- Thomas Whitehead (2002)
- James Shirley (2002)
- Neil Henderson (2004)
- Jeremy Lightfoot (2006)
- Sandra Healy (2007)
- Allan Myers (1988) (QC Aus.) ++
- Andrew Moran QC (1977) (QC-1993) ++
- David Martin-Clark (1961) ++
- Charles Debattista (1978) ++
- Dato' Jude P Benny (1982) (1983 Singapore) ++
- Stephen Howells (2006) (1986 Aus.) ++
++ Associate member
The Chambers An experienced specialist commercial set established under the direction of leading Silk Steven Gee QC, Stone Chambers provides advocacy, advisory, arbitral and mediation services in all aspects of contentious and non-contentious international and domestic commercial, shipping, insurance and competition work. Members of Chambers have recently been involved in a wide range of significant cases: The Elli & The Frixos in the Court of Appeal; The Front Ace , an appeal to the Court of Appeal on damages for loss of charter; the MSC NAPOLI litigation; the largest LOF salvage and SCOPIC arbitrations yet undertaken; and a US$150 million joint venture shareholders dispute concerning the Ukrainian energy industry. Other recent high profile cases have included the appeal to the House of Lords in The Starsin , and the Court of Appeal decisions in The Great Peace (on mistake in contract) and The Sea Angel (on frustration of contracts).
Much of the work of Stone Chambers is international in nature and several members hold practicing certificates in various US states, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and a number of jurisdictions in the West Indies, and several also have rights of audience in Dubai. Various members also act as arbitrators on an ad hoc basis or in arbitrations under the auspices of the LMAA, ICC, LCIA, GAFTA, FOSFA and SIAC. A number of barristers from Stone Chambers are also qualified to act as mediators (CEDR). Members are frequently asked to act as expert witnesses on English law in foreign proceedings.
Professional memberships include: the British Maritime Law Association (BMLA), the London Shipping Law Centre, LCLCBA, Bar European Group, ICC UK Transport Committee, LMAA, ECBA, Industrial Law Society, A.B.A and Combar. Languages spoken include: French, German, Italian, Spanish, Urdu, Gujarati, Japanese and Mandarin. Members write or contribute to numerous publications including: Commercial Injunctions (Steven Gee QC), The Maritime Law of Salvage (John Reeder QC), Shipping and Maritime Law (John Reeder QC), Law of the European Union (Philip Riches), Bills of Lading in Export Trade (Professor Charles Debattista), Halsbury's Laws on Carriage and Carriers (Professor Charles Debattista).
Work Undertaken Stone Chambers offers expertise in a wide range of commercial law including the following key areas:
Commercial: Insurance - all aspects of marine and non-marine insurance and reinsurance law; banking and finance - international and domestic banking and finance, freezing orders, asset tracing, leases, loans, securitisation, bills of exchange, promissory notes and documentary credits; joint venture shareholder disputes; construction and engineering - projects both on land and offshore, in all relevant tribunals; road, rail and air transport - carriage of goods and passengers, including terms of carriage, arrangements with freight forwarders/other transport intermediaries, regulatory/competition issues, environmental matters and safety.
International Trade: Sale of goods and commodities - international and domestic contracts as well as related transactions (letters of credit, bills of exchange, insurance, guarantees and performance bonds).
Shipping: Charterparty and bill of lading disputes; contracts of affreightment and containerisation contracts (including connecting carrier and slot chartering agreements); ship sale and purchase; shipbuilding contracts; offshore activities including oil and gas, environmental, fisheries and conservation matters; admiralty work, including collisions, salvage and general average.
Arbitration: Arbitration law and practice including ICC, LCIA, LMAA, GAFTA, FOSFA, SIAC, UNCITRAL and CIETAC.
Injunctive Relief: Urgent interim relief including freezing and search orders and antisuit injunctions.
Competition: Advisory work and advocacy in all aspects of domestic and EU competition law - prohibited behavior, market share, abuse of dominant position, damages claims in the context of the competition rules.
Civil Fraud: Injunctive relief (in particular freezing and search orders) in the context of civil fraud disputes; deceit actions, claims for knowing receipt and dishonest assistance; proprietary claims and equitable relief.
Costs: Specialist costs litigation, including conditional fee agreements and liability of professional funders.