Testimonials

Chambers & Partners 2012 UK Bar

Shipping: Stone Chambers - leading set

Steven Gee QC - leading silk
Elizabeth Blackburn QC - leading silk
Vasanti Selvaratnam QC - leading silk
Timothy Hill QC - leading silk
Rachel Toney - leading junior barrister
Mark Jones - leading junior barrister
Ravi Aswani - leading junior barrister
Tom Whitehead - leading junior barrister

THE SET Stone Chambers is a "genuine specialist shipping set" that provides "excellent value to its clients." Its barristers have great expertise on the wet side of shipping including salvage, collisions and pollution matters, but are equally adept at handling the full range of dry shipping disputes. Despite its compact size, chambers regularly handles leading cases in the field. Commentators agree that "this set is making waves in the shipping market."

SILKS Elizabeth Blackburn QC is considered to be the go-to silk for any pollution-related matter. She impresses peers with her "phenomenal work ethic" and "deep knowledge base." She is also highly respected for her expertise in salvage and collision cases. Steven Gee QC is known to be "a formidable advocate with an outstanding intellect - judges just follow his every word." Recent highlights for him include appearing before the Supreme Court in The Cendor Mopu, a case concerning the concept of 'inherent vice'. Timothy Hill QC is recommended for his work on ship sale and purchase, shipbuilding, ship finance, charter party disputes and insurance matters. He is known to be "a proper little rottweiler who is a real advocate for the client." Vasanti Selvaratnam QC's skills in cross-examinations are highly rated: "She comes across as incredibly calm and considered but leaves a trail of destruction in her wake." Her most recent efforts include acting in the Wadi Sudr case.

JUNIORS Ravi Aswani has been busy working on several dry shipping arbitrations as well as a commercial court case concerning hazardous waste issues. Peers comment that he is "a very steady pair of hands and never seems to get thrown by anything." The "tenacious" Rachel Toney "has the complete package - pragmatism, intelligence and client skills," sources say. Her practice covers a wide range of commercial disputes including international trade, shipping, sale and carriage of goods and insurance matters. Mark Jones joins the rankings this year following exceptional feedback from the market. Previously a solicitor with Ince & Co, he has valuable experience and a strong client base to draw from. Sources say: "He is an effective operator with a great sense of humour." Another debutant is the "very learned" Thomas Whitehead, of whom solicitors say: "If you want someone to root around and find an abstruse point in a dusty book he's your man."

Commercial Litigation:

Steven Gee QC - leading silk
Philip Riches - leading junior barrister

At Stone Chambers, Steven Gee QC's "exceptional ability to pluck brilliant points out of seemingly thin air" sees him instructed in an impressive range of cases, from misrepresentation and civil fraud to commercial contract, joint venture and sale of goods disputes. He is joined in chambers by Philip Riches, a "personable and easy to work with" junior commended for his timely advice and excellent responsiveness. Riches has an impressive body of experience in freezing injunction litigation.

Employment Law:

Rachel Toney - leading junior barrister

Rachel Toney of Stone Chambers is praised for "her ability to whip very messy cases into fantastic shape." She is "very pragmatic and certainly has an excellent technical grasp of the law."

Fraud: Civil:

Steven Gee QC - leading silk

Steven Gee QC is the head of Stone Chambers. He has an international practice and is admitted to practise in New York as well as Antigua. He also acted on the BTA Bank litigation, turning in his usual solid performance. Sources reserve special mention for his "mastery of interlocutory injunctions."

International Arbitration:

Steven Gee QC - leading silk
Philip Riches - leading junior barrister

Sources say Steven Gee QC of Stone Chambers is "the man to go to for an injunction - he literally wrote the book on it." He has developed a significant international practice, both sitting as arbitrator and acting as counsel in commercial arbitrations and cases about the enforcements of arbitral awards. At the same set, Philip Riches is a top pick for arbitrations focused on issues of jurisdiction. He has a strong track record in Russia and China-related disputes, and is experienced in LCIA, ICC and LMAA proceedings.

Legal 500 2011

Shipping: Stone Chambers - leading set

Steven Gee QC - leading silk
John Reeder QC - leading silk
Elizabeth Blackburn QC - leading silk
Vasanti Selvaratnam QC - leading silk
Timothy Hill QC - leading silk
Rachel Toney - leading junior barrister
Mark Jones - leading junior barrister
Ravi Aswani - leading junior barrister
Tom Whitehead - leading junior barrister

‘Specialist shipping set’ Stone Chambers has ‘a number of excellent barristers’, sets ‘competitive prices’ and delivers ‘good value for money’. Wet expert Elizabeth Blackburn QC is ‘a heroine in the pollution cases sector’, and is ‘proactive and creative in her advice, always responds very quickly and is a delight to deal with’. John Reeder QC, also noted for wet work, acted in a High Court collision action between a container ship and a gas carrier, and Steven Gee QC acted in the Cendor MOPU case, which concerns the concept of ‘inherent vice’ and was heard in the Supreme Court. Vasanti Selvaratnam QC is ‘very proactive and responsive’, and Timothy Hill QC is a ‘new silk doing heavyweight cases’ and a ‘strong performer who is excellent on his feet’. Mark Jones pays ‘phenomenal attention to detail and gives prompt and pragmatic advice’; Rachel Toney ‘gives confidence about the depth of legal analysis and advice provided, yet brings a commercial perspective’ to the table; Tom Whitehead is a ‘good safe pair of hands’ and ‘good on a thorny problem’; and Ravi Aswani is a ‘clear, careful advocate’.

Commercial Litigation:

Steven Gee QC - leading silk
Philip Riches - leading junior barrister

Commodities:

Timothy Hill QC - leading silk
Dominic Happé - leading junior barrister

At Stone Chambers, Dominic Happé is recommended, and the excellent Timothy Hill QC also handles some commodities work.

Employment Law:

Rachel Toney - leading junior barrister

At the junior end, the ‘exceptional' Rachel Toney at Stone Chambers ‘demonstrates a keen grasp of the law and is a formidable asset in any Employment Tribunal case.

Fraud: Civil:

Steven Gee QC - leading silk
Philip Riches - leading junior barrister

Environment:

Andrew Moran QC - leading silk

Health & Safety:

Andrew Moran QC - leading silk

Insurance & Reinsurance:

Steven Gee QC - leading silk

International Arbitration:

Steven Gee QC - leading silk
Philip Riches - leading junior barrister

Chambers & Partners (2011)

Shipping & Commodities: - Stone Chambers - leading set

Steven Gee QC - leading silk
Elizabeth Blackburn QC - leading silk
Vasanti Selvaratnam QC - leading silk
Timothy Hill QC - leading silk
Rachel Toney - leading  junior barrister
Ravi Aswani - leading junior barrister

THE SET Although traditionally known for its wet work, Stone Chambers actually does more dry work, which accounts for up to 80% of its shipping practice. The set is home to some excellent shipping barristers and, while smaller in size than its competitors, often handles work of equal quality and importance. The set benefits from being well organised and having clerks who "have a full understanding of what's going on with a case at all times."

SILKS Elizabeth Blackburn QC is particularly strong on wet shipping where she has a reputation for excellence when handling technical salvage and collision matters. "Utterly dedicated and with a detailed knowledge of the law, she is everything a QC should be," according to one solicitor. No less favoured, Steven Gee QC is known for his "encyclopaedic legal knowledge" and, whilst highly talented across the board, excels in charter party cases. Testament to his skills generally, he is due to appear in one of the very few shipping-related cases to reach the Supreme Court, Global Process Systems v Syriakat Takaful Malaysia Berhad. In this he is acting for the insurers in a case looking at the effect of cover provided by standard marine insurance policies for cargoes the world over.

The market's admiration further extends to Timothy Hill QC, whose promotion to silk has been well received. A "bright and tenacious, yet measured advocate," he acted on the 'Ocean Crown' salvage case at the High Court, and has also done well on ship finance matters. Fellow silk Vasanti Selvaratnam QC is known for her tenacity and recently acted in the 'Wadi Sudr' case, which has become the leading case on the enforcement of a foreign judgment in the UK that is in breach of the EU Judgments Regulation.

JUNIORS Rachel Toney is a favourite junior at the set, whose practice covers both dry and wet matters. She impresses with her "ability to communicate legal detail at an understandable level," and with her "good technical mind which allows her to assimilate complex information coming at her from different perspectives." Also impressive, the "bright, personable and articulate" Ravi Aswani has been particularly active in dry shipping matters concerning the liability for late, short or damaged cargo delivery.

Commercial Dispute Resolution:

Steven Gee QC - leading silk

Philip Riches - up and coming junior barrister

Head of Stone Chambers Steven Gee QC is a "creative thinker" whose unique mind and tremendous experience make him a popular choice for commercial clients. He has a broad practice which regularly features commercial fraud cases, anti-suit injunctions and work for private equity funds. His set incorporates Philip Riches, an up-and-coming junior who has impressed with his "prompt and commercial advice." Riches' practice has a significant international element as witnessed by his recent appearance in a USD400 million dispute arising from a Kazakh bank's loan guarantee.

Employment Law:

Rachel Toney - leading junior barrister

...wins good market support as does Rachel Toney of Stone Chambers, "a barrister with phenomenal attention to detail" who appeared in the high-profile Wooster case.

Fraud: Civil:

Steven Gee QC - leading silk

Steven Gee QC of Stone Chambers is highlighted for his superb work in relation to commercial injunctions, an area he has an extensive knowledge of. Gee has been heavily involved in the BTA Bank litigation.

International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance

Steven Gee QC - leading silk
Philip Riches - leading junior barrister

Head of Stone Chambers Steven Gee QC has a significant arbitration practice focusing on commercial contractual disputes of all descriptions. "He is extremely knowledgeable about arbitration processes and injunctive relief and is a creative thinker and advocate." Gee's chambers include Philip Riches, who is considered to be "an exceptionally clever and hard-working young barrister." He has worked on a number of Russia-related arbitrations and, as a speaker of Mandarin, is also attracting an increasing amount of work from China.

 

Legal 500 (2010)

Shipping: - Stone Chambers - leading set

Steven Gee QC - leading silk
John Reeder QC - leading silk
Elizabeth Blackburn QC - leading silk
Vasanti Selvaratnam QC - leading silk
Rachel Toney - leading junior
Mark Jones - leading junior barrister
Ravi Aswani - leading junior barrister
Tom Whitehead - leading junior barrister

At Stone Chambers, John Reeder QC and Elizabeth Blackburn QC are strongly ‘recommended for wet shipping matters'. Steven Gee QC, who has the gift of ‘making everything seem easy', is superb for dry shipping. On the junior side, Ravi Aswani is ‘quick, extremely effective, and highly competent in arbitration claims', while Tom Whitehead is singled out as ‘a star in the making'. Vasanti Selvaratnam QC's shipping work centres on multimillion-pound disputes, and recently included acting in APL Panama, which resulted in the largest Lloyd's Open Form award seen in the market to date. The downturn in the shipping market has resulted in a number of instructions for Mark Jones, who is noted for his expertise in shipbuilding and ship purchasing disputes.

Commercial Litigation:

Steven Gee QC - leading silk

Commodities:

Dominic Happé - leading junior barrister

"...is 'very good on the details'."

Employment Law:

Rachel Toney - leading junior barrister

Fraud: Civil:

Steven Gee QC - leading silk
Philip Riches - leading junior barrister

Health Safety & Environment:

Andrew Moran QC - leading silk

Insurance & Reinsurance:

Steven Gee QC - leading silk

International Arbitration:

Steven Gee QC - leading silk

Philip Riches - leading junior barrister

 

Chambers & Partners (2010)

Shipping & Commodities: - Stone Chambers - leading set

Steven Gee QC - leading silk
Elizabeth Blackburn QC - leading silk
Vasanti Selvaratnam QC - leading silk
Timothy Hill QC - new silk
Rachel Toney - leading junior barrister

Stone Chambers is an excellent all-round shipping set that impresses with its wet work capabilities and strong marine insurance caseload. It is smaller than its competitors but many believe that this is a positive attribute as a "more personal and flexible service than most" can be offered. Silks on offer here include Elizabeth Blackburn QC, "an exceedingly experienced and accomplished admiralty practitioner," who is "a fantastic and very pleasant silk to work with." Blackburn once again demonstrated her "genuine knowledge of the operation and handling of ships" when undertaking the ‘A Turtle' case, concerning the loss of a semi-submersible drilling platform in the South Atlantic. Steven Gee QC is another extremely well-known name here. Shipping and commodities disputes form a significant proportion of his broad commercial litigation practice and he proves "a stern test as an opponent." Vasanti Selvaratnam QC has a similarly wide-ranging commercial litigation practice. On the shipping front, she is especially famed for her track record on complex salvage cases. Joining her in silk this year is the "eminently respected" Timothy Hill QC. He is "a technically excellent silk performer who can hold his own against the leading players at the Bar." In the junior ranks Rachel Toney has a practice covering all manner of shipping and maritime cases, and also undertakes international trade and insurance matters. The past year has seen her acting in some highly notable superyacht cases.

Commercial Dispute Resolution:

Steven Gee QC - leading silk

Steven Gee QC is the commercial disputes leader at Stone Chambers. He is "a first-class intellect" with vast experience of fraud, insurance, banking and insolvency.

Fraud: Civil:

Steven Gee QC - leading silk

Head of Stone Chambers, Steven Gee QC has a wealth of knowledge of commercial injunctions. "A man who knows his own mind and isn't afraid to put noses out of joint in the pursuance of his case," he recently appeared in a matter which examined the availability of the court's powers on sequestration in the event of a contempt of court.

International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance: London:

Steven Gee QC - leading silk

At Stone Chambers, Steven Gee QC is acknowledged for his commercial injunction knowledge; his recent experience has included a number of shipping and insurance matters.

Legal 500 (2009)

In the Legal 500's 'London Bar Overview', Stone Chambers is described as a Leading Set.

Shipping: -Stone Chambers - leading set

Steven Gee QC - leading silk
John Reeder QC - leading silk
Elizabeth Blackburn QC - leading silk
Vasanti Selvaratnam QC  - leading silk
Timothy Hill QC  - new silk
Rachel Toney - leading junior barrister
Mark Jones - leading junior barrister
Ravi Aswani - leading junior barrister
Tom Whitehead - leading junior barrister

The editors go on to comment:

Stone Chambers ‘offers excellent value‘ to clients and solicitors alike. The ‘immensely clever‘ John Reeder QC has advised on collisions, pollution incidents, salvage cases, and ship construction disputes, and has an outstanding track record in public inquiries into shipping casualties. Steven Gee QC appeared in the leading Voutakos case, and Elizabeth Blackburn QC is a ‘very good wet admiralty lawyer who understands how ships are handled‘, and is especially recommended for pollution and jurisdictional matters. Vasanti Selvaratnam QC is well-regarded for high-level shipping and international trade disputes, and acted on The Front Ace case, one of the few references to the Admiralty Registrar that has gone to the Court of Appeal on points of principle in recent years. Mark Jones was instructed in several high-value shipbuilding and ship purchase disputes, and Rachel Toney ‘is very bright, and delivers no-nonsense advice‘. Ravi Aswani, and Tom Whitehead, are ‘bright, approachable, and hands-on‘.

Commercial Arbitration:

Steven Gee QC - leading silk
Philip Riches - leading junior barrister

Commercial Litigation:

Steven Gee QC - leading silk

Commodities:

Dominic Happé - leading junior barrister

"...he is 'good when you've got a tough case'."

Employment Law:

Rachel Toney - leading junior barrister

Environmental Law:

Andrew Moran QC - leading silk

Fraud: Civil:

Steven Gee QC - leading silk

Insurance & Reinsurance:

Steven Gee QC - leading silk

 

Chambers and Partners (2009)

Shipping & Commodities: - Stone Chambers - leading set

Steven Gee QC - leading silk
Elizabeth Blackburn QC - leading silk
Vasanti Selvaratnam QC - leading silk
Timothy Hill - leading junior barrister
Rachel Toney - leading junior barrister

Commercial shipping and commodities cases account for around half of this set's practice, and it also handles a large volume of insurance and P&I club work. Steven Gee QC works on the full range of commercial litigation, a large proportion of which involves shipping and international trade cases.  He has taken several shipping cases to the House of Lords, and has much experience when it comes to international arbitration.  He recently acted on a substantial confidential dispute concerning the substitution of a cruise liner under a time charter.  Experienced in pollution, jurisdictional and limitation issues, Elizabeth Blackburn QC worked on the 'Sea Angel' case arising from the salvage of the 'Tasman Spirit'. Beloved by solicitors for 'always having the facts at her fingertips,' she is also an expert on marine cultural heritage issues, having advised the UK government on issues arising out of the Wreck Removal Convention 2007. Rachel Toney 'is very bright and delivers no-nonsense advice.' Her practice covers all aspects of shipping and maritime law, along with international trade, contracts for the sale and carriage of goods, and insurance cases. She recently acted as junior to Vasanti Selvaratnam QC, who is seen as 'a poised and highly measured advocate,' regarding the 'MV Sea Cresta'  Timothy Hill is highly experienced in the Greek shipping market and recently acted for the owners of the 'Sea Angel'''

Commercial Dispute Resolution:

Steven Gee QC - leading silk

'Head of Stone Chambers, Steven Gee QC has 'a vast wealth of experience to draw upon' across a range of areas, including fraud, insurance, banking and insolvency. He has recently been instructed on a major dispute between oligarchs concerning a joint venture agreement.' 

Fraud: Civil:

Steven Gee QC - leading silk

The 'incredibly learned and intellectual' Steven Gee QC is the type of barrister who is 'likely to find a point in a case that no one else has considered.' He operates from Stone Chambers and was recently instructed in connection with a very substantial dispute between oligarchs concerning a joint venture agreement. This USD120 million fraud arbitration involved Ukrainian and Russian shareholders in a Ukrainian energy sector joint venture. He has also been significantly involved in Noga v Abacha.''