Stephen Moriarty QC

Stephen Moriarty KC

Call 1986 | Silk 1999

"He has frightening intelligence and is an obvious choice for the most challenging cases."


The Legal 500

For enquiries please contact

Alex Taylor

Alex Taylor
Senior Clerk
+44 (0)20 7842 3706
Click here to email

Luke Diebelius

Luke Diebelius
Team Leader
+44 (0)20 7842 3711
Click here to email

Matthew Evans
Team Leader's Assistant
+44 (0)20 7842 3707
Click here to email

Expertise

Notable Aviation & Travel Cases


Alpstream AG v PK Airfinance Sarl [2016] CLC 135

Acting in the leading aircraft finance case concerning the duty owed by a mortgagee realising its security.


Blue Sky One v Mahan [2010] EWHC 631 Comm

Acting in a case regarding the applicable law governing the validity of aircraft mortgages.

Stephen has had experience of a broad area of work, including domestic and investment banking; futures and derivatives trading; securitisations; tracing actions; and regulatory and other proceedings involving financial intermediaries.

Notable Banking & Finance Cases


Barclays Bank v Boulter [1999] 1 WLR 1919

Appearing as amicus curiae in the House of Lords (burden of proof when seeking to set aside a guarantee for undue influence).


Blue Sky One v Mahan [2010] EWHC 631 Comm

Acting in a case regarding the applicable law governing the validity of aircraft mortgages.


Alpstream AG v PK Airfinance Sarl [2016] CLC 135

Acting in a dispute regarding the duties owed by a secured lender in non-recourse financing.

The international nature of Stephen’s work means that he frequently deals with issues of private international law, as well as cases where foreign law issues (both common law and civil law) are an important aspect of the dispute.

Stephen has advised and acted for insurers, reinsurers and brokers in all manner of disputes, and dealt with almost all fields of marine and non-marine insurance and reinsurance, including comprehensive general liability insurance, credit insurance, aviation insurance, war risks insurance, D&O insurance, insurance on the Bermuda form, LMX reinsurance, and alternative risk transfer products.

Notable Insurance Cases


Acting in a Bermuda Form arbitration for insurers in relation to claim by a major oil and gas company to be indemnified against substantial environmental liabilities in California.


Acting in a Bermuda Form arbitration for an insured in relation to environmental liabilities which it sought to be indemnified against.


Lord Napier & Ettrick [1993] AC 713

Acting in the leading House of Lords case on an insurer’s right of subrogation.


The Grecia Express [2002] 2 Lloyd's Rep. 88

Acting in a case regarding a claim relating to the alleged actions of terrorists in sinking a ferry.


The Athena [2007] 1 Lloyd's Rep 280

Acting in a case regarding a claim relating to Tamil Tigers blowing up a vessel in Sri Lankan waters.


The Silva [2011] 2 Lloyd's Rep. 141

Acting in a case regarding a claim relating to Egyptian Courts seizing a vessel in Port Suez on the basis of trumped up allegations.

Stephen has extensive experience of appearing as counsel in arbitration proceedings, both ad hoc and institutional (including ICC, LCIA, SIAC and AAA) in a whole range of different areas. Insurance and reinsurance disputes figure prominently in this aspect of his practice, but other areas include defence-related disputes, joint venture disputes, aviation disputes and disputes arising out of sale and purchase agreements.

He also regularly accepts arbitral appointments, and has sat as an arbitrator in as wide a variety of cases as those in which he has acted as counsel, including insurance and reinsurance disputes, joint venture and company-related disputes and claims in relation to the alleged mis-selling of derivatives.

Stephen has extensive experience of claims in a wide range of professional disciplines, including those against accountants, banks, solicitors, brokers and other financial intermediaries. He has acted for a number of well-known law firms in defence of proceedings brought against them for professional negligence.

Notable Professional Negligence Cases


Levicom International Holdings BV v Linklaters [2010] PNLR 29


Langsam v Beachcroft LLP [2012] EWCA 1451 (Civ)


Caparo v Dickman [1990] 2 AC 605

Acting in a landmark professional negligence case in the House of Lords on duties of care in tort, in which Stephen was instructed for the successful accountants. It was recently voted one of the fifteen most significant cases of the past 150 years.

"Unbelievably clever, able and a great advocate."


The Legal 500

"Stephen is quite simply the finest mind at the Bar. He is exceptionally quick to identify the core of any legal issue and extremely rigorous in solving it. At the same time he is excellent to work with, very responsive, and happy to work as part of a team, with no airs and graces."


The Legal 500

"Stephen is able to grasp the fine legal nuances of the case while paying keen attention to the details. He has an outstanding intellect which combined with his considerable experience makes him a formidable and highly effective advocate."


The Legal 500

"A phenomenally clever lawyer, whose grasp of fine detail is as strong as his hold on complex overarching legal principles. His advocacy is unabrasive and extremely compelling."


The Legal 500

"An utterly charming man who is able to bring other areas of the law to bear on the issue at hand and engage in excellent lateral thinking." "Stephen Moriarty is extraordinary; he’s so inventive and energetic."


Chambers & Partners

"He's brilliant on his feet." "He does a lot of insurance work of the highest calibre." "Extremely bright and incredibly hard working."


Chambers & Partners

"As impressive as it gets - knows everything there is to know about the workings of the Commercial Court."


The Legal 500

"Impressive cross-examination skills, and makes submissions that are lucid and easily understood."


The Legal 500

"A top-tier advocate who provides a 360 degree view of the legal issues."


The Legal 500

Chambers & Partners – Global
  • Dispute Resolution: Arbitration: The English Bar – Singapore (Band 1)
  • Dispute Resolution: Commercial – UK
Chambers & Partners – UK
  • Aviation
  • Commercial Dispute Resolution
  • Insurance
Chambers & Partners – Asia Pacific
  • Dispute Resolution: Arbitration: The English Bar – Singapore (Band 1)
The Legal 500 – UK
  • Aviation
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Insurance & Reinsurance
  • International Arbitration: Counsel
  • Professional Negligence
The Legal 500 – Asia Pacific
  • The English Bar: Commercial (Tier 1)
  • Leading Arbitrator: Regional International Arbitration (Tier 1)  

  • BA in Jurisprudence (First Class), Brasenose College, Oxford (1977)
  • B.C.L. (First Class), Brasenose College, Oxford (1978)
  • MA (Oxon) (1983)

  • Registered as a Foreign Lawyer at the Singapore International Commercial Court (2015-).
  • Member of the Delhi International Arbitration Centre’s panel of Arbitrators.

  • Member of the Delhi International Arbitration Centre’s panel of Arbitrators.
  • Member, Panel of Advisors to the Attorney-General of Singapore (2015-).
  • Registered Foreign Lawyer, Singapore International Commercial Court (2015-).
  • Head of Chambers (2013-2018).
  • Chairman, Commercial Bar Association (2011-2013).
  • Bencher, Middle Temple, (2009-).
  • Fellow and Tutor in Law, Exeter College, Oxford, and University Lecturer in Law in the University of Oxford (1979-1986).
  • Vinerian Scholarship (best result in BCL at University of Oxford) (1978).

  • Editor of Insurance Chapter in Chitty on Contracts 26th edition (1989) and 27th edition (1994)
  • Contributor to Laundering and TracingU.P. 1995 (Chapter entitled Tracing, Mixing and Laundering dealing with the tracing of laundered monies through bank account)
  • General Editor (with Raymond Cox) Commercial Court Procedure (Sweet & Maxwell)
  • Member of Advisory Group to Professor Andrew Burrows QC (Hon): Burrows, A Restatement of the English Law of Unjust Enrichment (OUP, 2012); Burrows, A Restatement of the English Law of Contract (OUP, 2016).

  • French (basic)

For enquiries please contact

Alex Taylor

Alex Taylor
Senior Clerk
+44 (0)20 7842 3706
Click here to email

Luke Diebelius

Luke Diebelius
Team Leader
+44 (0)20 7842 3711
Click here to email

Matthew Evans
Team Leader's Assistant
+44 (0)20 7842 3707
Click here to email

"Unbelievably clever, able and a great advocate."


The Legal 500

"Stephen is quite simply the finest mind at the Bar. He is exceptionally quick to identify the core of any legal issue and extremely rigorous in solving it. At the same time he is excellent to work with, very responsive, and happy to work as part of a team, with no airs and graces."


The Legal 500

"Stephen is able to grasp the fine legal nuances of the case while paying keen attention to the details. He has an outstanding intellect which combined with his considerable experience makes him a formidable and highly effective advocate."


The Legal 500

"A phenomenally clever lawyer, whose grasp of fine detail is as strong as his hold on complex overarching legal principles. His advocacy is unabrasive and extremely compelling."


The Legal 500

"An utterly charming man who is able to bring other areas of the law to bear on the issue at hand and engage in excellent lateral thinking." "Stephen Moriarty is extraordinary; he’s so inventive and energetic."


Chambers & Partners

"He's brilliant on his feet." "He does a lot of insurance work of the highest calibre." "Extremely bright and incredibly hard working."


Chambers & Partners

"As impressive as it gets - knows everything there is to know about the workings of the Commercial Court."


The Legal 500

"Impressive cross-examination skills, and makes submissions that are lucid and easily understood."


The Legal 500

"A top-tier advocate who provides a 360 degree view of the legal issues."


The Legal 500

Chambers & Partners – Global
  • Dispute Resolution: Arbitration: The English Bar – Singapore (Band 1)
  • Dispute Resolution: Commercial – UK
Chambers & Partners – UK
  • Aviation
  • Commercial Dispute Resolution
  • Insurance
Chambers & Partners – Asia Pacific
  • Dispute Resolution: Arbitration: The English Bar – Singapore (Band 1)
The Legal 500 – UK
  • Aviation
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Insurance & Reinsurance
  • International Arbitration: Counsel
  • Professional Negligence
The Legal 500 – Asia Pacific
  • The English Bar: Commercial (Tier 1)
  • Leading Arbitrator: Regional International Arbitration (Tier 1)  

  • BA in Jurisprudence (First Class), Brasenose College, Oxford (1977)
  • B.C.L. (First Class), Brasenose College, Oxford (1978)
  • MA (Oxon) (1983)

  • Registered as a Foreign Lawyer at the Singapore International Commercial Court (2015-).
  • Member of the Delhi International Arbitration Centre’s panel of Arbitrators.

  • Member of the Delhi International Arbitration Centre’s panel of Arbitrators.
  • Member, Panel of Advisors to the Attorney-General of Singapore (2015-).
  • Registered Foreign Lawyer, Singapore International Commercial Court (2015-).
  • Head of Chambers (2013-2018).
  • Chairman, Commercial Bar Association (2011-2013).
  • Bencher, Middle Temple, (2009-).
  • Fellow and Tutor in Law, Exeter College, Oxford, and University Lecturer in Law in the University of Oxford (1979-1986).
  • Vinerian Scholarship (best result in BCL at University of Oxford) (1978).

  • Editor of Insurance Chapter in Chitty on Contracts 26th edition (1989) and 27th edition (1994)
  • Contributor to Laundering and TracingU.P. 1995 (Chapter entitled Tracing, Mixing and Laundering dealing with the tracing of laundered monies through bank account)
  • General Editor (with Raymond Cox) Commercial Court Procedure (Sweet & Maxwell)
  • Member of Advisory Group to Professor Andrew Burrows QC (Hon): Burrows, A Restatement of the English Law of Unjust Enrichment (OUP, 2012); Burrows, A Restatement of the English Law of Contract (OUP, 2016).

  • French (basic)

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