Call 2012
“A superstar – she is a first class operator, super bright, super responsive, clients love her, good strategic thinker, great on her feet and on paper – she has a very bright future at the Bar. A silk in the making.”
Legal 500
Alfie Harper
Team Leader
+44 (0)20 7842 3806
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Sam McCrone
Team Leader's Assistant
+44 (0)20 7842 3714
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Niamh Cleary is “an extraordinarily talented barrister” and “outstanding litigation junior” (Legal 500). She is frequently instructed in complex high-value commercial cases. Over the years, Niamh has acted in a number of high-profile cases in the areas of aviation, insurance and reinsurance, competition, group litigation, and professional negligence.
Niamh is recommended as leading junior in Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners in the fields of Aviation, Group Litigation, and Insurance and Reinsurance. She is praised by clients as an “astonishingly bright” and “immensely hardworking” junior, who “wastes no time in getting to the crux of the issues and is always a great pleasure to work with” (Legal 500; Chambers & Partners).
Before coming to the Bar, Niamh studied law at Trinity College Dublin (LLB) and at the University of Cambridge (LLM), graduating with a first-class degree in both, before completing a PhD in the law of unjust enrichment.
FW Aviation (Holdings) 1 Ltd v VietJet Aviation Joint Stock Co [2024] EWHC 1945
Instructed (with Richard Lissack KC, Akhil Shah KC et al) in a complex aviation leasing dispute, involving claims under the Cape Town Convention and claims for breach of the lease return conditions.
Re Ukrainian Aircraft Operator Policy Claims (Jurisdiction Applications) [2024] EWHC 1365 (Comm)
Instructed (with James Brocklebank KC) by various reinsurers in a successful jurisdiction challenge against claims brought under hull war risks policies following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
AD Tech Collective Action LLP v Alphabet Inc [2024] CAT 38
Instructed (with Robert O’Donoghue KC, Gerry Facenna KC et al) by the class representative in its successful application to certify collective proceedings on behalf of UK publishers who have suffered loss as a result of Google’s abuse of dominant position in the adtech sector.
Inquest into the death of Emiliano Sala
Acted (as sole counsel) for aircraft manufacturer Piper Aircraft Inc in the inquest into the death of Emiliano Sala, an international footballer who was killed when the aircraft in which he was travelling crashed into the English Channel in January 2019.
A v B
Acted (with Leigh-Ann Mulcahy KC and Ben Lynch KC) in an LCIA arbitration relating to a political risk insurance dispute arising from the July 2021 riots in South Africa.
Niamh has a broad and varied aviation practice, encompassing commercial, regulatory, and aviation finance disputes. She has advised airlines on wide-ranging regulatory issues, including code-sharing and route access, immigration and border control, and various aspects of consumer law. Her practice encompasses technical aviation disputes, including in the fields of product liability and aviation leasing. She also advises on and acts in aviation insurance disputes.
FW Aviation (Holdings) 1 Ltd v VietJet Aviation Joint Stock Co [2024] EWHC 1945
Instructed (with Richard Lissack KC, Akhil Shah KC et al) in a complex aviation leasing dispute involving claims under the Cape Town Convention and claims for breach of the lease return conditions.
Re Ukrainian Aircraft Operator Policy Claims (Jurisdiction Applications) [2024] EWHC 1365 (Comm)
Instructed (with James Brocklebank KC) by various reinsurers in a successful jurisdiction challenge against claims brought under hull war risks policies following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
On the Beach Ltd v Ryanair UK Ltd [2023] EWHC 2694 (Comm)
Acted (with Brian Kennelly KC) for Ryanair in a claim brought by several online travel agents under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018.
Cooper v dnata Catering Services Limited [2022] EWHC 2216 (Comm)
Successfully defended, as sole counsel, an airline catering company from a claim arising from an alleged breach of a shareholders’ agreement.
On the Beach Limited v Ryanair UK Limited
Acted (with Brian Kennelly KC, Sarah Abram KC et al) for Ryanair in a claim for alleged breach of dominant position.
Travel Republic Limited v Ryanair DAC and Ryanair UK Limited
Instructed (with Brian Kennelly and Nicolas Damnjanovic) on behalf of Ryanair in a claim under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018.
Inquest into the death of Emiliano Sala
Acting for aircraft manufacturer Piper Aircraft Inc in the inquest into the death of Emiliano Sala, an international footballer who was killed when the aircraft in which he was travelling crashed into the English Channel in January 2019.
Shoreham Airshow Inquest
Appeared on behalf of The RAFA Air Show Limited in the inquest into the 2015 Shoreham Airshow crash.
Credit Suisse A.G. v Global Business Assets Investments Incorporated and Another
Acted (with Akhil Shah KC) in a claim brought by Credit Suisse following repossession and sale of an aircraft.
Successfully defended (as sole counsel) an airline under investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority.
Various enforcement and possession claims in respect of both mortgaged and leased aircraft.
CNM Estates (Tolworth Tower) Ltd v Vecref I Sarl [2020] EWHC 1605 (Comm)
Led by Mark Simpson KC in a dispute regarding the proper construction of certain terms of the LMA syndicated loan documentation.
HMG Investment Holdings Limited v Royal Bank of Scotland [2018] EWHC 3492 (Comm)
Successfully (led by Andrew Ayers KC) defended a bank in respect of the mis-sale of an interest rate hedging product.
Successfully represented the liquidators of a major financial institution in the adjudication of several confidential claims following the insolvency of the institution.
Cooper v dnata Catering Services Limited [2022] EWHC 2216 (Comm)
Successfully defended, as sole counsel, an airline catering company from a claim arising from an alleged breach of a shareholders’ agreement.
Kazakhstan Kagazy Plc v Zhunus [2017] EWHC 3374 (Comm) and [2018] EWHC 369 (Comm)
Acting (with Michael Ashcroft KC and Alexander Milner KC) for the respondent in respect of enforcement proceedings brought against a non-party, following a US$300 million judgment handed down against the principal defendants.
Various commercial disputes, including breach of warranty disputes, indemnity claims, and commercial debt claims.
AD Tech Collective Action LLP v Alphabet Inc [2024] CAT 38
Instructed (with Robert O’Donoghue KC, Gerry Facenna KC et al) by the class representative in its successful application to certify collective proceedings on behalf of UK publishers who have suffered loss as a result of Google’s abuse of dominant position in the adtech sector.
UK Trucks Claim Ltd v Stellantis NV (formerly Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV) [2022] CAT 25
Acted (with Rhodri Thompson KC and Nicholas Gibson) for UK Trucks Claim Ltd in its application for permission to bring collective proceedings for damages arising from the anti-competitive practices of a cartel of European truck manufacturers. This case was listed in The Lawyer’s Top 20 Cases of 2019.
On the Beach Limited v Ryanair UK Limited and Ryanair
Acted (with Brian Kennelly KC, Sarah Abram KC et al) for Ryanair in a claim for alleged breach of dominant position.
Instructed to advise on competition law issues in various claims, including a trade credit insurance scheme and abuse of dominant position in the gambling sector.
Niamh has acted across a wide range of insurance disputes, with a particular emphasis on political risk insurance and aviation insurance.
Re Ukrainian Aircraft Operator Policy Claims (Jurisdiction Applications) [2024] EWHC 1365 (Comm)
Instructed (with James Brocklebank KC) by various reinsurers in a successful jurisdiction challenge against claims brought under hull war risks policies following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Brazaline Ltd & Anor v Lloyd's Syndicate 510 KLN
Instructed in a war hull risks insurance claim following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
White Oak Europe Acquisition Limited v Axis Managing Agency Limited
Acting (with Patricia Robertson KC) in a claim under a Warranty and Indemnity policy.
A v B
Acting (with Leigh-Ann Mulcahy KC and Ben Lynch KC) in an LCIA arbitration relating to a political risk insurance dispute arising from the July 2021 riots in South Africa.
A v B
Acting (with Charles Béar KC and Ben Lynch KC) in an LCIA arbitration relating to a political risk reinsurance dispute.
Instructed (as sole counsel) by the Ministry of Defence to advise on environmental and property damages indemnity claims.
AD Tech Collective Action LLP v Alphabet Inc [2024] CAT 38
Instructed (with Robert O’Donoghue KC, Gerry Facenna KC et al) by the class representative in its successful application to certify collective proceedings on behalf of UK publishers who have suffered loss as a result of Google’s abuse of its dominant position in the adtech sector.
UK Trucks Claim Ltd v Stellantis NV (formerly Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV) [2022] CAT 25
Acted (with Rhodri Thompson KC and Nicholas Gibson) for UK Trucks Claim Ltd in its application for a collective proceedings order for damages arising from the anti-competitive practices of a cartel of European truck manufacturers over a 14-year period (listed in The Lawyer’s 20 Top 20 Cases of 2019).
Rowe & Ors v Ingenious Media Holdings Plc & Ors [2020] EWHC 1731 (Ch)
Instructed (with Richard Coleman KC and David Yates KC) by Coutts in the Ingenious Litigation to defend claims arising from advice given in respect of investments in the Ingenious film partnerships. This case was listed in The Lawyer’s Top 20 Cases of 2018.
Niamh has acted in a number of arbitrations under various institutional rules including, LCIA, ICC and SIAC.
A v B
Instructed in an LCIA arbitration relating to a professional negligence claim (with Stephen Moriarty KC).
A v B
Acting (with Leigh-Ann Mulcahy KC and Ben Lynch KC) in an LCIA arbitration relating to a political risk insurance dispute arising from the July 2021 riots in South Africa.
A v B
Instructed in an LCIA arbitration relating to a £500 million+ reinsurance dispute (with Charles Béar KC and Ben Lynch KC).
A v B
Acting in an ICC claim relating to the licensing of football broadcasting rights.
Instructed as sole counsel to advise on commercial claims arising from an alleged failure to comply with the Gambling Commission Regulations.
Acting in an ICC arbitration relating to the licensing of football broadcasting rights.
R (Good Law Project) v The Secretary of Health for Social Care [2022] EWHC 2468 (TCC)
Successfully defended the Secretary of Health for Social Care in a procurement challenge brought under the Public Contracts and Utilities Regulations in respect of the award of antibody testing contracts during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Secretary of State for Transport v Arriva Rail East Midlands Ltd [2020] EWHC 1568 (TCC)
Successfully defended the Secretary of State for Transport in four separate procurement claims arising from the disqualification of bidders from three separate franchise competitions for failing to comply with the pension requirements of the competitions.
Instructed to advise the Ministry of Defence in a procurement challenge brought under the Public Contracts and Utilities Regulations 2015.
Instructed to advise the Secretary of Health for Social Care in a procurement challenge brought under the Public Contracts and Utilities Regulations 2015.
A v B
Instructed in an LCIA arbitration relating to a professional negligence claim (with Stephen Moriarty KC).
Rowe & Ors v Ingenious Media Holdings Plc & Ors [2020] EWHC 1731 (Ch)
Instructed by Coutts in the Ingenious Litigation to defend claims arising from advice given in respect of investments in the Ingenious film partnerships. Led by Richard Coleman KC and David Yates KC, instructed by TLT LLP. This case was listed in The Lawyer’s Top 20 Cases of 2018.
CNM Estates (Tolworth Tower) Limited v (1) Vecref I Sarl [2020] EWHC 1605 (Comm)
Acted (with Mark Simpson KC) for LPA receivers in a multiparty professional negligence claim.
Instant Access Property Limited v Rosser and Ors [2018] EWHC 756 (Ch)
Successfully defending (led by Mark Simpson KC) a firm of accountants in a multiparty professional negligence and fraud claim.
Instructed to advise on various claims against insurance brokers further to coverage disputes with insurers.
Cardiff City FC v Mackay & Ors
Represented (led by Jeff Chapman KC and Caspar Glyn KC) the claimant football club in three separate sets of proceedings against its former head coach and others in relation to claims of conspiracy, misrepresentation, and unjust enrichment.
A v B
Acting in an ICC arbitration relating to the licensing of football broadcasting rights.
Warren v Burns [2014] EWHC 3671
Defended the boxer Ricky Burns in respect of claims and counterclaims arising from management and promotion agreements concluded between the parties. Led by Mark Simpson KC, instructed by Mishcon de Reya.
Chambers is delighted to have been nominated for the Women & Diversity…
On 31 July 2024, Mr Justice Picken gave judgment following a two-week…
In two comprehensive judgments handed down in March and June this year,…
Alfie Harper
Team Leader
+44 (0)20 7842 3806
Click here to email
Sam McCrone
Team Leader's Assistant
+44 (0)20 7842 3714
Click here to email
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