David Walsh KC

Professional practice

David Walsh KC is an experienced advocate with a practice that spans all core areas of commercial law. The Legal 500 says of him that:

“He has it all: fiercely bright, hard-working, approachable, accessible and a very nice guy to work with. An effective and attractive advocacy style, with gravitas beyond his years.”

He has won praise from clients in the leading legal directories for combining:

intellectual rigour (“a first-rate brain”, “incredibly bright”, “super smart”, “always manages to make very complex cases easy to understand”);
with skilful advocacy (“his advocacy [is] formidable”, “a forceful advocate, who seems to get the ear of the judge very well”, “unflappable”, “particularly noted for his skilful advocacy”);
industriousness (“prodigiously hardworking”, “prepared to roll his sleeves up”); and
client service (“a naturally collaborative and inclusive style”, “Clients really like him because he is down-to-earth and is able to relate to everyone in the room”, “really easy to engage with”, “responsive and user friendly”).

David’s successful career as a junior saw him instructed in over eight hundred cases: he appeared in courts at every level in England (including in the Supreme Court) in trials and interlocutory applications, as well as in the DIFC CFI and the DIFC Court of Appeal (as sole counsel); he also acted in numerous international arbitrations seated both in London and overseas (including Bermuda, Bahrain, Paris, Colombo, Hong Kong and Singapore).

In addition to his work as counsel, David also sits as an arbitrator. He has accepted appointments on LCIA and LMAA terms; he has also been appointed to both the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC) and Abu Dhabi International Arbitration Centre (arbitrateAD) arbitrator lists.

What Others Say

David has been ranked in the major directories for the past twelve years. In the past five years he has received the following praise:

Chambers UK, 2026

“David is exceptional to work with; he is super bright, super hard-working and super client-friendly.”

“David is exceptionally bright and user-friendly. He is commercial in his approach with an excellent eye for detail.”

“He is very good at oral advocacy. Clients really like him because he is down-to-earth and is able to relate to everyone in the room.”

“He is very good on his feet and he knows how to fight.”

“He is the go-to for marine insurance matters. David is just fantastic, and I am so impressed by the quality of his work; he is the complete package.”

Legal 500, 2026

“An outstanding new silk with excellent written skills and an incredible ability to get to the heart of complex matters.”

“Very bright and an excellent advocate.”

Chambers UK, 2025

“David is a smooth advocate and shrewd tactician with an excellent blend of great client skills and fierce intelligence.”

“David makes successes of his cases.”

“David has an unflappable ability to digest information quickly and carefully and produce succinct and commercial advice. Great as part of a team leading other juniors as well as providing real insight and value when being led.”

Legal 500, 2025

“He produces really excellent, considered and well-written pleading.”

“David is an impressive and very strong barrister.”

Chambers UK, 2024

“He has it all: fiercely bright, hard-working, approachable, accessible and a very nice guy to work with. An effective and attractive advocacy style, with gravitas beyond his years.”

Legal 500, 2024

“David is experienced and provides a polished service.”

“David is easy to talk to and discuss complex issues with; he always keeps in mind the commercial angle.”

“He is very hard-working and diligent.”

“David is commercial in his approach, with an excellent eye for detail.”

Chambers UK, 2023

“His advice is always well presented and commercial and his advocacy formidable. A joy to work with for solicitors and lay clients alike.”

Legal 500, 2023

“David is thorough, easy to work with and very intelligent.” “He is incredibly bright.”

“He is an absolutely brilliant insurance lawyer and has got a lot of expertise in marine insurance.”

Chambers UK, 2022

“He is prepared to roll his sleeves up and get into the weeds of the documents when necessary but always has an eye on the bigger commercial picture and a mind to what will make clients’ lives easier.”

“Impressive – efficient, analytical, and a naturally collaborative and inclusive style that makes David a pleasure to work with.”

“His written work is very precise and very clear, measured and reasonable.”

Legal 500, 2022

“He is richly deserving of his leading reputation and practice. He is approachable, responsive, has an organised mind and works hard.”

“An excellent performer.”

“He is very capable and his pleadings are tight and good.”

Chambers UK, 2021

“He has a first-rate brain and excellent judgement, and is prodigiously hardworking, urbane and perceptive.”

“Superb performance in oral hearing by comprehensive and intensive preparations and sharp cross-examinations.”

Legal 500, 2021

“His advices are always well presented and commercial, and his advocacy formidable.” “David is very proficient as well as efficient and client-friendly. He gives an excellent performance in oral hearings; he prepares comprehensively and is sharp in cross-examination.

“He has a breadth and quality of work that is impressive.” “He’s very good and very user-friendly.”

“He is very easy to get up to speed on the issues.”

“He provides us with prompt, technical and accurate advice on an urgent basis.”

Insurance & reinsurance

“He is an absolutely brilliant insurance lawyer” (Chambers UK, Insurance)

David’s practice covers all aspects of insurance and reinsurance, including disputes under Bermuda Form policies. He has experience of disputes under aquaculture, aviation, banker’s bonds, business interruption, CAR, cargo, D&O, EAR, H&M, IV, K&R, liability, MII, P&I, political risk/violence, property, W&I, WELCAR, trade credit, war and XL policies. He had been involved in facultative and treaty reinsurance claims, disputes under open covers, binding authorities, and actions against brokers and claims handlers for professional negligence.

David was shortlisted for Insurance Junior of the Year at the Chambers Bar Awards 2024.

He is one of the editors of Arnould – Law of Marine Insurance and Average as well as of Chalmers’ Marine Insurance Act 1906. He has also recently agreed to assist the editors (Scorey, Geddes and Harris) with the third edition of The Bermuda Form, Interpretations and Dispute Resolution of Excess Liability Insurance. David is also a member of the committee of ARIAS (UK).

David has been instructed in numerous significant insurance and reinsurance cases, including:

Bath Racecourse v Liberty Mutual Insurance Europe SE [2025] EWCA 153 (business interruption insurance, treatment of furlough payments, collateral benefits). Under appeal to the Supreme Court.
GAREX v Delos Shipholding SA (The “WIN WIN”) [2024] EWHC 719 (Comm); [2025] EWCA Civ 1019 (marine war risks insurance, CTL, non-disclosure under 2015 Act).
Bath Racecourse v Liberty Mutual Insurance Europe SE [2025] EWHC 1870 (Comm): (business interruption insurance, limits). Under appeal to the Court of Appeal.
Gatwick Investments Ltd v Liberty Mutual Insurance Europe SE [2024] EWHC 124 (Comm) (business interruption insurance, coverage and limits).
Al-Mana Lifestyle Trading LLC v United Fidelity Insurance Co PSC [2022] EWHC 2049 (Comm); [2023] EWCA Civ 61 (jurisdiction dispute).
Reinsurance arbitrations in Bermuda (various references, XL liability reinsurance, claims against hospital group for negligent credentialling, New York law).
Bermuda Form arbitrations (various references, defective cladding).
Bermuda Form arbitrations (various references, synthetic chemicals).
Smart Tankers v LIC & Fidelis (The “NIOVI”) (marine war risks, sanctions, breach of the duty to sue and labour).
Bermuda Form arbitrations (various references, opioids).
Lals Holdings v Emirates Insurance Company [2022] DIFC CFI 073; [2024] DIFC CA 002 (business interruption insurance, coverage and limits).
Technip Saudi Arabia v The Mediterranean & Gulf Insurance and Reinsurance Co [2023] EWHC 1859 (Comm); [2024] EWCA Civ 481 (WELCAR insurance, collision, composite policies).
Bermuda Form arbitrations (various references, herbicides).
Valla Yachts Limited v Generalis Iard (S/Y “A”) (H&M, yacht).
London ad-hoc arbitration (aquaculture, breach of warranty under 2015 Act).
Yapi Kredi Bankasi AS v Chaucer (The “MUSTAFA KAN”) (mortgagee indemnity insurance, non-disclosure under 2015 Act).
LCIA arbitration (political violence policy, unrest in South Africa).
CP Holdings v Generali (business interruption, coverage, limits and rectification).
Hakkasan v Various Lloyd’s Underwriters (liability insurance, sex discrimination suits).
Bermuda Form arbitration (fire and explosion at an ethylene plant).
ICLP arbitration (Colombo) arbitration (business interruption, coverage and limits).
MOK Petro Energy FZC v Argo (No. 604) Limited [2024] EWHC 1935 (marine cargo, contamination, breach of warranty under 2015 Act).
Korean Reinsurance Company v XL Insurance Company SE (The “STELLAR BANNER”) (marine reinsurance, CTL).
Fleetscape NSMH Limited v Axis Corporate Specialty (mortgagee indemnity insurance).
Ever Judger Holding v Novae Corporate Underwriting (The “EVER JUDGER”) (war risks, CTL).
Hiscox Action Group arbitration (business interruption, coverage and limits).
Aegean Baltic Bank SA v Various Underwriters (The “STARLET”) (mortgagee indemnity insurance).
Libyan Navigator Co Ltd v Libya Insurance Company (The “BADR”) (war risks, CTL).
Psara Energy Limited v Lancashire Insurance Company UK Limited (The “CV STEALTH”) (war risks, CTL).
Bermuda Form arbitration (failure of a dam in Brazil).
Azzouz v United Commercial Assurance (political violence insurance, Syrian Civil War).
XL reinsurance arbitration (aggregation of losses arising from the 9/11 attacks).
Jordan Insurance v AIG Europe (reinsurance, banker’s bonds, sanctions).
Double Eight Marine SA v RSA (The “PANAMAX TRADER”) (H&M insurance, ATL, alleged scuttling).
Lassan Holdings Limited v Generali (PD and BI claim, aluminum smelter).
Bahrain arbitration (XL reinsurance dispute, recoveries relating to losses following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait and the Lockerbie bombing).
Atlas Navios-Navegação Lda v Navigators Insurance Co Ltd (The “B ATLANTIC”) [2016] Lloyd’s Rep 351 (war risks, CTL, acted between trial and CA).
Rak Africana Shipping Ltd v Al-Sagr National Insurance Company (CTL, piracy).
Involnert Management Inc v Aprilgrange Ltd (The “GALATEA”) [2015] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 289 (H&M, yacht insurance, avoidance for misrepresentation under 1906 Act).
ARIAS arbitration (marine cargo and delay in start-up insurance).
Bernina Martime Inc v RSA (The “LIQUID ERA”) (H&M, CTL).
Markerstudy Insurance Company Limited v Endsleigh Insurance Services Limited (negligence claim against outsourced claims handling team).
Dornoch Ltd v Westminster International BV (The “WD FAIRWAY”) [2009] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 191 (H&M, CTL, election).
Dornoch Ltd v Westminster International BV (The “WD FAIRWAY”) [2009] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 420 (H&M, CTL, section 423 of the Insolvency Act 1986).

Shipping & admiralty

“He is richly deserving of his leading reputation and practice. He is approachable, responsive, has an organised mind and works hard.” (Chambers UK, Shipping & Commodities)

David has been involved in the full range of dry shipping disputes. He has particular experience of unsafe port claims, limitation actions, demurrage disputes, charterparty repudiations, termination/withdrawal/anti-technicality clauses, claims involving questions of unseaworthiness and due diligence, claims under the NYPE Inter-Club Agreement, delivery and redelivery obligations, speed and performance claims and casualties arising out of dangerous cargo incidents. David also has considerable experience of cargo claims involving the application of the Hague/Hague-Visby Rules and of General Average disputes.

David was shortlisted for Shipping Junior of the Year at the Legal 500 Bar Awards in 2022 and 2024.

He is one of the editors of Scrutton on Charterparties and Bills of Lading.

David has been instructed in numerous significant shipping cases, including:

MSC Mediterranean Shipping Co SA v Stolt Tank Containers BV (The “MSC FLAMINIA”) [2022] EWHC 835 (Admlty); [2022] EWHC 2746 (Admlty); [2023] EWCA Civ 1007; [2025] UKSC 14 (dangerous cargo, limitation).
LMAA arbitration (charterparty, deviation, war risks and risk of Houthi attacks).
LMAA arbitration (charterparty, repudiation, alleged frustration due to pandemic).
LMAA arbitration (charterparty, carrying of sanctioned cargoes).
Salt Ship Design AS v Prysmian Powerlink SRL [2021] EWHC 2633 (Comm) (breach of confidence and unlawful means conspiracy in relation to a ship design; instructed for quantum phase).
CVLC Three Carrier Corp v Arab Maritime Petroleum Transport Co [2021] EWHC 551 (Comm) (s.69 appeal, guarantee of a charterers’ obligations, implied terms).
Arauco Navigation Ltd v Rudolf A Oetker & ors (The “CCNI ARAUCO”) (dangerous cargo, hot works).
Societa Italiana Assicurazioni e Riassicuranzioni PA v Golden Spring Line Pte Ltd (The “GEMINI”) (Somali piracy).
HKIAC arbitration (repudiatory breach, unseaworthiness).
LMAA arbitration (charterparty, unsafe port).
Imperator I Maritime Co v Bunge SA (The “CORAL SEAS”) [2016] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 293 (charterparty, speed and performance claim).
Contecon Guayquil SA v Ikaria Maritime (The “CCNI ANTARTICO”) (claim against ship by operators of a terminal at a port in Ecuador).
HKIAC arbitration (repudiatory breach, long-term COA).
LMAA arbitration (bareboat charterers, condition of the vessel on redelivery).
LMAA arbitration (repudiatory breach, long-term charter).
JP Klausen & Co A/S v MSC (The “SKY JUPITER”) [2013] EWHC 3254 (Comm) (cargo claim).
CHS Inc Iberica SL v Far East Marine SA (The “DEVON”) [2012] EWHC 3747 (Comm) (cargo claim).
Transpetrol Maritime Service Ltd v SJB (Marine Energy) BV (The “ROWAN”) (oil majors approval clause in a voyage charter acted between CA and SC).
Emeraldian Limited Partnership v Wellmix Shipping Company Limited (The “VINE”) [2011] 1 Lloyd’s Rep 301 (charterparty, demurrage / safe berth dispute and associated guarantee claim).

International trade, transport & commodities

“He has a first-rate brain and excellent judgement, and is prodigiously hardworking, urbane and perceptive.” (Legal 500, Commodities)

David’s commodities practice encompasses all aspects of international trade and futures, including oil trading, metals and foodstuffs. He has been involved with a number of GAFTA and FOSFA arbitrations (including appeals from those arbitrations) and has acted for many substantial trading houses in both the English courts and international arbitrations.

David was shortlisted for Commodities Junior of the Year at the Legal 500 Bar Awards in 2022 and 2024.

David has been instructed in numerous significant commodities cases, including:

Advance Multi-Technology for Medical Industry v Uniserve Limited [2022] EWHC 264 (Ch); [2023] EWHC 2147 (Ch); [2024] EWHC 1725 (Ch); [2025] EWCA Civ 1212 (freezing orders, sale of face masks during the pandemic, ex-works contracts, commission agreements).
Trafigura v El Soobat Energy [2025] EWHC 1684 (Comm) (gas supply contract, summary judgment).
Arbitration Claim (section 44(3) of the Arbitration Act 1996, sale of carbon credits).
MCC Petroleum v Worldera (crude oil sales; anti-suit injunction.
Integral Petroleum SA v Petrogat FZA (freezing injunctions, section 423 of the Insolvency Act 1986).
Duferco SA v CVG Ferrominera Orinoco CA [2021] EWHC 824 (Comm) (contract for the supply of hot briquetted iron from Venezuela, summary judgment).
Associated Tobacco v Lloyds Underwriters (fire at a tobacco storage warehouse in Zambia).
BMCE Bank International v Phoenix Commodities [2018] EWHC 3380 (Comm) (steel billets, loan collateral, relief from sanctions).
Zurcher Kantonalbank v Vincom Commodities Ltd (bills of exchange, contracts for the supply of nickel).
LCIA arbitration (commissions claimed by brokers in respect of sales of LNG into Egypt).
Taurus Petroleum v State Oil Ministry of Iraq [2016] 1 Lloyd’s Rep 42 (state immunity, letters of credit; acted between CA and SC).
ED&F Man Sugar Ltd v T&L Sugars Ltd (unlawful means conspiracy, sugar sales contract).
Garantibank v DRUM (claims against collateral managers of coal being shipped into Turkey).
Glencore v Total Kenya Limited (claims related to the supply and storage of gasoil in Kenya).

Commercial dispute resolution

David specialises in high-profile and high-value commercial cases, arising out of widely differing commercial contracts and contexts, usually with an international aspect. His practice includes injunctive work, including freezing orders and anti-suit injunctions, and commercial fraud.

Examples of cases in which David has been instructed include the following:

Minister of Finance & 1MDB v IPIC & Aabar (multi-billion dollar claim to set aside an arbitration ‘consent’ award because of fraud).
Bonnier Books UK Group Holdings Limited v Haysmacintyre (professional negligence claim against former accountants).
STJ Investments Ltd v The Wolseley Restaurant Property Ltd (dispute with commercial landlord during pandemic).

Advance Multi-Technology for Medical Industry v Uniserve Limited [2022] EWHC 264 (Ch); [2023] EWHC 2147 (Ch); [2024] EWHC 1725 (Ch); [2025] EWCA Civ 1212 (freezing orders, sale of face masks during the pandemic, ex-works contracts, commission agreements).
Integral Petroleum SA v Petrogat FZA (freezing injunctions, section 423 of the Insolvency Act 1986).

Energy & natural resources

David regularly advises and acts in energy disputes relating to drilling and exploration projects. He deals with a broad variety of production, transportation and processing agreement matters, as well disputes relating to energy products and energy generation. His practice encompasses trading disputes, dispute relating to off-shore structures and mining claims.

Examples of cases in which David has been instructed include the following:

Trafigura v El Soobat Energy [2025] EWHC 1684 (Comm) (gas supply contract, summary judgment).
Vitol SA v Glencore Energy (off-spec gasoil).
Technip Saudi Arabia v The Mediterranean & Gulf Insurance and Reinsurance Co [2023] EWHC 1859 (Comm); [2024] EWCA Civ 481 (WELCAR insurance, collision).
LCIA arbitration (commissions claimed by brokers in respect of sales of LNG into Egypt).
Taurus Petroleum v State Oil Ministry of Iraq [2016] 1 Lloyd’s Rep 42 (state immunity, letters of credit; acted between CA and SC).
ICC arbitration (claim for commissions allegedly earned on the sale of industrial valves used in petrochemical projects, ‘equity clause’).
UNCITRAL arbitration (proceedings between the operators of a drill ship against a state oil company).
LCIA arbitration (disputes under a drilling contract).

Shipbuilding & offshore construction

Much of David’s work in recent years has involved shipbuilding and offshore construction disputes. He has particular experience of issues relating to deliverability, cancellation/termination, Class and Flag compliance issues, warranty claims, refund guarantees, performance bonds, and questions of illegality and economic duress in this area.

David often acts for clients at an early stage when issues first arise in the construction/delivery process and advises on the parties’ rights and assists with gathering and preparing the evidence required to fight the cases to a successful conclusion.

Examples of cases in which David has been instructed include the following:

LMAA arbitration (claims relating to the construction of semi-submersible crane-accommodation vessels).
LMAA arbitration (contract for the delivery of a heavy tender assist drilling barge, economic duress).
LMAA arbitrations (deliverability of vessels, stern tube bearings).
LMAA arbitration (whether buyer was entitled to terminate, registration of refund guarantee).

International Arbitration & Related Court Applications

David has experience of international arbitrations on ad hoc, ARIAS, FOSFA, GAFTA, HKIAC, ICC, LCIA, LMAA, and UNCITRAL terms. He has also been instructed in a number of arbitration claims in the Commercial Court (ss. 67, 68 and 69 of the Arbitration Act 1996).

Examples of cases in which David has been instructed include the following:

Minister of Finance & 1MDB v IPIC & Aabar (claim to set aside an arbitration ‘consent’ award because of fraud).
A v B, 23rd March 2017(s. 68 of the Arbitration Act 1996, serious irregularity).
ICC arbitration (claim for commissions allegedly earned on the sale of industrial valves used in petrochemical projects, ‘equity clause’).
UNCITRAL arbitration (proceedings between the operators of a drill ship against a state oil company).
Lorand Shipping Ltd v Davof Trading (Africa) BV (The “OCEAN GLORY”) [2014] EWHC 3521 (Comm) (s. 68 of the Arbitration Act 1996, serious irregularity, partial and final awards).

Aviation

David is regularly instructed by underwriters on coverage issues arising under aviation policies. This has included, in recent times, the Russian aircraft litigation and on the termination of various aircraft leases.

He was shortlisted for Aviation Junior of the Year at the Legal 500 Bar Awards 2022 and 2024.

David has also acted as counsel for underwriters in a number of high-profile inquests that have followed aviation disasters, including the following:

Appeared at the inquest into a death following amid-air collision near Leicester airport.
Instructed to appear at the inquest into a death following a mid-air collision at Shoreham airfield and is now instructed in the High Court litigation brought by the family of the deceased.
Instructed to appear at the inquest into two deaths at Rotherfield Greys, near Henley-on- Thames in Oxfordshire, which occurred when a bi-plane failed to recover from an aerobatic manoeuvre.
Instructed on behalf of the North West Parachute Centre at the inquest into two deaths following a mid-air collision between two light aircraft near Blithfield Reservoir, Staffordshire.
Instructed to appear at an inquest into two deaths following an air accident at Seething airfield, Norfolk.

Banking & financial services

Examples of cases in which David has been instructed include the following:

BMCE Bank International v Phoenix Commodities [2018] EWHC 3380 (Comm) (steel billets, loan collateral, relief from sanctions).
Zurcher Kantonalbank v Vincom Commodities Ltd (bills of exchange, contracts for the supply of nickel).
Garantibank v DRUM (claims against collateral managers of coal being shipped into Turkey).

Civil Fraud

Examples of cases in which David has been instructed include the following:

Minister of Finance & 1MDB v IPIC & Aabar (multi-billion dollar claim to set aside an arbitration ‘consent’ award because of fraud).
Integral Petroleum SA v Petrogat FZA (freezing injunctions, section 423 of the Insolvency Act 1986).
JSC BTA Bank v Solodchenko (commercial fraud, freezing orders and sentencing for civil contempt; acted seeking permission to appeal custodial sentence).

Education

Keble College, Oxford, 2002-2005: BA, Jurisprudence

University College London, 2005-2006: LLM

Awards

Inner Temple: Exhibition Scholarship; Frank and Burris Gahan Prize; Duke of Edinburgh Entrance Scholarship

Memberships

COMBAR, British Insurance Law Association, LCIA Users’ Council, LMAA Supporting Member, ARIAS (UK).