Professional practice
Steven Berry specialises in advocacy in substantial commercial cases in the English courts and domestic and international arbitral tribunals, including ICC, LCIA, LMAA and SIAC, especially in the related fields of insurance and reinsurance, shipping, international banking, commodities and arbitration. He also acts as arbitrator in suitable cases.
- Examples of notable recent cases
LCIA arbitration as arbitrator (ongoing), on bank credit risk insurance, involving issues of misrepresentation, non disclosure, breach of warranty.
Avonwick v Webinvest (Chancery Division and Court of Appeal, 2014), advancing claims of US$190 million under a Loan and Personal Guarantee by a Ukrainian party against Russian parties, against a dishonest defence of collateral oral agreement.
SIAC arbitration hearing (2014), advancing claims for debt and damages of €30 million for wrongful detention of a ship by repairers at a yard in Thailand.
LCIA arbitration hearing (2013), advancing claims for the price under and damages for breach of a contract for the sale of coal to Chinese buyers.
Otkritie v Urumov and others (Commercial Court and Court of Appeal, 2013), advancing claims of US$170 million for conspiracies, thefts and frauds by bankers against their employer, a private Russian financial institution.
Novoship v Mikhaylyuk (Commercial Court and Court of Appeal, 2012-2014), defending claims by Russian State owned shipping companies for account of profits of US$150 million for bribery and dishonest breach of fiduciary duty.
BP v Target (Commercial Court and Court of Appeal, 2012-2013) defending claim by charterer for restitution of alleged overpayment of freight on the basis of mistake of law and or fact.
Fiona Trust v Privalov and Intrigue Shipping v H Clarkson (Commercial Court and Court of Appeal, 2009 – 2014 and ongoing) defending claims by Russian state-owned shipping companies for over US$800 million for theft, fraud, bribery and corruption in shipping and ship finance transactions. The case involved (among other things) tracing of assets worldwide, disputes over the applicable law and the relevant Russian law, allegations of political persecution in Russia, intimidation of witnesses, illegal evidence gathering, fraud by London shipbrokers, anti suit injunctions against duplicative foreign proceedings, and enforcement of cross undertaking in damages for wrongful freezing orders.
SIAC arbitration hearing (2012), advancing claims for overpayment and damages, and defending counterclaims for remuneration and damages, of US$50 million, following repudiation and termination of a contract for construction of a ship in China.
Toisa Pisces (Commercial Court and Court of Appeal, 2011-2012), advancing a marine insurance claim for indemnity against breakdown, against defences of non disclosure and failure to exercise due diligence.
Yukos CIS v Yukos Hydrocarbons (High Court of the BVI and Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal, 2010-2011), disputed claim to ownership of Yukos assets.
Korean National Insurance Corp v Allianz (Commercial Court and Court of Appeal, 2008), defending a claim by the state reinsurance company of North Korea to enforce a North Korean judgment for €55 million in respect of a helicopter crash in North Korea.
Others of interest include
- A US$180 million dispute over the bank financing, and forced sale, of an investment in an oil field in Azerbaijan (part of which reached the courts as Berghoff Trading v Swinbrook,2008);
- an arbitration in Madrid of claims in tort governed by Mexican law for destruction of a port facility in Mexico;
- several substantial LCIA arbitrations, acting variously for the (re)insured and the (re)insurer, on political risk insurance and reinsurance policies, of claims for expropriation of Chinese energy investments; collateral Cuban sugar; Argentine energy investments; and Tajik aluminium rights;
- a jurisdictional dispute in General Motors’ claims against the London parents of its US insurers in respect of asbestos claims: General Motors v Royal & Sun Alliance (2007);
- arbitration of a claim by Greek shipowners against Pakistan government charterers for breach of a sale port warranty, for US$100 million for the total loss of their tanker, and indemnity against pollution claims of US$6.5 billion dollars, arising out of a major casualty and oil spill at Karachi;
- arbitration of a claim by Greek shipowners against Korean charterers for breach of a dangerous cargo warranty, for US$90 million for the total loss by fire and explosion of their container vessel;
- two arbitrations of disputes over importation of commodities into India;
- an arbitration, and consequent appeal to the Commercial Court, on whether the presence of rats makes cargo dangerous: The Darya Radhe (2009).
- Arbitration & related court applications
Advising on and acting in many LMAA, LCIA, ICC, SIAC and other arbitration tribunals and court cases on the Arbitration Acts, and acting as arbitrator.
- Banking & financial services
Advising and acting on international banking disputes, including banking fraud eg. Otkritie v Urumov.
- Civil fraud & asset recovery
Advising on and acting in substantial fraud cases at trial and on appeal; eg. Fiona Trust v Privalov, Novoship v Mikhaylyuk, Otkritie v Urumov.
- Commercial dispute resolution
Advising on and acting in substantial commercial disputes; eg. Avonwick v Webinvest.
- Energy & natural resources
Advising on and acting in oil trading and a wide range of other commodity disputes in court and in arbitration.
- Insurance & reinsurance
All kinds of insurance and reinsurance disputes in the courts and in arbitration, including marine, property, business interruption, professional indemnity, product liability, political risk, film finance, and motor insurance disputes, facultative and treaty quota share and excess of loss reinsurance disputes, and Lloyd’s disputes.
Notable earlier cases include Pan Atlantic v Pine Top (1995, the leading case on avoidance for non disclosure and misrepresentation); Kastor Navigation v Atlantic Bank of New York (2003, marine, CTL and ATL claims for fire and sinking; costs of issues); NOCZIM v Sturge (1991, meaning of “terrorism” and “insurrection”).
- International trade, transport & commodities
Advising on and acting in court cases and arbitrations on international trade disputes (including oil trading and commodities), international banking disputes (including letters of credit, bank guarantees, loan facilities and agreements) and all kinds of interlocutory and jurisdiction disputes (including stays of proceedings, anti suit injunctions, proper law disputes and freezing orders).
See also Banking and Financial Services, Insurance and Reinsurance, Shipping .
- Shipping & admiralty
Advising on and acting in all kinds of dry shipping disputes, including bill of lading, charterparty, ship sale and shipbuilding as well as marine insurance disputes, in the courts and in arbitration. Earlier court cases of interest include Kastor Navigation v Atlantic Bank of New York (Commercial Court and Court of Appeal 2003, total loss); the Starsin (200, Commercial Court and Court of Appeal, identity of carrier and title to sue in tort); the Ines (Commercial Court, 1995, misdelivery to port authorities); the Bijela (HL, 1994, charterparty, general average); the Dominique (1989 HL, the leading case on the right to freight).
- Career
2002 Silk
1985 Tenant, Essex Court Chambers
1984 Call: Middle Temple
- Education
1984 BVC, Inns of Court School of Law
1983 BCL (First Class Hons), Exeter College, Oxford University
1982 BA (Jurisprudence) (First Class Honours), Exeter College, Oxford University
1974-8 High School of Stirling
- Awards
1984 Eldon Law Scholar, Oxford University
1984 Astbury Scholar, Middle Temple
1980 Open Scholar (on award of distinction in Law Moderations), Exeter College, Oxford University
- What Others Say
Chambers & Partners 2024, Commercial Dispute Resolution:
“Steven Berry is adept at focusing on the key strategic issues.”
“He is unflappable and always understands which arguments will work best.”
The Legal 500 UK Bar 2024, Shipping:
‘Steven is one of the best in this field. He is an excellent lawyer, an entertaining and fearless advocate and it is enjoyable working with him.’
Chambers & Partners 2023, Commercial Dispute Resolution:
“A strong advocate, who is particularly good on complex legal issues.”
“A leading member of the Commercial Bar who stays ahead of the opposition.”
Chambers & Partners 2023, International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance:
“He’s excellent and really commercially focused.”
“He’s an extremely good advocate. He’s smooth, measured, doesn’t oversell and makes persuasive arguments.”
Chambers & Partners 2023, Shipping & Commodities:
“Steven is excellent to watch; he is very sophisticated and skilled.”
“He is a very experienced and capable advocate. Steven is great at working with clients and he is the person you want to appear in front of the judge.”
“Steven is involved in cutting-edge shipping litigation.”
“His advocacy is unrivalled, achieved by a combination of speed and agility of thought together with charm.”
Legal 500 2023, Shipping:
“Continues to perform at the highest level.”
Chambers & Partners 2022, Shipping & Commodities:
“Steven is a very good lawyer who thinks carefully about the case.” “He knows shipping inside and out.” “Steven is a very good performer.”
Chambers & Partners 2022, Insurance:
“Steven is very experienced in the insurance world.” “He is a very good lateral thinker and comes up with clever points.”
Chambers & Partners 2022, International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance:
“He is incredibly measured and makes brilliant submissions. Clients love him.” “He’s exceptionally smart and has intellectual firepower.”
Chambers & Partners 2022, Commercial Dispute Resolution:
“A leading member of the Commercial Bar who stays ahead of the opposition.”
Legal 500 2022, Commodities:
“A versatile advocate with experience in insurance, shipping, banking and commodities cases.”
Legal 500 2022, Insurance:
“He has an outstanding reputation.”
Chambers & Partners 2021, Shipping & Commodities:
“He is not just a phenomenal legal brain but a highly astute tactician who always has the commercial points in mind when giving advice.”
“He is more than superb.”
Chambers & Partners 2021, International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance:
“Superb. A fantastic barrister and he holds his own on his feet.”
Chambers & Partners 2021, Insurance:
“He has a nice advocacy style, his manner is light and he brings you into his line of argument.”
“He’s more than superb. Even in a dire trial he can hold his own and keep the team amused.”
Chambers and Partners 2021, Commercial Dispute Resolution:
“You go to him for high-value cases as you know you can take his advice to the client.”
“He is devastating in cross-examination and silver-tongued in arguments.”
“Steven comes up with some very clever points and is an unnerving opponent for the other side.”
Legal 500 2021, Shipping, Band 1:
“Very clever and a good advocate.”
Legal 500 2021, Insurance, Band 5:
“A highly skilled silk.”
Legal 500 2021, Commodities, Band 4:
“A versatile advocate with experience in insurance, shipping, banking and commodities cases.”
Chambers and Partners 2020, Dispute Resolution, Band 3:
“He’s a leading member of the Commercial Bar who stays ahead of the opposition.” “He’s a robust advocate” who is “a superb cross-examiner.”Chambers and Partners 2020, Shipping and Commodities, Band 1:
“A renowned barrister with a leading dry shipping practice. He is recognised for his significant expertise in charter party, marine insurance and bill of lading disputes.” “He’s a very smooth, capable advocate who is well respected by judges.” “He’s top-drawer, an excellent advocate who is high on the shortlist.” “He continues to perform at the highest level.”Chambers and Partners 2020, Insurance, Band 3:
“Highly effective advocate who takes on a range of hefty commercial cases. He has significant experience in major insurance and reinsurance disputes, and is particularly adept at claims involving shipping as well as international arbitration. “Really experienced and very well regarded.”Chambers and Partners 2020, International Arbitration, Band 4:
“He is good at identifying the strong points in his case and the weaknesses in his opponent’s case.”Legal 500 2020, Shipping, Ranked: Tier 1:
“Very clever and a good advocate. ”Legal 500 2020, Commodities, Ranked: Tier 3:
“A reliable advocate for insurance, shipping, banking and commodities cases.”Legal 500 2020, Insurance and Reinsurance: Tier 4:
“He is very talented.”
