John Lockey KC
John Lockey KC acts as an advocate in complex commercial disputes before the English courts at all levels and in arbitrations in London, in Europe, and worldwide (including Bermuda, Hong Kong and Singapore). His clients include leading financial institutions, accountancy firms, energy companies and insurance and reinsurance companies. He works regularly with leading law firms in England, the US, Hong Kong, Singapore and Bermuda. His experience includes leading multidisciplinary and multinational teams in the most complex of international commercial disputes. His arbitration experience and professional skills also mean that he is often appointed as an arbitrator (LCIA, ARIAS and ad hoc).
Arbitration and Related Court Applications
Experienced advocate in arbitrations in London and worldwide. Extensive experience of leading a multi-jurisdictional team of lawyers.
Recent experience includes hearings in Hong Kong (HKIAC), Washington DC, New York (AAA), Bermuda and Stockholm as well as numerous Bermuda Form arbitrations in London.
Expert on English arbitration law; recent cases include Lisnave v CST (Commercial Court, 2013: whether an arbitration clause to be implied); BAIC v Matelec (Commercial Court, 2013: whether ARIAS arbitration clause prevailed over Kenyan jurisdiction clause).
Regularly accepts appointment as independent arbitrator (ad hoc, LCIA, ARIAS) and as adjudicator/expert.
Banking and Financial Services
Recent experience includes disputes alleging negligent fund management, negligent lending decisions, insurance backed assets, letters of credit, performance bonds.
Commercial Dispute Resolution
Regularly appears as Counsel in the High Court and Court of Appeal in London as well as in arbitrations in London and abroad. Recent hearings include jurisdictional battles, trials involving extensive cross-examination of witnesses of fact and experts (actuaries, accountants, insurance brokers, investment advisers, environmental regulators), and points of law.
Conflict of Laws and Private International Law
A recognised expert in jurisdictional battles.
Energy and Natural Resources
Regularly advises, and acts for, companies involved in offshore exploration. Recent disputes include disputes before the Commercial Court and in expert determination.
Insurance and Reinsurance
Expertise in insurance and reinsurance law. Former Chairman, British Insurance Law Association. Current member, ARIAS UK Management Committee. Chambers & Partners Insurance Silk of the Year 2011.
“Hugely prominent” in insurance and reinsurance litigation (Chambers & Partners, 2015)
Regularly instructed in the leading domestic and international insurance and reinsurance disputes in arbitrations, in the Commercial Court, and in the Court of Appeal.
Recent cases of interest in the Courts include Wasa v Lexington, Equitas v R&Q, Faraday v Howden/ACE v Howden, Equitas v Walsham and the PIP Breast Implant Litigation.
Regularly acts as advocate in confidential arbitrations in London, Hong Kong, Washington DC, New York, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands and elsewhere, in disputes governed by English law,
New York law, Bermuda law, Hong Kong law, Singapore law, and other systems of law.
Considerable experience of working with lawyers from other jurisdictions, including the US, as co-counsel and as lead counsel.
Disputes include contingency claims (cancellation of Rolling Stones Australasia tour 2014), products liability insurance, satellite reinsurance claims, Japan earthquake claims, adverse weather claims, 9/11 claims, hedge fund trading loss claims, environmental liability claims, marine cargo claims, fidelity insurance claims, accountants’ and solicitors’ professional indemnity insurance, D&O insurance claims.
Considerable experience of serving as lead Counsel in Bermuda Form arbitrations. Recent Bermuda Form cases have included pharmaceutical claims, product liability claims and environmental pollution claims.
Professional Negligence
Regularly instructed as advocate in insurance brokers’ negligence cases. Recent cases include Ground Gilbey v JLT (2011) and Equitas v Walsham (2013).
Considerable experience of accountants’ negligence cases. Acted as Counsel for Coopers & Lybrand in the mammoth Barings audit negligence case.
Expert on professional indemnity insurance (solicitors, IFAs, accountants, brokers etc).
What Others Say
“Great academically and an excellent advocate”.
(Legal 500, 2015 edition)
“A really enjoyable guy to work with. He has a great brain and a wonderful sense of humour.”
(Chambers & Partners, 2015 edition)
Career
2006: Silk
1988: Essex Court Chambers
1987: Call: Middle Temple. Queen Mother’s Fund Scholar.
Education
1987: Inns of Court School of Law. Scarman Scholar.
1986: LLM, Harvard Law School. Frank Knox Fellowship.
1985: BA (Law), Downing College, Cambridge (starred First Class). Slaughter & May Prize for best performance.
Awards
1987: Queen Mother’s Fund Scholar, Middle Temple
1987: Scarman Scholar (Inns of Court School of Law)
1985: Frank Knox Fellowship, Harvard Law School
1985: Slaughter & May Prize (Cambridge University, first in class)