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Adam Turner

Adam Turner

Call: 2008
aturner@7kbw.co.uk Reported cases
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Practice Profile

Adam is an expert in commercial litigation and arbitration, acting for a broad range of UK and international clients. He has particular expertise in contractual disputes of all kinds; shipping and commodities; insurance and reinsurance; banking and finance; civil fraud; jurisdiction and the conflict of laws.

Professional memberships: Commercial Bar Association; London Maritime Arbitrators Association (Supporting Member); London Shipping Law Centre; British Insurance Law Association; Commercial Fraud Lawyers Association.

Before joining 7KBW in 2009, Adam spent a year teaching commercial law at Brasenose College, Oxford.

If you are interested in instructing Adam, please contact the clerks for further information.

Adam is regularly instructed in banking and finance matters, with particular expertise in the ship-financing sector. He was sole counsel for HSBC Bank Plc in a recent 2-week commercial court trial in which the bank obtained judgment for $9 million against the personal guarantor of two $15 million loan facilities.

Selected work:

  • HSBC Bank Plc v Pearl Corp and Ors. Represented bank in successful $9-million claim against personal guarantor of two $15-million loan facilities – personal guarantees governed by Greek law – 2-week Commercial Court trial involving factual evidence of restructuring negotiations, expert evidence of Greek law (Articles 862 and 281 of Greek Civil Code).
  • HSBC Bank Plc v Antaeus and Ors. Represented bank in successful $2.5 million claim against borrowers under two $15-million loan facilities and associated corporate and personal guarantors – 2-day Commercial Court trial.
  • Represented mortgagor in successful Commercial Court application for interim injunction to restrain enforcement action by mortgagee bank.
  • HSBC Bank Plc v Kyraelma and Ors. Represented bank in $10.5 million claim under loan facilities and related corporate guarantee – successful summary judgment application in Commercial Court.

Adam acts in a broad range of disputes involving civil fraud, with particular expertise in freezing orders and ancillary relief. He has given lectures on topics including freezing injunctions and piercing the corporate veil.

Selected work:

  • Post-judgment domestic freezing order against guarantor of fuel trading company’s liabilities; follow-up cross-examination on assets
  • “Adaptation order” under CPR 74.11A, adapting interim relief obtained overseas into a domestic freezing order against the guarantor of two loan facilities
  • Part 8 claim for affidavit of worldwide assets under s.25 CJJA 1982 (i.e. in support of proceedings overseas).
  • Representing property manager in defence of Chancery Division conspiracy claim.
  • High-value claim in offshore jurisdiction re profit stripping by JV counterparty.
  • Multiple high-value London arbitrations re illegality defences to charterparty claims- allegations of criminal conduct in overseas jurisdictions.
  • $70million worldwide freezing order – ex parte and inter partes in Commercial Court – follow-up applications for permission (under Dadourian guidelines) to make similar applications abroad.

Adam specialises in commercial disputes across all sectors. Before coming to Chambers, Adam was a lecturer at Brasenose College, Oxford, where he taught commercial law.

Selected work:

  • HSBC Bank Plc v Pearl Corp and Ors. Represented bank in successful $9-million claim against personal guarantor of two $15-million loan facilities – personal guarantees governed by Greek law – 2-week Commercial Court trial involving factual evidence of restructuring negotiations, expert evidence of Greek law (Articles 862 and 281 of Greek Civil Code).
  • Acting for UK-based PLC in relation to disputed interpretation of deferred consideration provisions in a Share Purchase Agreement.
  • HSBC Bank Plc v Antaeus and Ors. Represented bank in successful $2.5 million claim against borrowers under two $15-million loan facilities and associated corporate and personal guarantors – 2-day Commercial Court trial.
  • Acted for high-profile solicitor in breach of contract dispute with former firm – case settled after 1-week High Court trial.
  • Advising on operation of Gambling Act 2005 re high-stakes casino gambling.
  • Cattles v PwC – substantial Commercial Court professional negligence dispute (auditing of sub-prime lender), listed for 3-month trial from October 2015 (settled).
  • Commercial Court jurisdiction dispute—service out upon broker involved in superyacht sale
  • Summertime v Aegeon, ‘Sea Chariot’—dispute in Greek court of appeal—instructed as expert witness re general English contract law (incorporation of terms).
  • London arbitration re superyacht construction contract.
  • Acting for producer of ‘Casino Royale’ re dispute with Pinewood Studios—fire on set destroying Pinewood’s 007 stage.

Adam specialises in all aspects of international trade including commodities disputes.

Selected work:

  • Acting for metals trader in LCIA arbitration arising from alumina swaps.
  • Conducting Commercial Court cross-examination of commercial manager of commodities trading house.

Adam acts in a broad range of insurance and reinsurance disputes in the Commercial Court and in arbitration, both in England and Wales and overseas. He has been involved in numerous marine insurance matters, including The Silva [2011] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 141, which involved findings of serious governmental misconduct. He is also experienced in ‘Bermuda Form’ disputes and their cognates, and understands the demands of effective collaboration between teams of counsel in multiple jurisdictions.

Selected work:

  • $20million+ reinsurance coverage arbitration seated in Bermuda, applying New York law.
  • $30million reinsurance coverage arbitration seated in London, applying New York law.
  • Sunboat v Amlin—£10.7m Commercial Court marine insurance dispute—coverage issues following fire aboard superyacht.
  • ‘Inspiration  I’—£1.6m Commercial Court marine insurance dispute—grounding of bulk carrier—effect of ‘follow leader’ clauses
  • The Silva [2011]  2 Lloyd’s Rep 141; [2011]  EWHC 181 (Comm)—$19.2million Commercial Court marine insurance dispute—coverage questions re seizure of vessel in bad faith  by governmental authorities in Mubarak-era Egypt.
  • The Sea Coral – €80m marine insurance dispute – complex coverage questions re microbially accelerated corrosion – instructed until  CMC stage when case against Adam’s clients discontinued.
  • Acted in €45million dispute – coverage for bank’s liabilities to investors re failed IPO during ‘dot com’ boom.

Adam acts in a broad range of shipping and transport disputes in the Commercial Court and in arbitration.

Selected work:

  • Representing purchasers of 2 x LNG carriers in high-value international arbitration.
  • Represented leading domestic wholesale fuel supplier in successful commercial court claim against guarantor of fuel trader’s liabilities.
  • Representing shipowners defending commercial court cargo claim raising cause-of-loss issues.
  • Representing charterers in $1m COA dispute.
  • Representing port authority in defence of cargo claim arising from provision of warehouse facilities.
  • Impala v Wanxiang – interlocutory application for mandatory anti-suit injunction requiring withdrawal of Chinese proceedings arising out of well-publicised financing fraud.
  • Multiple high-value London arbitrations re illegality defences to charterparty claims – allegations of criminal conduct in overseas jurisdictions.
  • The Devon [2012] EWHC 3747 (Comm); (2013) 864 LMLN 1 – 5 day Commercial Court trial re vessel’s engine failure.
  • London arbitration – liability under amended NYPE 1993 form for costs of collision between shore gantry and deck crane.
  • “Adam is bright and tries to find an argument that works for clients. His writing is elegant and sophisticated.”
  • “Adam is brilliant. He is clever, exceptionally hard-working and a very good advocate. He is a fantastic sounding board.”
  • “Adam is quick, responsive and smart.”

      Shipping, Chambers UK Bar 2025

  • ‘He is an extraordinary junior. Adam is thoughtful and clever; he is organized and entirely happy working on his own initiative.’

      Insurance and Reinsurance, Legal 500 2025

  • ‘He is very clever, extremely thoughtful, and a pleasure to work with. An excellent advocate.’

      Shipping, Legal 500 2025

  • “Adam is a good lawyer who is very calm.”
  • “Adam is very committed and well versed in the law.”

      Shipping & Commodities, Chambers UK Bar 2024

  • ‘He is extremely bright, drafts well, and also has an admirable work ethic. A future star of the Bar.’

      Shipping, Legal 500 2024

  • ‘Adam is fiercely bright, very strong on the law and an excellent written advocate.’ Legal 500 2023
  • “His technical knowledge of shipping law is impressive.” “He is incredibly proactive and on top of the latest authorities.” Chambers & Partners 2022
  • ‘Really exceptional, with an ability to get to grips with the issues of any case and provide practical, clear advice which is unparalleled among his peers at the Bar.’ Legal 500 2022
  • “He takes a holistic approach to cases and has knowledge, gravitas and judgement equal to that of the best junior silks.” “Adam Turner is truly impressive. He is never flustered and always in command of the forensic detail without losing sight of the big picture.” Chambers & Partners 2021
  • “He is useful on the merits and tactics of a case, as well as accessible, prompt, bright and helpful.” “Adam is very proactive and takes a hands-on approach to his advice.” Chambers Global 2021
  • ‘He is both exceptionally talented and commercially focused.’ Legal 500 2021
  • “He is useful on the merits and tactics of a case, as well as accessible, prompt, bright and helpful.” “Adam is very proactive and takes a hands-on approach to his advice.” Chambers & Partners 2020
  • “A rising star.” Legal 500 2020
  • “Really helpful and pragmatic. He is extremely bright and has an incredible knowledge of international law. ” “Confident and accurate in his advice.” Chambers & Partners 2019
  • ‘Very diligent.’ Legal 500 2018
  • “Absolutely fantastic. He is very intelligent and well spoken and has well-reasoned, thoughtful arguments.” “Very bright and succinct in his arguments.” Chambers & Partners 2018
  • “Very clever but commercially attuned”. Legal 500 2017
  • “He is very sharp and does not miss anything.” Chambers & Partners 2017
  • “He has an extremely good sense of humour, is a delight in a stressful situation and is wonderful at dealing with clients.” Chambers & Partners 2017
  • “Very impressive.” Legal 500 2016
  • A “bright and highly practical” junior. Chambers & Partners 2016
  • “A very capable and hard-working barrister.” Chambers & Partners 2016
  • “Regarded as an up-and-coming junior who acts on a range of international shipping and trade disputes.” Chambers & Partners 2015
  • “He is extremely capable and has a very good grasp of all the documents.” Chambers & Partners 2015
  • “He is user-friendly and easy to work with.” Chambers & Partners 2015
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