Charlotte Payne

Charlotte Payne

Call: 2019

Practice Profile


Charlotte brings a unique commercial background to her cases. A former consultant in the mining industry, Charlotte has first-hand experience of the commercial world. Charlotte has advised clients of various sizes (from FTSE 100 to AIM listed companies) on a range of mining exploration projects around the world. As well as working in industry, Charlotte was the assistant editor of an IHS-published coal journal for three years and has worked as part of an in-house legal team for two years. This has given her valuable insight into the inner workings of the commercial sector and the implications of legal disputes. Charlotte’s prior experience makes the technical aspects of a case an enjoyable part of the process, whilst giving her a strong foundation from which to connect with clients.

Charlotte has a broad commercial practice across 7KBW’s core areas, with a particular emphasis on insurance (including marine insurance), shipping, professional negligence, civil fraud, and general commercial disputes. This work is supported by Charlotte’s strong academic background, as evidenced by her first-class Geology degree, MPhil in Environment, Society and Development (University of Cambridge) and Certificate in Finance, Accounting and Business (ICAEW).

Her high-profile current and recent instructions include: acting (led by David Bailey KC) in a high value ship building dispute (warranty dispute and damages claim) concerning a c.€63 million build project for a 77-metre super yacht; acting (led by Peter MacDonald Eggers KC) for ship owners in Delos Shipholding SA & Ors v Allianz Global Corporate and Speciality SE & Ors [2024] EWHC 719 (Comm) and associated appeal, concerning an insurance claim worth c.US$40 million for the total loss of a vessel; advising (led by James Brocklebank KC), a large accountancy firm in a professional negligence dispute; acting (led by Peter MacDonald Eggers KC) for ship owners in an insurance claim worth c.£60 million for the constructive total loss of a vessel; and acting (led by Richard Waller KC) for international private equity funds in YS GM Marfin II LLC and ors v Muhammad Ali Lakhani and ors [2020] EWHC 2629 (Comm), a US$80 million ship financing fraud claim.

As sole counsel, Charlotte’s current and recent work includes: acting for international ship owners in a £6 million High Court dispute concerning a claim under a Letter of Guarantee; advising international ship owners in a dispute concerning the sale and purchase agreement for a double hull oil tanker; acting for charterers of a vessel in a dispute concerning cargo damage to a shipment of petcoke; advising potential claimants on the insurance aspects (worth c.£5 million) of a wider class action nuisance suit; advising financiers on a potential fraud claim concerning allegations of undue influence; and acting for a leading telecommunications provider in three separate disputes following damage (in each case) to the telecommunication provider’s network and apparatus.

Charlotte became a published author in spring 2022, contributing a chapter to the book ‘Artificial Intelligence: Law and Regulation’ alongside Stephen Kenny QC.

  • Acting (led by Peter MacDonald Eggers KC) for ship owners in Delos Shipholding SA & Ors v Allianz Global Corporate and Speciality SE & Ors [2024] EWHC 719 (Comm) and associated appeal, concerning an insurance claim worth c.US$40 million for the total loss of a vessel.
  • Acted (led by Peter MacDonald Eggers KC) for ship owners in an insurance claim worth c.£60 million following the constructive total loss of a vessel.
  • Assisted (led by Peter MacDonald Eggers KC) insurers in an appeal concerning the loss of grain stored in Ukrainian warehouses, insured under a marine cargo insurance policy.
  • Advised potential claimants on numerous insurance aspects (worth c.£5 million) of a class action nuisance suit.
  • Acted as sole counsel for a large commercial organisation in a home insurance dispute, which involved making applications to both strike out the claim and set aside default judgment.
  • Assisted in preparing written submissions for trial in the Supreme Court of a reinsurance mesothelioma dispute.
  • Acted (led by David Bailey KC) in a high value ship building dispute (warranty dispute and damages claim) concerning a c.€63 million build project for a 77-metre super yacht. The case concerned a plethora of complex technical issues regarding the build process.
  • Acting for international ship owners in a £6 million High Court dispute concerning a claim under a Letter of Guarantee.
  • Acting for charterers of a vessel in a dispute concerning cargo damage to a shipment of petcoke during a voyage from India to the United States.
  • Advised international ship owners in a dispute concerning the sale and purchase agreement for a double hull oil tanker.
  • Advised on the validity of a ‘switch’ bill of lading and whether it was possible to claim an implied indemnity by reason of the switch.
  • Assisted in the preparation of a particulars of claim for an LMAA arbitration in the context of a breach of contract claim against a ship buyer.
  • Advising (led by James Brocklebank KC) a large accountancy firm on their general terms and conditions.
  • Advising (led by James Brocklebank KC) a large accountancy firm in a professional negligence dispute.
  • Assisting in a claim concerning allegations of a professional breach of fiduciary duty, the tort of bribery and knowing receipt.
  • Acted for a specialist data acquisition and testing services company following a winding up petition brought by HMRC.
  • Assisted in conducting background research for an arbitration in the context of a professional negligence claim brought by the FRC.
  • Assisted in providing advice in the early stages of another FRC investigation into professional negligence.
  • Acting for a leading telecommunications provider in three separate disputes concerning, respectively (a) an underground explosion; (b) arson; and (c) professional negligence, which led to damage to the provider’s network and apparatus.
  • Acted in an international carriage of good dispute following loss and damage to goods shipped internationally.
  • Assisted with advice on the scope and meaning of consequential losses within the context of an insurance dispute.
  • Assisted with advice and procedure in the Technology and Commercial Court (TCC).
  • Acted (led by Richard Waller KC) for international private equity funds in an US$80 million ship financing fraud claim.
  • Advised financiers on a potential fraud claim concerning allegations of undue influence.
  • Assisted with advising on attribution of knowledge following the committal of fraud in the context of an insurance claim.
  • Acted in a three-party construction dispute (worth £300,000) concerned with the defective laying of a basement slab.
  • Advised on liability in a construction dispute involving latent damage to a retaining wall.
  • Advised on the court’s approach to conflicting jurisdictional provisions between two different agreements.
  • Assisted in advising on the Court’s approach to forum conveniens following the decision in Vedanta Resources Plc v Lungowe [2019] 2 W.L.R. 1051 (SC).
  • Assisted in advising on the meaning of ‘necessary and proper parties’ under ‘gateway 3’.

As a law student, Charlotte represented Gray’s Inn at the XXV Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot and worked pro-bono for the Employment Law Telephone Advice Line. She also held the position of Treasurer and Mooting Representative for the Association of Gray’s Inn Students (AGIS).

Charlotte is now an ‘Advocate’ pro bono panel member and a member of the government’s Junior Junior scheme.

Moreover, Charlotte is a former international athlete having rowed for Great Britain and Wales (on four occasions), as well as winning numerous national championships. Further, during her studies in Vancouver, she stroked the First VIII and LW4+, winning a bronze medal at San Diego Crew Classics in the LWT8+ and racing at Head of the Charles. Charlotte now enjoys running and competing in triathlons in her free time.

  • COMBAR

    LCLCBA

    Gray’s Inn

  • 2018-2019 – BPTC, BPP University College, Outstanding (ranked 10th in year out of over 600 candidates, 1st in year in both the ‘International Trade’ and ‘Ethics’ modules)

    2017-2018 – GDL, BPP University College, Distinction (ranked 1st in year)

    2016 – ICAEW Certificate in Finance, Accounting and Business, BPP University College

    2013-2014 – MPhil Environment, Society and Development, University of Cambridge

    2011-2012 – Geology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver (International Year, First Class)

    2009-2012 – BSc (Hons) Exploration and Resource Geology (International), Cardiff University, First Class

    Scholarships and Awards

    • Mould Senior Scholarship, 2019, Gray’s Inn
    • Lord Justice Holker Award, 2018, Gray’s Inn
    • BPTC Excellence Award, 2018, BPP University College
    • Hebe Plunkett Award, 2017 & 2018, Gray’s Inn
    • GDL Award, 2017, Gray’s Inn
    • EY Young Tax Professional of the Year UK Winner, 2015
    • Academic All-Canadian Award (for sporting and academic excellence), 2012, University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver
    • Academic Scholarship, 2009-2012, Cardiff University
    • Thomas Arno Scholarship, 2011, Worshipful Company of Haberdashers
    • Jeston University Scholarship, 2009, Worshipful Company of Haberdashers
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