Commercial Litigation, Legal 500 2024
Fraud: Civil, Legal 500 2024
Legal 500
Legal 500
Chambers & Partners
Clara maintains a varied practice with an emphasis on commercial dispute resolution, private international law, insurance/reinsurance (including marine insurance), commodities, shipping, aviation, civil fraud and professional negligence. Since joining Chambers in 2014, she has appeared in the Supreme Court (twice), the Court of Appeal and the High Court, as well as in the DIFC Courts and LCIA, SIAC, ICC and LMAA arbitrations (both as counsel and as an arbitrator). In 2022, Clara was appointed to the Attorney General’s B Panel of counsel.
Clara is ranked by the directories as a leading junior in multiple fields and was recognised for two years running as one of Legal 500’s top 10 barristers under 8 years’ call for commercial litigation. She was recently nominated by the Legal 500 as Shipping, Commodities and Aviation Junior of the Year 2023. The directories describe her as “fiercely intelligent, approachable and charming”, “invaluable on a practical/commercial level”; “awesome on her feet” and bringing “a joie de vivre to any case”.
Clara is also developing a busy practice as an arbitrator. She has received six appointments to date, including as chair. She welcomes new appointments.
Clara has acted in a number of high-profile cases, including Enka v Chubb (2020, Supreme Court) (governing law of arbitration agreements, anti-suit injunctions), described by The Lawyer as “a landmark judgment that is likely to become the leading authority in this area”; the OW Bunker litigation (2016, Supreme Court) (sale of goods, retention of title clauses), described by Lloyd’s List as “the most spectacular shipping legal imbroglio so far this century”; Lakatamia v Nobu Su [2014] EWHC 3611 (Comm), an US$80 million claim on an oral contract for the purchase of derivatives; and Al-Mojil v Protiviti, a US$450 million professional negligence claim in the DIFC Courts. She is currently instructed by HFW to appear in the Russian aviation mega trial commencing October 2024.
Clara’s recent work as sole counsel includes acting for the Marriott Group in a dispute relating to a luxury hotel in Antigua (instructed by Macfarlanes); obtaining substantial security for Bank of Cyprus in multi-million pound fraud litigation (the judgment can be found here) (instructed by Sidley Austin); and acting for the successful claimants in a two-day arbitration concerning an alleged variation to a contract for the supply of marine fuel (instructed by Allen & Overy).
If you are interested in instructing Clara, please contact the clerks. Clara is happy to accept pro bono instructions in appropriate cases.
Clara is ranked in the directories as a leading junior for commercial litigation and was recognised for two years running as one of Legal 500’s top 10 barristers under 8 years’ call for commercial litigation.
Many of Clara’s recent cases involve issues of fraud and dishonesty; she enjoys the careful forensic analysis required by such cases.
Clara has acted in a wide variety of shipping disputes, including the high-profile OW Bunker litigation. She was recently nominated by the Legal 500 as Shipping, Commodities and Aviation Junior of the Year 2023.
Clara particularly enjoys working on cases involving issues of private international law, having specialised in this subject during her BCL. She recently acted in Enka v Chubb, the leading case on the governing law of arbitration agreements.
Clara is the most junior member of the Bar to be ranked in Band 2 for commodities by the Legal 500.
Clara’s practice is increasingly focussed on insurance and reinsurance. She acts for both insureds and insurers and has experience of D&O, trade credit, business interruption, liability (including medical liability), property and marine insurance claims.
Commercial Dispute Resolution, Chambers UK Bar 2025
Shipping & Commodities, Chambers UK Bar 2025
Shipping & Commodities, Chambers UK Bar 2025
Fraud: Civil, Legal 500 2025
Commercial Litigation, Legal 500 2025
Insurance and Reinsurance, Legal 500 2025
International Arbitration: Counsel, Legal 500 2025
Shipping, Legal 500 2025
Commodities, Legal 500 2025
Commercial Dispute Resolution, Chambers UK Bar 2024
Shipping, Legal 500 2024
Commodities, Legal 500 2024
Insurance and Reinsurance, Legal 500 2024
Commercial Litigation, Legal 500 2024
International Arbitration: Counsel, Legal 500 2024
Fraud: Civil, Legal 500 2024
7KBW in landmark Russian aviation trial
7KBW shortlisted for 17 awards in The Legal 500 Bar Awards 2024
The Legal 500 Bar Awards shortlists 7KBW across several practice areas
Clara Benn appointed to Attorney General’s B Panel of Counsel
Enka v Chubb: Supreme Court confirms the proper approach to determining the governing law of an arbitration agreement
2012 – 2013: Bachelor of Civil Law, University of Oxford (Distinction)
2011 – 2012: Bar Professional Training Course, BPP Law School (Outstanding, top of year)
2010 – 2011: Graduate Diploma in Law, City University (Distinction)
2005 – 2008: BA History, University of Oxford (First Class, top 3% of year)
Lincoln’s Inn
In recent years, Clara has conducted interviews for admission onto the undergraduate Jurisprudence degree at Oxford.
‘Excellent on the law, and on the facts, with solicitors and with the clients. Just excellent all-round.’
Insurance and Reinsurance, Legal 500 2024