Keir joined 7KBW in October 2011 following completion of pupillage in Chambers, and has since developed a busy and wide-ranging junior practice, covering all of Chambers’ core practice areas.
His work often involves allegations of civil fraud. A prominent recent instruction was to act for the defendants in Djibouti v. Boreh, a US$150 million claim, in which Keir was junior counsel in the 7KBW team which secured the discharge of a worldwide freezing order, and then represented the defendants at a ten-week trial in the Commercial Court. The judgment was a comprehensive success for the defendants, dismissing all of the claims: [2016] EWHC 405 (Comm).
Keir is currently acting for underwriters in the case of the Brillante Virtuoso, a claim in excess of US$100 million involving an alleged fraud on the London marine insurance market. He has strong experience of insurance and reinsurance disputes more generally, including significant claims involving asbestos liabilities and political risks, as well as frequently advising on coverage points. High profile instructions in this field include representing the appellants in Equitas v. Municipal Mutual Insurance, a dispute concerning the spiking of reinsurance claims, in which permission to appeal has recently been given: [2018] 1 Lloyd’s Rep IR 377.
Keir also regularly acts in shipping matters (ranging from small charterparty and contract of affreightment disputes, to major claims such as an arbitration for sums in excess of US$50 million involving an FPSO). His other instructions are diverse and have included multi-billion dollar oil and gas disputes, as well as a wide variety of general commercial litigation and arbitration.
If you are interested in instructing Keir, please contact our clerks to discuss the requirements of the case and his availability.
