Keir maintains a wide-ranging practice in commercial litigation and arbitration. He has particular expertise in civil fraud, insurance and reinsurance, shipping and international trade, and all aspects of private international law. He is frequently instructed in cases involving allegations of dishonesty, corruption and other serious misconduct. He is ranked by both Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 for his work in civil fraud, insurance and general commercial litigation.

Keir has substantial experience of large-scale disputes, and he is familiar with the unique demands of heavy trials in which very large sums are at stake. He has acted in several of the most high-profile commercial cases of recent years: prominent examples include Brillante Virtuoso (marine insurance fraud), Republic of Djibouti v Boreh (alleged corruption relating to infrastructure projects in Africa) and Excalibur v Gulf Keystone (dispute over oil and gas exploration rights in Iraqi Kurdistan). Each of these disputes involved claims in excess of US$100 million and trials lasting for several months, and all attracted significant media interest.

Notable current and recent instructions include:

  • SKAT v Solo Capital and others: acting for one of the defendants in a fraud claim by the Danish revenue authorities, valued at more than £1 billion.
  • Maroil Trading v Cally Shipholdings and others: substantial claim involving allegations of breach of confidence.
  • TKC v Allianz: successful strike out of a claim under a business interruption insurance policy arising from the coronavirus pandemic.
  • Equitas v MMI: test case on the spiking of employers’ liability reinsurance claims, which recently settled when on appeal to the Supreme Court.

Keir has a first class degree in Japanese from the University of Leeds and a masters degree in Japanese literature from the School of Oriental and African Studies, in both cases coming top of his year group. He read law at the University of Oxford, obtaining a first class degree and coming fourth in the year. He joined 7KBW in 2011 following the completion of pupillage in chambers.

If you are interested in instructing Keir, please contact our clerks to discuss the requirements of the case and his availability.