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Sarah Martin

Sarah Martin

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

Having qualified as a solicitor with the Melbourne office of King & Wood Mallesons (formerly Mallesons Stephen Jaques) in 2002, Sarah studied for the BCL at Magdalen College, Oxford, for which she was awarded a Distinction.  In 2004 Sarah joined the London office of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, where she practised primarily in insurance litigation, requalifying as a UK solicitor with the firm in 2006.  Sarah joined 7KBW in 2008, following the completion of her pupillage.

Sarah practises in all areas of commercial law, with a particular emphasis on insurance and shipping, and has appeared as sole counsel in the Commercial Court, the former Mercantile Court, the Companies Court and the County Court.  The majority of her cases include a jurisdictional and/or foreign law dimension, so she has a detailed understanding of conflicts of law issues, and is accustomed to working closely with teams of foreign lawyers, most recently in Venezuela, Bulgaria, Greece and the U.S.

In the insurance sphere, Sarah has extensive experience of coverage disputes involving questions of construction of insurance and reinsurance contracts, and she has established a significant reputation in total loss claims arising from large-scale marine casualties, including vessel collisions, detentions and appropriation.  In recent years, Sarah has also built a substantial practice in very high value Bermuda Form arbitrations arising from U.S. mass tort litigation, frequently involving complex issues relating to proof of the insured’s underlying liability to third party claimants.

Sarah has a wide-ranging shipping practice, and her expertise extends across a broad range of sectors, including charterparties, carriage of goods, commodities, shipbuilding, and matters falling within the jurisdiction of the Admiralty Court.  She has acted in a large number of LMAA arbitrations, and is also experienced in obtaining urgent injunctive relief from the Commercial Court in support of ongoing arbitrations, including worldwide freezing injunctions and anti-suit injunctions.

Selected cases:

  • Contecon Guayaquil S.A v Ikaria Maritime Corporation (the “CCNI Antartico”): Acted as junior counsel for the claimant (led by Timothy Brenton QC) in an Admiralty claim in excess of US$16,000,000 arising out of a collision between a large container vessel and a berth and gantry crane in Ecuador, involving complex navigational issues.
  • The Owners and/or Demise Charterers of the ship “Ispat Star” v The Owners and/or Demise Charterers of the ship “Yong Sheng”: Acted as sole counsel in a collision claim, settling application for extension of time in which to serve admiralty claim form in rem under CPR 7.6(2).

Selected cases:

  • Orb a.r.l. and Ors v Ruhan (2015) (Claim No. 2012 Folio 1414): Acted as junior counsel for the claimants (led by James Drake QC, along with Nicholas Gibson of Matrix Chambers and James Goudkamp), in this complex and high value civil fraud case arising in connection with an oral profit sharing agreement that the claimants made with the defendant relating to the transfer of valuable assets, including a portfolio of hotels bordering Hyde Park.  The case was listed for a 4-month Commercial Court trial commencing in November 2016 but a settlement was reached in April 2016.
  • Interactive Technology Corporation Limited v Ferster and Ors: Advised the First Defendant (led by Clive Freedman QC) on discrete issues arising from this claim for breach of fiduciary duty, fraud and dishonest misappropriation of assets of a gaming business.
  • Godiva Mortgages Limited v Travelers Insurance Company & Willmett Solicitors, RSA and The Law Society: Acted as junior counsel for the Law Society (led by Dominic Kendrick QC) in a Commercial Court claim concerning aggregation under the Minimum Terms and Conditions of Professional Indemnity Insurance for Solicitors, arising out of the participation of a partner at Willmett Solicitors in a large-scale mortgage fraud on multiple lenders.
  • Acted as junior counsel (led by David Edwards QC and Alexander MacDonald) for a major UK mortgage lender in a complex insurance arbitration arising from large-scale mortgage fraud on the lender, raising issues of misrepresentation, non-disclosure and waiver as well as the proper quantification of losses when loans are still ‘performing’.

Selected cases:

  • Orb a.r.l. and Ors v Ruhan (2015) (Claim No. 2012 Folio 1414): Acted as junior counsel for the claimants (led by James Drake QC, along with Nicholas Gibson of Matrix Chambers and James Goudkamp), in this complex and high value civil fraud case arising in connection with an oral profit sharing agreement that the claimants made with the defendant relating to the transfer of valuable assets, including a portfolio of hotels bordering Hyde Park.  The case was listed for a 4-month Commercial Court trial commencing in November 2016 but a settlement was reached in April 2016.
  • Interactive Technology Corporation Limited v Ferster and Ors: Advised the First Defendant (led by Clive Freedman QC) on discrete issues arising from this claim for breach of fiduciary duty, fraud and dishonest misappropriation of assets of a gaming business.
  • Anglian Water Services Ltd v Laing O’Rourke Utilities Ltd [2010] 131 Con. L.R. 94 (25 June 2010): Appeared as junior counsel for the claimant (led by Andrew Wales QC) in the hearing of a Technology and Construction Court claim involving time bar issues in the context of a construction arbitration.
  • Appeared as sole counsel in a two-day Mercantile Court trial concerning a dispute over the construction of a mandate agreement and whether there existed in parallel a collateral oral agreement.
  • Acted as sole counsel on behalf of a claimant opposing an application to set aside a default judgment under CPR Part 13.

Selected cases:

  • Advised on the merits of a potential application under section 44 of the Arbitration Act 1996 in a marine cargo insurance claim arising from the alleged misappropriation of a quantity of ultra low sulphur diesel oil from shore tanks.
  • Septo Trading Inc v Tintrade Limited [2021] 1 Lloyd’s Rep 258; [2020] EWHC 1795 (Comm): Appeared on behalf of the claimant buyer (led by Robert Bright QC) in this claim for breach of contract arising from the sale of a cargo of fuel oil loaded on board the vessel ‘The NouNou’ in July 2018, which succeeded at first instance, but was overturned on appeal ([2021] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 591; [2021] EWCA Civ 718).  The judgments provide important guidance on the proper approach to the construction of sale contracts incorporating standard terms, where inconsistency is alleged.
  • Represented the claimant cargo owner (led by Peter MacDonald Eggers QC) in LMAA arbitration proceedings concerning the contamination of a bulk chemical cargo shipped from Latvia to Peru on the respondent’s vessel
  • Acted as junior counsel for the claimant (led by Rebecca Sabben-Clare QC) in an arbitration claim in which a declaration was sought under s 32 of the Arbitration Act 1996 that the sole arbitrator appointed by the claimant pursuant to s 17 of the Act had jurisdiction to determine, inter alia, whether a valid and binding contract of affreightment was concluded between the parties.
  • Trafigura Beheer BV v Yieh Phui (China) Technomaterial Co Ltd [2009] EWHC 2054 (Comm): Appeared as junior counsel for the claimant (led by Robert Bright QC) in an arbitration claim in which a declaration was sought under s 32 of the Arbitration Act 1996 that arbitral tribunals appointed pursuant to LME Arbitration Regulations had jurisdiction to determine claims arising from contracts for the sale of zinc.
  • Acted as sole counsel in a LMAA arbitration concerning a claim for breach of a series of CIF contracts for the sale of ore.
  • Advised on the construction of CFR contracts incorporating INCOTERMS 2000.

Selected cases:

  • Orb a.r.l. and Ors v Ruhan [2016] EWHC 850 (Comm): Acting as junior counsel for the claimants (led by James Drake QC, along with Nicholas Gibson of Matrix Chambers and James Goudkamp), in this complex and high value civil fraud case arising in connection with an oral profit sharing agreement that the claimants made with the defendant relating to the transfer of valuable assets, including a portfolio of hotels bordering Hyde Park.  A number of interim applications were heard over four days in March 2016, including the Claimants’ application to discharge a freezing injunction granted by Cooke J in March 2015.  The parties reached a settlement shortly thereafter.
  • Appeared as junior counsel (led by David Bailey QC) in two successful applications to the Commercial Court for anti-suit injunctions to restrain claims brought against Italian shipowners in Panama, the first being sought on the ground that the foreign proceedings were commenced in breach of a London arbitration agreement, and the second on the ground that the foreign proceedings were vexatious and oppressive.
  • Appeared as junior counsel for the claimant shipowners (led by Julia Dias QC) in three successful applications to the Commercial Court for worldwide freezing injunctions against the same foreign defendant in the context of arbitration claims for unpaid hire and damages under long term time charterparties.

Selected cases:

  • Currently acting for aircraft lessors in 11 ongoing Commercial Court aviation insurance/reinsurance claims arising out of the total loss of leased aircraft arising from the Russia/Ukraine conflict.  These form part of the suite of “Operator Claims” being case-managed by Henshaw J.
  • Currently instructed to advise reinsurers in relation to a potential property damage and business interruption claim arising from the Russia/Ukraine conflict.
  • Advised on the merits of a potential application under section 44 of the Arbitration Act 1996 in a marine cargo insurance claim.
  • Piraeus Bank A.E. v Antares Underwriting Limited and others (‘The ZouZou’) [2022] EWHC 1169 (Comm): Sarah represented the claimant mortgagee bank (led by Peter MacDonald Eggers QC) in this US$71 million marine insurance claim for the constructive total loss of ‘The ZouZou’, which was detained in Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela for over 14 months in 2015-2016, as a result of fuel smuggling charges laid against the crew and others.  In a judgment handed down on 17 May 2022, Mr Justice Calver dismissed the bank’s claim.
  • Libyan Navigator Co Ltd and General National Maritime Transport Company v Libya Insurance Co (‘The Badr’) (CL-2018-000831): Represented the shipowner claimants as first junior (led by Peter MacDonald Eggers QC) in this Commercial Court marine insurance claim for a constructive total loss, valued in excess of US$40 million, arising out of the arrest and subsequent detention of ‘The Badr’ in Bourgas, Bulgaria.  A settlement was reached in May 2021, shortly before the originally scheduled trial.
  • Fleetscape NSMH Limited v Axis Corporate Capital UK Limited and others (CL-2020-000158): Represented the claimant lender (led by Peter MacDonald Eggers QC) in this US$23 million insurance claim under a Mortgagees Interest Insurance Policy for the total loss of 11 vessels that were sold and/or scrapped by the shipowners without the claimant’s consent, which settled in September 2021.
  • Represented a Bermuda insurance company (led by Gavin Kealey QC) in a US$35 million Bermuda Form arbitration in which the insurer sought to rescind an excess liability policy on the grounds of material misrepresentations and non-disclosures by the insured in connection with the placement of the policy, which settled shortly before trial in early 2021.
  • Khalastchi and Atkins (in their capacity as joint liquidators of Altala Group Limited and Altala ELM Limited) v (1) John Dickinson and (2) Andrew Duncan (CR-2016-001185): Represented the Second Defendant’s professional indemnity insurers in this claim against the Altala companies’ former administrators, which included a claim for ‘loss of a chance’ to ensure that claims against the former directors were notified under the companies’ D&O policy prior to its expiry (settled pre-trial).
  • Represented the insurer (led by David Edwards QC) in an LCIA arbitration in which a law firm sought an indemnity under its solicitors’ professional indemnity insurance in respect of a claim made against it for alleged negligent advice in connection with the Consumer Credit Act 2006.
  • Represented the claimant general contractor in a Bermuda Form arbitration arising from the alleged defective construction of a tower block located in a major city in the U.S.A. (settled pre-trial).
  • Represented the successful assured manufacturer (led by David Edwards QC) in a two-week Bermuda Form arbitration arising out of product liability claims brought against the assured across the U.S.A. for injuries caused by its hip replacement products.
  • Acted for the respondent shipowner (led by Alistair Schaff QC) in a high value marine insurance arbitration arising from the loss of a livestock carrier that capsized and sank while loading its cargo of cattle in Brazil (settled pre-trial).
  • Godiva Mortgages Limited v Travelers Insurance Company & Willmett Solicitors, RSA and The Law Society: Acted as junior counsel for the Law Society (led by Dominic Kendrick QC) in a Commercial Court claim concerning aggregation under the Minimum Terms and Conditions of Professional Indemnity Insurance for Solicitors, arising out of the participation of a partner at Willmett Solicitors in a large-scale mortgage fraud on multiple lenders (settled pre-trial).
  • Acted as junior counsel (led by David Edwards QC and Alexander MacDonald) for a major UK mortgage lender in a complex insurance arbitration arising from large-scale mortgage fraud on the lender, raising issues of misrepresentation, non-disclosure and waiver as well as the proper quantification of losses when loans are still ‘performing’ (settled pre-trial).
  • Acted as sole counsel for the insurer in a dispute concerning the extent of its liability under a professional rugby player income protection policy, and represented it in successful mediation.
  • Kuwait Qatar Insurance Company (KSCC) v Gulf Rocks Co: Acted as junior counsel for the claimant insurer (led by Timothy Brenton QC) in a Commercial Court claim against a shipowner for negative declaratory relief under a hull and machinery policy, arising from a collision between two vessels in Mumbai in August 2010, which resulted in losses of around US$400 million (settled pre-trial).
  • Represented the successful claimant reinsured (led by William Wood QC) in a reinsurance coverage arbitration arising from travel policy delay claims settled by the reinsured following the eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland in April 2010.
  • Advised as junior counsel (led by Roger Stewart QC and Andrew Wales QC) in an insurance coverage dispute arising from alleged professional negligence on the part of sub-contractors involved in a major construction project.
  • Successfully defended the respondent insurer (led by Stephen Phillips QC) in a Bermuda Form arbitration arising from hurricane damage to a Caribbean resort.
  • Synergy Health (UK) Ltd v CGU Insurance Plc (t/a Norwich Union) & Ors [2011] 1 Lloyd’s Rep IR 500: Successfully defended the defendant broker (led by Richard Southern QC) in a Commercial Court fire insurance claim and a contingent claim for alleged brokers’ negligence.
  • Represented the successful claimant Lloyd’s syndicate (led by Richard Waller QC) in an arbitration concerning a claim against the syndicate’s coverholder for breach of binding authority agreements.
  • Appeared as junior to Adam Fenton QC in an arbitration concerning the aggregation of claims under a professional indemnity insurance policy.
  • Acted as junior counsel (led by Laurence Rabinowitz QC and James Brocklebank) in an insurance arbitration arising from alleged mis-selling of endowment mortgages by a major bank (settled pre-trial).
  • Acted as junior to Stephen Phillips QC and appeared as sole counsel at a mediation in a Commercial Court claim for negative declaratory relief on the ground of non-disclosure following a loss under a motor insurance policy.

Selected Cases:

  • Advised on the merits of a potential application under section 44 of the Arbitration Act 1996 in a marine cargo insurance claim.
  • Represented a Bermuda insurance company (led by Gavin Kealey QC) in a US$35 million Bermuda Form arbitration in which the insurer sought to rescind an excess liability policy on the grounds of material misrepresentations and non-disclosures by the insured in connection with the placement of the policy, which settled shortly before trial in early 2021.
  • Represented the claimant cargo owner (led by Peter MacDonald Eggers QC) in LMAA arbitration proceedings concerning the contamination of a bulk chemical cargo shipped from Latvia to Peru on the respondent’s vessel
  • Represented the claimant general contractor in a Bermuda Form arbitration arising from the alleged defective construction of a tower block located in a major city in the U.S.A. (settled pre-trial).
  • Represented the successful claimant buyer (led by Charles Priday) in a 4-day LMAA arbitration concerning the enforceability of two shipbuilding contracts that were alleged to have been performed illegally.
  • Represented the successful assured manufacturer (led by David Edwards QC) in a two-week Bermuda Form arbitration arising out of product liability claims brought against the assured across the U.S.A. for injuries caused by its hip replacement products.
  • Acted for the respondent shipowner (led by Alistair Schaff QC) in a high value marine insurance arbitration arising from the loss of a livestock carrier that capsized and sank while loading its cargo of cattle in Brazil (settled pre-trial).
  • Instructed by the respondent shipowners in a US$12 million LMAA arbitration arising from a dispute regarding a ferry service operated by charterers in Central America, including appearing as junior counsel (led by David Bailey QC) in two successful applications to the Commercial Court for anti-suit injunctions.
  • Successfully defended the respondent buyer (led by Charles Priday) in a LMAA arbitration concerning the enforceability of a shipbuilding contract that was backdated to avoid IACS Common Structural Rule and PSPC requirements.
  • Acted as junior counsel for the claimant shipowner (led by Charles Priday) in a LMAA arbitration concerning the charterer’s entitlement to terminate a long term time charterparty, raising issues as to the appropriate measure of damages and applicable discounts (settled pre-trial).
  • Successfully defended the respondent insurer in a Bermuda Form arbitration arising from hurricane damage to a Caribbean resort.  Led by Stephen Phillips QC
  • Appeared as junior to Richard Southern QC representing a Chinese shipping company in an arbitration concerning the charterer’s entitlement to terminate a long term time charterparty.
  • Acted as junior counsel for the claimant (led by Rebecca Sabben-Clare QC) in an arbitration claim in which a declaration was sought under s 32 of the Arbitration Act 1996 that the sole arbitrator appointed by the claimant pursuant to s 17 of the Act had jurisdiction to determine, inter alia, whether a valid and binding contract of affreightment was concluded between the parties.
  • Acted as sole counsel in an arbitration concerning the application of the CONWARTIME 2004 clause in the context of piracy.
  • Acted as junior counsel (led by to Stephen Hofmeyr QC) in a LMAA arbitration involving a claim for recovery of a deposit paid under a MOA for the sale of a vessel, on the ground of late delivery.
  • Represented the successful claimant Lloyd’s syndicate (led by Richard Waller QC) in an arbitration concerning a claim against the syndicate’s coverholder for breach of binding authority agreements.
  • Acted as junior counsel (led by Simon Picken QC) in an arbitration concerning a claim relating to the proper distribution of funds paid into a consortium bank account following the alleged repudiatory breach of certain time charterparties by a third party.
  • Acted as sole counsel in a LMAA arbitration concerning a claim for breach of a series of CIF contracts for the sale of ore.

Selected cases:

  • Libyan Navigator Co Ltd and General National Maritime Transport Company v Libya Insurance Co (‘The Badr’) (CL-2018-000831): Successfully obtained an order for alternative service of the claim form on the Defendant to these marine insurance proceedings, which was not challenged.
  • Advised as to the availability of anti-suit injunctions to restrain claims brought against Italian shipowners in Panama, initially on the ground that the proceedings were commenced in breach of a London arbitration agreement, and latterly on the ground that the proceedings were vexatious and oppressive.
  • Successfully defended the respondent buyer (led by Charles Priday) in a LMAA arbitration concerning the enforceability of a shipbuilding contract that was backdated to avoid IACS Common Structural Rule and PSPC requirements, including advising as to the law governing the enforceability of a related guarantee.
  • Contecon Guayaquil S.A v Ikaria Maritime Corporation (the “CCNI Antartico”): Advised on governing law and scope of s 16 of the Pilotage Act 1987 as junior counsel for the claimant (led by Timothy Brenton QC) in an Admiralty claim in excess of US$16,000,000 arising out of a collision between a large container vessel and a berth and gantry crane in Ecuador.
  • Kuwait Qatar Insurance Company (KSCC) v Gulf Rocks Co [2011] EWHC 774 (Comm): Appeared as junior counsel for the claimant insurer (led by Alistair Schaff QC) in a successful application for permission to serve a Commercial Court marine insurance claim out of the jurisdiction, subsequently upheld upon challenge at inter partes hearing.
  • Advised as to the law and jurisdiction applicable to an aquaprotector insurance policy, including as to the prospects of seizing jurisdiction by pre-emptive proceedings for negative declaratory relief.
  • Advised as to the availability of an anti-suit injunction in support of an arbitration agreement in arbitration proceedings arising from a dispute concerning the performance of contracts of affreightment.

Selected cases:

  • Stallion Eight Shipping Co S.A. v (1) Barry Rogilano Salles S.A.S. (2) Gregory Wauthier; (3) Bank of America Merrill Lynch International: Currently appointed by the Third Defendant to give expert evidence on English law in these proceedings before the Piraeus Court of First Instance, Greece.
  • Khalastchi and Atkins (in their capacity as joint liquidators of Altala Group Limited and Altala ELM Limited) v (1) John Dickinson and (2) Andrew Duncan (CR-2016-001185): Represented the Second Defendant’s professional indemnity insurers in this misfeasance claim against the Altala companies’ former administrators (settled pre-trial).
  • Represented the insurer (led by David Edwards QC) in an LCIA arbitration in which a law firm sought an indemnity under its solicitors’ professional indemnity insurance in respect of a claim made against it for alleged negligent advice in connection with the Consumer Credit Act 2006..
  • Advised as junior counsel (led by Roger Stewart QC and Andrew Wales QC) in an insurance coverage dispute arising from alleged professional negligence on the part of sub-contractors involved in a major construction project.
  • Synergy Health (UK) Ltd v CGU Insurance Plc (t/a Norwich Union) & Ors [2011] 1 Lloyd’s Rep IR 500: Successfully defended the defendant broker (led by Richard Southern QC) in a Commercial Court fire insurance claim and a contingent claim for alleged brokers’ negligence.
  • Acted as junior counsel (led by Sioban Healy QC) representing one of two defendants in a professional negligence claim relating to the placement of reinsurance with an alleged fraudulent enterprise (settled pre-trial).
  • Represented the successful claimant Lloyd’s syndicate (led by Richard Waller QC) in an arbitration concerning a claim against the syndicate’s coverholder for breach of binding authority agreements.
  • Acted as sole counsel for the defendant broker in a High Court (Chancery Division) claim for breach of contract/misrepresentation.

Selected cases:

  • Advised on the merits of a potential application under section 44 of the Arbitration Act 1996 in a marine cargo insurance claim.
  • Piraeus Bank A.E. v Antares Underwriting Limited and others (‘The ZouZou’) [2022] EWHC 1169 (Comm): Sarah represented the claimant mortgagee bank (led by Peter MacDonald Eggers QC) in this US$71 million marine insurance claim for the constructive total loss of ‘The ZouZou’, which was detained in Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela for over 14 months in 2015-2016, as a result of fuel smuggling charges laid against the crew and others.  In a judgment handed down on 17 May 2022, Mr Justice Calver dismissed the bank’s claim.
  • Septo Trading Inc v Tintrade Limited [2021] 1 Lloyd’s Rep 258; [2020] EWHC 1795 (Comm): Appeared on behalf of the claimant buyer (led by Robert Bright QC) in this claim for breach of contract arising from the sale of a cargo of fuel oil loaded on board the vessel ‘The NouNou’ in July 2018, which succeeded at first instance, but was overturned on appeal ([2021] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 591; [2021] EWCA Civ 718).  The judgments provide important guidance on the proper approach to the construction of sale contracts incorporating standard terms, where inconsistency is alleged.
  • Libyan Navigator Co Ltd and General National Maritime Transport Company v Libya Insurance Co (‘The Badr’) (CL-2018-000831): Represented the shipowner claimants as first junior (led by Peter MacDonald Eggers QC) in this Commercial Court marine insurance claim for a constructive total loss, valued in excess of US$40 million, arising out of the arrest and subsequent detention of ‘The Badr’ in Bourgas, Bulgaria.  A settlement was reached in May 2021, shortly before the originally scheduled trial.
  • Fleetscape NSMH Limited v Axis Corporate Capital UK Limited and others (CL-2020-000158): Represented the claimant lender (led by Peter MacDonald Eggers QC) in this US$23 million insurance claim under a Mortgagees Interest Insurance Policy for the total loss of 11 vessels that were sold and/or scrapped by the shipowners without the claimant’s consent, which settled in September 2021.
  • Represented the claimant cargo owner (led by Peter MacDonald Eggers QC) in LMAA arbitration proceedings concerning the contamination of a bulk chemical cargo shipped from Latvia to Peru on the respondent’s vessel.
  • Stallion Eight Shipping Co S.A. v (1) Barry Rogilano Salles S.A.S. (2) Gregory Wauthier; (3) Bank of America Merrill Lynch International: Currently appointed by the Third Defendant to give expert evidence on English law in these proceedings before the Piraeus Court of First Instance, Greece.
  • Represented the successful claimant buyer (led by Charles Priday) in a 4-day LMAA arbitration concerning the enforceability of two shipbuilding contracts that were alleged to have been performed illegally.
  • Acted for the respondent shipowner (led by Alistair Schaff QC) in a high value marine insurance arbitration arising from the loss of a livestock carrier that capsized and sank while loading its cargo of cattle in Brazil (settled pre-trial).
  • Instructed by the respondent shipowners in a US$12 million LMAA arbitration arising from a dispute regarding a ferry service operated by charterers in Central America, including appearing as junior counsel (led by David Bailey QC) in two successful applications to the Commercial Court for anti-suit injunctions.
  • Successfully defended the respondent buyer (led by Charles Priday) in a LMAA arbitration concerning the enforceability of a shipbuilding contract that was backdated to avoid IACS Common Structural Rule and PSPC requirements.
  • Acted as junior counsel for the claimant shipowner (led by Charles Priday) in a LMAA arbitration concerning the charterer’s entitlement to terminate a long term time charterparty, raising issues as to the appropriate measure of damages and applicable discounts (settled pre-trial).
  • Contecon Guayaquil S.A v Ikaria Maritime Corporation (the “CCNI Antartico”): Acted as junior counsel for the claimant (led by Timothy Brenton QC) in an Admiralty claim in excess of US$16,000,000 arising out of a collision between a large container vessel and a berth and gantry crane in Ecuador, involving complex navigational issues.
  • Kuwait Qatar Insurance Company (KSCC) v Gulf Rocks Co: Acted as junior counsel for the claimant insurer (led by Timothy Brenton QC) in a Commercial Court claim against a shipowner for negative declaratory relief under a hull and machinery policy, arising from a collision between two vessels in Mumbai in August 2010, which resulted in losses of around US$400 million.
  • Appeared as junior counsel for the claimant shipowners (led by Julia Dias QC) in three successful applications to the Commercial Court for worldwide freezing injunctions against the same foreign defendant in the context of arbitration claims for unpaid hire and damages under long term time charterparties.
  • Appeared as junior to Richard Southern QC representing a Chinese shipping company in an arbitration concerning the charterer’s entitlement to terminate a long term time charterparty.
  • Acted as junior counsel (led by to Stephen Hofmeyr QC) in an LMAA arbitration involving a claim for recovery of a deposit paid under an MOA for the sale of a vessel, on the ground of late delivery.
  • Acted as sole counsel in an arbitration concerning the application of the CONWARTIME 2004 clause in the context of piracy.
  • Farenco Shipping Co Ltd v Daebo Shipping Co Ltd [2009] 1 Lloyd’s Rep 81: Appeared as junior counsel for the claimant (led by Stephen Hofmeyr QC) in a multi-party dispute concerning the construction of letters of indemnity issued pursuant to charterparties.
  • Acted as junior counsel (led by Simon Picken QC) in an arbitration concerning a claim relating to the proper distribution of funds paid into a consortium bank account following the alleged repudiatory breach of certain time charterparties by a third party.
  • Advised in relation to package limitation under the Hague and Hague-Visby Rules.
  • “Sarah is an incredibly clever junior.”
  • “Sarah is excellent in assisting with disputes.”

     Shipping & Commodities, Chambers UK Bar 2025

  • “Sarah is extremely hard-working and is incredibly involved in the detail of her cases. She never misses anything!”

     Insurance, Chambers UK Bar 2025

  • ‘Sarah goes above and beyond to meet client’s needs. She is incredibly bright, analytical, detail oriented and her written work is excellent.’

     Insurance And Reinsurance, Legal 500 2025

  • ‘Sarah is an extremely capable lawyer and very easy to work with.’

     Shipping, Legal 500 2025

  • “Sarah Martin is meticulous and exceptionally thorough. You know that she has considered everything, which is a real comfort.”
  • “Sarah is a delight to work with. She is an incredibly hard worker and will do whatever it takes to get the job done well and to provide a work product which goes beyond the client’s expectations.”
  • “Sarah has a first-class intellect backed up by a commercial mind. She is also highly approachable and a pleasure to work with.”

     Insurance, Chambers UK Bar 2024

  • “Sarah has a first-class intellect backed up by a commercial mind. She is also highly approachable and a pleasure to work with.”
  • “Sarah is very clear on case detail and strategy.”

     Shipping & Commodities, Chambers UK Bar 2024

  • ‘Sarah is an outstanding all-rounder – a razor-sharp legal mind combined with commercial acumen and vision.’

     Shipping, Legal 500 2024

  •  ‘Clever, responsive, loyal, reliable, enormously diligent and a tremendously safe pair of hands.’

     Insurance And Reinsurance, Legal 500 2024

  • “She is astute, takes all the right points and is very good on the law.” Chambers & Partners 2023
  • “Sarah’s legal analysis is simply jaw-dropping. She reverts with a detailed plan of action within very short time-frames.” Chambers & Partners 2023
  • “Sarah has a sharp legal mind and always seeks to look three steps ahead.” Chambers & Partners 2023
  • ‘Hugely talented, responsive and commercial. A pleasure to work with.’ Legal 500 2023
  • ‘An impressive, intellectual legal mind with excellent attention to detail combined with a breezy and approachable nature. Extremely responsive and a pleasure to work with. A real find.’ Legal 500 2022
  • ‘Incredibly responsive, commercially minded and legally strong. Sarah’s ability to turn around multiple complex pieces of time-sensitive work never ceases to amaze me.’  Legal 500 2022
  • “She is very attentive and focused and able to pay attention to great detail in cases. She is also very reliable, approachable and friendly. Highly responsive, practical and efficient.” Legal 500 2021
  • “Approachable, responsive, easy to work with, understands the issue and provides tailored advice.” Legal 500 2021
  • “She is extremely bright, incredibly thorough and very hardworking”. Legal 500 2020
  • “She is exceedingly good”. Legal 500 2020

  • Trustee, Marshall Hall Trust

    Inner Temple Bar Liaison Committee and Education & Training Committee

    Secretary, Mini-Pupillage Committee, 7KBW

  • Magdalen College, University of Oxford: MPhil (2003-2004)

    A chapter of Sarah’s thesis was published as ‘Lost and Destroyed Evidence: The Search for a Principled Approach to Abuse of Process’, (2005) 9 International Journal of Evidence and Proof 158-182

    Magdalen College, University of Oxford: BCL, Distinction (2002-2003)

    Sarah was awarded a Sir Robert Menzies Memorial Scholarship to study at Oxford, one of two postgraduate law scholarships awarded by the Menzies Foundation to Australian lawyers each year for tenure at UK universities.

    University of Melbourne, Australia: BA/LLB (Hons), First Class (2000)

    At the conclusion of her degree, Sarah was ranked second on the law Honours class list, and awarded the Spero Wilson Memorial Scholarship. During her degree, Sarah was also awarded prizes for her academic performance by Ormond College, including the Fowles Prize for Law, and was an Editor of the Melbourne University Law Review.

    Professional Qualifications

    Called to the Bar of England and Wales (March 2008)

    Completed Qualified Lawyers’ Transfer Test, to qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales (October 2006)

    Admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria, Australia (April 2002)

    Languages

    French (Working Knowledge)

Expertise

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