Siobán Healy KC

Siobán Healy KC

Silk: 2010 | Call: 1993

Practice Profile


Siobán practises commercial law including arbitration, insurance and reinsurance, international carriage of goods and commodities, shipping, professional negligence, conflict of laws and jurisdiction disputes, and banking.

Siobán acted for the lead Claimants in the litigation arising out of the Buncefield explosion and for the appellant reinsurers in Wasa v. Lexington, one of the last ever judgments to be given by the House of Lords.

She is retained in several unrelated Commercial court actions involving allegations of professional negligence by insurance brokers and solicitors. Siobán acted for insurers in the long-running Metro litigation. She has also been involved in the film finance insurance litigation.

In recent years Siobán has been instructed in a number of insurance disputes relating to political risks and trade credit insurance, directors’ and officers’ liability, mis-selling of financial products, construction risks, the Lloyd’s market, alleged brokers’ negligence and commodity and shipping and arbitration appeals.

She is frequently involved as an advocate or arbitrator in insurance, reinsurance, maritime and sale of goods arbitrations and mediations, and in advisory work in relation to commodity arbitrations where legal representation at hearings is not ordinarily permitted. During the last year her shipping and commodities practice has included disputes under charterparties and bills of lading, shipbuilding and ship sale contracts, sale of goods contracts and related financial transactions.

Since taking silk in 2010 Siobán has been recommended by the Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 Directories as a leading silk in the fields of insurance and reinsurance, international arbitration, shipping and commodities, professional negligence and commercial litigation, having been consistently recommended as a leading junior in those fields before she took silk.

Siobán was Chambers & Partners’ Insurance Junior of the Year 2009, having previously been short-listed for the Award in 2007 and 2008. In 2019 and 2018, she was nominated for International Arbitration Silk of the Year at the Legal 500 Awards.

Areas of practice

Siobán has a broad commercial practice, with particular expertise in advocacy and advisory work in the following areas:

Insurance and reinsurance; Professional negligence; Shipping; International carriage of goods and commodities; Conflict of laws and jurisdiction disputes; Arbitration; Commercial contracts and Banking.

Siobán also regularly acts as an arbitrator in insurance and reinsurance, international trade and shipping and general contractual disputes and has experience of arbitrating under UNCITRAL, ARIAS, LCIA, SIAC and ICC rules. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, a member of ARIAS(UK)’s panel of arbitrators, a member of SIAC’s and AIAC’s panels and of the CAS Panel.

Insurance and reinsurance form a major part of Siobán’s practice.

Shortly before she took silk, Siobán was described by Chambers & Partners as: “undoubtedly amongst the top ranks of leading juniors”. “An insurance wizard who knows her subject back to front’, she regularly handles high profile matters.”  Siobán was Chambers & Partners’ Insurance Junior of the Year in 2009, having previously been short-listed for the Award in 2008 and 2007. Since taking silk in 2010 Siobán has continued to be recommended as a leading practitioner in the field of insurance and reinsurance by Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500, with Chambers 2013 noting that “she comes highly recommended by a number of her peers”.

Siobán has been involved in much of the major insurance and reinsurance litigation which has taken place over the last 20 years such as that involving Lloyd’s Names, the LMX and PA spirals, and film finance contingency insurance.

She regularly advises in relation to and appears as an advocate in insurance brokers’ e&o disputes, both for and against brokers.

Current and recent work includes acting for insured or insurer in relation to political risks and trade credit insurance, directors’ and officers’ liability and company reimbursement insurance, insurance of large construction risks, property damage and business interruption insurance and reinsurance; advising on coverage, attachment, aggregation, notification and double insurance in professional indemnity, products liability and property damage insurances; acting for London reinsurers in jurisdiction disputes; and acting for a London broker in litigation concerning terrorism exclusions.

Siobán’s experience as a director of the Bar Mutual Indemnity Fund Ltd over 15 years has given her an additional insight into insurance business. Siobán frequently acts as an arbitrator in insurance and reinsurance disputes and is a panel member of the Insurance and Reinsurance Arbitration Society (“ARIAS(UK)”).

Many of the insurance and reinsurance disputes in which Siobán is retained are determined in arbitration or settled before trial.  A selection of reported cases concerning insurance and reinsurance in which Siobán has appeared is set out below.

Selected cases:

  • Beazley Underwriting Limited v The Travelers Companies Incorporated [2012] Lloyd’s Rep. IR 78. Insurance dispute arising out of the judgment in Standard Life Assurance Ltd v Oak Dedicated Ltd and Others [2008] EWHC 222 (Comm), [2008] Lloyd’s L.R. 552. Decided issues of policy construction, and the effect of subjectivities on a slip.
  • Wasa v. Lexington [2010] 1 AC 180; [2009] 3 WLR 575; 2 Lloyd’s Rep. 508; [2008] Lloyd’s Rep. IR 510; [2007] 1 Lloyd’s Rep. 604 (nature of a reinsurance contract; whether reinsurers under reinsurance contract liable to provide an indemnity for losses falling outside period of cover where insurance and reinsurance on back to back terms; application of US triple trigger principles to reinsurance placed in England)
  • DHL v. Erinaceous [2010] 1 Lloyd’s Rep.  IR 149, [2009] Lloyd’s Rep. IR 464; [2008] Lloyd’s Rep. IR 676 (rectification of insurance contract; joinder; roles of producing and placing brokers)
  • Encia v. Canopius [2008] Lloyd’s Rep. IR 79 (whether professional indemnity policy provided cover for design and build contracts)
  • Diab v. Regent Insurance Co Ltd [2007] 1 WLR 797; [2006] Lloyd’s Rep. IR 779.  Acted for successful respondent insurance company in establishing that there was no rule of law that a repudiation by an insurer of liability on a ground unconnected with compliance by the insured with the claim notification provisions of the policy relieved the insured of the obligation to comply with those provisions.
  • Limit No. 3 v. PDV [2005] Lloyd’s Rep. IR 552 Court of Appeal (Acted for Respondent reinsurer applying to stay proceedings for negative declaratory relief on grounds of forum non conveniens)
  • Paine v. SJO Catlins [2005] Lloyd’s Rep. IR 665 (Construction of condition precedent in fire insurance)
  • Assicurazioni Generali v. CGU [2004] Lloyd’s Rep. IR 457; [2003] Lloyd’s Rep. IR 725  Court of Appeal on appeal from Gavin Kealey QC (Acted for Respondent reinsurers on appeal to the Court of Appeal on construction of “Follow Settlements” clauses in reinsurance contract.  Appeal dismissed.)
  • Glencore International v. Alpina Insurance [2004] 1 Lloyd’s Rep. 111; [2004] 1 Lloyd’s Rep. 567 Moore-Bick J. (Instructed by insurers in ‘Phase 5’ of the Metro litigation dealing with insurance issues viz: scope of duty of disclosure under an open cover; misrepresentation and non-disclosure, scope of coverage including any one loss any one location,  number of takings, application of policy limit, basis of valuation;  effect of declarations post-loss under oblig/oblig and fac/oblig insurance open covers; recovery for losses known to the assured prior to moment of loss.)
  • Alexander Forbes v SBJ Ltd [2003] Lloyd’s Rep. IR 432 (insurance brokers’ duties regarding notifications of circumstances)
  • Tradigrain v. S.I.A.T [2002] 2 Lloyd’s Rep. 553 Colman J. (Conflict of laws in relation to insurance policies, jurisdiction, Brussels-Lugano Convention Articles 8, 12a, 17, 22)
  • Chase v. Ram [2000] 2 Lloyd’s Rep. 418 Timothy Walker J. (Jurisdiction/forum conveniens where underwriters have registered to do business overseas)
  • Eide v. Lowndes Lambert [1999] QB 199 Court of Appeal; [1998] 3 WLR 643; [1998] 1 Lloyd’s Rep. 389  (Insurance broker’s lien on policy or proceeds; composite insurance)
  • Boskalis v. Mountain [1999] QB 674; [1998] 2 WLR 538; [1997] LRLR 523 Rix J and Court of Appeal (Marine insurance; sue and labour; constructive total loss; conflict of laws; illegality)
  • Hellenic Mutual War Risks Assn v. Harrison “The Sagheera” [1997] 1 Lloyd’s Rep. 160 Rix J. (Marine insurance; legal professional privilege; litigation privilege)
  • Yona v. LRF [1996] 2 Lloyd’s Rep. 84 Moore-Bick J (Political risks insurance; reinsurance; agency)
  • Cox v. Bankside [1995] 2 Lloyd’s Rep. 437 at p. 439 Phillips J. (Construction summons on division of proceeds of E&O policies in Lloyd’s litigation)

A large percentage (and in some years, the majority) of cases in which Siobán is instructed across all of the fields in which she practices involve disputes which are referred to arbitration rather than proceedings in court. Siobán is recommended as a leading silk by Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500 in the field of international commercial arbitration.  Recent directory comments concerning her arbitration practice include:  “a rising star” who “always does a good job”, “her recent instructions demonstrate the breadth of her expertise.”,  “accurate, precise and extremely able.”, “She is bright and thorough, and quickly gets to grips with the legal and factual issues at hand”; “has a ‘very sharp mind; excellent at providing high-quality pleadings very quickly’.” 

Current and recent arbitration instructions as counsel include acting for London and overseas insurers and reinsurers in disputes regarding trade credit and political risks insurance in Singapore and South East Asia, advising London reinsurers on a Peruvian arbitration arising out of a professional liability dispute, representing London based political risk insurers of a South American hazardous waste treatment plant in an LCIA arbitration; representing shipowners in a charterparty  arbitration concerning rights and obligations relating to civil unrest in Syria, acting for London insurers in a Lithuanian arbitration concerning property damage and business interruption to a Lithuanian industrial plant; acting for Swiss buyers of Indonesian coal in an LCIA arbitration; acting for owners of a Panamax vessel in an LMAA arbitration concerning alleged failure to maintain RightShip approval; acting for insurers in a Cayman arbitration concerning hurricane damage; and acting as arbitrator in several LCIA disputes concerning alleged breaches of commodity supply contracts and related charterparty disputes.

Siobán has also appeared as an advocate in litigation connected with the arbitration process, including numerous appeals from arbitration awards and The “Mass Glory” [2002] 2 Lloyd’s Rep. 244 Moore-Bick J.  which concerned the application of the principles of remoteness of damages to string arbitrations.

Siobán also frequently  acts as arbitrator in both domestic and international arbitrations. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

See a list of examples below in the Arbitration & Mediation section, listing Siobán’s recent involvement in arbitrations as an arbitrator and as counsel.

Many of the commercial disputes in relation to which Siobán is retained involve one or more parties from outside the jurisdiction, carriage of goods or insurance of liability, property or other risks located overseas, and potentially conflicting foreign laws.  As a result, Siobán has extensive experience of advising and appearing as an advocate in relation to difficult jurisdictional issues and conflicts of law.  This ranges from providing advice at an early stage of a dispute as to choice of a forum in which to commence litigation or arbitration to advocacy in the appellate courts on complex points of conflicts of law.

Selected cases:

  • Wasa v. Lexington [2010] 1 AC 180; [2009] 3 WLR 575; 2 Lloyd’s Rep. 508; [2008] Lloyd’s Rep. IR 510; [2007] 1 Lloyd’s Rep. 604 (application of US triple trigger principles to back to back English law reinsurance contract)
  • Limit No. 3 v. PDV [2005] Lloyd’s Rep. IR 552 Court of Appeal (Acted for Respondent reinsurer applying to stay proceedings for negative declaratory relief on grounds of forum non conveniens)
  • Tradigrain v. S.I.A.T [2002] 2 Lloyd’s Rep. 553 Colman J. (Conflict of laws, jurisdiction, Brussels-Lugano Convention Articles 8, 12a, 17, 22)
  • The Metro litigation (phase II) October 2001 Moore-Bick J. (Alleged misappropriation of large quantities of oil from Fujairah; conflict of laws where numerous parties claim title to commingled goods; formation of contract)
  • Chase v. Ram [2000] 2 Lloyd’s Rep. 418 Timothy Walker J. (Jurisdiction/forum conveniens where underwriters have registered to do business overseas)
  • Boskalis v. Mountain [1999] QB 674; [1998] 2 WLR 538; [1997] LRLR 523 Rix J and Court of Appeal (Marine insurance; sue and labour; constructive total loss; conflict of laws; illegality)
  • Phoenix Marine v. China Ocean [1999] 1 Lloyd’s Rep. 682 Moore-Bick J. (Civil Evidence Act 1972 – weight to be given to previous decision on foreign law)
  • Mauritius Oil v. Stolt Nielsen “The Stolt Sydness” [1997] 1 Lloyd’s Rep. 273 Rix J. (Shipping; conflict of laws: relevance of foreign decisions on interpretation of a foreign statute incorporated into an English law contract).

Professional negligence is one of the areas in which Siobán has developed a strong reputation, acting both for and against a variety of professionals, most notably insurance brokers, solicitors, accountants and surveyors.

According to the legal directories, Siobán “has extensive experience of running difficult and complex professional negligence trials”; “when you need somebody to deal with nasty, complex, large matters, she’s the one to call”. She is: “enthusiastically recommended for the indemnity aspects of professional negligence actions.” and “Top-quality junior Siobán Healy continues to win recognition for her brokers’ defence work.”.

Current and recent instructions include: acting for two firms of solicitors in unrelated disputes concerning alleged negligence in relation to sale and purchase transactions, acting for solicitors in a dispute with their professional indemnity insurers, representing solicitors in Commercial Court litigation concerning the setting up of film finance tax deferral schemes, advising a range of professionals on notification provisions in professional indemnity policies following the Kidsons litigation; acting for the lead Claimants in the Buncefield litigation who successfully alleged negligence in the operation of the tank farm at Hemel Hempstead leading to an explosion of catastrophic proportions; advising accountants facing professional negligence allegations arising out of tax advice and audit work; advising on attachment and aggregation issues in relation to insurance of veterinary professionals; and acting for a London insurance broker in Commercial Court litigation concerning the use of terrorism exclusions in insurance policies in the aftermath of 9/11.

Selected cases:

  • Webb Resolutions Ltd v JV Ltd [2012] EWHC 3526 (TCC) (surveyors’ negligence)
  • Beazley Underwriting Limited v The Travelers Companies Incorporated [2012] Lloyd’s Rep. IR 78. Insurance dispute arising out of the judgment in Standard Life Assurance Ltd v Oak Dedicated Ltd and Others [2008] EWHC 222 (Comm), [2008] Lloyd’s L.R. 552. Decided issues of policy construction, and the effect of subjectivities on a slip.
  • DHL v. Erinaceous [2010] 1 Lloyd’s Rep. IR 149, [2009] Lloyd’s Rep. IR 464; [2008] Lloyd’s Rep. IR 676 (surveyors’ professional indemnity insurance; joinder; roles of producing and placing brokers)
  • Encia v. Canopius [2008] Lloyd’s Rep. IR 79 (whether professional indemnity policy covering remediation consultants provided cover for design and build contracts)
  • Alexander Forbes v SBJ Ltd [2003] Lloyd’s Rep. IR 432 (insurance brokers’ duties regarding notifications of circumstances concerning pensions advice given by financial intermediaries)

Siobán has specialised in shipping, international trade and commodities since qualifying as a solicitor in 1990 and these areas have formed a core part of her practice at the Bar ever since, with Siobán being consistently recommended by the legal directories as a leading junior in these areas prior to taking silk in 2010. She is now recommended by Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500 as a leading silk.

Recent directory comments include: “one of the true shipping and commodity specialists at the bar”, “highly recommended for her “no-nonsense, get-to-it attitude.” She has a “big fan club” of lawyers who rely on her expertise in shipping, international trade and commodities disputes.”; “Outstanding”; “well respected …, widely admired for the strength of her marine insurance practice and for her ‘fantastic expertise in commodities.’”.

The majority of disputes in the shipping and international trade fields are referred to arbitration rather than litigated in Court.  Siobán regularly appears as an advocate at shipping arbitrations conducted in accordance with the rules of the London Maritime Arbitrators’ Association.

The subject-matter of current and recent instructions on shipping law includes safe and unsafe ports, dangerous cargoes, oil major and RightShip approval, seaworthiness, off-hire, nominations, cancellation and termination, damages following the decision of the House of Lords in The Achilleas, laytime and demurrage, bills of lading, misdelivery, letters of indemnity, disputes under shipbuilding and ship sale contracts.

Siobán has acted for buyers and sellers in commodity trading disputes involving coal, cobalt, coffee, cocoa, sugar, oils, gas, metals, rice, grains, soyabeans, frozen seafood and many other commodities.  She is experienced in representing clients either as an advocate (or, at trade arbitrations where legal representation is not permitted, an advisor) in commodity arbitrations before most of the London-based commodity trade associations such as LME, GAFTA, FOSFA, and RSA.

Increasingly, she is instructed as an advocate or appointed as arbitrator in relation to shipping,  commodity and trade finance disputes before international arbitration tribunals in accordance with LCIA, ICC, SIAC or UNCITRAL arbitration rules.

Recent work includes advocacy for the respondent in the arbitration appeal proceedings in Carboex v Louis Dreyfus [2013] 2 WLR 754,  advice in relation to commodity-related derivatives agreements such as SCoTA and other agreements based on the ISDA Master Agreement; representing a party in Commercial Court litigation concerning a force majeure clause in a petcoke supply contract; and acting as advocate for sellers in two LCIA arbitrations arising out of coal supply contracts and an LME arbitration concerning supply of copper under an agreement incorporating the Vienna Convention.

Selected cases:

  • Carboex SA v Louis Dreyfus Commodities [2013] 2 WLR 754. Acted for Louis Dreyfus in this case which concerned whether a voyage charterparty strikes exception clause applied to vessels which were delayed in berthing due to congestion caused by the after-effects of a strike which had ended before the vessels berthed.  The Court of Appeal held, distinguishing the decision of the House of Lords in Central Argentine Railway v Marwood [1915] AC 981, that the strikes exception could apply to delay in discharging caused by congestion due to the after-effects of a strike that had ended.
  • The “Happy Day” [2002] 2 Lloyd’s Rep. 487 CA; [2001] 1 Lloyd’s Rep. 754 Langley J. (Whether despatch payable to charterers where no valid notice of readiness given)
  • The “Mass Glory” [2002] 2 Lloyd’s Rep. 244 Moore-Bick J. (Measure of damages in string arbitration under a series of charterparties; calculation of laytime where no valid notice of readiness given)
  • Tradigrain v. S.I.A.T [2002] 2 Lloyd’s Rep. 553 Colman J. (Conflict of laws and jurisdiction issues arising out of storage of vegetable oil in India, Brussels-Lugano Convention Articles 8, 12a, 17, 22)
  • The Metro litigation (phase II) October 2001 and (phase V) [2004] 1 Lloyd’s Rep. 111; [2004] 1 Lloyd’s Rep. 567 Moore-Bick J. (Alleged misappropriation of large quantities of different grades of oil from Fujairah; conflict of laws where numerous parties claim title to blended/commingled goods; formation of contract)
  • The “Nour” [1999] 1 Lloyd’s Rep. 1 Tuckey J. and Court of Appeal (Time and voyage charterparties: indemnity; dangerous cargo; deviation)
  • Phoenix Marine v. China Ocean [1999] 1 Lloyd’s Rep. 682 Moore-Bick J. (Identity of parties in ship sale contract – weight to be given to previous decision on foreign law)
  • Mauritius Oil v. Stolt Nielsen “The Stolt Sydness” [1997] 1 Lloyd’s Rep. 273 Rix J. (Shipping; conflict of laws: relevance of foreign decisions on interpretation of a foreign statutory version of Hague Rules incorporated into an English law contract).

Siobán accepts arbitration appointments in relation to disputes falling within her areas of expertise, in particular insurance and reinsurance, shipping, international trade and commodities, conflicts of law and professional negligence.  She has been appointed as arbitrator in arbitrations conducted in accordance with the UNCITRAL, ARIAS, LCIA, and ICC Rules as well as ad hoc international arbitrations.

Sioban is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, a member of the ARIAS(UK) Panel of Arbitrators, a member of the LCIA, a supporting member of the London Maritime Arbitrators’ Association and is on the CAS panel of arbitrators and an Arbitration Panel Member of Sport Resolutions UK.

Please see below for a list of examples of Siobán’s recent arbitral appointments:

Siobán Healy KC, FCIA: details of involvement in arbitration

[NB: Party names and other confidential information have been removed]

A. Examples of recent arbitration experience as arbitrator

  1. 2022 Appointed as co-arbitrator in two related LMAA arbitration disputes regarding condition of a vessel at delivery and redelivery under bare boat charterparties;
  2. 2022 Appointed as chair of 3 person LMAA tribunal in dispute regarding responsibility for time lost due to discovery of narcotics. Award issued 2022;
  3. 2022 Appointed as presiding member of a Premier League Judicial Panel regarding sanctions for breach of the Youth Development Rules. Ruling issued 2022;
  4. 2021-22 Appointed as presiding arbitrator of a panel of three in ICC arbitration regarding a combined financial and professional insurance policy. Partial Award issued 2022;
  5. 2021 Appointed as co-arbitrator in US$21 million LCIA arbitration of disputes arising out of pharmaceutical distribution agreement. Final hearing 2022;
  6. 2021-22 Appointed as chair of 3 person tribunal in US$11 million SIAC arbitration of oil trading disputes. Final hearing 2022;
  7. 2021-22 Appointed as co-arbitrator in two different CAS disputes regarding alleged match fixing. Award pending issue in one;
  8. 2021-22 Appointed as chair of 3 person tribunal in Bermuda Form arbitration regarding hospital infections. Hearing due 2023;
  9. 2020-22 Appointed as co-arbitrator in LCIA arbitration dispute regarding non-delivery of cargoes of Russian export blend Crude Oil. Award issued 2022;
  10. 2020-22 Appointed as co-arbitrator in LCIA arbitration claim for damages under contract for supply of copper ingots. Award issued 2022;
  11. 2020 Appointed as co-arbitrator in ARIAS insurance dispute regarding construction all risks project in the DRC. Case settled;
  12. 2020-22 Appointed as sole arbitrator in two LCIA arbitrations regarding contracts for the supply of Manganese ore. Award issues 2022;
  13. 2019-22 Chair of 3 person panel in ICC sale and purchase dispute. Awards issued in 2021 and 2022;
  14. 2019 Chair of 3 person panel in LCIA dispute concerning indemnities under share purchase agreement
  15. 2019 Sole arbitrator in LCIA dispute under investment placement agreement
  16. 2019 Party-appointed arbitrator in CAS football dispute
  17. 2018-2019 Chair of 3 person panel in dispute arising under share sale & purchase agreement, status of prior arbitration and availability of arbitral anti-suit relief
  18. 2018-2019 Chair of 3 person panel in LCIA arbitration concerning sanctions and the Statute of Frauds in relation to the payment of money under a guarantee
  19. 2018-2019 Sole arbitrator in LCIA arbitration regarding allegedly defective commodities
  20. 2015-2019 Chair of 3 person CAS Appeal Panel
  21. 2017-2018 Sole arbitrator appointed by ICC in dispute arising under contracts for the sale and purchase of dried distillers’ grains
  22. 2017-2018 Chair of 3 person panel in LCIA arbitration concerning disputes under contract for sale of fuel oil
  23. 2017-2018 Party-appointed arbitrator in LCIA arbitration regarding disputes under coal supply contracts
  24. 2017-2018 Sole arbitrator in SIAC arbitration concerning claims and counterclaims arising out of agreement for the transportation of equipment
  25. 2017 Chair of LMAA panel of arbitrators appointed by co-arbitrators in dispute regarding suitability of LNG vessel and consequent delays
  26. 2017 Sole arbitrator in LCIA arbitration concerning disputes arising out of contracts for the removal and replacement of vessel mast cranes
  27. 2017 Party-appointed arbitrator in UNCITRAL arbitration regarding disputes under long term LNG supply contract
  28. 2017 Chairperson of panel of arbitrators in shipbuilding dispute
  29. 2016 Party-appointed arbitrator for Sellers in LCIA arbitration concerning disputes over quality and rights of rejection under commodity sales contract.
  30. 2016 Party-appointed arbitrator for Charterers in LMAA arbitration concerning disputes under Supplytime Charterparty
  31. 2016 Chairperson of 3-person panel in share sale dispute referred to arbitration under the arbitration rules of the Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce
  32. 2016 Party-appointed arbitrator in reinsurance dispute
  33. 2016 One of 3 arbitrators in LCIA arbitration concerning dispute under precious metals sale and purchase contract
  34. 2015 Sole arbitrator in LCIA arbitration in dispute arising under contract for the supply of steel to Turkey.
  35. 2015-2018 Party appointed arbitrator in LMAA arbitration concerning disputes under a charterparty regarding safety of navigation and pilotage.
  36. 2015 Sole arbitrator in ad hoc arbitration concerning allocation of responsibility for costs of underwater diving inspections to search for drugs in South America.
  37. 2015 Chair of panel of 3 arbitrators in LCIA arbitration concerning disputes under a shareholders’ agreement.
  38. 2015 One of 3 arbitrators in LCIA arbitration concerning liabilities for costs of delay in sale of goods dispute.
  39. 2014 Sole arbitrator in ad hoc domestic arbitration between professional indemnity insurance company and insured solicitor regarding obligation to provide an indemnity. Appointed by agreement between the parties pursuant to arbitration clause in the insurance policy.
  40. 2013 One of 3 arbitrators in LCIA arbitration concerning disputes under long term coal supply agreement. Decision and summary reasons following oral hearing issued within 4 months of appointment with Award and detailed reasons shortly thereafter.
  41. 2013 One of 3 arbitrators in LCIA arbitration concerning commodity sale contract and alleged breach of Iran sanctions. Drafted sections of Award concerning sanctions.
  42. 2013 Sole arbitrator in ad hoc domestic arbitration between 3 firms of solicitors and insurance company regarding insurers’ obligation to provide an indemnity under a professional indemnity insurance policy.
  43. 2011-2012 Chair of 3 person arbitration tribunal appointed by the LCIA in international arbitration dispute concerning vessel nomination obligations under charterparty and price and quality issues under SCOTA coal sale contract.
  44. 2010-2011 One of 3 person arbitration tribunal appointed by LCIA in international arbitration regarding alleged repudiation of sale contract, novation of contract, reservation of the right of disposal of goods shipped under a bill of lading, re-vesting of title upon acceptance of repudiation under Sale of Goods Act, issues as to causation, remoteness and mitigation of damages, expert evidence as to market price of goods in various jurisdictions to which cargo could have been sent
  45. 2011 Chair of a 3 person arbitration tribunal appointed by the LCIA in an international arbitration concerning the sale of petroleum products
  46. 2010 Sole arbitrator appointed by the LCIA in international arbitration dispute between two companies regarding contracts for the sale of steel coils
  47. 2009-2010 one of two party-appointed arbitrators in ICC international arbitration which parties changed to LCIA rules by ad hoc agreement who liaised to appoint chair. Dispute concerned sale of biofuels.
  • “Siobán dominates proceedings with her trusting, highly effective and authoritative advocacy. She is stellar in shipping and sports law.”
  • “Siobán is excellent and very knowledgeable. She is thorough, measured and calm.”
  • “Siobán is a go-to practitioner who has a clear knowledge of law and procedure. She is courteous, unfailingly fair and of the highest quality.”

      Shipping & Commodities, Chambers UK Bar 2025

  • “Siobán is very thorough, fair andpragmatic with an immense intellect and strong legal analysis.”
  • “Siobán’s an incredibly humble character but she’s incredibly bright, very detailed and very hard-working.”
  • “Siobán Healy is a stellar arbitration and shipping practitioner. She really dominates the proceedings and wins the trust of the tribunal instantly.”

      International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance, Chambers UK Bar 2025

  • “Siobán Healy is very popular as an arbitrator because she’s so responsive. You can feel confident that she will get an award in good time.”
  • “Siobán is excellent. She’s very knowledgeable, especially in commodities and energy arbitrations, and a very pleasant person to be in front of.”
  • “Siobán’s qualities are at the highest level that I would expect a top arbitrator to have. She’s knowledgeable of the law and procedure, courteous, businesslike and unfailingly fair.”
  • “Siobán is a top-tier choice for a tribunal. She has huge experience as an arbitrator in a wide range of challenging cases, so she is ready for anything, and she’s immensely intellectual.”

      International Arbitration: Arbitrators, Chambers UK Bar 2025

  • “Siobán is extremely dedicated, responsive and thorough.”
  • “Siobán has a real eye for detail, with a client-friendly approach.”

      Insurance, Chambers UK Bar 2025

  • ‘A pragmatic KC with an immense intellect, she has huge experience in commodities matters.’

      Commodities, Legal 500 2025

  • ‘Extremely hardworking, resilient and a great team player.’

      Insurance And Reinsurance Legal 500 2025

  • ‘Highly in demand, she is very thorough, with extensive experience in handling a wide range of challenging cases.’

      Energy Legal 500 2025

  • ‘There is a good reason why she is so well respected by tribunals. She is a towering intellect and tenacious advocate.’

       Commercial Litigation Legal 500 2025

  • “Siobán Healy is well regarded.”

      Insurance, Chambers UK Bar 2024

  • “She is very experienced. A great, thorough and wonderful lawyer.”
  • “She is very impressive and sees things from the point of view of the client.”

      Shipping & Commodities, Chambers UK Bar 2024

  • ‘Top league: excellent legal analysis, very user-friendly. Siobán is very bright, hard working and meticulous in her preparation and is always on top of the details of the case – her style of delivery at a hearing is measured and effective.’

      International Arbitration: Counsel Legal 500 2024

  • ‘Siobán offers superb legal analysis and an excellent understanding of strategy and commercial priorities.’

      Commodities, Legal 500 2024

  • ‘Siobán is very bright, hard working and meticulous in her preparation. She is always on top of the details of the case. Her style of delivery at a hearing is measured and effective.’

      Insurance And Reinsurance Legal 500 2024

  • ‘Outstandingly effective – a great grip on the detail and the big picture. She quickly earns the respect of the client and tribunals. A superb advocate – she dominates the hearings.’

       Commercial Litigation Legal 500 2024

  • ‘Offers superb legal analysis and is very fair. Tribunal members have confidence in her judgment. Excellent understanding of strategy and commercial priorities. User-friendly and very easy to work with while top league.’

      Energy Legal 500 2024

 

Chambers & Partners 2007-2023

Insurance:

  • “She is extremely user-friendly, super responsive and a joy to work with.” “She is a highly experienced insurance practitioner.”
  • “Very personable, sensible to deal with and takes a very calm and pragmatic approach to matters.” “A tough, very impressive advocate.”
  • “Brilliantly good. She has a hugely strong insurance practice.” “Meticulous attention to detail, calm on her feet and an effective advocate.”
  • “Incredibly diligent. She really gets to the nub of the issues very quickly.” “Very bright and very clear.”
  • “Siobán is a very popular QC with the insurance market. She is hard-working, technically excellent, very responsive and easy to work with.” “She has a very clear and deep understanding of professional indemnity insurance.”
  • “She’s very good, very user-friendly and really good at going the extra mile.” “Hard working, technically excellent, very responsive and easy to work with.”
  • “She’s very thorough, gets to the nub of a case quickly and is not afraid of wrestling with difficult issues.”
  • “A multi-talented insurance barrister with a solid practice who focuses on marine, professional indemnity and D&O work for and against brokerages. She is equally adept on paper as she is on her feet in court.”
  • “A very popular QC within the insurance market, who is hard-working, technically excellent, very responsive and easy to work with.”
  • “she comes highly recommended by a number of her peers.”
  • “extremely quick at cracking open complex cases.”
  • “at the top of her game”
  • Siobán Healy has won accolade after accolade for her recent involvement in acting for claimants in litigation arising out of the Buncefield explosion, as well as for her key role in the Wasa v Lexington matter. Sources describe her as “an extremely proactive and robust advocate who takes the initiative but who is always mindful of the need to operate as a team.”
  • The “very able” Siobán Healy recently supported Alistair Schaff on Wasa v Lexington.
  • Siobán Healy has also attracted attention for her roles in key litigation and arbitration, including the film finance litigation.

International Arbitration:

  • “A very good and extremely pleasant lawyer.”
  • “Considerate, thorough and presents arguments very firmly.”
  • “Very strong, clear advice.” “She is very expert on the law, and she offers a really high level of legal analysis.”
  • “Advises clients on commercial arbitration matters, and also sits as an arbitrator. She receives a wide variety of instructions in areas such as insurance, shipping, commodities and conflict of laws issues.”
  • “She is very user-friendly and approachable, and a very effective advocate.”
  • “a rising star” who “always does a good job” “Her recent instructions demonstrate the breadth of her expertise”
  • “accurate, precise and extremely able.”
  • “She is bright and thorough, and quickly gets to grips with the legal and factual issues at hand”

Professional Negligence:

  • Siobán Healy QC has extensive experience of running difficult and complex professional negligence trials.
  • “When you need somebody to deal with nasty, complex, large matters, she’s the one to call”
  • Siobán Healy is singled out for her “real depth of insight into the insurance industry.”
  • “Siobán Healy has a broad commercial law practice and is noted for her expertise in insurance work. She was instructed by claimants on litigation arising out of the Buncefield explosion.”

Shipping and Commodities:

  • “Siobán is commercially astute and understands shipping, insolvency and banking law.” “Siobán is excellent.”
  • “She pays meticulous attention to detail and is an effective advocate who is calm on her feet.” “She had a very nice manner with the tribunal, and a very authoritative and commanding presence that really had them eating out of her hand.” “She has a very down-to-earth approach combined with a high-flying academic record.”
  • “She is clever, responsive and pays close attention to detail.” “She is exceptional: bright, thorough and hard-working.” “She is very respected by tribunals and able to wipe the floor with the other side.”
  • “She pays meticulous attention to detail and is an effective advocate who is calm on her feet.” “She had a very nice manner with the tribunal, and a very authoritative and commanding presence that really had them eating out of her hand.” “She has a very down-to-earth approach combined with a high-flying academic record.”
  • “Her written advocacy is very high-quality and she has an easy way with tribunals. She strikes up a good rapport and is well respected by them.”
  • “High-calibre, intellectually rigorous and calm. She is very firmly on top of her cases.” “Exceptionally sharp, very effective and very hard-working.”
  • “She was a pleasure to work with; she was considered, thorough and she presented the arguments very firmly.”
  • “She sees the big picture but also takes a very detailed approach and picks over all the minutiae of the case.”
  • “Handles an array of shipping cases involving issues ranging from unsafe ports to bills of lading and charter parties. She also represents both sellers and buyers in trading disputes.”
  • “one of the true shipping and commodity specialists at the Bar”
  • highly recommended for her “no-nonsense, get-to-it attitude.” She has a “big fan club” of lawyers who rely on her expertise in shipping, international trade and commodities disputes.
  • well respected …, widely admired for the strength of her marine insurance practice and for her “fantastic expertise in commodities.”
  • A “bright lawyer” with a commendable knowledge of commodities.
  • Ex-solicitor Siobán Healy “is well regarded and has a good practice” that encompasses shipping commodities, international carriage of goods as well as insurance and general commercial work. “She runs her cases very resiliently” and has been acting for insurers in the long-running Metro litigation. She also appeared in a number of commodity and shipping arbitrations over the last year.

 

Legal 500 2007-2023

Commercial Arbitration:

  • Technical brilliance and a real eye for the right strategic moves. A powerful advocate and well respected by the tribunals.
  • A first-class guide on how the tribunal will approach any given problem or issue.
  • Outstanding intellect, but also easy-going, responsive and user friendly.
  • A bold advocate and much respected by arbitration tribunals.
  • She has really impressive intellectual rigour and a top legal mind.
  • She has outstanding legal ability and penetrates to the real issues.
  • She is very clear in her advice and exudes great confidence.
  • The very highest quality of lawyer, with unassailable intellect and flawless judgement.
  • has a “very sharp mind; excellent at providing high-quality pleadings very quickly.”
  • “Siobán Healy frequently acts as counsel in insurance/reinsurance and maritime arbitrations and has sat as an arbitrator in several reinsurance disputes”

Commercial Litigation:

  • ‘First rate.’
  • Bright, incredibly hardworking, forensically detailed and very-well prepared. She is a very strong advocate.
  • Superb, with meticulous preparation and far sighted strategic thinking.
  • Very calm and thorough, and excellent in maintaining trust and confidence.
  • Tremendously hardworking – look up thoroughness in the dictionary and you will find her name.
  • An excellent lawyer – hardworking decisive and calm.
  • A very calm and thorough counsel, who has outstanding legal ability and penetrates to the real issues.
  • She turns work around quickly and is very accessible.
  • “Noted for her ‘astonishing grasp of detail'”
  • “Alistair Schaff QC led Siobán Healy to success in the House of Lords against Jonathan Sumption QC and … Christopher Butcher QC”

Commodities:

  • ‘She has great depth of experience is user-friendly and commercially-minded, and provides thorough and meticulous analysis.’
  • A delight to work with, she shows technical brilliance and a real eye for the right strategic moves.
  • Unassumingly superb and meticulous in preparation, she presents clear and logical advice in a user-friendly manner.
  • Very knowledgeable, quick to the point and clear.
  • She has a strong advocacy skills and pedigree in international trade and commodities disputes.
  • A top legal mind, who has impressive intellectual rigour and deals with issues calmly and authoritatively.
  • Very calm, thorough and proactive, she has outstanding legal ability and penetrates the real issues.
  • Highly intelligent, very able and user-friendly, and dogged in pursuit of perfection.
  • ‘She is a highly effective yet approachable advocate with great poise and presence.’
  • “Outstanding”
  • “new silk Siobán Healy QC is very good for commodities and insurance”
  • “a bright lawyer” with “good knowledge of commodities.”
  • Siobán Healy is “very responsive, very helpful and clear-thinking” and benefits from her background as an international trade and commodities solicitor.

Insurance & Reinsurance:

  • ‘A very thorough and responsive barrister, who gives very clear and practical advice; and is also an excellent advocate, calm under pressure and engaging.’
  • Bright, incredibly hard-working, forensically detailed, and very well-prepared – a very strong advocate.
  • Clients really like her; she is very practical, gets to the nub very quickly and always delivers. She is also great in court.
  • She is excellent on her feet.
  • A sharp intellect and is incredibly easy to work with.
  • Bright, thorough, persuasive and unflappable in her advocacy.
  • Her attention to detail is extraordinary.
  • She is very bright, phenomenally hardworking and has a great eye for detail.
  • Very highly thought of.
  • In Wasa v Lexington … Alistair Schaff QC led the ‘always impressive’ Siobán Healy QC to victory against … Christopher Butcher QC and … Jonathan Sumption QC.
  • gets to grips with complex issues quickly.

International Arbitration: Counsel;

  • ‘A very thorough and responsive barrister who gives very clear and practical advice and is also an excellent advocate, calm under pressure and engaging.’

Professional Negligence:

  • “Enthusiastically recommended for the indemnity aspects of professional negligence actions.”
Energy:
  • She provides thorough and meticulous analysis and can see issues from the client’s side, the solicitors’ side and also the tribunal’s side.’
  • A tenacious and impressive advocate.
  • She exudes confidence, turns round work quickly, and is very accessible.
  • ‘Thorough, responsive and effective.’

Shipping:

  • ‘Thorough and meticulous analysis. User-friendly and commercially minded. Can see issues from the client’s side, the solicitors’ and also the tribunal which is a very useful skill.’
  • Calm under pressure and highly knowledgeable. An engaging advocate with clear presentation skills. Succinct and sticks to the point.
  • A great strategist and very able practitioner.
  • Superbly thorough.
  • Very thorough.
  • Incisive and very good on paper.
  • A very calm silk, whose thorough approach penetrates to the real issues and proactivity allows her to think ahead.

Who’s Who Legal 2016

  • Siobán Healy QC is revered for her “professional” and “dedicated” practices. She is recognised this year for her “top-notch” work in the areas of insurance and reinsurance, and international trade and commodities.

Before joining chambers Siobán was a solicitor and trainee solicitor with Richards Butler from 1988-1993.  She specialised in commodity and shipping arbitrations and litigation, insurance disputes and also gained extensive experience of general commercial court litigation.

  • Siobán was a Director of the Bar Mutual Indemnity Fund Limited and a member of the Board’s investment committee from 1995 – 2010. In 2011 Siobán was appointed a member of the Bar Standards Board’s Professional Conduct Committee.

    She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, a member of ARIAS(UK)’s panel of arbitrators, a member of Combar, a member of the LCIA, a supporting member of the London Maritime Arbitrators’ Association, a member of the London Shipping Law Centre, a member of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre panel and a member of British Insurance Law Association.

    Sioban Healy KC is a member of the Premier League Judicial Panel.

  • Brasenose College, Oxford BA Jurisprudence

    Oxford University Prize (Martin Wronker prize) for 1st place in Administrative law; Brasenose College Law Prize

    Northwestern University School of Law LL.M

    Fulbright Scholar; James Nelson Raymond International Fellow; BUNAC Award; Dean’s List

    Admitted as a Solicitor in 1990.

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