Several members of Chambers are featured in The Lawyer’s Top 20 Cases of 2026.
Cases included are:
Nord Stream AG v Lloyd’s Insurance Company SA and Arch Insurance (Europe)
“The mystery of the Nord Stream explosions resurfaces” according to The Lawyer, who say this is a case that could “reshape how insurers interpret conflict-related risk”, with “geopolitics, sanctions and sovereignty all in play”.
The dispute primarily relates to the 2022 explosions which ruptured the Nord Stream 1 pipelines transporting Russian gas to Germany beneath the Baltic Sea. Nord Stream AG is suing insurers for in excess of €600m for damage to the pipelines. Key issues include the cost of repair and the cause of explosions, including whether they constitute war-or terrorism-related acts for the purposes of the insurance cover.
Alexander MacDonald is acting for the claimant, Nord Stream AG, with Paul Stanley KC and Benjamin Cartwright of Essex Court Chambers, instructed by Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer partners Alexander Oddy and Greig Anderson, senior associate Hamish Hunter, and associates Elinor Richardson, Samantha Shanks and Hannah Warren.
Commercial Court, April 2026.
Virgo Marine and Nixie Marine v Reed Smith and Barclays Bank
Described by The Lawyer as a “sanctions standoff over $13m” which tests the liability of both law firms and banks, this Commercial Court litigation raises important and novel issues concerning international sanctions compliance for UK legal and financial institutions. It will examine the nature of a firm of solicitors’ contractual, tortious and professional obligations when acting as escrow agent, and will be among the first to consider the scope of the Retained Blocking Regulation.
As escrow holder, Reed Smith agreed to hold funds in connection with the proposed purchase of a vessel in its client account at Barclays bank. Following the imposition of US sanctions on the Claimant purchaser, the sale of the vessel fell through. Reed Smith initially requested Barclays to ‘block’ the funds, but subsequently instructed Barclays to transfer the balance of the purchase price to the Claimants’ legal representatives. Barclays, however, have refused to process Reed Smith’s instruction on the basis that doing so may damage its reputation, or break a law, regulation or sanction. As a result, the funds remain in Reed Smith’s client account and cannot be returned.
The Claimants claim against Reed Smith for negligence, breach of contract, breach of trust and breach of confidence. Reed Smith claims against Barclays for breach of contract.
Jawdat Khurshid KC and Anna Gotts are instructed for the Defendant by Sarah Clover and Ivan Wilkinson of Clyde and Co LLP.
To view the full list please click here (behind paid firewall).
