• "David is sharp, incisive and a fighter." (Chambers UK, 2023)

• “David is extremely intellectually curious. He is very quick and very, very bright.” (Chambers UK, 2022)

• “He is fantastic.” (Chambers UK, 2021)

• "He is very experienced in shipping-related work." (Legal 500, 2021)

• "He has a fantastic, scientific mind; he's able to pick up a whole stack of technical data and cross-examine on it really effectively." (Chambers UK, 2020)

• "He is incisive, leaves no stone unturned and grasps technical issues incredibly quickly." (Chambers UK, 2020)

• "Phenomenally bright, extremely well organised and a pleasure to deal with.""He has meticulous attention to detail." (Chambers UK, 2019)

• "...he speaks with a great voice of authority and has a lot of gravitas"..."Outstanding..." (Who's Who Legal, 2018)

• "...Highly intelligent and always quick to spot a good point..." (Legal 500, 2017)

• "...Incredibly cerebral and really excellent..." (Chambers UK, 2017)

• "...Smart and incisive, he sees clearly to the heart of the issue..." (The Legal 500, 2016)

David’s involvement with digital currencies goes right back to the early days of 2011, long before the current vogue for the sector. He was a founding member of the UK Digital Currency Association in 2014 and was responsible for the UKDCA’s submissions to the State of New York in relation to its proposed Bit License in 2015. He has lectured and spoken widely on the subject both in the UK and Europe and has advised a variety of clients in the sector including exchanges, hedge funds and others. He has particular expertise in relation to the regulatory framework for financial services as it applies to digital currencies, ICO’s and tokens, both in the UK and globally but also benefits from a wide network of contacts in the sector and many years of practical experience as well as an understanding of the underlying technologies.

David regularly advises in relation to ship-finance related issues, including (in particular) banking related litigation arising out of shipbuilding contracts such as Bankhaus Wolbern AG v. China Construction Bank Corp [2012] which concerned enforcement of a US$ 10 million refund guarantee against a Chinese Bank.

Although primarily a shipping and international trade specialist, David’s commercial practice also includes representing individuals and companies in relation to other substantial matters, such as claims for commission, claims arising out of options and futures contracts, intellectual property disputes and joint ventures.

David remains a leading barrister in this sector and is ranked as a leading silk both by the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners. Although he no longer acts as an advocate David brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his advisory practice. In recent years, he has been described as "a first-class brain who is exceptionally clever, analytical and incisive" (Chambers UK - shipping and commodities), as "absolutely phenomenal", "runs rings around the opposition and can grasp complex issues exceptionally quickly" (Chambers UK - Shipping and commodities) and as “outstanding” and “for some, the brightest man at the Bar” (Legal 500). He is comfortable with technical cases including engineering, chemistry and related disciplines.

David remains a leading barrister in this sector and is ranked as a leading silk both by the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners. Although he no longer acts as an advocate David brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his advisory practice. He was "rightly rewarded with silk" (Legal 500 - shipping) in 2006 and since then has gone from strength to strength. In recent years, he has been described as "a first-class brain who is exceptionally clever, analytical and incisive" (Chambers UK - shipping and commodities), as "absolutely phenomenal", "runs rings around the opposition and can grasp complex issues exceptionally quickly" (Chambers UK - Shipping and commodities) and as “outstanding” and “for some, the brightest man at the Bar” (Legal 500). He is comfortable with technical cases including engineering, chemistry and related disciplines and is able to advise both in relation to wet and dry matters.

David regularly advises in insurance matters, primarily (although not exclusively) in relation to marine-insurance related issues. He was counsel for the assured in the NORTH STAR litigation which involved a total loss claim arising out of the loss of a bulk carrier in Piraeus by bombing and acted for underwriters in relation to the US$ 90 million BRILLIANTE VIRTUOSO litigation.

David has acted in countless arbitrations (in particular but not limited to LMAA, LOF, LCIA and ICC). He is able to advise on all aspects of arbitration law and practice and is pleased to accept appointments as an arbitrator. In that capacity, he brings a calm and patient demeanour and an understanding of the issues and difficulties facing parties and their advisors.

David is an accredited CEDR mediator.

David regularly advises clients (primarily buyers and banks) in relation to ship sale and construction disputes.

David's energy-related practice includes claims arising out of the carriage and sale of oil cargoes, oil pollution issues and claims for oil and gas pipeline damage.