• "Luke Parsons is a charming advocate and one of the best barristers at the Bar." (Chambers UK, 2025)
• "Luke is one of the best shipping advocates in the country." (Chambers UK, 2025)
• "Luke is able to shrewdly cut through the complexities and noise to focus the tribunal on the core issues." (Chambers UK, 2025)
• "I've never seen anyone as good at cross-examination as he is." (Chambers UK, 2025)
• "Luke works extremely hard and during a hearing is always the best-prepared person in the room. He is a confident and persuasive advocate as well as being very commercial and pragmatic in his advice." (Legal 500, 2025)
• "Highly intelligent and effective advocate. One of the best cross examiners at the London Bar." (Legal 500, 2025)
• "He has a calming presence on any file and has a key grasp of the complex cases." (Chambers UK, 2024).
• "He is really heavyweight in the shipping area, great to work with and really collegiate." (Chambers UK, 2024)
• “He’s really fantastic, smart and a good cross-examiner.” (Chambers UK, 2024)
• "Luke combines second-to-none knowledge of international trade and energy 
  issues with excellent commercial judgement and a super-responsive attitude." (Legal 500, 2024)
• "Luke is an excellent advocate and stands out for his sense of awareness as how best to present a client’s case in court or arbitration. He is a leading strategist in his field of advocacy." (Legal 500, 2024)
• "He's very client-friendly, really smart and provides very clear advice. He's very commercial in his approach as well." (Chambers UK, 2023)
• "A difficult opponent who is willing to get stuck in and fight a case." (Chambers UK, 2023)
• "He's clear, decisive and always very quick to respond." (Chambers UK, 2023)
• "His views are always well respected." (Chambers UK, 2023)
• "He is a first-class advocate." (Chambers UK, 2023)
• "Luke is extremely bright and very persuasive." (Chambers UK, 2023)
• "Brilliant on his feet. A razor sharp cross examiner. Can think outside the box and find solutions where others can’t." (Legal 500 Asia Pacific, 2023)
• "Luke is a deep-thinking and charming advocate." (Legal 500 Asia Pacific, 2023)
• "He is insightful, technically brilliant on his feet and has excellent repertoire with the bench." (Legal 500, 2023)
• "A highly effective trial advocate whose involvement in a case can make the difference between winning and losing" (Legal 500, 2023)
• "Luke is a top go-to barrister, particularly for knotty, complex claims. He is excellent not only in written work, but also in his advocacy, and solicitors value and trust his judgement. Although Luke is a brilliant barrister, he is approachable and respectful – even when solicitors are young and starting out, he treats them like their input is valuable, and that stays with them." (Legal 500, 2023)
• "An excellent advocate and one of the leaders in the shipping space." (Legal 500 Asia Pacific, 2022)
• “He deploys a different lens that people have not looked through and is good on strategy. He demonstrates inspirational thinking, tenacity and determination.” (Chambers UK, 2022)
• “Luke is extremely clever and very persuasive and is able to make complex submissions very succinctly. He has a very easygoing style of advocacy which goes down very well with tribunals.” (Chambers UK, 2022)
• "Sharp and strategic." (Legal 500, 2022)
• "A skilled cross-examiner who is always in full command of his brief." (Legal 500, 2022)
• "Very clever, with the gift of expressing complicated issues and arguments in extremely concise and simple terms, Luke is one of the top Silks for marine and energy disputes." (Legal 500, 2022)
• "His clean and precise approach in court leaves nothing to be desired." (Legal 500, 2022)
• "A master strategist in litigation with an unparalleled insight into the ways commercial judges and arbitrators think. Highly persuasive." (Legal 500, 2022)
• "A litigator with prodigious skill in the court room, one of the leaders of the shipping Bar." (Legal 500 Asia Pacific, 2021)
• "He is very, very clever and has the gift of making very complex points in an extremely simple way." (Legal 500 Asia Pacific, 2021)
• "Smart, persuasive and eloquent." (Legal 500 Asia Pacific, 2021)
• “Luke is one of the very best Silks; his advocacy and cross-examination is incisive, succinct and effective.” (Chambers UK, 2021)
• “One of the most experienced people at the Bar, he is smooth, calm and measured.” (Chambers UK, 2021)
• “His cross-examination is superb, a real spectacle to watch in the courtroom.” (Chambers UK, 2021)
• “He is very hard-working and detailed. He is also an absolute pleasure to instruct and work with, and you know he will be committed.” (Chambers UK, 2021)
• “A Silk for the cases that are very hard to win.” (Chambers UK, 2021)
• "A litigator with prodigious skill in the courtroom and a commercially minded legal advisor who cuts to the key issues." (Legal 500, 2021)
• "A first-class advocate at the top of his game, he sets a strategy on a case quickly and effectively and follows through." (Legal 500, 2021)
• "A first-class advocate at the top of his game." (Legal 500, 2021)
• "A user-friendly, down-to-earth and very skilled barrister." (Legal 500, 2021)
• "Impresses with his graceful manner in court, aptitude and knowledge. I have nothing but respect for this formidable advocate." (Legal 500, 2021)
• "Razor-sharp mind." (Who's Who Legal, 2020)
• "Number one at the bar." (Who's Who Legal, 2020)
• "Exceptionally able and easy to work with." (Legal 500 Asia Pacific, 2020)
• "Instruct him if you have a losing case you need to win." (Legal 500 Asia Pacific, 2020)
• "If anyone can find a way out of a problem you think you are sure to lose, it's Luke." (Chambers UK, 2020)
• "He is excellent - very tactically aware and an effective advocate." (Chambers UK, 2020)
• "He's at the top of his game, extremely able, bright and personable. He has an exceptional ability to present a case to both clients and the bench." (Chambers UK, 2020)
• "He's astute and enthusiastic in his presentation of a case and mindful of the impression that he creates." (Chambers UK, 2020)
• "A delight to work with, he has great technical knowledge and a practical approach." (Legal 500, 2020)
• "Very user-friendly, gets into the detail and exceptional on his feet." (Legal 500, 2020)
• "An excellent, down-to-earth counsel who has both a high level of technical knowledge as well as a sensible and pragmatic approach." (Legal 500, 2020)
• "He is a very capable, knowledgeable and persuasive lawyer and advocate." (Legal 500, 2020)
• "A scrapper who fights his corner but also really thinks through his strategy." (Legal 500, 2020)
• "One of the best out-of-the-box thinkers at the Bar, he leaves no stone unturned." (Legal 500 Asia Pacific, 2019)
• "A real-life Perry Mason as a cross-examiner" (Legal 500 Asia Pacific, 2019)
• "Has a brilliant mind combined with an engaging personality and has the ability to find out-of-the-box solutions to the most complex legal issues." (Legal 500, 2019)
• "A go-to silk on matters of marine insurance, his breadth of knowledge and ability to grasp complex issues in developing areas is simply outstanding." (Legal 500, 2019)
• "A very able and experienced arbitrator – knowledgeable and easy to work with." (Legal 500, 2019)
• "A user-friendly and effective advocate who provides practical, commercial advice with a no-nonsense approach." (Legal 500, 2019)
• "Incredibly bright and impressive on his feet." (Legal 500, 2019)
• "He appears in multi-faceted matters spanning litigation and arbitration." (Legal 500, 2019)
• "Instructed in disputes at the interface of shipping, commodities and energy." (Legal 500, 2019)
• “An innovative litigator and a great out-of-the-box thinker.”  (Chambers UK, 2019)
• "He appears in heavyweight commodities cases." (Legal 500, 2019)
• “A brilliant cross-examiner who really understands the expert evidence.”  (Chambers UK, 2019)
• “A very experienced advocate who is very user-friendly.”  (Chambers UK, 2019)
• ..."very clear in his advice and presentation" and a "massively approachable" silk who "disseminates complex information easily and is great with clients."... (Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific, 2019)
• "A class act" (Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific, 2019)
• "Very clear in his advice and presentation." (Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific, 2019)
• "A key name for shipbuilding matters." (Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific, 2019)
• "He's very good, down to earth and practical in his approach"; "Very clever" (Chambers UK, 2018)
• "Luke Parson is exceptional. He is very commercial minded and will go the extra mile"; Super-smart and hard-working" (Chambers UK, 2018)

Luke represents clients before a wide range of Tribunals including commercial arbitrations, the Commercial Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. As well as trial and advisory work, Luke is also frequently instructed to appear before the Commercial Court on pre-emptive strike applications with a particular emphasis on freezing orders and anti- suit injunctions. 

Illustrative cases include:

• Luke acted for the Malaysian Government in the LCIA arbitration and the Commercial Court in respect of the infamous and highly complex US$ 5 billion 1 MbD fraud to set aside previous arbitration awards on the basis of fraud and conflicts of interest.
• ABN Amro Bank v Royal & Sun Alliance [2021] EWHC 442: A claim in the Commercial Court for insurance cover in respect of complicated repo and hedging transactions entered into by a  Dutch Bank .
• LCIA Arbitration involving the establishment of the Asian satellite teaching hospital of one of the world’s leading medical institutions.
• UNCITRAL arbitration involving the UN mandated privatisation programme following the conclusion of the Kosovo War.
• Acting for an Eastern European Government in respect of an inter-state framework multi-billion dollar loan, commodity and industrial products agreement.
• Natixis SA v Marex Financial Limited & Ors [2019] EWHC 2549- Commercial Court claim acting for the Defendant underwriters concerning fraudulent receipts for nickel stored at warehouses in Singapore. The case is one of series of ongoing cases concerning multi-million dollar international metals trading frauds and fraud operating on the sale and exchange of warehouse receipts and LME warrants.
• BB Energy v Al Amouda [2018] EWHC 2595 US $ 100 million Commercial court dispute following the collapse of the SAMIR oil refinery in Morocco raising complex jurisdiction disputes and investment treaty breaches.
• LCIA arbitration in respect of farm out agreements for gas exploration rights in Azerbajian.
• ICC Arbitration in Singapore on gas price escalation clauses.
• Petrosaudi Oil v Novo Bank [2016] EWHC 2456: multi-million dollar claim on bank guarantees in respect of oil exploration in Venezula.
• Shagang Shipping v HNA Airlines [2016] EWHC 1103 (Comm) - a case which involves alleged bribery, contractual    arguments, allegations of torture by Chinese authorities and legal questions regarding accelerated receipt, all of which have been dealt with for the first time in detail by the UK Commercial Court.
• Star Polaris LLC v HHIC-PHIL INC [2016] EWHC 2941 (Comm) - leading case on exclusion clauses for consequential loss in contracts.
• BHP Billiton v TMT Asia - Commercial Court dispute regarding US$100 million derivative trading in energy  transportation agreements. The case involved allegations of market control, fraud and anti-competitive behaviour.
• JSC Bank v Solodchenko [2011] EWCA 1241. Acting for one of the parties in the Chancery Division in the US$ 4 billion Kazakhstan banking fraud dispute.
• Warenhandelsgeselschaft Corinth MbH v Liffe: acting for Liffe in the Commercial Court in the first action to challenge its right to exercise emergency powers to regulate the market.
• Acting for a formula 1 team in ICC Arbitration in respect of the Concord agreement on distribution of television rights payments.
• Berezovsky & Anor v Edminston & Company [2011] EWCA 431 - successfully appearing for Mr Berezovsky in the
• Court of Appeal in the brokerage dispute arising out of the sale of his US$300 million superyacht;

The majority of Luke’s arbitration practice has an international element. He is regularly instructed in arbitrations with a cross-border element and is experienced in making applications to the High Court in support of English arbitrations and also in support of foreign arbitrations in the English courts. 

He has appeared in arbitrations under ICC, LCIA, UNCITRAL and SIAC rules as well as ad hoc arbitrations in Kosovo, Warsaw and Japan. Luke also has extensive experience in challenging and defending arbitration awards in the English Courts and advises on the enforcement of awards under the New York Convention.

Luke also acts as an arbitrator under ICC, LCIA, UNCITRAL and SIAC rules, both as a party appointed arbitrator and Presiding Arbitrator.

Luke has also been involved in some of the leading cases concerning the Arbitration Act 1996, especially where those cases have an international element.

Illustrative cases include:

• Luke acted for the Malaysian Government in the LCIA arbitration and the Commercial Court in respect of US$ 5 billion 1 MbD fraud to set aside previous arbitration awards on the basis of fraud and conflict of interest.
• Luke acted in an LCIA Arbitration involving the establishment of the Asian satellite teaching hospital of one of the world’s leading medical institutions.
• UNCITRAL arbitration involving the UN mandated privatisation programme following the conclusion of the Balkans War.
• Luke acted for an Eastern European Government in respect of a framework multi-billion dollar loan, commodity and industrial products agreement.
• SIAC arbitration involving Asian and Indian companies for the provision of a new coal powered electricity station in India.
• LCIA dispute between two multinational energy companies regarding farmout agreement for the development of new gas fields in Azerbaijan.
• ICC arbitration seated in Paris regarding substantial mid-European infrastructure projects in Poland.
• LCIA arbitration regarding state confiscation of fleet of aircraft.
• ICC arbitration seated in Singapore regarding gas price escalation clauses.
• SIAC arbitration involving middle Middle-eastern and Asian companies for development of new oil fields in the Gulf.
• W Ltd v M Sdn Bhd [2016] EWHC 422 (Comm). successfully resisting a s. 68 challenge to an arbitration award on the grounds of alleged apparent bias on the part of the arbitrator, notwithstanding that   the conflict in question fell within the Non-Waivable Red List of the IBA Guidelines
• E D and F Man Sugar Ltd v Unicargo Transportgesellschaft GmbH [2013] EWCA Civ 1449: The leading case in Court of Appeal on remission of awards for further findings of fact.
• LCIA arbitration involving a joint venture between Asian and American companies for the development of new oil and gas fields in Iraq.
• Itochu Corporation v Johann MK Blumenthal GmbH & Co & Ors [2012] Civ 999: Leading case on the interpretation of default provision on appointment of an arbitrator and the power of the Court of Appeal to review Commercial Court decisions.
• Appearing before arbitrators in Toyko on large multi-million dollar contractual dispute.

Luke has a strong reputation in the field of energy and natural resources and off and on shore construction. He has been instructed on behalf of employers, contractors, insurers and consortiums of international energy companies in relation to a wide range of disputes including those arising from the termination of EPC Contracts. He has extensive experience in arbitrations involving the construction and maintenance of oil rigs, exploration platforms, floating storage platforms and pipelines.

Illustrative cases include:

• Luke acted for the Malaysian Government in the LCIA arbitration and the Commercial Court in respect of US$ 5 billion 1 MbD fraud in relation to the sale of national energy assets. 
• SIAC arbitration involving Asian and Indian companies for the provision of a new coal power station and the supply of high value electric generators.
• LCIA arbitration involving complex liability and technical issues arising out of an upgrade project of a North Sea FPSO for use in South America.
• ICC arbitration seated in Singapore regarding gas price escalation clauses.
• LCIA arbitration regarding farmout agreement between two multinational conglomerates for gas exploration in Azerbajian.
• UNCITRAL arbitration seated in Prishtina involving UN mandated privatisation of Kosovo mines following the Balkans War.
• SIAC arbitration involving middle Middle-eastern and Asian companies for development of new oil fields in the Gulf.
• BB Energy v Al Amouda [2018] EWHC 2595 US $ 100 million Commercial court dispute following the collapse of the SAMIR oil refinery in Morocco raising complex jurisdiction disputes and investment treaty breaches.
• Petrosaudi Oil v Novo Bank [2016] EWHC 2456: acting for PDVSA on multi-million dollar claim on bank guarantees in respect of oil drilling contracts in Venezula.
• Patrick Kelly v. Timan Oil & Gas: Chancery Division dispute regarding a minority shareholder’s rights in forced takeover of substantial oil exploration company in Kazakhstan.
• Acting for FPSO operators in an ad hoc arbitration involving a US$ 350 million dispute regarding a North Sea Services and Production Agreement in two oil fields: a highly complex and detailed technical dispute involving design, operation and metocean issues;
• ICC arbitration on behalf of the owners of a national oil refinery and pipeline regarding claims of force majeure following infiltration of Al Qaeda into the country: issues involving security and terrorism expertise; 
• Acted for Exxon in the £1 billion insurance claim arising out of the “Exxon Valdez” oil spill.
• LCIA arbitration involving multi-million dollar dispute regarding exploitation of mining facilities in Papua New Guinea.

Luke has over 35 years experience in every aspect of shipping law and is widely regarded as one of the preeminent heavy weight silks in the field. He was the inaugural Shipping Silk of the Year at the Chambers Bar Awards as well as Shipping Silk of the Year at the Legal 500 Awards 2018. He is top ranked in the Legal 500 and named as a star individual by Chambers and Partners.

Luke is extensively instructed in cases concerning dry shipping and commodities and has appeared in many of the leading cases in the field. He has a wealth of experience in dealing with disputes under Charterparties, Contracts of Affreightment and Bills of Lading as well as in connection with disputes concerning the GAFTA, FOSFA and other commodities standard forms. 

He also sits as Chair and party appointed arbitrator under LMAA, LCIA, ICC , Uncitral and ad hoc rules.

Illustrative recent cases include:

• US $150 million unsafe port claim arising out of the loss of the M.V Smart at Richards Bay South Africa. This complex arbitration included port design and systems, computer ship modelling, wave theory modelling and Monte-Carlo probability calculations.
• A series of arbitrations following fires and explosions on container ships due to the carrying of dangerous cargoes.
• A series of disputes following the loss of vessels due to liquefaction of cargo.
• A series of arbitrations arising out of the practice of swapping hull numbers during construction and the rights of charterers under the delivery charterparty.
• Charterparty off-hire disputes and contract of affreightment disputes relating to imposition of sanctions and quarantine restrictions due to outbreaks of Covid-19.
• A series of arbitrations for liability for piracy attacks.
• Natixis SA v Marex Financial Limited & Ors [2019] EWHC 2549- Commercial Court claim acting for the Defendant underwriters concerning fraudulent receipts for nickel stored at warehouses in Singapore. The case is one of series of ongoing cases concerning multi-million Dollar international metals trading frauds and fraud operating on the sale and exchange of warehouse receipts and LME warrants.
• Transition Feeds v Itochu Europe Plc [2018] EWHC 3629: A Commercial Court appeal from FOSFA appeal board.
• Engelhart Lloyds LLC v Lloyds Syndicate 1221 [2018] EWHC 900: marine insurance claim arising out of a massive tin fraud using container vessels.
• MV ZAGORA [2017] 1 Lloyd’s Rep. 194 - dispute arising about liability under a letter of indemnity provided for the discharge of cargo without production of a bill of lading.
• Borco v Phillips 66: ‘Cape Bari’ [2016] UKPC 20; [2016] Lloyd’s Rep Plus 69 –  The leading case in the Privy Council on contracting out of the right to limit liability under the Limitation Conventions.
• Shagang Shipping v HNA Airlines [2016] EWHC 1103 (Comm) charterparty dispute involving alleged bribery, contractual arguments, allegations of torture by Chinese authorities and legal questions regarding accelerated receipt, all of which have been dealt with for the first time in detail by the English Courts.
• Star Polaris LLC v HHIC-PHIL INC [2016] EWHC 2941 (Comm) - leading case on exclusion clauses and complete code clauses for consequential loss in shipbuilding contracts.
• E D and F Man Sugar Ltd v Unicargo Transportgesellscaft GmbH [2013] EWCA Civ 1449: Leading case in Court of Appeal on meaning and effect of mechanical breakdown in charterparties.
• Cosco Bulk Carrier Co Ltd & Anor v MV Saldanha [2010] EWHC 1340: The leading case on responsibility for loss of time and damages caused by Piracy attacks.
• Onego Shipping. V JSC Arcadia: Socol 3 [2010] EWHC 777: Leading case on liability for carriage of deck cargo. 
• Mediterranean Shipping Co. SA v. Trafigura Beheer BV & Anor (The “MSC Amsterdam”) [2007] 2 Lloyd’s Rep. 622 (CA) and [2007] EWHC 944 (Comm): The leading case on mis-delivery, conversion and the application of the Hague-Visby Rules in respect of fraudulent bills of lading.

Luke has extensive experience in ship sale and ship building disputes. For over 30 years he has acted for both Far East  and European shipyards  and shipowners in numerous high value arbitration claims in respect of shipbuilding and ship conversion disputes raising complex legal, factual and technical issues.

He was involved in London’s longest running ship building arbitration covering issues such as project management, computer aided design, quality control and assurance and state of the art computer project modelling.

Luke has extensive experience in arbitrations involving the construction and maintenance of oil rigs, exploration platforms, floating storage platforms and pipelines.

Illustrative cases include:

• Long running LCIA arbitration involving conversion of North Sea FPSO for South American waters.
• A series of cases involving hull swapping and steel cutting on buyers’ rights under shipbuilding contract.
• Arbitration on effect of foreign jnsolvency proceedings as res judicata on English Shipbuilding Arbitration.
• A series of shipbuilding disputes relating to a fleet of Panamax vessels for a European owner.
• A series of cases involving refund guarantees under shipbuilding contracts.
• A series of arbitrations raising delay claims, defects, and the prevention principle.
• Star Polaris LLC v HHIC-PHIL INC [2016] EWHC 2941 (Comm) - leading case on exclusion clauses for consequential loss in shipbuilding contracts. This decision is of significant importance in the shipbuilding industry, since it cdefine the obligations of Builders after delivery and limits the Builder’s exposure to warranty claims more generally.
• ICC arbitration involving tax protected shipbuilding contracts and retrospective tax liabilities.
• LCIA arbitration for shipyard in respect of a  US$ 300 million dispute regarding an FPSO conversion.
• LCIAA dispute involving a long-term sale and leaseback of an oil rig worth US$100 millions of dollars.
• Acting for an oil major in respect of the cancellation of LNG shipbuilding contracts.
• Acting for Asian yard on complex life time damages calculations for cancellation of a series of container vessels.

Luke has practical experience of the London and International market gained from his experience working in the insurance field before coming to the bar, firstly with a firm of international Lloyds’ brokers and thereafter with a multi- national underwriting company. He has a broad insurance practice and has acted on a number of complex and high- profile matters. 

Examples of illustrative cases include:

• US$ 100 million trade credit insurance dispute involving allegedly fictitious trade involving English, Singaporean and US Jurisdiction disputes.
• A series of trade credit/loss of profits insurance disputes regarding the impact of the Covid pandemic.
• ABN Amro Bank v Royal & Sun Alliance [2021] EWHC 442: A claim in the Commercial Court for insurance cover in respect of complicated repo and hedging transactions entered into by a  Dutch Bank .
• Natixis SA v Marex Financial Limited & Ors [2019] EWHC 2549- Commercial Court claim acting for the Defendant underwriters concerning fraudulent receipts for nickel stored at warehouses in Singapore. The case is one of series of ongoing cases concerning multi-million dollar international metals trading frauds and fraud operating on the sale and exchange of warehouse receipts and LME warrants.
• Engelhart Lloyds LLC v Lloyds Syndicate 1221 [2018] EWHC 900: marine insurance claim arising out of a US$ 4 billion tin and copper fraud using container vessels.
• A US$250 million International arbitration on LCIA terms regarding the reinsurance on a fleet of aircraft.
• San Evans Maritime Inc v Aigaion Insurance Co SA [2014] EWHC (Comm). A dispute on the scope of leading underwriter and follow settlement clauses.
• A claim under an insurance policy for damage to the world’s largest electrical transformers for the hydroelectric project in India Luke represented the successful Insurers
• Swiss Re v United Indian Mining v United India Insurance [2005] EWHC 237: a reinsurance dispute concerning the liquidation of the Dhabol Power Station following the Enron collapse.
• Shell UK Limited v CLM Engineering [2001] 1 Lloyds Rep 612: Contractors all risk insurance and design liability insurance in respect of the construction of a North Sea gas line.
• Acting for Exxon in the £1 billion insurance claim arising out of the “Exxon Valdez” spill and for P&O in the insurance claim relating to the Herald of Free Enterprise disaster.

Luke is extensively instructed in cases concerning commodities and has a wealth of experience in disputes concerning the GAFTA, FOSFA and other commodities standard forms. He has appeared in many of the leading cases in the field including:

• Acting for an Eastern European Government in respect of an inter-state framework multi-billion dollar loan, commodities and industrial products agreement.
• Natixis SA v Marex Financial Limited & Ors [2019] EWHC 2549- Commercial Court claim acting for the Defendant underwriters concerning fraudulent receipts for nickel stored at warehouses in Singapore. The case is one of series of ongoing cases concerning multi-million dollar international metals trading frauds and fraud operating on the sale and exchange of warehouse receipts and LME warrants.
• Engelhart Lloyds LLC v Lloyds Syndicate 1221 [2018] EWHC 900: marine insurance claim arising out of a US$ 4 billion massive tin and copper fraud using container vessels.
• Advising Insurers in respect of an alleged trade credit fraud involving sales of multiple commodities on the full range of standard trade terms.
• ED and F Man Sugar Ltd v Unicargi Transportgeselschaft GmbH [2013] EWCA 1449 a case in the Court of Appeal on the correct construction of Sugar Charter 1999.
• BHP Billiton v TMT Asia. A Commercial Court dispute regarding US$ 100 million derivative trading in energy transportation agreements. The case involves allegations of market control, fraud and anti-competitive behaviour.

Luke is instructed in a wide range of disputes relating to banking and finance (including asset finance) and appears before arbitration tribunals, the High Court and appellate courts in cases concerning a variety of financial instruments.

An example of illustrative cases include:

• Acting for the Malaysian Government in the LCIA arbitration and the Commercial Court in respect of the highly complex US$ 5 billion 1 MbD fraud to set aside previous arbitration awards on the basis of fraud and conflict of interest tracing funds across banks in multiple jurisdictions.
• ABN Amro Bank v Royal & Sun Alliance [2021] EWHC 442: A claim in the Commercial Court for insurance cover in respect of complicated repo and hedging transactions entered into by a  Dutch Bank .
• Natixis SA v Marex Financial Limited & Ors [2019] EWHC 2549- A dispute between financial institutions and insurers regarding metal trades and fraudulent receipts and warrants.
• Petrosaudi Oil v Novo Bank [2016] EWHC 2456: multi-million dollar claim on bank guarantees in respect of oil exploration in Venezula.
• JSC Bank v Solodchenko [2011] EWCA 1241. Acting for one of the parties in the US$ 4 billion Kazakhstan banking fraud dispute.
• Raiffeisen Zentralbank Oterreich AG v. China Marine Bunker (Petrochina) Co Ltd [2008] 1 Lloyd’s Rep. Plus 18 (Comm. Ct). An application in the Commercial Court concerning the proper construction of an irrevocable payment undertakings in the international oil trade and the application of the doctrine of consideration to banking obligations.
• Anton Durbeck GmbH v. Den Norske Bank ASA [2006] 1 Lloyd’s Rep. 93 (Comm. Ct). Acting for the Bank in resisting a claim for wrongful interference with goods by cargo interests against the Bank seeking to enforce its mortgage over the vessel under either Panamanian or English law.
• Den Norske Bank ASA v. Acemex Management Company Ltd [2004] 1 Lloyd’s Rep. 1 (CA) and [2003] EWHC 326 (Comm). Acting for the Bank in the Commercial Court and Court of Appeal in a successful application for under guarantee and indemnity.
• Canara Bank v Standard Bank [2002] EWHC 1032 A cross indemnity dispute arising out of a US$500 million tin mining fraud.

Luke was leading Counsel to the Nimrod Review into the loss of the Nimrod MR2 aircraft XV230 in Afghanistan on 2nd September 2006. The Review’s terms of reference require consideration of large volumes of technical aeronautical evidence and examining numerous expert witnesses.

Arbitrations include US$300 million aviation reinsurance dispute concerning total loss of a fleet of aircraft due to foreclosure action.

• Acting for Formula 1 team in ICC arbitration regarding the Formula 1 Concorde Agreement and disputed television rights.
• Acting for a premiership football club in dispute arising out of a player loan agreement.