Call: 2008 | KC: 2016
Steven Walker KC is a British King’s Counsel.
Early in his career, he worked for the international law firm Allen & Overy. Since then, he has built a formidable reputation acting as an international commercial lawyer with a specialisation in international arbitration, energy, oil & gas, mining, commercial/corporate/financial disputes, construction and engineering. He also advises in a wide variety of corporate and commercial matters for corporate clients, for high net worth private clients and family offices. From time to time, he sits as an international arbitrator and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.
Steven is a highly respected King’s Counsel, commercial strategist and team player. He is able to combine both the commercial and legal objectives into a coherent and effective strategy for clients. He is able to build an immediate trust and rapport with clients and is tenacious in protecting their interests. He is an exceptional advocate and a polite, yet ruthless, cross examiner.
He has a great legal ability to analyse complex issues, has an intuitive legal instinct and is able to present them in a way that is highly persuasive to the court, tribunal or in a negotiation. He represents and advises clients on a wide range of commercial and corporate matters.
With his considerable experience in international dispute resolution, his multinational clients value his professional, commercial and negotiation experience in recognizing commercial and cross border risks his clients may face. They seek his advice on strategies to minimize exposure to those risks in challenging multinational complex corporate and commercial transactions and environments.
Steven works internationally and maintains a regular presence in commercial disputes in South-East Asia, Australia, Europe, Africa and the Gulf.
Representative Cases
Steven Walker KC is a commercial Silk. He has acted as Counsel in more than 200 arbitrations around the world. Examples of his cases are provided within his Expertise sections.
Practice Areas
- Arbitration
- Commercial law
- Corporate law
- International Finance
- Construction & Engineering & Infrastructure
- Energy & Natural Resources
- International Commercial Arbitration
- International Investment Arbitration
- International Trade, Trade Finance & Commodities
- Mining
- Oil & Gas
- Renewable Energy (onshore and offshore)
Commercial, Corporate, Financial
Recent cases include:-
M v C
Arbitration – Instructed for Claimant in Switzerland on a complex multi-jurisdictional €70 million corporate loan dispute.
F v G
Arbitration – Instructed by Claimant, an international private equity group, concerning an investment in Asia Pacific and a dispute under a shareholders’ agreement. The dispute value amounts to USD$70 million.
P v T
Arbitration – Instructed by Claimant on a private equity dispute in Asia Pacific. The dispute value amounts to USD$50 million.
Construction & Engineering & Infrastructure
Recent cases include:-
B v M
Arbitration – Instructed for Claimant in a USD$112 million dam reservoir construction dispute in Africa.
G v B
Arbitration – Instructed for the Claimant in a USD$50 million water conveyance aquifer construction dispute in the Middle East.
A v R
Arbitration – Instructed by Claimant on large construction project in the Gulf. The dispute value amounts to USD$100 million.
D v U
Arbitration – Instructed by Claimant in a multi million construction dispute concerning asbestos removal from a multi storey building in the UK. Claim was for variations and extensions of time.
Mining
Recent cases include:-
N v P
Investment Arbitration – Instructed for Claimant to advise on the expropriation of gold mining assets in an Asia Pacific country. Dispute value of USD$1 billion.
P v T
Arbitration – Instructed by Claimant on a concession dispute in Asia Pacific. The dispute value amounts to USD$50 million.
Oil & Gas
Recent cases include:-
A v Z
Arbitration – Instructed for Claimant in USD$100m European gas shareholders agreement dispute.
T v U
Arbitration – Instructed for Claimants regarding an oil rig construction dispute in Asia Pacific. The dispute value amounts to USD$57 million.
P v P
Arbitration – Instructed by Respondent in a power purchase agreement dispute in Asia Pacific. The dispute value amounts to USD$75 million.
X v Z
Arbitration – Instructed by Claimant, an international oil company, concerning a production sharing cost recovery dispute with a national oil company in Asia Pacific. The dispute value amounts to USD$500 million.
P v E
Arbitration – Instructed by Claimant, an oil company, in a large African gas dispute concerning a JOA. The sum in dispute is US$800m.
Renewable Energy (onshore and offshore)
Recent cases include:-
X v J
Arbitration – Instructed by Claimant, an offshore wind installation contractor, in a European offshore windfarm dispute. The sum in dispute is EUR25m.
Recommendations
"Steven Walker KC is a formidable and persuasive advocate. He is an excellent commercial strategist. Clients trust and like him because he has great judgement; they often see him as their knight in shining armour."
― Legal 500 [2024] - Band 1 - Leading Silk"One of very few people in Scotland with an international construction arbitration practice - he is brilliant with clients and offers strength in depth."
― Legal 500 [2022] - Band 1 - Leading Silk"New silk Steven Walker ……… advises on a wide range of arbitration mandates connected with energy, natural resources and infrastructure projects."
― Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific Guide [2018]"amazingly wide experience of the subject area in which he operates, spanning every energy dispute imaginable,"
"making clients feel at their ease"
"excellent advocacy, not just in terms of the legal issues, but in terms of making the best case for the client."
― Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific Guide [2017]"he is very quick, able to see the key points and give the right wording. He makes complicated matters very simple. He is very familiar with how arbitrators think, what they want....he also maintains a regular presence in Malaysian disputes."
― Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific Guide [2016]"Steven is a formidable advocate, who exercises exceptional strategic judgement in international litigation. His cross examination style is concise and precise, and he executes it like a skilled surgeon."
― Legal 500 [2022] - Band 1 - Leading SilkAppointments
Academic Appointments
University of Edinburgh – Co-course director of the LLM in International Arbitration with Lord Dervaird QC from 2009-2011. The course was nominated for the EUSA teaching excellence award. He was made an Honorary Fellow of the University of Edinburgh in 2009.
Centre for Energy, Petroleum, Mineral Law & Policy, University of Dundee – Honorary Lecturer of the Centre from 2002 and member of the global academic faculty.
Energy Studies Institute, National University of Singapore – Seminar Director & Lecturer on the Professional Seminar Training Programme of the Institute in 2014.
University of Notre Dame, Australia – Visiting lecturer on international commercial arbitration in 2017.
Arbitrator Panels
ICC Arbitrators database – UK
LCIA – UK
HKIAC Panel – Hong Kong
SCCR Panel – Saudi Arabia
DIAC – United Arab Emirates
BAIAC – Singapore
TAI – Thailand
AIAC – Malaysia
THAC – Thailand
Publications
Steven is co-author of the leading international book ‘Pleading in Arbitration – A Practitioner’s Guide’ published by Sweet & Maxwell/Thomson Reuters 2012.
A second edition was released in 2017. The leading German International lawyer and arbitrator, Professor Peter Klaus Berger of the University of Cologne, described the first edition of this book as “an essential addition to every arbitration practitioner’s library”, in the journal of Transnational Dispute Management.
Contributing Author to the chapter on “Arbitration in the Energy & Mining Industry” in the international publication Lexis Nexis Arbitrator’s Handbook published in 2022.
Memberships
Member of the Middle Temple
Member of the Faculty of Advocates
Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
Languages
English – Fluent
French – Conversational
Hebrew – Conversational
Education
Silk: 2016
Call: 1999 (Scotland)
Call: 2007 (Cayman Islands)
Call: 2008 (England & Wales)
Registered Foreign Lawyer: 2015 Singapore
Registered Foreign Lawyer: 2016 Ireland
Registered Foreign Lawyer: 2017 Western Australia
LLB(Hons) University of Aberdeen 1996
Dip LP University of Aberdeen 1997
Honorary Fellow University of Edinburgh 2009
ACIArb 2000
MCIArb 2018
FCIArb 2019
Latest news
24th November 2023
Steven Walker KC appointed to Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) Panel of Arbitrators
Steven Walker KC has been appointed as a member of the prestigious Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) Panel of Arbitrators. SIAC has established a...
20th September 2022
Steven Walker KC admitted to Thailand Arbitration Center Panel of Arbitrators
Steven Walker KC has been admitted to the Thailand Arbitration Center (THAC) Panel of Arbitrators. The Thailand Arbitration Center is located in the heart...
5th September 2022
Chartered Institute of Arbitrators publishes International Economic Sanctions paper by Steven Walker QC
Steven Walker QC and Prof Steve Ngo have written a paper on the impact and effects of international economic sanctions on arbitration. In today’s...
8th August 2022
Steven Walker QC appointed to the roster of Arbitrators of the Thai Arbitration Institute
There are only three British Silks on the roster.
25th July 2022
International arbitration book launch for Steven Walker QC
Steven Walker QC and Professor Steve Ngo have co-written a chapter on ‘Arbitration in the Energy & Mining Industry’
7th July 2022
Steven Walker QC appointed to the List of Arbitrators of the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC)
The Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC) is the largest arbitration centre in the Middle East.
17th December 2021
Steven Walker QC appointed to the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre’s List of Arbitrators
The Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) is one of the world's leading dispute resolution organisations.
7th December 2021
Steven Walker QC appointed arbitrator member of the Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration (SCCA)
Steven Walker QC has been appointed arbitrator member of the Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration
18th August 2021
Steven Walker QC appointed Committee Member of the Beihai Asia International Arbitration Centre (BAIAC), Singapore
BAIAC – Beihai Asia International Arbitration Centre was launched in 2019.
30th July 2021
Where to arbitrate? A fireside chat
Steven Walker QC will be taking part in this discussion hosted by the Thai Arbitration Institute on 16th August.
18th May 2021
Solar Salt Projects in Africa – A discussion of the key environmental & legal issues
The next webinar in our international arbitration series will be held on Friday 28th May.
9th February 2021
International arbitration and climate change webinar
In this masterclass webinar, specialists from Six Pump Court discussed the key trends and issues in climate change litigation and the likely impact of those developments on international arbitration.
28th July 2020
International Arbitration and Virtual Hearings – A New Era Dawns
The webinar entitled International Arbitration and Virtual Hearings – A New Era Dawns and will take place on Friday 4th September.
27th January 2020
Steven Walker QC joins Six Pump Court
Chambers is pleased to welcome Steven Walker QC who will complement and enhance our growing capability in international arbitration.
Events
5th December 2022
The Impact of Economic Sanctions on International Arbitration
This webinar will consider the increasing impact of sanctions regimes, created and applying around the world, to major economic players in an ever increasing geographical and political spectrum, upon the processes of international dispute resolution.
14th July 2022
Arbitration and ADR beyond the pandemic
The webinar is entitled “Arbitration and ADR Beyond the Pandemic” and will feature Steven Walker QC of Six Pump Court Chambers.
14th September 2021
International Arbitration Webinar – Arbitrating under the ICC Rules
Members of Six Pump Court listed on the ICC UK Arbitrator Database will be joined by guest speaker Iain Quirk QC.
2nd July 2021
The effect of international sanctions on international arbitration proceedings and the enforcement of awards
Steven Walker QC will be among the speakers discussing how such sanctions can impact on the enforcement of arbitral awards as well as the arbitration proceedings themselves.
28th May 2021
Solar Salt Projects in Africa – A discussion of the key environmental & legal issues
The next webinar in our international arbitration series will be held on Friday 28th May.
4th September 2020
Webinar: International Arbitration and Virtual Hearings Webinar
On Friday 4th September at 11am Six Pump Court will host a webinar entitled - International Arbitration and Virtual Hearings – A New Era Dawns
