Ben Elkington QC is an experienced and busy silk whose practice is centred on commercial litigation, including insurance and professional liability disputes, frequently with an international dimension.
He is consistently ranked in the directories as a leading silk in the fields of commercial dispute resolution, insurance, professional negligence, and property damage. He has a loyal following of clients who instruct him time and again.
A modern approach: Ben is rightly described as a “new-style silk” who has an “unstuffy approach” is “personable,” “down to earth” and “the consummate professional.”
Easy to work with: Ben recognises the need to provide a first rate service for both his professional and lay clients, and to work as part of a team. He has been described in the directories as “An absolute dream to work with. He is super responsive and very user-friendly.” Other descriptions have included “one of the most user-friendly barristers at the Bar”, “a real pleasure to work with“, “fantastic to work with” and “perfect when you need a good team player.” As one directory puts it: “Ben is very approachable; he just gets it.”
Understanding and communicating with clients: Ben acts for a wide range of domestic and international clients. In every case he strives to understand his client and their needs, and to provide them with advice in a clear and comprehensible way. The directories state that he is “wonderful with clients” and that he “understands what commercial clients need, and can speak their language in a non-patronising way”; “He gives clear, pragmatic advice”, “He has an excellent manner with clients and is very reassuring.”
In depth legal analysis: Ben has an outstanding academic background: he took a Double First in Law at Cambridge and, after completing a Masters in Law in the USA, was the top ranked student in his year at Bar School. He brings intellectual vigour to his cases. This has long been recognised in the directories which over the years have described him as having “outstanding intellectual ability” and being “an excellent academic,” “sharp as a tack”, “highly intelligent”, “intellectually brilliant“; “technically excellent“, “incredibly bright,” “fantastically intellectually able“; and having a “brain the size of a planet“.
First rate submissions: Ben regularly appears in Court and in arbitrations, and the quality of his written and oral advocacy is well recognised. The directories report that “his oral advocacy is superb – crisp and to the point”, he is “fantastic on his feet“, “has the complete confidence of the bench” is “an excellent advocate” and “has judges eating out of the palm of his hand.”
Ready for trial: Ben is not afraid to back his judgment and run matters to trial if that proves necessary to secure his client’s objectives. He has been described as “a very good and dangerous opponent” , “tenacious in cross-examination” and “a relentless advocate.” As one directory puts it: “He makes a difference when it comes to trial.”
What he adds: Ben brings enthusiasm, insight, determination and sound judgment to his work. In each case he strives to achieve the best possible outcome for his clients. He acts for claimants and defendants in equal measure, which gives him a real advantage. The directories report that he is “a man of great strategic insight” who “offers commercial, practical and strategic advice” and is “a great asset to have on your side.”
As well as acting as an advocate and adviser, Ben acts as an arbitrator and he has also accepted instructions to act as an expert on English law. He has been called to the New York Bar and (ad hoc) to the Bar of the Cayman Islands.
Ben was previously admitted to the New York Bar and worked for Sullivan & Cromwell in Manhattan. He was a judicial assistant to the Court of Appeal. He has been an editor of Jackson & Powell on Professional Liability since 2002. He is a member of COMBAR, PNBA, LCLCBA, TECBAR and BILA.
Ben was the top placed student in his year in Bar Finals (1996). Before that he took a First in Law from Cambridge University, followed by a Masters in Law from the University of Virginia. He is a scholar of each of (i) Cambridge University; (ii) Trinity College, Cambridge; (iii) Gray’s Inn; and (iv) the Inns of Court School of Law. He was one of the first of his year of call to take silk. He has a diploma in International Arbitration (CIArb).
Personal
Ben lives in London with wife and 4 teenage children. When not at work he can usually be found with his family on the Isle of Mull making camp fires in the rain, walking, and trying (and generally failing) to catch fish.
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