Graham Chapman QC specialises in commercial litigation and arbitration (domestic and international), with a particular focus on commercial fraud, investment disputes, offshore work, insurance disputes and professional liability claims in a commercial context. Graham took silk in 2014 at the age of 38.
Recognised as a Leading Silk in the directories for Commercial Litigation, Offshore, Civil Fraud and Professional Negligence, Graham is described as someone who “combines excellent technical abilities with commercially savvy and practical advice.” “He is approachable, a pleasure to work with and someone who always sees solutions to problems.” (Chambers & Partners, 2021: Commercial Litigation). “He is impressive, analytical, competitive and strategic.” “A very good barrister who is very user-friendly.” (Chambers & Partners, 2021: Offshore). “Very attentive and user-friendly, and an excellent advocate. He is able to give great advice because he sees the strategic reasons for doing things.” “He is helped by his previous experience as a solicitor and as a result, comes up with very practical and commercial solutions.” (Chambers & Partners, 2021: Professional Negligence). “He provides enormous confidence that no stones have been left unturned.” (Legal 500 2021: Professional Negligence). “Excellent intellect and very user friendly.” (Legal 500 2021: Commercial Litigation). “An intellectual heavyweight with first-rate advocacy skills.” (Legal 500 2021: Offshore). “Our leading counsel of choice on large value, complex fraud claims; works well as part of a team and has strong advocacy skills.” (Legal 500 2021: Civil Fraud). “Graham Chapman QC is held in high esteem by peers thanks to his impressive advocacy in commercial and civil fraud litigation.” (Who’s Who Legal: Civil Fraud and Professional Negligence).
Previous editions have described Graham as “fiercely bright, a gentleman with instructing solicitors and clients, and a tactful and robust advocate in the courtroom” (Chambers & Partners, 2019: Commercial Litigation). “Exceptionally bright, a great strategist and someone who is fantastically good with clients.” “He’s hands-on, responsive, and someone with a good eye for detail” (Chambers & Partners, 2019: Offshore). “Charming with clients and utterly dedicated to winning. He cuts through cases and picks out the right strategy every time” (Chambers & Partners, 2019: Professional Negligence). “Incredibly bright and very easy to work with” (Legal 500 2019: Professional Negligence). “Absolutely brilliant. He puts in the hard work and is also a really nice bloke. Authoritative and clever” (Chambers & Partners, 2018: Professional Negligence). “He’s energetic, very easy to work with and very experienced in commercial disputes”, “always thinks about ways to get the other side’s attention”(Chambers & Partners, 2018: Commercial Litigation). “He’s a very statesmanlike person, who’s great with clients and delivers clear, succinct messages very effectively. Working with him is an enormous pleasure. He’s absolutely on the ball the whole time, and he’s very practical.” (Chambers & Partners, 2018: Offshore). “A tough and no-nonsense operator, and extremely user friendly and supportive” (Legal 500, 2017: Commercial Litigation). “Technically excellent and very client-friendly” (Legal 500, 2017: Professional Negligence). “Utterly brilliant – he has terrific focus and brain power and his communication couldn’t be clearer. He is very commercial and sensible and clients just love him”; “he has extraordinary gravitas for someone who’s only just ceased to be a junior – when you meet with him you know you’re talking to someone who’s highly skilled in the advice he gives”(Chambers & Partners, 2016: Professional Negligence). “A ferociously hard worker who will rapidly rise through the ranks” (Legal 500, 2015: Commercial Litigation). “Extremely impressive and invaluable in complex high-value litigation” (Legal 500, 2016: Commercial Litigation).
Before taking silk he was described as “The first choice of junior for many”, “thorough, robust and in complete control”, “so good that he is doing work far beyond his years of call” and as being “consistently involved in high-profile cases”. Graham has a broad commercial practice which falls into three core areas: commercial litigation, professional liability claims in a commercial context and construction and engineering law. Graham has been described as “very able”, “quick and hardworking” and “intellectually gifted”. He appears in Court and arbitrations and has a growing advisory practice in the field of financial services regulation.
“He’s never afraid to make a decision and he’s well able to lead a devastating forensic attack on his opponent’s case” – Chambers & Partners 2015; “He has a growing presence in high-value claims.” – Legal 500 2015
“He gets through voluminous and complex instructions at impressive speed, and consistently provides robust and commercial advice, as well as advocacy of the highest quality.” “He is quietly spoken, but his words are powerful and his advice is terrific.” – Chambers & Partners 2015
Graham’s commercial practice spans the full range of commercial disputes and often his cases have an international dimension to them. His professional liability work includes claims against accountants and auditors, construction professionals, financial service professionals, insurance brokers and agents, lawyers and surveyors and valuers. He also has experience of professional disciplinary matters. His practice includes insurance and reinsurance work and he is regularly instructed in cases concerned with the interpretation of policy-wording and coverage disputes. In the construction field he has acted for and against contractors, architects and engineers in claims concerning projects both in the UK and overseas. He has experience of acting in domestic and international arbitrations both in the commercial and construction fields.
Graham is a contributor to the 6th Edition of Jackson & Powell on Professional Negligence (Sweet & Maxwell 2006) and is the co-author of the chapter on tort in the Construction Law Handbook (Thomas Telford).
Graham has been called to the Bars of the Grand Court of Cayman, of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (BVI) and of the Isle of Man.
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