May 21, 2004 – LAWFUEL – Allen & Overy is pleased to announce that one of its leading partners, David Mackie CBE QC, has been appointed as a judge. From 30 June
2004, Mackie will serve as a Specialist Mercantile Circuit Judge at
the Central London Civil Justice Centre. He has been a partner with
the international legal practice, Allen & Overy, since 1975, and head
of its litigation department since 1988.
David was awarded the CBE in 2003 for his services to pro bono legal work
and was one of the first solicitors to be appointed QC.
“David’s reputation is international,” explains Peter Watson, managing
partner for the litigation practice. “He is the lawyer of choice for
many individuals and major institutions facing a crisis. His
experience and insight will be an enormous asset to the bench.”
David’s career has included conducting cases at every level. He has
been involved in many of the large financial and commercial crises of
the last three decades that have required dispute resolution under
English law or by English lawyers. He has appeared in many very large
arbitrations across the world [see Notes to Editors].
“David has made an invaluable contribution to Allen & Overy over the
years,” continues Watson. “Recognised as formidable by the
opposition, he is also responsible for engendering an Allen & Overy
litigation style – intellectual force tempered by pragmatism. Many of
our current litigation partners, including me, learned our trade under
David. Our litigation practice has thrived as a result of David’s
attributes, particularly in sharing work and bringing younger partners
on.”
Appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1998, Mackie first sat as an assistant
recorder in 1988, became a recorder in 1992 on the South Eastern
Circuit and was appointed as a Deputy High Court Judge in 1999.
Going forward, the Allen & Overy global litigation department
continues to go from strength to strength with its increased presence
in New York; the appointment of two new litigation partners in London;
and its newly established offices at Canary Wharf. It also expects to
announce further partnership appointments in the coming months.
“David’s generosity and humour will be missed on a daily basis.
However our connections with him will remain strong,” adds Watson.
Watson has been managing partner of the global litigation practice
since September 2001 and will continue in this role.
For further information, please contact Kathryn Adamson
(kathryn.adamson@allenovery.com) in London on +44 (0)207 330 4685.
David Mackie CBE QC has been engaged since 1971 in the resolution of
disputes affecting clients of the firm and conducting cases at every
level from magistrates’ courts at one end, to the House of Lords,
Privy Council and European Court of Justice at the other. This has
included involvement in many of the large financial and commercial
crises of the last three decades that have required dispute resolution
under English law or by English lawyers.
In the 1970s, these included the initiation of investment in North Sea
Oil and development and exploitation of the various oil fields; the
mass and individual employment issues following legislation by the
Labour governments in that decade; the banking and property crises of
the mid 1970s; the problems for oil companies following the
nationalisation of Iran (including work before the Iran/US Claims
Tribunal), Libya and elsewhere in the Middle East and Africa: the main
banking case following the seizure of US hostages in Iran; and
numerous newspaper and media libel and copyright claims.
In the 1980s and 1990s, David worked on cases involving a succession
of crises in the insurance industry both in the United Kingdom and
abroad; regulatory and product liability claims in the pharmaceutical
industry; warranty claims after mergers and acquisitions; the collapse
of major institutions (including international bodies such as the
International Tin Council); cases for banks and other financial
institutions arising out of new and more sophisticated lending and
investment instruments and techniques; disputes following the
revolution in the financial markets after the “Big Bang” in 1986;
cases involving breach of distribution and other commercial agreements
for manufacturers and distributors.
David has appeared in many arbitrations across the world involving
particularly oil and gas, pharmaceutical, construction, insurance,
automotive and defence industries.
He has also represented parties in numerous public and private
inquiries including Scott (Arms for Iraq), Phillips (BSE) and Saville
(Bloody Sunday).
Professional Memberships:
Deputy Chair, Royal Courts of Justice Advice Bureau.
Founding Trustee, Solicitors Pro Bono Group.
Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.
Member Civil & Family Committee of Judicial Studies Board. 1991 –
1996. Chairman of the International Bar Association Committee on
Product Liability, Advertising, Consumer Affairs and Unfair
Competition, 1987 – 1991. CEDR Accredited Mediator.
Member Commercial Court Users Committee.
Head of Allen & Overy’s Pro-Bono work. Has been, and remains, active
volunteer at law centres.
Partner of the Year”, The Lawyer Awards 1997.
CBE 2003 for “services to pro bono legal work”.
