6 St James Hall is delighted that its members have once again been recognised in the Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2026.

Dr Christopher Ward SC, Tim Castle SC and Alexander Flecknoe-Brown have been individually recognised in one of their areas of expertise, Commercial Disputes.

The barristers of 6 St James Hall have expertise in a wide range of disputes, including commercial, corporate and industrial matters, financial services, insolvency, franchising and international law. This recognition in Commercial Disputes reflects the breadth as well as depth of our barristers’ commercial experience, enhanced by complementary skills in related practice areas.

Enquiries to retain any of our barristers, including as to availability and urgency, can be discussed with the chambers’ Clerk and Practice Manager, Nora Faulua.

6 St James' Hall Counsel Dr Christopher Ward SC, Richard Reynolds and Stephanie Erian, instructed by Marque Lawyers, have successfully represented a group of women who were subjected to non-consensual examinations in Doha in 2020, whilst travelling to Australia on board a Qatar Airways Flight.

The Full Federal Court unanimously upheld the women’s appeal against an earlier decision that the proceedings be struck out on grounds that included consideration of the exclusivity provisions of the Montreal Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules for International Carriage by Air. The claims against Qatar Airways and the airport operator will now proceed to a final hearing before the Federal Court.

Separate proceedings against the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority were dismissed on grounds of foreign State immunity.

The matter has received significant press attention, including in the ABC and BBC.

Reasons for judgment can be found on the links below.

DHI22 v Qatar Airways Group QCSC (No 1) [2025] FCAFC 91

DHI22 v Qatar Airways Group QCSC (No 2) [2025] FCAFC 92