Poonam Melwani

Poonam Melwani KC is Head of Quadrant Chambers and a leading silk specialising in shipping and international trade. She is widely recognised as a go-to advocate and adviser for complex, high-value maritime disputes, acting for shipowners, charterers, P&I clubs, insurers and traders across global markets.

Her practice spans the full range of dry shipping work, including charterparties, bills of lading, sale of goods and ship sale disputes, as well as collision and Admiralty matters involving arrests, forced sales and jurisdictional challenges. She is particularly experienced in disputes with a multi-jurisdictional dimension, often involving urgent applications such as freezing and anti-suit injunctions, and cases shaped by sanctions, geopolitical risk and state immunity.

Poonam is known for combining sharp commercial insight with formidable advocacy. As one client notes, “Poonam is a force of nature. Her presence, authority and stature is intimidating and reassuring in equal measure.” She is valued for her ability to cut through complexity, distil issues quickly and deliver clear, strategic advice aligned with commercial objectives.
She appears regularly in the Commercial Court, appellate courts and in international arbitration, including LMAA, LCIA and ICC proceedings. Her recent work includes major shipbuilding, offshore and marine insurance disputes.

Consistently ranked as a leading silk, she was named Shipping Silk of the Year at the Chambers & Partners UK Bar Awards 2024.