International arbitration: arbitrators

Leading arbitrators

KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.

1

Clare Ambrose

Twenty Essex

‘Clare is an outstanding arbitrator: she is calm and scrupulously fair; she prepares and pre-reads throughly for every hearing; and she has a firm grasp of all issues from the outset.'

1

David Bateson

39 Essex Chambers

He is highly intelligent, extremely hardworking, and absolutely determined to ensure that the parties not only have but feel as if they have had a scrupulously fair and considered hearing of their disputes. He has the relatively unusual ability to synthesise extremely complex and extensive evidence and submissions into succinct, comprehensive and clearly expressed decisions.‘

1

John Beechey CBE

Arbitration Chambers

‘Outstanding. At the top of the field. A true grasp of arbitration and a delight to sit with.'

1

Michael Black KC

Newmans Row

1

Juliet Blanch

Arbitration Chambers

'She is absolutely excellent. Always on top of the case both procedurally and substantively, an engaging and collegiate colleague for her co-arbs, scrupulously fair but direct in her engagement with the parties on the merits.'

1

Cyril Chern

4 New Square Chambers

‘He is a superb arbitrator and has a well deserved international reputation on high-value and complex matters. He has first hand, in-depth knowledge of the nuances of international arbitration practice.’

1

Lord Collins

Arbitrators at 24 Lincoln’s Inn Fields

‘He is a very impressive chair: considered in his views, sensitive to cultural and political differences between the parties, and of course, highly intelligent.'

1

Chantal-Aimée Doerries KC

Atkin Chambers

 in complex cross-border construction disputes.’

1

Zachary Douglas KC

3 Verulam Buildings

‘Zac is one of the best minds practising as an arbitrator. He prepares thoroughly, with a firm grasp of any relevant law, domestic or international, and a strong and early grip on the evidence.’

1

Colin Edelman KC

Devereux

‘A first rate arbitrator, with particular expertise in insurance and reinsurance.'

1

Sir Bernard Eder

Newmans Row

1

Nicholas Fletcher KC

4 New Square Chambers

‘Truly excellent as an arbitrator and also a skilled chair of a tribunal. He has sound judgement, is very conscientious, and inspires confidence in the parties.’

1

Robert Gaitskell KC

Keating Chambers

‘A first class arbitrator. Very experienced. Good technical knowledge, especially in electrical matters.'

1

Ian Glick KC

One Essex Court

‘A thoughtful presiding arbitrator with a kindly manner.’

1

Dame Elizabeth Gloster

One Essex Court

‘Elizabeth is an outstanding and highly respected arbitrator.’

1

Sir Peter Gross KC

Twenty Essex

‘Peter is one of the foremost arbitrators in the commercial field. He is an excellent lawyer; he has good judgement; and when sitting as an arbitrator, he has an excellent reputation for firmness and good judgement.’

1

Lord Hoffmann

Brick Court Chambers

1

Adrian Hughes KC

39 Essex Chambers

‘A careful, considered and fair arbitrator and with the breadth of experience in construction and infrastructure disputes makes Adrian a go to for large scale arbitration.’

1

Doug Jones

Atkin Chambers

'Doug is pre-eminent construction arbitrator who handles high end and complex construction and resources disputes. He is a very effective and efficient chairman, who is proactive in managing arbitrations.'

1

Neil Kaplan CBE KC SBS

Arbitration Chambers

 

1

Gavin Kealey KC

7 King’s Bench Walk

‘He is an ideal co-arbitrator, being knowledgeable, thoughtful and collaborative.’

1

Ali Malek KC

3 Verulam Buildings

‘He is very hardworking and always comes across as refined and has an excellent way of dealing with counsel appearing before him.’

1

John Marrin KC

Keating Chambers 

1

Duncan Matthews KC

Twenty Essex

‘Duncan is an exceptional arbitrator with a keen ability to cut to the chase and hone in on arguments and points presented with clarity and precision.’

1

Wendy Miles KC

Twenty Essex

‘She demonstrates exceptional advocacy skills, showcasing a strong command of legal principles and an impressive ability to articulate complex arguments with clarity and precision.’

1

Christopher Moger KC

4 Pump Court

‘Christopher is a superb arbitrator. He is a pleasure to work with, hard-working and wise.’

1

Lord Neuberger

One Essex Court

‘The features which makes David stand out are the ease with which he works with co-arbitrators and parties alike, and the hard work he puts into every case.’

1

David Owen KC

Twenty Essex

‘A hard working well prepared arbitrator – sound on the law and on the facts.’

1

Peter Rees KC

39 Essex Chambers

‘When it comes to presiding arbitrators in complex construction disputes, Peter is one of the best.'

1

Sir Bernard Rix

Twenty Essex

1

Klaus Reichert SC

Brick Court Chambers

'Klaus is a capable and sensible arbitrator, well able to see the wood from the trees. He runs arbitrations well, even with difficult parties and lawyers.'

1

Christopher Style KC

One Essex Court

‘Chris is a super experienced arbitrator with excellent commercial judgement.’

1

Toby Landau KC

Duxton Hill Chambers London

‘He is simply superb. Not only brilliant but a pleasure to work with. How unfair for all of this talent to be concentrated in one person.’

2

Jonathan Acton Davis KC

Atkin Chambers

‘Excellent, sharp mind with a great ability to cut through matters to get to the heart of the issues and dispute.'

2

Sir Robert Akenhead

Atkin Chambers

‘He is a hugely experienced construction and engineering specialist. He is able to absorb vast amounts of information at speed.'

2

Hon James Allsop AC

Atkin Chambers

‘James is colossally experienced in high-level dispute resolution.’

2

Andrew Bartlett KC

Crown Office Chambers 

2

Elizabeth Birch

3 Verulam Buildings

 

2

John Bishop

Arbitration Chambers

‘Very thorough, very detailed, and careful.'

2

Philip Boulding KC

Keating Chambers

2

David Brynmor Thomas KC

Newmans Row

2

Veronique Buehrlen KC

Keating Chambers

‘Veronique is an excellent advocate with a real ability to get to the heart of the issues. She does not waste time with fringe issues but directs the tribunal to the points that are truly important.'

2

Stuart Catchpole KC

Atkin Chambers

‘He is very thoughtful, hard-working and produces excellent orders and awards. Parties rightly enjoy confidence in the fairness of his arbitrations and in the quality of the end product.'

2

Philippa Charles

Twenty Essex

‘Philippa brings huge experience of the international arbitration world to bear in her practice. There seems to be nothing that she has not seen before and so nothing fazes her.’

2

Sir Jeremy Cooke

7 King’s Bench Walk 

 

2

Nicholas Craig KC

3 Verulam Buildings

2

Michael Crane KC

Fountain Court Chambers

2

Helen Davies KC

Brick Court Chambers

'Helen is the Rolls Royce of arbitrators. She is always prepared, unfailingly courteous but incisive and reliably sound in her analysis.'

2

Anneliese Day KC

Fountain Court Chambers

2

James Drake KC

7 King’s Bench Walk

‘James is extremely intelligent; on top of the detail; runs hearings in a fair and courteous way; and writes clear, well thought-through and accessible awards.’

2

Graham Dunning KC

Arbitrators at 24 Lincoln’s Inn Fields

‘Graham applies his extensive knowledge and experience as counsel to his practice as arbitrator: always immaculately prepared and ready to engage on the difficult questions.'

2

Lord Dyson

39 Essex Chambers

2

Timothy Elliott KC

Keating Chambers

2

Jane Davies Evans KC

3 Verulam Buildings

'Excellent understanding of complex construction issues and commercial drivers.'

2

Andrew Foyle

One Essex Court

‘Andrew is one of the premier international arbitrators located in London. He has great experience, great analytical abilities, and a work ethic that outdoes many of the counsel who appear before him.’

2

Karim Ghaly KC

Atkin Chambers

‘Karim is one of the smartest members of the construction Bar, with a work ethic to match. Without doubt, a future leader in the field of international construction arbitration.’

2

Sarah Grimmer

Twenty Essex

‘A very well prepared arbitrator, pro-active, taking no matter for granted, articulate, and with a solid judgment on substantive and procedural matters.'

2

Jeffrey Gruder KC

Arbitrators at 24 Lincoln’s Inn Fields

‘He is a very astute and insightful arbitrator, whose balanced comments are of great value and enhance the quality of the arbitrations in which he works.'

2

Richard Harding KC

Keating Chambers

e is very efficient chairing tribunals and his knowledge of the laws of Middle Eastern countries and ability to read and write and speak Arabic is very useful.'

2

Siobán Healy KC

7 King’s Bench Walk

2

Hilary Heilbron KC

Brick Court Chambers

‘Hilary is a hugely experienced commercial arbitrator. She has a first-class intellect and is able to get straight to the heart of a complex dispute.'

2

Stephen Hofmeyr KC

7 King’s Bench Walk

2

Drew Holiner

Monckton Chambers

2

Abdul Jinadu

Keating Chambers

2

Eva Kalnina

Arbitration Chambers

'Eva is a thoughtful, engaged arbitrator, with a keen sense for fair-mindedness and practical solutions.'

2

Frances Kirkham CBE

Atkin Chambers

‘Excellent, hard working, manages the proceedings very well and thorough.'

2

Peter Leaver KC

One Essex Court

‘An extraordinarily incisive barrister who can analyze complex issues rapidly and effectively. A valued colleague as an arbitrator who pays close attention to the opinions of his colleagues.'

2

Michael Lee

Twenty Essex

2

Julian Lew KC

Twenty Essex 

2

Mark Lloyd-Williams

Arbitration Chambers

Mark is a highly experienced and in demand arbitrator of large and complex construction disputes.'

2

Lord Mance

7 King’s Bench Walk

‘Jonathan is a truly excellent chair: he manages the proceeding efficiently, is well-prepared, and inspires confidence in the parties that their cases are understood and that they are being treated fairly and equally.’

2

Sara Masters KC

Twenty Essex

great arbitrator. Very measured and listens carefully to all the points made before coming to a clear and reasoned decision.’

2

Harry Matovu KC

Brick Court Chambers

‘Harry prepares carefully and has a sound common sense approach to resolving disputes.'

2

David Mildon KC

Arbitrators at 24 Lincoln’s Inn Fields

2

Richard Millett KC

Arbitrators at 24 Lincoln’s Inn Fields

2

Sophie Nappert

3 Verulam Buildings

'She is an excellent arbitrator. Diligent, perceptive and very fair-minded. A particularly excellent chair of a panel.'

2

Jeremy Nicholson KC

4 Pump Court

‘Jeremy is one of the best construction arbitrators in the world. He knows construction inside and out, is very experience as a member of tribunals and dispute boards, and he does the hard work required in each case.'

2

Alexander Nissen KC

Keating Chambers

‘A master of the detail, extremely strong in international arbitration.'

2

Zoe O’Sullivan KC

Serle Court

'Strong legal analysis and gets across issues very quickly. She is able to digest huge amounts of material and boil it all down into a succinct and clearly written award.'

2

Colin Ong KC

The 36 Group

Colin is also impeccable in his behavior during an arbitration.'

2

Lindy Patterson KC

39 Essex Chambers

2

Lionel Persey KC

Quadrant Chambers

'Lionel is one of the go-to chairmen for a complex international construction arbitration.'

2

Nigel Rawding

Twenty Essex

‘Astute and conscientious arbitrator and skilled at dealing with complex issues.'

2

J William Rowley KC

Twenty Essex

2

Alistair Schaff KC

7 King’s Bench Walk

‘Clear and precise legal analysis and presentation. In-depth knowledge of the law.'

2

Niels Schiersing

Arbitration Chambers

2

Vasanti Selvaratnam

The 36 Group

‘She is always exceptional as arbitrator whether working jointly as a co-arbitrator or leading the case as presiding arbitrator.'

2

Audley Sheppard KC

Twenty Essex

As an arbitrator, Audley is of the highest class. He is hugely experienced and has an encyclopaedic knowledge of arbitration law and practice. He is well-connected, very well liked and in great demand. He is an excellent lawyer with a firm grasp of the detail of a case. He is always well-prepared and is a charismatic presiding arbitrator.'

2

Sir Andrew Smith

Fountain Court Chambers

2

Roger Stewart KC

4 New Square Chambers

‘Authoritative and highly experienced, Roger has excellent judgement, gets to the heart of the issues swiftly, and is thoroughly prepared.’

2

David Sutton

Twenty Essex

2

Christopher Symons KC

3 Verulam Buildings

‘He is one of the outstanding arbitrators in the London market.'

2

Marcus Taverner KC

Keating Chambers

‘A first class arbitrator. Intelligent, knowledgeable, hard-working, thoughtful and judicious.'

2

Michael Tselentis KC

Twenty Essex

 

2

Angeline Welsh KC

Arbitrators at 24 Lincoln’s Inn Fields

'She is excellent. Diligent, user friendly, smart and easy to work with.'

2

Andrew White KC

Atkin Chambers

‘As an arbitrator he is commercially astute and efficient.'

2

Richard Wilmot-Smith KC

39 Essex Chambers

Richard is a delight to work with. He is hard working, cooperative, supportive, and a first class thinker.'

2

Matthew Gearing KC

Duxton Hill Chambers London

‘He is world-class and one of the top arbitrators. He is conscientious, industrious and always quick to respond.’

2

Marion Smith KC

39 Essex Chambers

‘Marion is very well prepared and clearly on top of disputes.'