Jeremy Brier KC > Essex Court Chambers > London, England > Barrister Profile
Essex Court Chambers Offices
24 LINCOLN'S INN FIELDS
LONDON
WC2A 3EG
England
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Jeremy Brier KC
Position
Jeremy is a leading barrister specialising in complex commercial litigation, including all aspects of international arbitration, banking and funds, insurance and commercial fraud. He is a powerful and experienced advocate and he is recognised by all the leading legal directories, as follows:
“a first-rate brain… other barristers should be very scared when they come up against him because they will be outfoxed”.
“an excellent advocate, calm and unflappable”
“a powerful advocate with a dogged determination in arguing his case”
“a real arbitration specialist”
“an ability to deliver results that has won him many fans”.
“brilliant”, “excellent”
and “coming up with the most creative and commercial solutions to really knotty problems, and delivers outstanding pieces of work… He is also incredibly nice, friendly and funny.”
In 2023/2024, Jeremy has acted in numerous high-profile commercial disputes, including for the Republic of Mozambique in Commercial Court proceedings against Credit Suisse, VTB Privinvest (and others) concerning $2bn-worth of sovereign guarantees; for a major US-based timberland company in a $300m insurance dispute with the London market; and for a well-known international investor in a multi-million pound dispute over family assets.
In recent years, Jeremy acted for Arch in the Supreme Court for the leading case of Financial Conduct Authority v Arch test case (2020) on losses resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2022, he appeared as sole counsel in numerous cases including WSB v FOL (2022) concerning sections 67-69 Arbitration Act 1996 and a complex international arbitration concerning a tower of excess liability insurance. In 2021, Jeremy also appeared as sole counsel in a lengthy commercial fraud case, SFO v Litigation Capital and Others (2021), as well as in numerous heavy Freezing Injunctions in respect of complex international frauds.
Jeremy has been sitting as a Recorder since 2018 (Crime / Chancery). He is also a frequent broadcaster on radio and TV about key issues in the law and was formerly an adjunct Professor at Pepperdine University, California.
Jeremy sits as an arbitrator and takes appointments through Arbitrators at 24 Lincoln’s Inn Fields. Should you wish to make an enquiry, please visit their website by clicking here.
Career
Silk 2022
Called 2004, Middle Temple.
Languages
Italian.
Memberships
Commercial Bar Association (COMBAR); LCIA Young International Arbitrators Group; London Common Law and Commercial Bar Association; The European Circuit of the Bar.
Education
University of Cambridge (MA Cantab).
Leisure
Debating, politics, sports.
Lawyer Rankings
London Bar > Insurance and reinsurance
(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 4Jeremy Brier KC –Essex Court Chambers ‘Jeremy is incredibly responsive and keeps the team up to date on his availability. When he promises something on a certain timeframe you will receive it – without fail. His drafting is powerful and persuasive. He prepares for cases extremely carefully and takes time to think through complex legal issues. He is always a pleasure to deal with.’
London Bar > Shipping
(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 5Jeremy Brier KC –Essex Court Chambers ‘Enthusiastic, a good communicator and responsive.’
Essex Court Chambers fields a deep bench of both barristers and juniors regularly involved in the market’s most significant disputes. The salvage of a large amount of silver in 2017 from the SS Tilawa, a ship sunk by the Imperial Japanese Navy in the Indian Ocean in 1942, raised questions surrounding state immunity in Argentum Exploration Ltd v Republic of South Africa, where Christopher Smith KC acted on behalf of the Republic of South Africa, whom the Supreme Court ruled in favour of in 2024. Jeremy Brier KC appeared in Sangamo v Prosperity, one of the cases arising out of the dispute between Greek shipowner siblings Angeliki Frangou and John Frangos and dealing with contractual relationships within the family. Elsewhere, Philippa Hopkins KC has led David Walsh in the Win Win, a claim under war risks policy for an indemnity for constructive total loss resulting from the detention of a bulk carrier by Indonesian authorities.
London Bar > Commercial litigation
(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 6Jeremy Brier KC –Essex Court Chambers ‘Jeremy is able to understand client needs and deliver a strategy and approach that aligns with their needs. He is always incredibly well-prepared and committed as an advocate.’