James Sheehan KC > Essex Court Chambers > London, England > Barrister Profile

Essex Court Chambers handle high-profile and high-value international banking and finance litigation, with members regularly for blue-chip city and US firms, offshore and in domestic litigation. Joe Smouha KC is noted for his ‘strong advocacy, and precise and persuasive presentation,‘ and alongside Louise Hutton KC represented the Prime Minister of Georgia against Credit Suisse’s Bermuda life insurance subsidiary for losses incurred to the assets held by two life insurance policy wrappers as a result of fraud of the relationship manager in Bidzina Ivanishvilli v Credit Suisse Life (Bermuda) Ltd. Stephen Houseman KC is focused on disputes within banking, finance and investment, acting for both major banks and financial institutions. Sophia Hurst acts for major banks and funds as well as regulators, and has experience on the consumer credit aspects of the Consumer Rights Act 2015. James Sheehan KC took silk in 2024.

Essex Court Chambers is praised for its ‘strength in depth when it comes to all types of arbitration’ with members of the set frequently appearing in internationally significant investment treaty arbitrations, arbitration related proceedings in the English courts and commercial arbitrations in arbitration centres across the globe. Away from a the set’s practice across international commercial arbitrations, in the investor-state sphere David Joseph KC led Anton Dudnikov in the English enforcement proceedings related to the Cairn Energy v India investment treaty dispute, with India paying over $1bn to Cairn for unlawful retrospective taxation measures. Key highlights on investor state arbitrations include First Quantum Minerals v Panama, in which Paul Key KC, leading Lucas Bastin KC and Sean Aughey, represents First Quantum Minerals in their dispute over the termination of a mining licence in Panama. Among the lineup changes to the set in the last year was the arrival of Thomas Sebastian from Monckton Chambers in July 2023; David Peters KC and James Sheehan KC being made silk in March 2024; and Tariq Baloch joining from 3 Verulam Buildings in October 2024.

Essex Court Chambers stands out as a ‘strong set with an excellent reputation and quality advocates’, handling a myriad of substantial commercial litigation including civil fraud, insurance, banking and finance, and shipping-related work. In NMC Healthcare v  Shetty, Ruth Den Besten KC is defending the founder of NMC Healthcare amidst allegations of fraudulent activity following the Middle Eastern hospital group’s collapse into administration in 2020. Joe Smouha KC is leading Ciaran Keller in Nex Group Limited’s defence against TP ICAP, a case relating to the non-disclosure of alleged liabilities arising from the German cum-ex trading scandal. In another high-profile matter, Nathan Pillow KC and Tim Akkouh KC are representing Eurasian Natural Resources Company in claims against Dechert LLP, Neil Gerrard, and the Serious Fraud Office, pertaining to the SFO’s investigation into and the solicitors firm’s advice about alleged corruption in ENRC’s international operations. Daniel Oudkerk KC is representing hundreds of thousands of claimant vehicle owners in six separate group actions concerning diesel emissions against major motor manufacturers. Adding to the chambers’ distinguished roster, David Peters KC and James Sheehan KC were elevated to silk status in March 2024 and Paul Stanley KC was appointed Deputy High Court Judge with effect from January 2023.

Maintaining its reputation as a ‘leading set in civil fraud’, Essex Court Chambers handles significant fraud cases in England and Wales and internationally, appearing before the Commercial and Chancery Courts, at the appellate level, and in arbitration. In PrivatBank v Kolomoisky, James Willan KC, leading Christopher Lloyd, represents the commercial bank against its former shareholders, alleging fraudulent lending to companies controlled by the defendants. Meanwhile, Nathan Pillow KC, David Davies KC, and Anton Dudnikov are acting for the claimants in National Bank Trusts v Mints, a case against a Russian family accused of banking fraud. Public Institution for Social Security v Al Rajaan and others, an international fraud litigation involving alleged large-scale bribery of the former Director General of the Kuwaiti social security fund, sees Anna Dilnot KC acting for the claimant; Joe Smouha KC, James Collins KC, and Felix Wardle representing the Man Group; and James Willan KC and Tim Akkouh KC acting for Muna Al Wazzan. David Peters KC and James Sheehan KC took silk in March 2024.