Essex Court Chambers

Adam Board

Adam acts and advises as counsel in commercial litigation and international arbitration cases. He has a varied practice, with particular interests in civil fraud, energy, shipping, restitution and the conflict of laws. Adam is often instructed in high-value litigation as part of a counsel team. He has particular appellate work experience, and his recent cases include appeals to the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, and Commercial Court. Adam also appears regularly in commercial cases, with his recent unled instructions including arbitration appeals, applications for freezing injunctions, interlocutory hearings, trials and arbitrations.

Adam Woolnough

Arbitration, commercial litigation, conflict of laws, insurance and reinsurance, public international law, shipping, sports law, VAT.

Akash Sonecha

Alexander Riddiford

Junior

Alison Macdonald KC

Barrister

Amy Sander

Amy has a broad commercial practice with a particular interest in public international law; international arbitration; human rights; employment law. The Legal 500 (2013) describes Amy as ‘outstanding’ and says she is ‘potentially the brightest rising star in a set which has many bright stars’. In 2013, Amy was named as one of the ten ‘Stars of the Bar’ under ten years’ call by Legal Week (November 2013). Amy is described as ‘extremely easy to work with… very keen to get on with the job in hand’. The publication quotes instructing solicitors as having described Amy as ‘bright and very responsive’, with one lawyer stating ‘whether in terms of skeleton arguments or longer written pleadings, Amy’s written advocacy is first rate,’ adding that ‘her legal and research skills are excellent and exceptional in terms of mastering and getting to the heart of issues’. Amy was appointed Junior Counsel to the Crown (the Attorney General’s Public International Law C Panel) in 2014, and Junior Counsel to the Crown (the Attorney General’s London C Panel) in 2013. She is also on the panel of EHRC (Equality and Human Rights Commission) Counsel.

Andrew Legg

Andrew has a broad commercial practice in line with Chambers’ profile. He also practices in public international law, international arbitration and human rights. Before commencing practice at the Bar, Andrew taught law at the University of Oxford for four years. He taught contract law, European human rights law, administrative law and criminal law.

Andrew Hochhauser KC

Has a broad-based commercial practice, including a significant number of employment-related disputes concerning City financial institutions. Was appointed a deputy High Court judge in the Chancery Division in 2013 and in the Queen’s Bench Division in 2014. Recent high-profile work has included: advising Ingenious Media in a £1bn+ appeal against the HMRC, acting for one of the Defendants in the team move High Court case of Arthur J Gallagher v Ross, appearing in the BVI Commercial Court in Ng v Peckson Ltd, involving the ownership of shares in a large casino in Macau; acting for the Defendants in Grizzly Business Ltd v Stena Drilling Limited, a Commercial Court claim in relation to claim for a substantial success fee relating to a mobile offshore drilling unit; appearing in a number of substantial City bonus claims, including representing a large number of senior bankers in (both in the High Court and in Court of Appeal) in bonus claims against Dresdner Kleinwort and Commerzbank and acting for the FSA in Financial Services Compensation Scheme Ltd v Abbey National, and in the Upper Tribunal case of FSA v Pottage.

Angeline Welsh

Barrister

Anna Dilnot KC

Silk

Anton Dudnikov

Anton has a broad commercial practice. He is regularly instructed in international arbitrations, as well as trials and applications in the High Court and the County Courts. He has appeared in the Court of Appeal, and is accustomed to acting both as sole counsel and as part of a team of leading and other junior counsel, solicitors and experts. Key areas of expertise include: arbitration and related court applications; banking and financial services; civil fraud and asset tracing; commercial dispute resolution; conflict of laws and private international law; European law and competition; and insurance and reinsurance.

Benedict Tompkins

Benedict’s practice is focused on high-value commercial litigation and arbitration, specialising in civil fraud, banking and finance, and both commercial and investment arbitration across a range of sectors. Benedict has acted in proceedings at all levels of the English courts, and increasingly takes on significant advocacy roles as junior counsel. He is also developing a practice in offshore work focussed on fraud and asset recovery, and has experience both at first instance in the Commercial Division of the BVI High Court and on appeal before the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal. In arbitration, he has appeared in or advised on proceedings under the ICSID, ICC, LCIA, HKIAC, SIAC, LMAA, ICDR and UNCITRAL Rules, seated both in London and abroad. Highlights of Benedict’s recent or current work include acting: for the primary defendant in Suppipat v Narongdej [2023] EWHC 1988 (Comm), a $2 billion multi-party fraud claim arising out of the sale of Thailand’s largest renewable energy firm, tried over 20 weeks in 2022–2023; for the beneficial owner of a shares in a $200 million fund in just and equitable winding up proceedings arising from serious misconduct by fund management (BVI High Court and ECCA); for the claimant in Lonestar Communications Corporation LLC v Kay (Commercial Court), a conspiracy claim concerning a large-scale cyber attack on a Liberian telecommunications network; and for the Republic of India in Vedanta Resources Ltd v India, a multi-billion dollar claim alleging breaches of an investment treaty by way of a taxation measure.

Bibek Mukherjee

Bibek undertakes a broad range of commercial work, as both sole and junior counsel, with particular interest in the following fields: arbitration, banking and finance, commercial fraud, commercial litigation, conflicts of laws, economic torts, employment, professional negligence and shipping.

Catherine Jung

Catherine Jung has a broad commercial practice, focusing on large-scale commercial litigation and international arbitration. She has considerable experience in, amongst other things, interlocutory matters (including freezing and anti-suit injunctions and applications for security for costs), challenges to arbitration awards and arbitration enforcement proceedings.

Charles Ciumei KC

Has a practice covering all aspects of employment with a commercial aspect, particularly focused on trade secrets/confidential information and the financial services sector, including investment banking, private equity, hedge funds (including algorithmic/quantitative strategies), insurance, inter-dealer brokers, and Lloyd’s brokers. Expertise in the following areas: trade secrets and confidential information; restraint of trade (restrictive covenants); ‘team move’ cases; breach of fiduciary duties; bonus claims; profit share and carried interest claims; whistleblowing claims; jurisdictional disputes; unfair and wrongful dismissal; discrimination; transfer of undertakings (TUPE); industrial relations and trade unions. Experience of LCIA arbitration. Has also appeared before the Administrative Tribunal of the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development. Admitted to the register of practitioners of the DIFC Court (Dubai, UAE). Appointed to the list of Special Advocates by the Attorney General.

Christopher Smith KC

Chris Smith has a broad based practice covering all aspects of domestic and international commercial work, with particular emphasis on wet and dry shipping, professional negligence, and related areas such as marine and non-marine insurance and reinsurance. Chris’ practice involves advisory work, mediation and litigation in the Court of Appeal and all divisions of the High Court. He also has extensive experience of acting as co-counsel in disputes involving litigation in more than one jurisdiction and much of his practice involves arbitration, both in England and Wales and abroad including Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore and Norway. Chris is a CEDR accredited mediator and also accepts appointments as arbitrator both on LMAA and ad hoc terms.

Christopher Lloyd

Christopher specialises in commercial and chancery litigation with an emphasis on civil fraud and asset recovery claims. He frequently appears in the High Court (led and unled) in freezing injunction and other interim remedy applications and trials involving allegations of dishonesty or fraud. Most of his cases have an international element which start in the English courts with applications for injunctive relief and permission to serve foreign defendants. He has acted in some of the largest civil fraud claims in the English courts in recent years, including PrivatBank v Kolomoisky, Vale v Steinmetz, Mezphrom Bank v Pugachev and BTA Bank v Ablyazov. He is frequently instructed in litigation involving breaches of fiduciary duty and breaches of trust; unfair prejudice and other Companies Act remedies; and corporate and personal insolvency.

Ciaran Keller

Commercial and chancery litigation and arbitration (domestic and international), including: business agreements and contractual disputes of all kinds; banking and financial services litigation; civil fraud and asset tracing; energy and minerals; jurisdiction disputes; company, partnership and insolvency matters; shareholder disputes; fiduciaries; professional negligence; enforcement of judgments and awards; and claims for and against sovereign states. Admitted as a member of the Bar of the British Virgin Islands. Notable cases include: Maximov v NLMK [2017] (Comm – enforcement of annulled award); Hellas II v Apax Partners [2017] (Ch - transaction defrauding creditors); Nogotkov v Browder [2017] (Ch - Cross Border Insolvency Regulations; public policy); British American Tobacco v Sequana [2016] (Ch – unlawful dividends; breach of fiduciary duty; transactions defrauding creditors); Krys v KBC Partners [2015] (Privy Council – construction of articles of a limited partnership); Yukos Capital v Rosneft (No. 2) [2014] (Comm – enforceability of annulled arbitral awards); Barnsley v Noble [2015] (Ch – deceit, breach of contract and fiduciary duty); Cifal Groupe v Meridian Securities [2013] (Comm – jurisdiction challenge); Yukos Capital v Rosneft [2012] (CA - act of state, issue estoppel); Favor Easy Management v Wu [2012] (CA – civil fraud); NML v Argentina [2011] (Supreme Court - sovereign immunity); Crossco v Jolan [2011] (CA - constructive trust, proprietary estoppel); Star Energy v Bocardo [2010] (Supreme Court – trespass by oil pipelines at depth); Crest Nicholson v Akaria [2010] (CA - contractual formation); IPCO v NNPC [2009] (CA – part enforcement of New York Convention awards); Meretz v ACP [2008] (CA – conspiracy; inducing breach of contract); Donegal v Zambia [2007] (Comm - debt recovery against a sovereign state); Gamlestaden v Baltic Partners [2007] (Privy Council – unfair prejudice remedy for shareholders).

Claire Blanchard KC

Barrister. Claire Blanchard QC has a specialist commercial practice and is an experienced advocate, both in court and in international arbitration, and has appeared at all levels in the English Courts. She has experience across a broad range of commercial disputes, as well as particular expertise in matters relating to energy and natural resources, insurance and reinsurance, international trade and shipping. Claire’s clients have included state owned entities, financial institutions and other major commercial corporations and high net-worth individuals. She also accepts appointments as an arbitrator. Claire is a contributing editor to Arnould:Law of Marine Insurance and General Average 17th Ed (2008) and 18th Ed (2013). She is also an experienced advocacy trainer.

Claudia Renton

Claudia has a broad commercial practice with specialisms in media and entertainment law, arbitration and civil fraud. Claudia is recognized by the Legal 500 as a leading junior (Tier 1) for Art and Cultural Property Law which stated (2017) that “She has it all and will go a very long way”. Claudia frequently acts as sole counsel and has appeared unled in arbitrations, the High Court, County Courts and the Employment Tribunal and as junior counsel in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, High Court, numerous arbitrations (including under the LMAA Terms (2012), LCIA Arbitration Rules, American Arbitration Association Rules, ICC Rules and DIAC) and in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts. She is accustomed to working closely with foreign lawyers. She has been instructed in both advisory work and ongoing litigation. She is qualified to appear before the DIFC Courts and is uniquely familiar with the jurisdiction, having spent several months there on secondment to the DIFC Courts and an international law firm during a 2014 Pegasus Trust Scholarship. She advised the newly established Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) Courts on their Arbitration and Court Rules. Claudia is the author of “Those Wild Wyndhams”, a biography of the Wyndham sisters (HarperCollins, 2014 (UK); Knopf, 2018 (US)), which won the Slightly Foxed Best First Biography Prize 2014 and was nominated for the Spears Book Awards 2014. She is also co-author of Heroes (Quercus 2007). In her previous career as an actress she appeared on stage with the Royal Shakespeare Company and at the National Theatre, and on television in series for the BBC and ITV and was awarded an Ian Charleson Commendation 2007 (National Theatre/Sunday Times) (awards rewarding the best classical stage performances by actors under 30).

Dan Sarooshi KC

Professor Dan Sarooshi K.C. has a track record of achieving success in high stakes litigation. He is a highly regarded advocate who litigates in the areas of public international law, investment treaty arbitration, commercial litigation, and constitutional law. He also represents States and international organizations in international and domestic employment cases. His clients include 14 States (e.g., UK and USA), 15 international organizations, corporations (e.g. BAT, Exxon Mobil, Hitachi, Roche, and Tesco), and Royal Families/Billionaires. His cases have been in the domestic courts in the UK, Hong Kong and Bahamas; International Court of Justice; European Court of Human Rights; World Trade Organization; and arbitration proceedings conducted pursuant to ICSID (also ECT and AF), NAFTA, ICC, UNCITRAL, and LCIA Rules.

Daniel Oudkerk KC

Daniel Oudkerk QC has a broad-based trial and advisory practice. He is recognised as a leading silk in employment and commercial dispute resolution. He is often instructed in commercial claims with an employment or regulatory ‘twist’ and in partnership disputes involving competition issues. He has very substantial experience of financial services sector litigation. His clients range from hedge funds, IDBs, investment banks, insurers and regulators to individuals. He is routinely instructed in claims involving applications for urgent injunctive relief, multi-jurisdictional conspiracies, team moves, employee fraud, confidential information actions and bonus claims. His general commercial practice includes CIS work, fraud, directors’ duties, shareholder disputes and partnership disputes.

Daniel Fox

Daniel has a broad commercial practice in line with Chambers’ profile. He is regularly instructed in a wide range of practice areas, including, commercial litigation and arbitration, sports, public and human rights, financial regulatory, insurance, shipping, employment, civil fraud, banking and financial services, and public international law. His recent commercial work includes: acting for a hotel in a covid-19 business interruption insurance claim; advising a telecommunications company on its termination rights (as a result of sanctions issues) in relation to a $100m contract in Myanmar; and acting for the insurer of a shipping agency in a dispute relating to damaged goods. He also regularly appears in the Employment Tribunal and the Employment Appeal Tribunal in employment disputes.

David Walsh

Barrister with a broad commercial practice. Particularly well-known for his work in insurance and reinsurance, shipping, international trade, commodities, energy, and shipbuilding / offshore construction disputes.

David Scorey KC

Wide-ranging practice in international and domestic commercial law, litigating in both domestic courts and tribunals in addition to international arbitrations. Has acted in a wide variety of commercial disputes including insurance and reinsurance (particularly in respect of high-level excess liability insurance on the Bermuda form), Lloyd’s litigation, shipping and the carriage of goods, banking and civil fraud. Also has considerable experience in VAT, insurance premium tax and other duties instructed by solicitors, accountants and other professionals. Practice includes both advisory work and litigation and he has appeared in cases in the Commercial Court, Queen’s Bench Division, Chancery Division, Court of Appeal and the House of Lords. His litigation experience extends beyond domestic cases and he is accustomed to working with foreign lawyers and particularly US attorneys, both instructed directly and also in conjunction with English solicitors.

David Peters KC

Wide experience of commercial law with emphasis on general commercial litigation, civil fraud, insolvency and company law disputes. Particular expertise in dealing with cases with an international element (including disputes over jurisdiction and applicable law). Acts as both junior counsel in relation to substantial High Court litigation and as a sole advocate and advisor. Notable recent cases include: VTB Capital v Nutritek & Others [2011] EWCA Civ 1252, [2011] EWHC 3107 – instructed for the claimant in a complex jurisdictional dispute relating to an ongoing US$350m fraud claim; Re Bickland [2012] EWHC 706 – acted for the applicant in relation to a dispute over the treatment of costs of an administration application which was rendered otiose by an out-of-court appointment of administrators; Zodiac v Third Eye (TCC, 2012) – acted for the claimant in a substantial claim for fraudulent misrepresentation relating to the sale of a virtual reality training simulator.

David Craig KC

With a “reputation for handling high-stakes cases”, “revered practitioner” David Craig KC has a rich and diverse practice leading teams in various jurisdictions. At home in court and in arbitration, David is instructed in high profile and heavyweight disputes, often at the intersection between commercial and employment law or involving the protection of confidential information and trade secrets, including large-scale multi-week litigation, substantive interim applications for injunctive relief and appeals (where David has acted at all levels, including on numerous occasions in the House of Lords and Supreme Court). David also appears in high-value whistleblowing and discrimination claims in the Employment Tribunal, frequently in a regulatory context and where important reputational issues arise. His practice has an international dimension, with cases often involving multiple jurisdictions, foreign law (where he works closely with foreign lawyers) and foundational jurisdictional questions, and he has appeared in numerous cases in the Dubai International Financial Centre Courts.

David Joseph KC

Has acted as counsel and arbitrator in an extremely wide range of high-value commercial disputes. He is consistently recommended as a leading silk in the field of international arbitration as well as general insurance and commercial litigation. He is the author of Jurisdiction and Arbitration Agreements and their Enforcement (Sweet & Maxwell, 2nd Ed November 2010) which in a short period of time has become a standard work of reference in this complex field and has been cited with approval by courts in England and Singapore. He has acted and appeared as counsel in over 100 complex and lengthy LCIA, ICC, UNCITRAL and other ad hoc arbitrations in London and overseas. In addition he has acted as counsel in numerous LMAA arbitrations. He has also frequently been appointed to act as arbitrator in both institutional (ICC and LCIA) and ad hoc arbitration. His arbitration practice covers a wide range of work from joint ventures, shareholder disputes, mobile telephones, satellite television, insurance, reinsurance, aerospace, mining, construction and shipbuilding. He has also advised and acted in a series of investment treaty disputes. In court, his practice covers not only the general range of commercial disputes embraced in his arbitration practice but in addition he has appeared as counsel in a number of fraud actions involving recovery of stolen property, resolution of disputes between shareholders/joint venturers, breach of fiduciary duty, restraint of use of performance bonds/letters of credit. He has also acted in a number of actions giving rise to complex issues as to jurisdiction and the grant of interlocutory relief including anti-suit injunction. On top of his practice in England, he has a busy international practice appearing in court and arbitration in the Far East and Caribbean. He is one of a number of barristers who have taken rooms in Singapore’s dedicated arbitration facility in Singapore, Maxwell Chambers. He was named Silk of the year: International arbitration at the 2013 inaugural Legal 500 awards. Reported cases include: Banking: Tenaga v UBS; BNP v Karageorgis; Proctor and Gamble v Bankers Trust; Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken vs APBS; and BNP v Jurong Shipyard; Menara Maxis vs AT & T and others). Commercial litigation: Gill v Meyers; Films Rover v Cannon Film Sales; Standard Chartered Bank v PNSC and others (for SGS); Mattis v Toussaint; Yukong Lines v Rendsburg; REC v Thames Water; De Molestina and Others v Ponton and Marubeni Corporation v Government of Mongolia. Commercial fraud: Stanford International Bank Limited [2009] EWHC 1441 (Lewison J) and dismissal of liquidator’s appeal in [2010] EWCA Civ 692; Parbulk v Heritage Maritime (2011) and the TSB v Chabra jurisdiction. Insurance and reinsurance: Suncorp v Milano; Group Josi v Walbrook; Baker & Black Sea and Baltic; Aneco v Johnson & Higgins. Shipping: The Houda; The Seaflower, The Lloyd Pacifico; Smedvig v Elf Shipping, Standard Chartered Bank v PNSC (successfully defending SGS); Yukong Lines v Rendsburg – The Rialto. Aviation: Lee Kui Jak v Aerospatiale; Malca Amit v British Airways, and Quantum v Air France. Judicial review: AVAL vs Government of Antigua and Barbuda (Judgment 29 April 2009).

David Mildon KC

General commercial litigation and arbitration including ABCI v Banque Franco Tunisienne [2003] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 146; Assurances Generales De France I.a.r.t. v Grundstad (Brussels Convention – Rix J, 1996); Merzario v Leitner [2001] 1 Lloyd’s Rep 490 (CA – jurisdiction under CMR); Pratt & Witney v AXA (TCC – 2002 – Brussels Convention – action directe). Oil, gas and electricity litigation including British Gas plc v Shell UK and Esso Exploration and Production (Brent ‘K’ factor indexation dispute); National Power v United Gas (CA and Colman J – North Sea take or pay); Shell UK Ltd v Enterprise Oil Plc and Elf Exploration UK Plc [1999] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 456 (North Sea equity redetermination); National Power Plc v National Grid Plc (CA, 16/7/98 – connection charges); BP Gas Marketing Ltd v Corby Power Ltd (May 2000); Nukila [1996] 1 Lloyd’s Rep 85, [1997] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 146 (insurance of oil field jack up platform); The Renewable Energy Company Ltd v Thames Water Utilities Ltd (Etherton J, April 2001 – meter registration); Npower Direct Ltd v South of Scotland Power Ltd [2005] EWHC 2123 (commercial agency in electricity industry); BP Gas Marketing Ltd v Centrica Storage Ltd [2009] EWHC 732 (gas storage); P T Thiess Indonesia v KPC [2011] EWHC 68 (Comm) (price review, jurisdiction); numerous gas price reviews (Portugal, Spain, Croatia, Denmark, Germany etc, since 2007 and continuing); gas balancing dispute (Tierra del Fuego, 2014); sales of electricity under EFET terms (Budapest, 2010); contractual obligations relating to ROCs, LECs, CCL, EU ETS and CERs (2007-2014); disputes before regulatory dispute resolution bodies such as the PNE Panel (2003); three determinations as the expert appointed under expert determination clauses in long-term energy supply contracts; disputed capacity payments, Malaysia, 2015; Insurance and reinsurance including North Atlantic Insurance Co Ltd v Nationwide General Insurance Co Ltd [2004] EWCA (Civ) 423 (insolvency within insurance pool); College Credit Ltd v NIG Skandia [2004] EWHC 978 (credit insurance); Kazakhstan Wool Processors v NCM [2000] 1 All ER (Comm) 708 (export credit insurance); Wunsche v Tai Ping [1998] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 8 (marine voyage policy); appointed to panel of Lloyd’s. Enforcement Tribunal chairman 2001, and re-appointed 2009 and 2012; Chair of Panel in 2015; Banking and financial services including Household Global Funding Inc v British Gas Trading Ltd (2001 – Lloyd J and Lightman J); Seaconsar v Bank Markazi [1997] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 89, [1999] 1 Lloyd’s Rep 36 (documentary credit). Shipping – including Gulf Azov v Chief Idisi (CA 2002); Maersk Columbo [1999] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 491 – collision damage; Aegean Sea [1998] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 39; Sheltam Rail v Mirambo [2008] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 195 (discontinuance of proceedings under 1996 Act); Bremen Max [2009] 1 Lloyd’s Rep 81 (P&I Club LOI); Monford Shipping v Libyan Iron & Steel (2011, freight); bareboat charter delivery disputes (2015). Publications of note: ‘Agreements to Agree: does expert determination provide a default solution’ (TDM, October 2005); ‘Property in commingled gas – the legal structures compared’ (OGEL, March 2006); ‘Gas Pricing Disputes’ 19 July 2012: http://www.eisourcebook.org/cms/Gas%20Pricing%20Disputes.pdf; Gas Price Arbitrations, Chapter on The Adjustment Phase, Globe Law and Business, 2014; Singapore International Arbitration: Law and Practice, chapter on Commencing an Arbitration and Constituting the Tribunal, 2014.

David Baker

Barrister

Edward Brown KC

Broad-ranging practice across the following practice areas: commercial litigation; employment; media, entertainment and sport; VAT; shareholders and company director disputes; financial services litigation. Experienced trial advocate and regularly appears across a range of tribunals and courts. Regularly advises and acts on High Court injunctions, including applications in the Commercial Court for high-value freezing orders. Substantial experience acting in appeals in the Upper Tribunal, EAT, High Court and Court of Appeal, and is often instructed alone against leading counsel. Also acts as a representative at commercial mediations. Appointed to the Attorney-General’s B Panel in 2014 and C Panel 2010. Also acts regularly for central government.

Edward Batrouney

Ed has a broad commercial practice in line with Chambers’ profile with a particular focus on commercial litigation & arbitration, civil fraud, insurance, financial services, and professional negligence. He has experience of both substantial commercial litigation and arbitration. Ed joined chambers in 2023 with 8 years of experience as a leading commercial junior in Australia. In 2020, 2021 and 2022 Ed was recognised in Doyle’s Guide as a leading commercial litigation and dispute resolution junior barrister in Victoria, Australia. Ed has substantial experience in Australia acting as sole counsel and as part of larger counsel teams in matters involving civil fraud, professional negligence, insurance & financial services, and class actions. After completing his post-graduate studies at the University of Oxford, and prior to his call to the Bar in Australia, Ed was an associate in dispute resolution at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP in London.

Emily Wood KC

Has a broad commercial practice in line with chambers’ profile. Focused on heavyweight commercial litigation and arbitration, often with an international dimension. Other areas of expertise include commercial fraud, company law, insurance and reinsurance, media and entertainment, and partnership law. In 2010 named as one of the ten Stars of the Bar under ten years call by ‘Legal Week’ (October 2010) – quotes instructing solicitors as having described Emily as ‘fabulous, bright, calm, commercial and great to work with’. Frequently instructed in arbitrations or litigation being conducted abroad. Called to the bar of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (Virgin Islands) and admitted to practise in the Dubai International Financial Centre. Recent work includes advising on a £574m dispute between 22 pension funds and a number of large, but confidential, arbitrations.

Felix Wardle

Franklin Berman

Specialises in international arbitration and advisory work in international law. 50-year career in international law and diplomacy spanning a wide and varied field, including settlement of disputes; the law of treaties; state responsibility; diplomatic and state immunity; maritime delimitation; the law of the Continental shelf; outer space and nuclear energy; the law of international organisations; the UN Security Council; the laws of war and neutrality; international criminal tribunals; and numerous other areas. In light of this extensive experience, he is highly qualified for advisory work in all areas of public international law, for international dispute settlement proceedings of all kinds and for international commercial and investment arbitration. Has served as judge ad hoc at the International Court of Justice in the case concerning Certain Property (Liechtenstein v Germany). Recent appointment by the Lord Chief Justice as the legal member of the Court of Arbitration between Pakistan and India under the Indus Waters Treaty confirms his high international standing in the field. Recently successfully represented Cambodia before the International Court in the case concerning the Temple of Preah Vihear. Appointed by the British government in 2004 to the list of arbitrators under the Washington Convention (ICSID). Currently sitting or has recently sat in five ICSID arbitrations as chairman (MOL Hungarian Oil and Gas Company Plc v Republic of Croatia; Víctor Pey Casado and President Allende Foundation v Republic of Chile; The Rompetrol Group NV v Romania; Alemanni v Argentine Republic; Global Trading Resource Corp & ors v Ukraine); and seven as party-appointed arbitrator, both claimant and host state (F-W Oil Interests, Inc v Republic of Trinidad & Tobago; Bayindir Insaat Turizm Ticaret Ve Sanayi AS v Islamic Republic of Pakistan; Russell Resources International Ltd & ors v Democratic Republic of the Congo; Libananco Holdings Co Ltd v Republic of Turkey; Marion Unglaube v Republic of Costa Rica; Reinhard Unglaube v Republic of Costa Rica; Vattenfall AB & ors v Federal Republic of Germany); and in four ICSID annulment proceedings (Consortium RFCC v Kingdom of Morocco; Empresas Lucchetti v Peru; CECF Transgabonais v Republic of Gabon; Togo Électricité-GDF Suez v Togo); as well as in arbitrations under the ICC, Stockholm Arbitration Institute and LCIA (sole arbitrator), and ad hoc. Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (UK); in 2006, the Republic of Austria awarded him the Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold with Star and in 2013 the Kingdom of Cambodia the Grand Croix de l’Ordre Royal.

Freddie Onslow

Barrister

Freddie Popplewell

Barrister

Graham Dunning

Graham Dunning QC was until recently the co-head of Essex Court Chambers. He has a full time practice as an advocate and arbitrator in substantial international and commercial disputes. Graham has recently appeared at all levels in the English courts from the Supreme Court down, offshore and in international arbitrations in London and other arbitration venues around the world. Amongst other things, he has conducted two heavy fraud trials, several appeals to the English Court of Appeal, Supreme Court and Privy Council, an important Commercial Court banking/commodities trial, commercial arbitrations in London, Dubai and Singapore, a trial in the DIFC in Dubai, various anti-suit injunctions and applications for freezing relief, an appeal in the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal, major oil and gas arbitrations, numerous arbitration-related court applications (including issues of state immunity), and substantial investment arbitrations in Washington, Stockholm and Paris and other international commercial arbitrations (eg ICC, UNCITRAL, LCIA, LCIA-lndia, SCC). His clients have included states and state entities, banks, major commercial corporations and high-net-worth individuals. He also frequently sits as arbitrator in international arbitrations of all kinds, having been appointed in more than 70 cases. He has extensive experience of disputes relating to investments in oil and gas, mining, international trade in all types of commodities, energy, infrastructure, as well as shareholder disputes.

Gretta Schumacher

Gretta is developing a broad commercial litigation and arbitration practice in line with Chambers’ profile. Throughout her pupillage, she has worked and gained experience in a range of practice areas, including public international law, arbitration, civil fraud, banking, insurance, conflict of laws and shipping. Gretta has specific expertise in public international law, public and administrative law, and international and domestic human rights litigation. Prior to joining Essex Court, Gretta was Senior Legal and Policy Officer for the UK-based NGO Rights and Security International (formerly Rights Watch UK), where her work focused on the international law and human rights implication of the UK’s national security, military and counter-terrorism policies. In the course of that role, she conceptualized and led on interventions on behalf of the NGO in the European Court of Human Rights, including appearing before the Grand Chamber in Hanan v Germany. Domestically, Gretta assisted and lead the NGO in domestic administrative law and judicial review proceedings, at both the High Court and Supreme Court levels. She was a lead researcher on a significant report published by the NGO as to the repatriation of European nationals detained abroad, who are associated with foreign terrorist groups. She was also involved in extensive advisory work, parliamentary and legal briefings, both domestic and international, representing the NGO at the EU and at OSCE events. Her interest in these areas of law is enduring.

Hugh Mercer KC

Court and advisory advocate specialising in EU, competition, public law and cross-border issues. His practice spans the whole range of EU law from competition to customs, free movement to agriculture and fisheries, and state aid to public procurement. Frequently engaged in resolving issues arising from implementation or failure to implement EU law in the UK. Substantial experience in regulatory matters and advocacy before the European Commission and other administrative tribunals, in particular in the shipping, water, gas and telecoms sectors. Public law experience includes commercial judicial review, health, food safety, medicines regulation, environmental and coronial law. Cross-border law includes all issues of conflicts of jurisdiction, applicable law, foreign law, public international law. Recent cases include intervening to support Microsoft in the EU General Court proceedings concerning periodic penalties for breach of Article 102 TFEU; winning Defra’s appeal to the Supreme Court in the Bloomsbury fisheries case; defending a third party in the air cargo damages claim litigation; claiming damages in the General Court arising out of EU sanctions in Africa; representing the successful shipping lines who were defendants to an Article 82 claim in Arkin v Borchard; representing Lloyd’s Names claiming damages against government for failure to implement the EU insurance directives; representing a Middle Eastern government in a dispute over the law applicable to a contract; and the Government of the Azores in the European Court in a bid to overturn an EU fisheries regulation, which threatens the fragile marine environment of the the mid-Atlantic ridge. Co-author, Layton and Mercer ‘European Civil Practice’ (2nd ed, 2004 Sweet & Maxwell).

Huw Davies KC

Experienced and effective cross examiner with ‘an incredibly impressive style and approach’ who is ‘extremely able and approachable’. Specialises as an advocate in substantial and complex international and commercial disputes, leading teams of junior counsel and often appearing as co-counsel with overseas lawyers. Appears regularly at all levels in the courts in the UK as well as offshore and he has appeared in many international arbitrations both in London and worldwide. Has appeared on numerous occasions as advocate before the Privy Council. In recent years he has been engaged in an extremely heavy nine-month Chancery Division telecommunications/civil fraud trial, various injunction applications (including applications for injunctive relief under s44 of the Arbitration Act 1996, anti-suit injunctions and freezing injunctions), appeals to the Court of Appeal and several substantial international commercial arbitrations (eg ICC, LCIA, UNCITRAL, LMAA) in London and Malaysia. Sits as an arbitrator in international arbitrations and is also a CEDR-accredited mediator.

Iain Quirk KC

Silk

Ian Hunter

Has a broad-based commercial practice in line with chambers’ profile. A major part of his practice is concerned with arbitration both as advocate and as arbitrator. As a junior barrister he was involved in a large number of shipping arbitrations. Since taking silk he has been instructed in many arbitrations, both of a general commercial nature (including ICC and ad hoc arbitrations) and more specialised arbitrations, particularly in the insurance and reinsurance fields. In the last five to ten years he has spent approximately equal amounts of time acting as an advocate in arbitration and as an arbitrator (both ad hoc and ICC). Insurance and reinsurance arbitrations are a particular speciality. Arbitration takes up substantially more than 50% of his professional time. Has acted as mediator in a number of matters involving a wide variety of subjects. Accepts either ad hoc or appointments made through mediation bodies such as CEDR and CPR resources.

Jackie McArthur

Barrister

James Collins KC

Has a broad-based commercial practice. Recognised as clever, commercial and user-friendly, he has represented clients in numerous international arbitrations (in London, New York, Singapore and many other venues) subject to diverse procedural rules (including ICC, LCIA, SIAC, AAA and LMAA) and before the English Courts at all levels. Recent cases have included substantial trials and arbitrations (involving international investments, shareholder disputes, insurance, mergers, shipping and ship-building disputes, long-term supply contracts and commodities) as well as applications for injunctions and to enforce foreign judgments and arbitral awards. Areas of expertise include the following: arbitration law and practice, commercial litigation, international trade and investment, Bermuda form insurance disputes, conflicts of interest and confidentiality, shipping, ship-building and ship sale and purchase, conflict of laws.

James Sheehan KC

Specialist in commercial and chancery litigation and arbitration. Practice areas include civil fraud, contract and other business disputes, banking and finance, company and partnership, claims against directors and other fiduciaries, and insolvency. Particular experience of international disputes involving issues of jurisdiction and choice of law. Regular appearances as an advocate, including significant trials in the Commercial Court and in arbitration as sole counsel and appearances in the Court of Appeal as sole counsel. Recent cases include Capital Markets Co (UK) v Tarver [2017] EWHC 945 (Ch) (Ch Div, conspiracy); JSC BTA Bank v Madiyar Ablyazov [2016] EWHC 3071 (Comm) (Comm Ct and CA, s.423 claim); Shalabayev v JSC BTA Bank [2017] 1 WLR 603 (CA) (and, separately, [2015] CP Rep 21 (CA), CA and Comm Ct, dispute over asset ownership in major fraud litigation); CitizenM LND St Paul's Properties BV v Chil Ltd [2016] EWCA Civ 771 (CA, joint venture dispute); Erste Group Bank AG (London) v JSC (VMZ Red October) [2015] 1 CLC 706 (Comm Ct and CA, conspiracy, jurisdiction, choice of law); Dar Al Arkan Real Estate Development Co v Al-Refai [2015] 1 WLR 135 (Comm Ct and CA, conspiracy, breach of confidence, contempt proceedings (including jurisdiction dispute).  

James Willan

Barrister with a broad-based commercial practice, appearing before the county courts, High Court and Court of Appeal, as well as various tribunals. Particular interest in arbitration, commercial litigation, civil fraud and shipping.

Jane Russell

Practises in employment and commercial law, acting for mainly city respondent clients. Particular focus on partnership disputes, arbitration and injunctions. Experience of whistleblowing cases, restrictive covenants, discrimination and equality issues as well as cases with a national security aspect. Has appeared before the Court of Justice of the European Union, the Court of Appeal, the Employment Appeal Tribunal and the Security Vetting Appeal Panels.

Jeffrey Gruder KC

Jeffrey Gruder QC is widely recognised as a leading silk at the Commercial Bar. He is “an extremely able and thorough advocate with an extraordinary knowledge of the law” as well as being “a lawyer with a nice persuasive advocacy style who is a great cross-examiner”. He is client-friendly, has a high profile practice and a wide array of experience in international litigation and arbitration. Consistently recommended as a leading counsel in both ‘The Legal 500’ and ‘Chambers UK’ directories and praised for his intellectual ability, incisiveness and approachability.

Jeremy Brier KC

Commercial barrister frequently appearing in the Commercial Court and in international arbitrations, specialising in complex commercial, jurisdiction, shipping and shipbuilding/construction disputes. Frequently appears as sole advocate and as junior counsel in the High Court and Court of Appeal. Recent cases include Royal Bank of Scotland v Highland [2012] in the Court of Appeal; a Commercial Court jurisdiction battle in a dispute involving complex contract of affreightment and bill of lading arrangements entered into by Russian food producers: Finmoon Ltd & anor v Baltic Reefers Management Ltd & ors [2012] EWHC 920; a successful $13m arbitration for Middle Eastern airline in ticketing dispute; a leading case on sea waybills: A.P. Moller-Maersk A/S v Sonaec Villas Cen Sad Fadoul & ors [2011] 1 Lloyd’s Rep 1; and a jurisdiction victory for seven Malaysian insurers in ‘The Mujur I’ [2011] EWHC 643 (Commissioners). Full caseload is set out on Jeremy’s web profile: www.essexcourt.net/members/109/jeremy-brier. Former lecturer at Pepperdine University School of Law,California (2004-2008) and winner of the World Debating Championships (2004).

Jessica Wells

Has a broad commercial practice, with a particular interest in public international law and international arbitration. Has appeared before the International Court of Justice (as junior counsel for Rwanda in Armed Activities on the Territory of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo v Rwanda) and has been involved, both as junior counsel and as secretary, in a number of recent bilateral investment treaty arbitrations. Appears before the High Court in general commercial matters, and has appeared as junior counsel in the Court of Appeal. Was one of the junior counsel to the Rosemary Nelson Inquiry, sitting in Belfast under the chairmanship of Sir Michael Morland.

Joe Smouha

Has a broad-based commercial practice with a particular emphasis on appearances in international arbitration, the Commercial Court, Court of Appeal, House of Lords and Privy Council. Regularly appointed as arbitrator. In the commercial law field he acts regularly for major international corporate clients in all sectors (particularly the financial, energy, insurance and reinsurance, film, television, music, art and advertising sectors). Also acts for many governments and government-related organisations. Has appeared in arbitrations in many jurisdictions outside England and has appeared in the courts of the Cayman Islands, the British Virgin Islands and the Bahamas.

John Snider

Barrister practising in the following areas: shipping, insurance, arbitration (including LMAA, ICC, LCIA, UNCITRAL), international trade, general commercial litigation and civil fraud.

John Robb

John specialises in commercial litigation, with a focus on banking and finance, civil fraud, and shipping.  John is ranked as a leading junior for shipping and banking / finance, and was listed in 2018 as one of ten leading juniors under eight years’ call for commercial litigation. John is a specialist in the law of guarantees, and co-authors two leading texts in this field. In directory feedback, John is commended for his analysis, intellect, work-ethic and responsiveness.  He is also described as “an excellent team player”, “very client-focused”, and as having “excellent commerciality and understanding of what is important to his clients”.  He has acted unled in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, and is described as “a force to reckon with” and “a powerhouse of an advocate”. Publications of note Co-author of the next (8th) edition of Andrews & Millett on Guarantees. Co-author, with Katherine Ratcliffe, of the Guarantee and Indemnity title of Atkin’s Court Forms (2022 issue). Co‑author of articles on Charterparties and Bills of Lading for Westlaw Insight, together with Sir Bernard Eder.

John Lockey KC

Barrister specialising in insurance, reinsurance, commercial litigation, and professional negligence including brokers’ negligence and accountants’ negligence.

Katherine Ratcliffe

Lorraine Aboagye

Louise Hutton KC

QC

Lucas Bastin KC

Lucas has a versatile practice across an array of practices areas, albeit with most of his work relating to his expertise in public international law, international arbitration and commercial litigation relating thereto.  As part of that versatility, Lucas has: ◾Acted and/or advised in matters before all levels of English courts, typically with a focus on questions of sovereign immunity arising in the context of enforcement of arbitration awards against foreign sovereigns, but also in proceedings enforcing awards not involving sovereigns (see ss. 67-69 of the Arbitration Act) and/or seeking orders in aid of or related to ongoing or soon-to-be-commenced arbitrations (e.g., anti-suit injunctions, disclosure of documents or other information, and declaratory relief). ◾Acted and/or advised in more than 60 investment treaty arbitrations, brought across many sectors and pursuant to a wide array of bilateral and multilateral investment treaties, with experience of all the major arbitration rules (including ICSID, SCC, SIAC, LCIA, ICC, UNCITRAL and ad hoc rules). ◾Acted and/or advised in more than 20 commercial arbitrations, across a wide array of sectors, mostly applying English law, but covering a variety of foreign laws as the applicable law. ◾Advised States, non-governmental organisations, private commercial entities and private individuals on a diversity of public international law issues, including State responsibility, State and head of State immunity, treaty interpretation, extradition, WTO law (including live and high profile disputes before the Dispute Settlement Body), ECHR law, EU and UN sanctions, and Interpol Red Notices.

Luke Tattersall

Barrister

Malcolm Shaw

Barrister focusing on public international law. Cases include: R v Mohamed Gul (CPS) – Supreme Court and Court of Appeal Decisions; R v Jones (CPS) – House of Lords decision; Noor Khan v Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Treasury Solicitor); Bancoult v Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Treasury Solicitor); Alamieyeseigha v CPS (Corker Binning) – High Court decision; Re AY Bank (Clifford Chance) – before High Court, Chancery Division; Ubamaka Edward Wilson v Secretary for Security and Director of Immigration – before Court of Final Appeal of Hong Kong. Appears before International Court of Justice eg Chad v Libya (Government of Chad); Cameroon v Nigeria (Government of Cameroon); legality of the declaration of Kosovo’s independence (Government of Serbia). Matters handled include, in addition, those relating to human rights; eg cases before European Court of Human Rights: Loizidou v Turkey (Government of Cyprus); Cyprus v Turkey (Government of Cyprus); Chiragov v Armenia (Government of Azerbaijan) and Sargsyan v Azerbaijan (Government of Azerbaijan) and to international commercial arbitration, oil production sharing agreements and to sanctions listing appeals. Publications of note: textbook on international law, books on territory, many articles.

Mark Templeman KC

Practises primarily in the fields of reinsurance and insurance (marine and non-marine). Also undertakes general commercial work in line with chambers’ profile, including shipping, offshore energy, commodities, sale of goods and letter of credit disputes. CEDR-accredited mediator. Although practising primarily in London, has also appeared in court or in international arbitrations in New York, Bermuda, Rotterdam, Singapore and the Turks and Caicos Islands. One of the editors of ‘Arnould: Law of Marine Insurance and Average’.

Mark Belshaw

Barrister

Martin Lau

Regularly advises on South Asian law and Islamic law in the form of expert opinions on commercial law, human rights law and environmental law with regard to proceedings before the High Court of England and Wales, the County Court, Magistrates’ Courts, the Immigration Appeals Tribunal and the International Chamber of Commerce and US Courts. Work experience includes being a research assistant at the University of Heidelberg, a legal secretary on a claims resolution tribunal for dormant accounts in Zurich and a training fellow at the Department of Law, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), London, where he still works as a lecturer.

Matthieu Gregoire

Matthieu Gregoire specialises in commercial litigation, international commercial arbitration, and investor-state arbitration. Matthieu’s clients include governments, corporations and individuals.  His practice covers a wide range of sectors, including oil and gas, renewable energy, mining, manufacturing and finance.  Many of his cases give rise to issues of civil fraud. Matthieu has: Acted and/or advised in matters before all levels of English courts, in commercial and international disputes. Acted and/or advised in numerous investment treaty arbitrations, brought across many sectors and pursuant to a wide array of investment treaties, with experience of most major arbitration rules (including ICSID, SCC, UNCITRAL and ad hoc rules).  Matthieu’s recent experience includes disputes under the OIC Investment Agreement and intra-EU BITs. Acted and/or advised in numerous commercial arbitrations, with experience of most major arbitration rules (ICC, LCIA, SCC, UNCITRAL), across a broad range of sectors and industries, and covering a variety of foreign laws as the applicable law. Advised States, non-governmental organisations, private commercial entities and private individuals on a diversity of commercial, arbitration and public international law issues, including treaty interpretation, WTO/Trade law, and implications of Brexit.  Matthieu was appointed to the Attorney General’s Public International Law C Panel of Counsel in 2017.

Mubarak Waseem

Barrister

Naomi Hart

Naomi has a broad commercial litigation and arbitration practice. She has experience in civil fraud, conflict of laws, agency, shipping and general commercial disputes, and has been instructed as both junior and sole counsel. She acts frequently in the High Court, having recently appeared in the Commercial Court, the Chancery Division and the Queen’s Bench Division. Her commercial arbitration experience includes proceedings under the DIFC, LCIA, ICC and LMAA Rules. She has experience in the courts of the Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands. Alongside her commercial practice, Naomi specialises in public international law. She has acted in two sets of proceedings before the International Court of Justice, as well as in inter-State arbitral proceedings before a specialised agency of the United Nations. She has experience of investor-State disputes under both bilateral and multilateral investment treaties and in proceedings under the SCC Rules, the UNCITRAL Rules and the ICSID Convention. She has advised governments, international organisations and non-governmental organisations on international legal questions relating to occupation of territory, war crimes, privileges and immunities, and inter-State espionage under public international law. She attained a doctorate from the University of Cambridge on the topic of espionage and public international law, for which she was awarded the Faculty of Law’s Yorke Prize for a thesis “of exceptional quality, which makes a substantial contribution to its relevant field of legal knowledge”.

Nathan Pillow KC

QC

Neil Hart KC

Specialises in the fields of insurance and reinsurance, shipping (dry and wet) and other commercial disputes, principally in arbitration and in litigation before the courts in London. Considerable experience of working alone or as part of a team of counsel and solicitors on factually and legally complex areas of foreign law. Although the bulk of his work is in the context of confidential arbitration proceedings, reported cases include Aziz v Aziz (Sultan of Brunei Intervening) [2008] 2 All ER 501 (claim to diplomatic inviolability by serving head of state); Allianz Marine Aviation (France) v GE Frankona Reinsurance Ltd London (‘The Treasure Bay’) [2005] EWHC 101, [2005] 1 Lloyd’s Rep IR 437 (application of deductible in follow settlements clause); King v Brandywine Reinsurance Co [2005] 1 Lloyd’s Rep 655 (CA) (construction of reinsurance policy covering loss arising from Exxon Valdez disaster, effect of arbitration and service of suit clause); Vrinera Marine Co Ltd v Eastern Rich Operations Inc (‘The Vakis T’) [2004] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 465 (whether costs of arbitration recoverable as damages); Fyffes Group Ltd v Templeman [2000] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 643 (accessory liability at common law).

Nigel Eaton KC

Specialises in international and domestic commercial litigation, with a particular emphasis on insurance and reinsurance and shipping. Insurance and reinsurance practice covers both marine and non-marine business in a range of areas, including property, P&I, liability, professional indemnity, and political risk. Reinsurance experience includes both proportional and non-proportional business. In shipping, he has substantial experience of disputes under bills of lading, contracts of affreightment, voyage charters, and time charters. Has also advised and acted in litigation in the related areas of ship sale and purchase and shipbuilding. In addition to these core practice areas, he is experienced in international trade and transport, oil and gas, and professional negligence disputes. Also regularly deals with conflicts of law issues. His practice encompasses advocacy, drafting and advisory work. Has appeared in the Queen’s Bench Division (and particularly in the Commercial Court), Chancery Division, Court of Appeal, Privy Council and House of Lords, and before both ad hoc and institutional (including ICC, LCIA and LMAA) arbitral tribunals.

Owen Lloyd

Barrister

Paul Key KC

In private practice as a barrister since 1997, specialising in international and commercial law, and, in particular, international commercial arbitration and treaty arbitration. Regularly advises and appears as counsel before the English courts and international arbitrations in many countries. Also has extensive experience as an arbitrator in ad hoc and institutional international arbitration. Awarded ‘Chambers & Partners’ Junior Barrister of the Year in the field of international arbitration in 2012.

Paul McGrath KC

Barrister with a broad-based practice. Between 1999 and 2001 he was editor of Lloyds Law Reports, Banking.

Paul Stanley

Prior to being called to the bar, Paul lectured on European Community Law at Downing College, Cambridge and was a judicial assistant to the Hon Mr Justice Phillips in R v Kevin Maxwell & ors. Since being in practice he has advised and acted in a wide range of arbitrations and conducted a variety of hearings before tribunals. Cases include arbitrations concerning war risk during the Gulf War, the Bermuda excess liability form and allocation of pollution losses under reinsurance contracts. Has advised and acted in disputes concerning film finance and production, broadcasting rights, computer software and services, television production, often with an international element and has participated in mediation and advised clients on appropriate approaches to alternative dispute resolution. Has frequently advised and acted in cases involving European Community law issues including agriculture.

Paul Wee

Paul Choon Kiat Wee specialises in commercial litigation, international commercial arbitration, and investor-state arbitration.  Recommended by Chambers Global, Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500 as a leading junior barrister in the fields of international arbitration, energy and natural resources, and public international law, Paul is described by the directories as “a real star”, “a standout senior junior” and “one of the best at the Bar” (Legal 500 2022).  The directories single out his advocacy (“his advocacy is tailored and superbly polished” and “his cross examination is rigorous and forensic”), drafting (“he is exceedingly bright and he has absolutely excellent drafting skills”, and “his drafting is fantastic … he can distil complex legal and technical points into very crisp, clear drafting”), forensic and analytical skills (“he shows meticulous attention to detail and is extremely hardworking”, and “he has a real ability to think around the issues and distil them in a clear and concise way”), legal knowledge (praised for his “knowledge of the law” and “fantastic legal knowledge”, “Paul has a deep and up-to-date knowledge of public international law”); judgement and strategic instincts (“very strategic”, with “mature judgment and excellent strategic ability”); client manner (“polished with the clients and cool under pressure”, “he is very commercial and clients really like him”); and accessibility and teamworking skills (“a pleasure to work with” and “in my experience the most user-friendly barrister at the bar – he is phenomenally hard-working and his style of working means that he is seamlessly embedded into our team on cases”).

Paul Davies

Paul is Professor of Commercial Law at UCL, having previously been a Fellow of St Catherine’s College, Oxford, and Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge. He practises, teaches and writes broadly in commercial law and commercial equity, with a particular focus on Contract, Trusts, Remedies and Economic Torts. Paul has been instructed in disputes before a variety of tribunals, including the Commercial Court, the Chancery Division, the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court and the Privy Council. He also appears in commercial arbitrations.

Peter Webster

Undertakes a broad range of commercial work, as both sole counsel and junior counsel, with particular interests in the following fields: administrative and public law; arbitration; banking and financial services; commercial fraud; commercial litigation; employment law/professional discipline; human rights; international arbitration; public international law; shipping law.

Philippa Hopkins KC

Advises and acts in a wide range of commercial disputes, both in court and arbitration. Specialises in particular in dry shipping and commodities/international trade and in insurance/reinsurance disputes, but is also involved in more general commercial disputes and in aviation, professional negligence, sale of goods and associated matters (including commodities contracts, letter of credit disputes, commercial agency disputes and computer/information technology disputes) and banking matters. Has a particular interest in private international law issues. Also sits as an arbitrator. Publications: co-author, Colman, Lyon and Hopkins’ ‘The Practice and Procedure of the Commercial Court’ (6th ed); was also contributing editor to 17th edn of ‘Arnould on Marine Insurance’.

Philippa Watson

Has a practice in London, Dublin and Brussels. Most of her work is in the area of EU law and is both of an advisory and a litigious nature. Has a strong focus on EC agricultural law and work has included judicial review, actions for damages before UK coin, the European Court of Justice and Luxembourg, the Court of First instance. Cases include: appearing for EC Commission in direct actions challenging the legality of EC Regulations; appearing for EC Commission in preliminary ruling procedures; acting for MAFF in judicial review proceedings before the UK courts; obtaining references for preliminary rulings to ECJ in Luxembourg; action for 248 SLOM farmers in action against EC Council and EC Commission claiming damages under Article 215 EC Treaty; representing the UK before the ECJ; advising UK government, EC Commission, the dairy industry and the agricultural community on aspects of the common agricultural policy; advising on EC legislation concerning veterinary medicines; advising on EC legislation on slaughter. Has also been responsible for advising the electricity supply board in Ireland on all aspects of EC law relating to electricity including public procurement, the internal market in electricity and competition law issues. Clients include: major commercial undertakings (eg the Electricity Supply Board of Ireland, National Power, Sony Music, Tetra Pak, Thomson CSF, IBM and Apple); Institution of the European Community (the European Commission and the European Parliament); and the Council of Europe Conventions.

Rebecca Akushie

Arbitration; commercial litigation; conflict of laws; insurance and reinsurance; international commercial arbitration; media and entertainment; shipping; sports law.

Richard Hoyle

Barrister specialising in commercial litigation and international arbitration - most matters involve a cross-border element, often including choice of law and jurisdictional issues. In terms of substantive law, recent cases have involved: a wide range of contractual issues; financial transactions and instruments; joint venture/shareholder disputes; economic torts; and fraud. Some have also included treaty interpretation and other questions of public international law.

Richard Millett

Specialises in: banking law, securities, debt and other financing instruments, derivatives, loan syndications and bonds, and all types of banking litigation and arbitration worldwide; corporate fraud, asset tracing and receiverships; chancery/commercial litigation; insurance and reinsurance, particularly professional indemnity and D&O coverage claims, large facultative energy, mining and infrastructure risks and reinsurer insolvency and run-off; corporate employment litigation, confidentiality and restrictive covenants; media and entertainment litigation and privacy claims; energy disputes; and insolvency, particularly cross-border. Regularly appears in the Chancery Division, Commercial Court and the Court of Appeal. Also conducts cases in the first instance and appellate courts of the British Virgin Islands, Nevis, Anguilla, the Cayman Islands, Bermuda, and the Isle of Man, and is a fully called permanent member of the Bars of the British Virgin Islands and of Anguilla. Appears as lead counsel in international arbitrations of all kinds and regularly sits as an arbitrator on ICC and LCIA arbitrations and as an ad hoc tribunal. Publications of note: co-author with Geraldine Andrews QC ‘Andrews and Millett, The Law of Guarantees’ (Sixth ed 2011); editor ‘Halsbury’s Laws of England: Vol 20(1): Guarantees’ (2004 Reissue); co-editor ‘Run-Off Management and Commutations in Practice’ (IIL 2006).

Ricky Diwan KC

Ricky Diwan QC specialises in international commercial and investment arbitration and related court applications under a wide variety of laws, both in London and abroad, and spanning a wide array of subject matters including joint ventures, manufacturing equipment and processes, military equipment, mining, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, power supply, production sharing agreements, telecommunications. He also regularly sits as arbitrator in international arbitration. He co-drafted the Mauritian International Arbitration Act 2008, advised on the LCIA-MIAC arbitration rules and is a senior lecturer in international commercial arbitration at King’s College, London. Recent court applications include: Y v S [2015] EWHC 612 (application for recognition and enforcement of an arbitral award under section 66 of the Arbitration Act 1996 raising issues of interpretation of CPR 62.18 in the context of the New York Convention and related issues as to the court’s powers to order security); Wilson v Assaubayevs [2014] EWCA Civ 1491 (raising issues as to the scope of the doctrine of arbitrability and the case management of arbitrable and non arbitrable claims under section 9 of the Arbitration Act 1996); Travis Coal Restructured Holdings LLC v Essar Global Fund Ltd [2014] EWHC 2510 (Comm) (a New York Convention case raising issues of New York law and the circumstances in which it was appropriate to grant security); Polski Koncern v Yukos International [2013] Folio 736 (Comm) (being a successful application on paper pursuant to O8.8 of the Commercial Court Guide applying on paper to dismiss an application under section 68 of the Arbitration Act 1996; Assaubayevs v Wilson [2012] EWHC 350 (Comm) (being a successful application for anti-arbitration injunctive relief under the court’s inherent jurisdiction); Dowans Holding SA & Dowans Tanzania Ltd v Tanzania Electric Supply Co Ltd [2011] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 475 and 2012 [EWHC] 350 (Comm) (a New York Convention case raising issues as the meaning of the term ‘binding’ and security issues). Recent arbitrations include: a dispute under the ICC Rules acting for a Caribbean government in a substantial joint venture dispute with a South American aluminium company relating to the establishment of an aluminium smelter; a dispute under the UNCITRAL Rules on behalf of a mining company in its dispute against an African government relating to production sharing agreement including the application of a stabilisation clause; a dispute under the ICC Rules relating to the supply of high tech engineering equipment; a dispute under the LCIA Rules governed by New York law on behalf of a mobile telecom operator.

Roderick Cordara KC

Has a broad commercial and public law practice with over 30 years’ experience in international commercial arbitration and litigation, in which he acts both as counsel and arbitrator. Particular focus on advocacy in front of arbitral tribunals and the courts, particularly in cases where cross-examination may be critical. Has appeared in the supreme courts of the UK, Australia, and the European Community (ECJ). Specialises in insurance and reinsurance disputes, including issues of insurance market regulation; international disputes in oil and gas, and energy production sectors with particular expertise in acting in oil and gas disputes in relation to fields in Central Asia, India, the Far East, and the North Sea; shipping and international shipbuilding disputes, both in arbitration and the courts; UK administrative law and judicial review; telecommunications regulation and taxation; financial services regulation media work; and European law issues in particular in relation to taxation. Also advises on all aspects of indirect tax law in Europe, Asia and Australia.

Ruth Den Besten

Ruth den Besten was appointed KC in 2023 and has substantial expertise in heavy commercial and chancery litigation. She specializes in civil fraud and asset recovery and has led teams and appeared in a number of very sizeable fraud trials recently before the Commercial Court: Suppipat v Narongdej & Ors, Vale v Steinmetz and Tatneft PJSC v (1) Bogolyubov (2) Kolomoisky & Ors. Ruth also acts in and advises in relation to jurisdictional disputes (notably Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank v Bavaguthu Shetty), the obtaining and discharge or injunctive relief, complex shareholder disputes, company and insolvency matters (having appeared in the Supreme Court in Lehman Brothers – Waterfall I) and HNW divorce cases giving rise to multi-jurisdictional corporate and trust issues.

Sam Wordsworth

In private practice as a barrister since 1997, specialising in public international law, including investment treaty arbitration. Regularly advises and appears as counsel before international courts and tribunals including the International Court of Justice, and also before the English courts in matters involving public international law. He has been instructed on many ICSID, ICC, LCIA, UNCITRAL, NAI and ad hoc arbitrations as well as in arbitrations before the Iran/US Claims Tribunal and claims before the UNCC. He is regularly instructed by the UK government on cases involving public international law (before international tribunals, the ECtHR, the CJEU and in the domestic courts).He is a visiting professor teaching investment arbitration at Kings College, London.

Sean Aughey

Barrister

Shane Doyle KC

Shane Doyle QC has a commercial practice covering a wide range of advisory work, appeal and trial work in all courts, arbitrations and commissions. He practises from Level Twenty Seven Chambers (Brisbane), 5th Floor Selborne Chambers (Sydney) and Essex Court Chambers (London). He undertakes work in hearings under domestic arbitration rules, including ACICA, CIArb, IAMA, ICC and SIAC rules. His arbitration practice includes matters relating to public and private international issues, commodities, price setting for gas supplies, access to infrastructure, energy projects (in particular LNG pipelines and facilities, offshore oil and gas extraction) as well as other general contractual matters. In court, Shane's practice covers the range of commercial disputes embraced in his arbitration practice, but in addition he has appeared as counsel in many leading cases across the full ambit of commercial litigation and dispute resolution, including insurance; general contractual litigation; banking; corporate disputes claims for director's breach of fiduciary duties and majority/minority shareholder disputes; and professional negligence. He is regularly instructed in matters dealing with regulatory price settings for gas and electricity and access to utilities infrastructure. Shane is a former president of the Bar Association of Queensland.

Siddharth Dhar KC

Siddharth has a broad practice in substantial commercial litigation and arbitration disputes spanning the full breadth of Chambers’ work. In recent years he has appeared in cases before the Supreme Court, Privy Council, Court of Appeal, all divisions of the High Court, and in very high value commercial and investment treaty arbitrations operating under a wide variety of institutional rules. Notable recent hearings over the past year or so include: Hydro & Ors v Republic of Albania (ICSID, September 2017). Defending Albania as sole lead counsel, in a €700 million ICSID arbitration, to be heard over 2 weeks in September 2017. A v B (Commercial Court, July 2017). Acted in a four-day Commercial Court fraud trial challenging a series of arbitration awards (led by James Collins KC) and involving control over a major investment in the Ukrainian retail sector. Albaniabeg v Albania (ICSID, April 2017). Acted as sole lead counsel for the Respondent in a two-week €440 million Energy Charter Treaty claim. Taurus v SOMO (Supreme Court, March 2017). Acted (with Graham Dunning KC and Dan Sarooshi KC) for the State Oil Marketing Company of Iraq before the Supreme Court. Case gave rise to issues of construction and situs of letters of credit, state immunity, and receivership orders. Ruby Roz v Republic of Kazakhstan [2017] EWHC 439 (Commercial Court, Feb 2017). Acted for Kazakhstan (with Paul Key KC) in the Commercial Court in its successful defence of a 5-day jurisdictional challenge to an UNCITRAL arbitration award. X v Eastern European State (ICC, December 2016). Acted (as sole lead counsel) for a State in Eastern Europe, defending against a €150m claim relating to a failed hydropower project. Major Indian Conglomerate v Middle-Eastern State (ICC, August 2016). Acted (as sole lead counsel) for the State in a $ 25 million claim relating to exploration in two large on-shore oil exploration blocks.

Simon Crookenden KC

Shipping: charterparty and bills of lading disputes; cargo claims; ship building; ship sales and purchases; arbitrations under LMAA and other rules. Insurance and reinsurance: coverage and avoidance issues in marine and non-marine policies; proportional and excess of loss involving both Lloyds of London and the company market. Building/engineering: construction, contract disputes, particularly those involving technical/engineering problems. Commodity sales: international sale of goods; arbitrations under rules of GAFTA, RSA, SAL, CTF etc. Oil/energy: refinery and tanker disaster claims; disputes under oil field joint venture, long-term supply and survey contracts; co-counsel on power station construction arbitration. Intellectual property: patent claims; software disputes. Arbitration: appointed arbitrator under rules of LMAA, ICC, LCIA, Lloyd’s arbitration and ad hoc. Mediation: successful mediations in many of the above fields.

Sophia Hurst

Sophia has a broad commercial and chancery practice, encompassing a range of commercial litigation, fraud and asset recovery, banking and financial services, company, insolvency, and contentious trusts litigation. Much of Sophia’s work has an international dimension; she is called to the bar in BVI and registered in DIFC and has a substantial practice before the courts of offshore jurisdictions and arbitral tribunals. She frequently advises on issues of jurisdiction and enforcement raised in cross-border disputes. Sophia’s current and recent work includes acting in a complex cross-border banking fraud, and as part of the claimant team in Toucan Energy Holdings Ltd & Anr v Wirsol Energy Ltd & Ors [2021] EWHC 895 (Comm), a substantial Commercial Court dispute in the renewable energy sector. Sophia is a contributing author to Gough on Company Charges and has delivered seminars and appeared on panels on a variety of topics, including at the ICC FraudNet 33rd conference, and the Private Client Global Elite Rising Leaders’ Forum 2021.

Stephen Houseman KC

Handles a wide range of commercial disputes. Many of his cases are substantial and complex in nature, and the majority of them involve multi-jurisdictional contexts and foreign law elements. Appears regularly in the High Court and appellate courts, international arbitrations conducted in the UK and abroad (including as co-counsel with foreign lawyers), and also courts in offshore jurisdictions such as the Cayman Islands/Eastern Caribbean. Instructed in cases across the spectrum of the business world, with particular emphasis on banking and financial services/insurance and reinsurance/mining and energy/media and sport. Particular expertise in arbitration-related anti-suit and other injunctions in the High Court, having appeared in three of the landmark Court of Appeal cases in this area in recent years, namely: Sulamérica v ENESA [2012] 1 Lloyd’s Rep 671; BNP Paribas v Russian Machines [2012] 1 Lloyd’s Rep 649; and C v D [2008] 1 Lloyd’s Rep 239 (in all three cases, acting for successful injunction claimants). Has also acted for bondholders in a number of cases, including litigation concerning the Elektrim bonds: see eg Concord Trust v Law Debenture [2005] 1 WLR 1591 (House of Lords’ decision about trustee’s obligation to give notice of acceleration). In addition to commercial litigation and arbitration, Stephen has experience in judicial review and administrative law proceedings, especially those involving a commercial context. As a junior, he was appointed to the Attorney General’s ‘B’ Panel (2006-2011), having been part-time lecturer in Public & Administrative Law at Oxford University during his early years in practice.

Stephen Donnelly

Barrister

Steven Berry KC

Has specialised since 1985 in the associated fields of insurance and reinsurance, shipping, international banking, international sale of good and arbitration. Extensive experience as counsel in the courts up to and including the House of Lords, and in arbitrations before LCIA, ICC, LMAA and other tribunals. Since taking silk recently he has been involved in two heavy total loss trials in the Commercial Court; in film finance, political risk and other insurance and reinsurance disputes, including insurance fraud disputes, in the courts and in arbitration; and in charterparty, shipbuilding, and ship sale arbitrations. Recommended in the 2006 ‘Chambers & Partners Guide to the UK Legal Profession’ in the categories of arbitration, commercial litigation, energy, insurance and shipping. Also sits as arbitrator in suitable cases. Publications: ‘Computer Software Deficiency’, January 2000.

Stuart Cribb

Stuart is first and foremost a commercial litigator. He is an experienced advocate, regularly appears against leading counsel, and is one of few junior counsel to have argued orally before the Supreme Court. The main focus of Stuart’s practice is fraud and asset recovery. He has acted in heavyweight disputes before the English Courts and offshore, and has substantial experience of urgent applications for pre-action relief, including freezing injunctions. Stuart’s English litigation practice features a high proportion of appellate work. Since December 2020, he has appeared in the Court of Appeal three times, the Privy Council once, and the Supreme Court once, and he has another case going to the Privy Council next year. Stuart’s offshore litigation practice is focused on the Caribbean. He was admitted as a barrister of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (Territory of the Virgin Islands) in March 2022 and spent 4 months on secondment with a leading BVI law firm from April to July 2022. He appears regularly in the Commercial Division of the BVI High Court on a range of matters, usually unled, and has significant recent experience before the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal. The other major part of Stuart’s practice is international arbitration, with an emphasis on energy and natural resources. He has acted in arbitrations seated in various jurisdictions and governed by a range of institutional rules, and also appeared in the leading case on challenges to arbitration awards for serious irregularity under section 68 of the Arbitration Act 1996.

Thomas Sebastian

Barrister

Tim Akkouh KC

Tim is a commercial litigator, with a strong reputation for civil fraud and asset recovery. He has acted in some of the largest actions to come before the courts, such as JSC BTA Bank v Ablyazov, Pinchuk v Bogolyubov, Mezhprom v Pugachev, Republic of Djibouti v Boreh, PrivatBank v Kolomoisky, and ENRC v SFO. Tim also maintains a commercial chancery practice, with an emphasis on insolvency, company and trusts disputes.Tim is particularly experienced in applications for pre-emptive and interlocutory relief, including freezing, search, receivership, committal and Norwich Pharmacal orders. Tim regularly appears with and without leaders in the Chancery Division and the Commercial Court. He has appeared in the Court of Appeal on over a dozen occasions and twice in the Supreme Court. Fourteen of Tim’s cases have been reported in the WLRs. In October 2015, Tim was named Chancery Junior of the Year by Chambers and Partners. He was also a nominee for Legal 500’s 2018 Commercial Junior of the Year award. Tim is a member of the Attorney General’s A panel of counsel to the crown.

Tom Ford

Barrister

Vaughan Lowe KC

Practises as counsel in International Court of Justice, European Court of Human Rights, European Union Court, International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, international arbitration tribunals, and courts in UK and Hong Kong. Advisory work for various foreign governments. Practises as arbitrator, mainly in international investment disputes and international boundary disputes. Many publications, mainly on international law.

Wei Jian Chan

Barrister