Duncan Matthews KC > Twenty Essex > London, England > Barrister Profile

Praised as a ‘top commercial and international law set’, members of Twenty Essex are frequently instructed in complex international arbitration proceedings and related commercial court cases, most notably concerning shipping, trade and commodities disputes, in which Timothy Young KC and Sam Goodman have recently been active. Members also have extensive experience in investor-state arbitration proceedings and are well-versed across various arbitral institutions and rules, including SIAC, LCIA, LMAA and the ICC. Members of chambers who have recently been involved in such cases include Duncan Matthews KC, Philip Riches KC, Sara Masters KC and Belinda McRae, to name a few. Among recent highlights for the set was the highly publicised FamilyMart China Holding Co Ltd v Ting Chuan (Cayman Islands) Holding Corp case, concerning if an arbitration clause in a shareholders’ agreement blocked a winding-up petition, in which Charles Kimmins KC led Mark Tushingham on behalf of FamilyMart.

Noted for its ‘strength in depth‘ within banking and finance matters, Twenty Essex‘s barristers handle high-value cases, including banking disputes, as well as cases that intersect with other practice areas, such as civil fraud, crypto and cyber energy. Members are instructed both for and against financial institutions, sovereign wealth funds and HNWIs, with Duncan Matthews KC and Philip Riches KC being instructed on Republic of Mozambique v Credit Suisse, a complex litigation involving allegations of fraud, bribery and corruption. Charles Kimmins KC has been involved in the leading cases on derivatives, as well as advising on large claims by regulators for market misconduct. Tony Beswetherick KC handles cases with an international element, with experience in cross-border issues arising from bankruptcies and pre-emptive relief.

Recognised for being ‘great for fraud and asset tracing’, members of Twenty Essex regularly handle civil fraud and asset tracing cases, leveraging its deep expertise in commercial litigation, shipping and trade matters, and public international law. Duncan Matthews KC, Philip Riches KC and Twenty Essex defended Privinvest in Republic of Mozambique v Credit Suisse and others, a high-profile litigation involving allegations of fraud bribery, and corruption connected to a series of loans provided to the East African country. In Steenbok Newco 10 SARL and another v Formal Holdings Limited and others, Andrew Ayres KC and Andrew Dinsmore represent the claimants in an international conspiracy case, alleging the dishonest appropriation of €100m through circular and layered payments in the BVI. Philip Edey KC is leading Maria Kennedy in representing the Bank of Baroda against the NMC Group in legal proceedings where the UAE-based healthcare provider alleges that the bank was complicit in or failed to prevent the fraudulent activities that led to the group’s collapse into administration. Josephine Davies KC took silk in March 2024.

For the team at Twenty Essex, commercial chancery work, company law issues, and commercial offshore litigation are key areas of strength. Duncan Matthews KC boasts a significant international arbitration practice, and Andrew Ayres KC is a BVI and Cayman advocate, regularly appearing before the Court of Appeal and Privy Council. Tony Beswetherick KC is especially skilled in advising on civil fraud, asset recovery, and company and insolvency-related disputes. Joshua Folkard has acted in numerous cases in the BVI and the Cayman Islands, and is particularly strong on Eastern Caribbean civil procedure. In recent matters, he acted for the joint liquidators in a USD1bn claim following the collapse of one of the world’s largest Ponzi schemes. Sarah Tresman is another key junior at the set, with expertise in handling banking and financial services mandates.