Twenty Essex

Arbitration and mediation; Commercial law; Energy and natural resources; Insurance and reinsurance; Private international law; Shipping

Karen practises in commercial law and international trade, with a particular focus on arbitration and shipping.

After being called to the Bar, Karen practised at Twenty Essex where she established a commercial law practice. She then spent time at Practical Law Company (PLC), establishing and leading Practical Law Arbitration, before returning to the Bar. At PLC, Karen wrote and developed guidance and current awareness covering all legal and practical aspects of English and international arbitration, including commercial and investment treaty arbitration. Following the acquisition of PLC by Thomson Reuters, she was appointed Head of Current Awareness, with responsibility for updates published in Lawtel, Westlaw and Practical Law. Karen returned to resume her practice at Twenty Essex in 2016.

Karen is regularly instructed to advise and appear in shipping, shipbuilding and arbitration disputes. She has particular expertise in procedural issues relating to arbitration, including award challenges, appointments and arbitrator challenges, costs and enforcement. Karen has recently advised in several cases involving sulphur emissions and MARPOL Annex VI.

She also writes and lectures widely on arbitration, private international law and shipping topics. Karen is the co-author of London Maritime Arbitration, the fourth edition of which was published in 2017. She accepts appointments in maritime and commercial arbitration references.

https://www.twentyessex.com/people/karen-maxwell/

French; German (conversational)