Fountain Court Chambers

Arbitration

Michael sits as an arbitrator in major arbitration disputes. His truly international practice sees him active in London, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. He has experience of a wide range of arbitral regimes, including those under the auspices of the International Chamber of Commerce, the London Court of International Arbitration, SIAC, UNCITRAL and the City Disputes Panel, as well as ad hoc references.

Michael has a strong reputation as an arbitrator in relation to Asian and Middle Eastern disputes in particular.  He has been involved a great number of Asian disputes, centred in the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) for whom he is a regular party-appointed arbitrator. He is also specialised in arbitrating Russian and CIS disputes.

Called Lincoln’s Inn 1975; Bencher 2002; QC 1992; Former Recorder of the Crown Court 2001; Recorder and Deputy High Court Judge 1999.

Publications: ‘Does Constructive Knowledge Make a Constructive Trustee’, Australian Law Journal, and Trust Law and Practice, 1987; ‘Money Laundering and the Criminal Justice Act 1988’, International Tax Report, May 1995; ‘Confidence, Public Interest and the Lawyer’, Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility edited by Ross Cranston, 1996; ‘The Law of Bank Payments’ with Raymond Cox, FT Law and Tax, 1996, 3rd edition 2004.

Chairman of trustees and then of Advisory Council to ‘Public Concern at Work’; special adviser to Trade and Industry Select Committee re ‘Export Licensing and BMARC’; chairman Commercial Bar Association 2001-03; chairman Education and Training Committee of the Bar Council 2002-04. Chairman of International Committee of the Bar Council (2008).

Appointed to the SIAC, and Kuala Lumpur Panels of Arbitrators (Singapore and Malaysia). Appointed to the DIFC Courts Register of Practitioners (Dubai).

Working knowledge of French, Italian and Greek.

Commercial Bar Association; Financial Markets Law Committee; Lawyers’ Advisory Committee of Peace Brigades; Panel of Advisors to the Attorney-General of Singapore. Director of Bar Mutual Indemnity Fund Limited. President of the Appeals Panel of the Abu Dhabi Global Market.

Westminster School. New College, Oxford MA. Entrance Scholarship (Ella Stephens).

1972 First Class Hons Classics. 1974 First Class Hons Jurisprudence.