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J William Rowley KC
Twenty EssexTwenty Essex is widely regarded as ‘one of the pre-eminent international arbitration sets’ which houses an ’excellent set of arbitrators’. Members of the set sit as arbitrators in disputes spanning banking, oil and gas, shipping and trade, construction and share purchase. Michael Tselentis KC is often appointed on disputes in Asia or Africa, while Michael Lee is particularly active on Asia and Europe-based disputes, and members of the set have an excellent reputation for their expertise in arbitrations in various seats across the globe adhering to the full spectrum of arbitration rules. Sir Bernard Rix continues to be a pre-eminent name in the space, and Clare Ambrose is noted for her expertise in shipping and commercial arbitration; both are among the set’s full-time arbitrators. Audley Sheppard KC - former co-head of international arbitration at Clifford Chance LLP and a solicitor-advocate KC - joined the set in June 2024.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Catherine Reeves, the head of arbitrators practice at Twenty Essex is very professional and understands the background as a former solicitor and arbitration professional support lawyer.'
- 'Excellent clerks.'
- 'Twenty Essex is a very strong set of chambers with many leading barristers and arbitrators.'
- 'Great collection of arbitrators.'
- 'Twenty Essex is one of the pre-eminent international arbitration sets.'
- 'Twenty Essex is an excellent set of arbitrators.'
- 'The best set in London for commercial arbitrators - first choice every time.'
- 'First-class chambers.'
Silks
Leading arbitrators
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
Julian Lew KC
Twenty Essex 
David Owen KC
Twenty Essex ‘David’s many striking qualities make him everyone’s first choice as an arbitrator or co-arbitrator. He is unfailing courteous towards the lawyers and the parties, as well as of course towards his co-arbitrators. He is extremely conscientious both in his preparation for a hearing as well as in drafting an award afterwards. It is not an exaggeration to describe him as ace in his chosen specialty.’
Sir Bernard Rix
Twenty Essex ‘Bernard is a highly experienced and skilled lawyer, judge and arbitrator. He has a penetrating intellect, while at the same time always being prepared to listen with great courtesy. He is undoubtedly a doyen among commercial arbitrators, with a world-wide practice, and as a result naturally very much in demand.’
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Sir Peter Gross KC
Twenty Essex ‘Sir Peter is an extremely competent lawyer, incisive and knowledgeable. As an arbitrator, he is fair to all parties and exercises control over proceedings with quiet confidence and charm. He is decisive and quick to arrive at decisions. Sir Peter is an excellent addition to the community of arbitrators.’
Clare Ambrose
Twenty Essex ‘Clare is one of the pre-eminent full-time arbitrators in the shipping and international field. She is extremely knowledgeable about procedures. She is courteous and sensible whilst maintaining a firm control on proceedings and is rightly popular with parties. She responds very promptly to all enquiries, messages and applications during the course of an arbitration.’
Sarah Grimmer
Twenty Essex ‘Sarah is super smart, conscientious, considered, and hard working. She takes nothing for granted and will work tirelessly to get to the right answer. No airs or graces, a fierce intellect and highly charming. It is a powerful combination.’
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Leading counsel as arbitrators
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
Duncan Matthews KC
Twenty Essex ‘Duncan is truly a pleasure to work with. He is incredibly bright, practical, able to quickly synthesize difficult issues and get to the point, is a skillful questioner, and very thoughtful. He is well-prepared and solution oriented.’
Sara Masters KC
Twenty Essex ‘Sara is very bright and knowledgeable. She is efficient at managing proceedings when she is chair or sole arbitrator and does so with good humour. She reacts promptly to resolve applications and produce arbitration awards.’