39 Essex Chambers boasts an impressively diverse roster of highly experienced full and part-time arbitrators from senior silks through to the junior end. Across a wide range of sectors ranging from commercial and sports disputes, where Lord Dyson is a key practitioner, to investment treaty as well as large construction and energy arbitrations, in which Peter Rees KC continues to be sought out for appointment. With an enviable track record of high-profile commercial, construction, energy and technology arbitrations, David Brynmor Thomas KC, Marion Smith KC and Lindy Patterson KC stand out, whilst Adrian Hughes KC is hugely respected in the Middle East, Hong Kong and China. On the junior end, Grace Cheng is a highly sought-after multilingual arbitrator, often sitting as sole arbitrator, with wide-ranging sectorial and jurisdictional experience.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Leading arbitrators
' He is a first class arbitrator. He prepares thoroughly, is courteous and scrupulously fair to counsel and the parties. One of the very best international arbitrators: Highly intelligent, focused and joy to work with.'
'He is one of the best commercial and construction arbitrators around globally. David also has the ability to master difficult factual and legal cases very quickly which makes him very attractive as an arbitrator.'
'Clear thinker and very good at mastering the detail without losing sight of what really matters. Very pleasant colleague.'
‘It goes without saying that John is one of the finest jurists in the country. He is also a first class arbitrator and is rightly much in demand. He is courteous to the parties and to his fellow arbitrators, open-minded to all of the arguments and judicious in his approaching to forming views or reaching conclusions. One of the most experienced and best arbitrators in sports disputes, with a widely acknowledged reputation across the legal profession.’
Leading counsel as arbitrators
'Adrian Hughes’ strengths are his enormeous experience in international arbitration and in complex and large disputes in the energy sector. He superbly analyses complex issues with an unmatched clarity and most efficiently. In the arbitration we sit together as arbitrators he is a very valuable support and always responsive on short notice.'