‘A strong set for sanctions work,’ Blackstone Chambers brings together a number of disciplines when representing both designated individuals seeking to challenge their sanctioning and corporate clients running the gauntlet of UK and EU sanctions regimes. Brian Kennelly KC is counsel of choice for a number of listed individuals and government bodies, appearing frequently before the ECJ in motions to overturn designations, while also advising on sanctions implications for commercial transactions. Jason Pobjoy is often called upon by the Foreign Office when its designations are subject to challenge, while Tom Leary handles appeals brought under s38 of the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018. Pobjoy appeared for the FCDO in Mazepin v SSFCDA, in which the former Formula One driver, and son of the former owner of Uralchem, sought to overturn his designation in the UK.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Generally responsive and good service. They understood our needs at a time of high client demand and worked with us to put in place an arrangement that was beneficial for all parties.'
- 'Excellent lawyers all.'
- 'Blackstone Chambers are a strong set for sanctions work.'
Silks
Leading Silks
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.
Juniors
Leading Juniors
Leading juniors are those with significant experience of key cases, strong market recognition from both peers and clients, and are seen as future candidates for silk.
Jason Pobjoy
Blackstone Chambers ‘Jason is a go-to counsel for knotty sanctions questions. He approaches matters with clarity and precision and gets straight to the heart of the issue. In an area that often requires equivocality, he is able to get off the fence and provide definitive answers.’
Tom Leary
Blackstone Chambers ‘Tom is great in the sanctions space and really knows his stuff. He understands not just how to interpret the rules, but also what the guidance says and how that translates to real world practice.’