Twenty Essex
Lauded as ‘one of the pre-eminent shipping sets’, Twenty Essex’ strengths are well-distributed along the full range of maritime disputes. The charterparty dispute Trafigura Maritime Logistics Pte Ltd v Clearlake Shipping Pte Ltd kept a number of members busy, with Michael Ashcroft KC, Daniel Bovensiepen, and Timothy Young KC all being involved. The latter also led Colleen Hanley in the Shagang Giant, a case dealing with the interpretation of a force majeure clause in light of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions. Damages caused by the detention of a vessel and the subsequent claim for demurrage are central in Rhine Shipping v Vitol, where Patrick Dunn-Walsh is led by Philip Edey KC on behalf of Rhine Shipping.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'There are some excellent shipping counsel working at Twenty Essex Street - it is one of our go-to sets.'
- 'Very helpful clerking team. Arron Zitver is a joy to work with.'
- 'Brilliant chambers. Leaders in their respective fields.'
- 'Arron Zitver is always a pleasure to deal with and ensures that queries are dealt with promptly and thoroughly.'
- 'Twenty Essex is an excellent set with many fine barristers in it. I have always enjoyed working with and against its members and have spotted no weak links.'
- 'One of the pre-eminent shipping sets. Barristers work on some of the top cases and there are some excellent silks and senior juniors.'
- 'Twenty Essex is the 'go-to' chambers in London for maritime disputes.'
- 'Clerks are always helpful and alive to diversity requirements.'
- 'Responsive and able to offer alternative names based on availability to meet clients' deadlines.'
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.
Hall of fameTwenty Essex
'Timothy has a fine mind and is a good lateral thinker. He comes up with points that no one has thought of.'
Hall of fameTwenty Essex
‘A razor-sharp legal mind who cuts to the heart of the most complex of disputes.’
Hall of fameTwenty Essex
‘David is incredibly bright, calm and collected on his feet, with razor-sharp attention to detail.’
4Hall of fameTwenty Essex
‘He is not only able to process a lot of information quickly and to comprehensively advise on the legal issues but is also a commercially astute lawyer.’
Hall of fameTwenty Essex
'Michael is a highly erudite barrister who thinks meticulously about his cases. He has a calm style of advocacy that allows him to develop detailed points whilst maintaining the court's attention.'
4Hall of fameTwenty Essex
'Extremely calm, knowledgeable and has an air of quiet authority in all he does.'
Hall of fameTwenty Essex
‘An excellent advocate who can get a complicated point across very well to arbitrators and judges. Also extremely bright and very knowledgeable on the law.’
2022 Silks
Twenty Essex
'His written advocacy is strong and he comes up with creative arguments. As an oral advocate, Simon can be incisive without being unnecessarily aggressive.'
2023 Silks
2024 Silks
Twenty Essex
'Oliver is a superb advocate. He delivers the points that need to be made in a clear and measured way.'
Twenty Essex
'She is not afraid to give a direct view on the merits of a point, without hedging her opinion with unnecessary caveats.'
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.
2Twenty Essex
'Alex is excellent across the board. His opinions balance detail and nuance with clearness and accessibility to the reader - and are always on the money.'
Twenty Essex
‘Malcolm knows his subject matter really well. His submissions are well-put and address the issues in question.’
Twenty Essex
‘A brilliant communicator, problem solver and advocate. He is able to find solutions quickly to complex legal and procedural issues.’
Twenty Essex
'Patrick's advocacy skills are very impressive. He is quick on his feet, and presents his arguments in a clear and concise manner. He will certainly be a force to be reckoned with in the years to come.'
Twenty Essex
‘Karen has a fantastic knowledge of the Arbitration Act and great insight into its application. She is creative in identifying solutions and an excellent, clear advocate.’
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.
2Twenty Essex
'Alex is excellent across the board. His opinions balance detail and nuance with clearness and accessibility to the reader - and are always on the money.'
Twenty Essex
‘Malcolm knows his subject matter really well. His submissions are well-put and address the issues in question.’
Twenty Essex
‘A brilliant communicator, problem solver and advocate. He is able to find solutions quickly to complex legal and procedural issues.’
Twenty Essex
'Patrick's advocacy skills are very impressive. He is quick on his feet, and presents his arguments in a clear and concise manner. He will certainly be a force to be reckoned with in the years to come.'
Twenty Essex
‘Karen has a fantastic knowledge of the Arbitration Act and great insight into its application. She is creative in identifying solutions and an excellent, clear advocate.’