Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance - London (Bar)

2
Band 2

What the Team is Known For

3 Verulam Buildings enjoys a well-established reputation as having "genuine arbitration experience as counsel across the full range of arbitration specialisms." The set is steeped in a long history of top-quality appointments in the financial services sector, often acting in arbitrations relating to shareholder disputes, as well as arbitration award enforcements. Its barristers also demonstrate expertise in energy and development-related disputes for clients across the Middle East, Europe and Africa, frequently conducted under the rules of the LCIA, the ICC, SIAC and UNCITRAL. Members offer additional strength to clients in investor-state disputes, acting in complex and high-value ICSID arbitrations. An interviewee praises the set: "3 Verulam Buildings' barristers are highly responsive and pragmatic in their approach to running cases."

Stuart Pullam is the director of clerking.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

1
Ali Malek
1
Band 1

Ali Malek KC handles a broad range of international arbitration disputes regarding oil and gas, infrastructure, banking and joint venture matters, among others. He acts on behalf of governments, investors, shareholders, charities and international companies in arbitrations across the Middle East, Europe and Asia. He is familiar with the rules of various arbitral bodies including the LCIA and ICSID. He also has expertise in handling disputes under Sections 67 and 69 of the International Arbitration Act 1996.

He is extremely commercially savvy; he brings a level of senior judgement on the issues he is focused on and commercial sensitivities.

Ali Malek is a giant of the advocacy world; he is very impressive on his feet, and he is able to command the room.

Ali is and incredibly well measured advocate. Extremely highly regarded by judiciary and senior arbitrators on the scene.

Can Yeginsu
1
Can Yeginsu
1
Band 1

Can Yeginsu assists with the full gamut of international arbitration including those governed by LCIA, ICC and ICSID rules. He is experienced in disputes relating to conflicts of law and jurisdiction, and is well versed in matters concerning a wide range of industries including the IT, energy, insurance, shipping and financial services sectors.

He's an extraordinary counsel and cross-examiner.

Can brought special advocacy skills notably in cross-examinations.

He is great when we need silk level performance at a more affordable rate. He is an amazing advocate.

2
Damien Walker
2
Band 2

Damien Walker has an arbitration practice that covers truly international commercial disputes, many of which give rise to issues of conflicts of law. He is experienced in handling proceedings governed by the majority of leading institutional rules. He also takes part in investment treaty applications and offers expertise in handling disputes under Sections 67, 68 and 69 of the International Arbitration Act 1996.

A brilliant go-to junior to support high value cases. He produces written work of fantastic quality.

2
Georges Chalfoun
2
Band 2

Georges Chalfoun is an impressive junior with a multifaceted arbitration practice who regularly handles significant disputes for clients in the oil and gas sector. He continues to establish a strong presence in the Middle East, while also taking instructions in Eastern Europe.

He is extremely sharp, very client-friendly, easy to work with and communicates really very well.

Georges is a super talented lawyer. He is whip smart and very engaged.

Top candidate for future silk; Georges is extremely motivated, quick on his feet, has an eye for detail and a forensic approach to factual and legal matters.

Nicholas Craig
2
Nicholas Craig
2
Band 2

Nicholas Craig KC has a vast experience in acting in international arbitration matters. He appears in a variety of disputes relating to subjects such as energy, insurance and telecommunications, among others. He also sits as an arbitrator.

Nick is an excellent advocate, is quick on his feet and provides advice which is both commercial and sensible.

Nicholas has a great manner about him in terms of handling a tribunal.

Timothy Killen
2
Timothy Killen
2
Band 2

Timothy Killen is a highly experienced junior barrister who has an active practice in the Middle East. He has acted in arbitrations under the DIFC and ADCCAC rules, among an array of others.

He is great on his feet, very personable and intelligent.

Cameron Miles
3
Cameron Miles
3
Band 3

Cameron Miles has emerged as a highly talented barrister with academic pedigree, who focuses on ICSID arbitrations and enforcement cases. He has represented both companies and states in large-scale disputes concerning investments in energy and natural resources infrastructure.

Cameron is good on his feet and a fantastic oral advocate.

He is fun to work with, as his enthusiasm for the tough argument is infectious.

Cameron Miles is very knowledgeable and academic.

3
Jonathan Nash
3
Band 3

Jonathan Nash KC is frequently instructed on high-value, high-profile international arbitrations. He has acted in cases under the ICC and LCIA, among others, covering subjects such as sports, telecommunications and finance disputes.

Jonathan Nash was very bright and technically minded and was effective in cross-examinations.

3
Liisa Lahti
3
Band 3

Liisa Lahti is highly experienced in international arbitration matters. She has particular expertise in challenging arbitration awards. She has acted in cases under FCC, Hong Kong Arbitration Ordinance, ICC and LMAA rules. She is often sought out to act as sole counsel.

She is direct and to the point, sharp, knows how to cross-examine well, picks up key points, is astute and gets the tribunal on side.

Liisa Lahti is versatile, client-oriented and has an international perspective.

Mark Wassouf
3
Mark Wassouf
3
Band 3

Mark Wassouf is well respected in the international arbitration market. He draws on his previous experience as a solicitor, and is highly regarded for his representation in international commercial and investment treaty arbitrations. His fluency in Arabic gives him a strong advantage in instructions emanating from the Middle East.

Mark has a very collaborative approach and is an excellent advocate.

Mark Wassouf is client-friendly, capable, smart and persuasive on his feet.

Mark has developed a good all-round practice.

4
David Quest
4
Band 4

David Quest KC is an accomplished arbitration counsel who has worked across multiple jurisdictions and under rules including the ICC and LCIA. He is regularly sought out to advice on matters involving a wide array of sectors including finance, crypto and engineering, to name just a few.

David is genuinely one of the brightest at the Bar.

He is razor sharp and has a persuasive manner of advocacy.

David is a very skilled advocate, he knows how to string along your opponents and get them where they need to be.

Judy Fu
4
Judy Fu
4
Band 4

Judy Fu is a rising star for international arbitration work. She offers clients a broad range of expertise across the commercial spectrum, with notable sector strength in ownership and energy and natural resource disputes. Fu accepts offshore instructions, having been called to the Bar of the BVI, and offers clients fluency in both Mandarin and Cantonese. Before coming to the Bar in 2019, Fu practised as a solicitor at a US law firm.

Judy Fu is a clever lawyer, she writes very well, she is a very quick study and so she gets on top of a case very quickly and produces first rate written submissions in double quick time.

She is a phenomenal advocate, someone who is an invaluable part of any team of which she is a member.

Miriam Schmelzer
4
Miriam Schmelzer
4
Band 4

Miriam Schmelzer is a solid junior frequently instructed to act commercial arbitrations under ICC and LCIA rules. She is also well versed her in Investment Treaty arbitrations. She also sits as an arbitrator.

She is a breath of fresh air, incredibly good at the details and analysis, and is very thoughtful.

Her work quality is outstanding, written and oral advocacy is top end, she is highly intelligent, calm, methodical and clear.

Peter de Verneuil Smith
4
Peter de Verneuil Smith
4
Band 4

Peter de Verneuil Smith KC is highly sought after for his broad expertise in commercial international arbitrations and related court matters, including enforcement. He is no stranger to advising on billion-dollar disputes, acting in several significantly high-value arbitrations over his career. He is considered a go-to silk for international shareholder disputes. He is called to the Bar of Hong Kong and the BVI.

Peter is a brilliant advocate, very well prepared, very nimble on his feet and is able to engage with the judge or arbitrator.

4
Rajesh Pillai
4
Band 4

Rajesh Pillai KC provides robust assistance in international arbitrations. He acts for a wide range of clients including contractors, investment funds and shareholders. He is often sought after for his expertise in offshore and foreign law disputes, particularly in connection with India. His clients include companies and individuals from around the world.

He is extremely bright, gets to the point quickly, he is economical and efficient in a way he analyses the issues.

Fantastic: intellectually robust, commercially astute, and great fun to work with.

Ravi Jackson
4
Ravi Jackson
4
Band 4

Ravi is a solid commercial junior with deep expertise in international arbitration and related court mandates. He is regularly instructed in high-stakes arbitrations under the auspices of the LCIA, the ICC and UNCITRAL. His clients include sovereign states, private UHNW individuals and international corporations. He has become a go-to counsel for parties based in the Middle East, or those looking to conduct arbitrations in the region.

Ravi has excellent attention to detail, understands the nuances of the case, and is able to provide both legally sound and commercial advice.

Ravi is detail-oriented, organised, handles sophisticated issues exceptionally well and presents arguments in a thorough and clear manner.

4
Tom Montagu-Smith
4
Band 4

Tom Montagu-Smith earns praise for his broad commercial international arbitration practice. He's a regular at the DIFC arbitration courts, having become a go-to counsel for international clients looking to conduct arbitrations pertaining to Middle Eastern projects.

Tom is pragmatic and a hard worker and subject matter expert in Middle East common law disputes and arbitrations.

Tom is a brilliant advocate and who is very knowledgeable with the DIFC laws and able to quickly grapple with complex issues.

4
Yash Bheeroo
4
Band 4

Yash Bheeroo has a broad commercial offering as an accomplished international lawyer, advising on arbitration, oil and gas disputes, commercial litigation and civil fraud cases. He regularly appears before many of the esteemed arbitration centres around the world, oftentimes as sole counsel. This includes the LCIA, the ICC, SIAC, DIAC and HKIAC. Bheeroo is called to the Bar of the BVI.

Yash is a good advocate and on top of the details.

He has an excellent legal mind, is a great advocate both orally and written, he sees the bigger picture and is comprehensive in his approach.

U
Dominic Kennelly
U
Up and Coming

Dominic Kennelly is commended for his burgeoning international arbitration practice. Having previously worked as a solicitor before coming to the Bar, he acts for private HNW individuals, private companies and financial institutions before a variety of authorities, including DIAC and the LCIA.

Dominic is a real star, super bright and an absolute lovely guy.

He is deeply intelligent and genuinely can make a change to a case and how it develops due to his application and intellectual skill.

Ranked Barristers at
3 Verulam Buildings

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Silks (KC)

London (Bar)

International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance

1
Ali Malek KC
1
Band 1
Nicholas Craig KC
2
Nicholas Craig KC
2
Band 2
3
Jonathan Nash KC
3
Band 3
4
David Quest KC
4
Band 4
Peter de Verneuil Smith KC
4
Peter de Verneuil Smith KC
4
Band 4
4
Rajesh Pillai KC
4
Band 4
4
Tom Montagu-Smith KC
4
Band 4

Juniors

London (Bar)

International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance

Can Yeginsu
1
Can Yeginsu
1
Band 1
2
Damien Walker
2
Band 2
2
Georges Chalfoun
2
Band 2
Timothy Killen
2
Timothy Killen
2
Band 2
Cameron Miles
3
Cameron Miles
3
Band 3
3
Liisa Lahti
3
Band 3
Mark Wassouf
3
Mark Wassouf
3
Band 3
Judy Fu
4
Judy Fu
4
Band 4
Miriam Schmelzer
4
Miriam Schmelzer
4
Band 4
Ravi Jackson
4
Ravi Jackson
4
Band 4
4
Yash Bheeroo
4
Band 4
U
Dominic Kennelly
U
Up and Coming