International Arbitration - The English Bar - Global Market Leaders
Band 2
What the Team is Known For
Brick Court Chambers is well reputed for its international arbitration expertise and has a strong presence across a wide range of commercial disputes. The barristers are highly adept at handling disputes before the full range of arbitral institutions, such as the LCIA, the LMAA, the ICC and UNCITRAL, and ad hoc arbitrations. The set is recognised for its diverse offering, acting for an impressive roster of clients across the telecoms, shipping, natural resources, financial services and energy sectors, often with an African or Middle Eastern focus. Members here offer additional expertise in arbitral award enforcement matters. An interviewee comments: "Brick Court Chambers brings superior advocacy to international arbitrations." Another sources adds: "Brick Court is generally regarded as having some of the best barristers in London and are people that you go to when you need an excellent advocate."
Paul Dennison and Tony Burgess are senior clerks.
Strengths
Strong, user-friendly clerking.
Brick Court Chambers' clerking is great. They are accommodating to particular client requirements.
Notable practitioners
Edward Ho is regarded as being one of the top juniors at the Bar for international arbitration work. He provides representation in Energy Charter Treaty arbitrations and disputes under the auspices of bodies such as ICSID and UNCITRAL. He has notable expertise in the energy, mining and commodities markets. He takes instruction as sole counsel as well as in his capacity as a junior.
Edward Ho is very customer-oriented, and he did cross-examination that was very successful, sufficient and intelligent.
Mark Howard KC is acclaimed for his significant experience handling a wide range of arbitrations, including those relating to the telecommunications, energy and banking sectors on behalf of international corporations. He has particular expertise in acting in LCIA and UNCITRAL arbitrations.
He brings the sharpest insight to every issue and has an immense presence in the conference room and the courtroom.
Mark Howard has this transcendent quality above other legal professionals. He is a super silk, adept across a range of sectors.
Vernon Flynn KC is known for his significant expertise in handling domestic and international commercial disputes, including multi-jurisdictional arbitration. He has appeared before courts and tribunals in various jurisdictions including Dubai, Singapore, Stockholm and the Cayman Islands, acting on behalf of prominent individuals and major corporations. He has taken part in arbitrations under the auspices of the ICC and various other arbitral institutions.
Vernon Flynn is an outstanding advocate in my mind he can calm the most troubled of waters, he is extremely user-friendly and inspires confidence in clients.
Senior junior Jonathan Dawid advises a broad range of commercial clients in high-stakes arbitral proceedings under several of the major rules, including those of the ICC, the LCIA, ICSID and UNCITRAL. Clients recognise the deep breadth of his knowledge and experience, often instructing him as lead counsel on matters, including as sole counsel, sometimes against heavyweight silks.
Jonathan Dawid is an absolute genius. He is comfortable against senior lawyers and works at a tremendous speed and is very bright.
Salim Moollan KC operates a busy practice taking in investor-state disputes at a high level as well as straight commercial arbitrations. He also draws on his experience as former chair and vice-chair of UNCITRAL and is a member of numerous other panels. He has particular expertise in energy and telecoms cases. He is considered a go-to counsel for cases involving Mauritian and Singaporean law.
He is both sharp and analytical, while being punchy. He was extremely impressive.
Stephen Midwinter KC acts as an adviser and advocate in international arbitrations, with substantial experience handling disputes under LCIA rules. He handles a wide array of disputes and has a strong emphasis on insurance and reinsurance claims and extensive knowledge of the energy and banking sectors. The disputes he is involved in are often worth tens of millions of pounds. He has developed especial expertise in CIS-related cases.
Stephen Midwinter is an exceptional cross-examiner, exceptional barrister and very bright.
Zahra Al-Rikabi is a rising star in the field of international arbitration. She is sought after by investors for her investment treaty disputes expertise. Al-Rikabi's fluency in Arabic makes her a prime candidate for instructing solicitors seeking MENA expertise. She recently began accepting appointments as an arbitrator.
Zahra is an excellent barrister on all counts. She could grasp the complex legal issues quickly, was excellent in briefing witnesses and experts, and also very measured in her advocacy at the hearing.
She has an extremely powerful intellect. Zahra is a confident advocate; she handles complex issues expertly.
Her evidence and arguments are so well thought through. She is unflappable.
Ali Al-Karim is commended for his thriving international arbitration practice. He has experience beyond his years advising both states and investors on treaty disputes under ICSID rules. Other areas of expertise include arbitration-related litigation, sanctions and broader matters of public international law. Additionally, Al-Karim is well versed in EU law arbitration matters.
He is just a brilliant, brilliant lawyer and really one to watch in the next generation.
Ali routinely exceeds expectations.
Ben Woolgar is extremely experienced in commercial arbitration matters, having acted in mandates under a range of rules including HKIAC, SIAC, LCIA and ICC. Matters cover a broad array of issues including insurance policies, contractual disputes and injunctions.
Ben is a hardworking and clever junior, a very good team player and managed to marry a very vigorous technical approach with a pragmatic and user-friendly manner.
Emilie Gonin earns praise for her sophisticated international arbitration practice. She represents both sovereign states and investors in high-stakes investment treaty disputes heard under ICSID and UNCITRAL rules. Additionally, she represents private parties in commercial arbitrations brought under the major procedural rules, including Swiss Rules and those of the ICC, the LCIA and UNCITRAL, among others. Gonin also accepts appointments as arbitrator.
Emilie is great, she is a pure arbitration specialist. She understands the arbitration really well, she fights her corner she holds her own and is happy to argue with you, not just saying yes.
She is incredibly clever, indefatigable, relentless, charming and extremely fun to work with.
Fionn Pilbrow KC acts on behalf of a variety of individuals and organisations including oil companies, banks, insurers and reinsurers. He is experienced in disputes conducted under the LCIA and ICC, as well as arbitrations pursuant to LMAA rules. He also has experience obtaining and enforcing arbitration awards.
He loves being on his feet in court and he is persuasive.
Harry Matovu KC is a heavyweight commercial silk who brings his impressive skill set to bear for both sovereign states and companies alike in high-stakes international arbitrations. He has notable expertise representing clients in arbitrations concerning Africa-related disputes. He has in-depth knowledge of related arbitral matters such as enforcements.
Harry is very quick to grasp complex material and excellent at seeing the big picture.
He was on top of the facts and gave sage advice. He led the court down a route which only led to one outcome.
Helen Davies KC is widely distinguished as a market-leading commercial silk. In addition to her litigation and competition practices, Davies takes on high-value international arbitration instructions for a broad host of clients, including private UHNW individuals and multinational corporations. She is also a popular choice of arbitrator. Davies is the joint head of Brick Court Chambers.
Helen Davies is absolutely superb.
She is as a brilliant advocate and a brilliant client handler.
Simon Salzedo KC is noted for his international arbitration expertise, particularly in disputes under the auspices of the LCIA and LMAA. His practice covers a wide range of markets such as insurance and reinsurance, banking and shipping. He regularly acts on behalf of trustees, wealth funds and other entities across Africa and Asia. Before turning to the law, he worked as an accountant.
Simon Salzedo has clear understanding of the issues and is measured in dealing with parties.
Tim Lord KC brings deep expertise to his international arbitration work, which sees him acting in high-stakes, complex matters. He has experience appearing before leading tribunals, operating under the auspices of the LCIA, the ICC and HKIAC. He is called upon to act for big-name multinational corporations and UHNW individuals in high-value disputes.
He is very user-friendly and has a great sense of what will work with tribunals and what approach, arguments or angle will be most persuasive in that context.
He has great advocacy skills and presents very complex work with ease. Once he's in the case, he is devastating in his advocacy.
Chintan Chandrachud is recognised as an up-and-comer for his work in the international arbitration space. He has appeared in ICSID, PCA, MCIA, LCIA, ICC, UNCITRAL and ad hoc arbitrations. He has notable sector expertise in energy and mining, and receives instructions from multinational corporations, sovereign states and state-owned entities. He also accepts arbitrator appointments.
A great practitioner, especially for India-related work.
His attention to detail is second to none and has a brilliant legal mind.
