Chambers Review
Provided by Chambers
Public International Law: The English Bar - Global Market Leaders
What the Team is Known For
Brick Court Chambers is recognised for its budding public international law practice. The set fields an impressive team of active silks and juniors on many of the year's largest matters. A client notes "they are user-friendly and personable, as well as being real experts in the area of public international law." The bench has experience operating in the ECtHR, Supreme Courts and the ICJ. Additionally, the set frequently appears in significant international arbitrations, commonly under ICSID or PCA jurisdiction. A notable example of recent work undertaken by members is the Al-Jazeera representation in an ICSID claim arising out of Egypt-Qatar BIT.
Paul Dennison and Tony Burgess are the senior clerks.
Strengths
Brick Court clerks have been very responsive to queries.
The clerks are good and helpful.
Brick Court is excellent, with many brilliant clerks.
Notable practitioners
Ali Al-Karim is recognised as a rising star in the field of public international law. He has appeared before the ICJ, the ECtHR, ICSID tribunals and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights on a host of high-profile cases. In addition to PIL, Al-Karim has earned a strong reputation for his work on sanctions, European trade law and international arbitration.
Ali is compelling and clearly has the ear of the judges.
Ali is a very thoughtful and curious barrister. He digs to get to the issues.
Ali is incredibly bright. He is clearly one of the leading up-and-coming international law juniors. He is very clear and compelling in his written advocacy.
Edward Ho has a strong practice which sees him regularly act for claimants in high-level investor-state disputes, focusing on Central Asian states.
Edward is a very bright and able junior.
Edward brings a strategic outlook.
Ed is incredibly smart and well-prepared.
Emilie Gonin is a strong PIL-focused barrister whose practice centres on bilateral investment treaty arbitrations and other international commercial disputes. She has appeared in several ICSID arbitrations over the past few years, in addition to others in the LCIA, HKIAC, UNCITRAL and the ICC.
Emilie is super responsive and knows her stuff.
Emilie has a good public international law knowledge.
Maya Lester KC offers especial expertise in economic sanctions and undertakes significant work in a range of international legal disciplines, with recent work involving close scrutiny of the Treaty on European Union. Among other clients, she acts on behalf of investors in various arbitral proceedings.
Maya is an extraordinarily effective advocate, striking a brilliant balance between being forensic and passionate.
Maya is a fighter and knows the law inside out.
Zahra Al-Rikabi is a noted up-and-coming barrister who frequently acts on behalf of states, international organisations and diplomats. She represents clients in diplomatic immunity, state jurisdiction and BIT disputes. Al-Rikabi's fluency in Arabic makes her a prime candidate for instructing solicitors seeking MENA expertise.
Zahra has an extremely powerful intellect. She is a confident advocate who is capable of handling complex expert issues.
Zahra is a sharp and thorough junior. She is hardworking, personable and good at drafting and making the arguments.
Zahra grasps the complex legal issues quickly and is excellent in briefing the witnesses and experts.
Zahra has great judgement and is unflappable. She doesn't let the point get away from her. Her evidence and the arguments are well thought through.