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Brick Court Chambers

Public International Law

UK Bar Guide 2026 : London (Bar)

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Brick Court Chambers

Rankings

Chambers Review

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Public International Law - London (Bar)

Band 3

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 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 representing Al-Jazeera in an ICSID claim arising out of the Egypt-Qatar BIT.

Paul Dennison and Tony Burgess are the senior clerks.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Brick Court's clerks have been very responsive to queries.

    Public International Law respondentUK Bar

  • The clerks are good and helpful.

    Public International Law respondentUK Bar

  • Brick Court is excellent, with many brilliant clerks.

    Public International Law respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Ali Al-Karim
    Ali Al-Karim

    Ali Al-Karim

    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 in 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.

      Public International Law respondentUK Bar

    • 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.

      Public International Law respondentUK Bar

    • Ali is a very thoughtful and curious barrister. He digs to get to the issues.

      Public International Law respondentUK Bar
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  • Edward Ho
    Edward Ho

    Edward Ho

    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.

      Public International Law respondentUK Bar

    • Ed is incredibly smart and well prepared.

      Public International Law respondentUK Bar

    • Edward brings a strategic outlook.

      Public International Law respondentUK Bar
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  • Emilie Gonin
    Emilie Gonin

    Emilie Gonin

    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 has a good public international law knowledge.

      Public International Law respondentUK Bar

    • Emilie is super responsive and knows her stuff.

      Public International Law respondentUK Bar
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  • Maya Lester
    Maya Lester

    Maya Lester

    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 who strikes a brilliant balance between being forensic and passionate.

      Public International Law respondentUK Bar

    • Maya is a fighter and knows the law inside out.

      Public International Law respondentUK Bar
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  • Zahra Al-Rikabi
    Zahra Al-Rikabi

    Zahra Al-Rikabi

    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 grasps the complex legal issues quickly and is excellent in briefing the witnesses and experts.

      Public International Law respondentUK Bar

    • Zahra has an extremely powerful intellect. She is a confident advocate who is capable of handling complex expert issues.

      Public International Law respondentUK Bar

    • 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.

      Public International Law respondentUK Bar

    • Zahra is a sharp and thorough junior. She is hard-working, personable and good at drafting and making the arguments.

      Public International Law respondentUK Bar
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Ranked Barristers at Brick Court Chambers (5)

London (Bar)

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