Department profile
Brick Court Chambers

Sanctions

UK Bar Guide 2026 : All Circuits

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Brick Court Chambers

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Sanctions - All Circuits

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Brick Court Chambers distinguishes itself as one of the dominant forces in the global field of sanctions, recognised for its "depth of experience and well-known market practitioners". Many of its barristers continue to be instructed as lead counsel on the most significant sanctions-related cases occurring in the UK and further afield. The barristers represent clients across the world, providing specialist expertise on the UK, EU and US sanctions regimes. The set is particularly experienced in dealing with designated groups in Russia, Myanmar and Iran, among others. Members of chambers recently appeared in the XTX Markets Technologies Ltd v Legal & General dispute, focused on applications of multiple overlapping sanctions regimes on commodity pricing swaps.

Paul Dennison and Tony Burgess are the senior clerks.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Brick Court's clerks are very responsive and incredibly helpful.

    Sanctions respondentUK Bar

  • Ben Rippengale is very good.

    Sanctions respondentUK Bar

  • Brick Court has a very efficient clerking team.

    Sanctions respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Maya Lester
    Maya Lester

    Maya Lester

    Maya Lester KC is the leading sanctions mind at the Bar, providing unparalleled expertise to companies and individuals on listing and relisting challenges, enforcement matters and related commercial litigation and arbitration. She has a superb command of EU and US sanctions regimes, including legal developments concerning US secondary sanctions.

    • Maya is a leading light in the sanctions field. She is very good and very effective. She has really good judgement, is very sensible and gives very user-friendly advice and guidance.

      Sanctions respondentUK Bar

    • Maya is an extraordinarily effective advocate who strikes a brilliant balance between forensic and passionate. Her work ethic is off the charts, and she gives extraordinary advice.

      Sanctions respondentUK Bar

    • Maya has unrivalled experience and provides an excellent service.

      Sanctions respondentUK Bar

    • Maya is the epitome of calm and rationality, bringing a tremendous practical wisdom to her analysis of complex issues.

      Sanctions respondentUK Bar

    • Maya is the most knowledgeable barrister in the country on sanctions-related matters. She is very down to earth. She is a fighter.

      Sanctions respondentUK Bar
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  • Ali Al-Karim
    Ali Al-Karim

    Ali Al-Karim

    Ali Al-Karim has a burgeoning sanctions practice, with particular interest in the UK and EU regimes. He draws on deep public law expertise to advise corporate clients, private individuals and government entities on the full gamut of sanctions law, including on Blocking Regulations. Alongside sanctions, Al-Karim is gaining a reputation for proficiency in matters of public international law, EU investment law and international arbitration.

    • Ali is a superb advocate. He is commercially aware, with a brilliant grip on the law.

      Sanctions respondentUK Bar

    • Ali is a special talent. He is an extraordinary man. He is inspiring to those he works with and for.

      Sanctions respondentUK Bar

    • Ali is very agile and adept at moving around in the sanctions world. He has a really good handle on the law.

      Sanctions respondentUK Bar
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  • Jonathan Dawid
    Jonathan Dawid

    Jonathan Dawid

    Jonathan Dawid is notably experienced in sanctions cases involving the banking and finance sector. He is frequently called upon to advise on matters where commercial agreements may be affected by aspects of sanctions regimes.

    • Jonathan is very bright and hard-working. He is knowledgeable on sanctions law.

      Sanctions respondentUK Bar

    • Jonathan is outstanding on anything involving the overlap between sanctions and complex banking issues.

      Sanctions respondentUK Bar

    • Jonathan Dawid is very knowledgeable. He is a master of the sanctions area.

      Sanctions respondentUK Bar
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  • Fergus Randolph
    Fergus Randolph

    Fergus Randolph

    Fergus Randolph KC is recognised as a go-to counsel for sanctions-related instructions. He earns praise for his deep expertise in matters touching Russian sanctions, including the challenging of individual designations. In addition to his sanctions practice, Randolph advises on a broad range of practice areas, including competition, international trade law and commercial agency.

    • Fergus Randolph is an excellent all-rounder.

      Sanctions respondentUK Bar

    • Fergus provides a first-class service combining expertise with commercial awareness.

      Sanctions respondentUK Bar
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  • Fred Hobson
    Fred Hobson

    Fred Hobson

    Fred Hobson KC brings his notable banking and finance expertise into sanctions-focused disputes. He handles notable commercial sanctions matters headed to the UK Supreme Court and the Courts of Appeal.

    • Fred is a very good and comprehensive barrister. He understands sanctions and has a real depth in sanctions law.

      Sanctions respondentUK Bar

    • Fred did a good job on finding the best way forward.

      Sanctions respondentUK Bar
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  • Paul Wright
    Paul Wright

    Paul Wright

    Paul Wright is well reputed for his sanctions expertise. He advises a broad host of clients, including financial institutions, offshore entities and domestic private companies, on matters of enforcement, OFSI licensing and general compliance. He has experience advising on Russian, Belarusian, Iranian and Libyan sanctions.

    • Paul is very responsive and strong on knotty sanctions compliance issues. He is very cogent in writing.

      Sanctions respondentUK Bar

    • Paul Wright is a very good lawyer.

      Sanctions respondentUK Bar
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  • Richard Blakeley
    Richard Blakeley

    Richard Blakeley

    Richard Blakeley KC acts in appeals against sanctions listings and associated damages claims, often representing banks. He has strong expertise in commercial matters relating to sanctions law.

    • Richard gives sound, commercial and pragmatic advice. His strongest attribute is his work ethic. His cross-examination is very good and he is absolutely fantastic.

      Sanctions respondentUK Bar

    • Richard is very focused and easy to work with. He has an amazing intellect and gets on top of the details so quickly.

      Sanctions respondentUK Bar

    • Richard is an extraordinary talent. His powers of analysis are first class. He is a pleasure to work with and is brilliant with clients.

      Sanctions respondentUK Bar
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  • Malcolm Birdling
    Malcolm Birdling

    Malcolm Birdling

    Malcolm Birdling has extensive experience acting in challenges to designations and to the UK sanctions regime itself. Birdling has represented individuals, financial institutions and government departments in such matters.

    • Malcolm is able to articulate difficult and nuanced points with a passion. He is incredibly responsive and very approachable.

      Sanctions respondentUK Bar

    • Malcolm is a superb advocate for complex issues, making them understandable and simple. He is extremely hard-working and responsive. He is a superstar, but he is so down to earth.

      Sanctions respondentUK Bar

    • Malcolm is rightly regarded as a go-to sanctions junior. He is truly fantastic.

      Sanctions respondentUK Bar

    • Malcolm Birdling is superb.

      Sanctions respondentUK Bar
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Ranked Barristers at Brick Court Chambers (8)

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