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Essex Court Chambers

Energy & Natural Resources

UK Bar Guide 2026 : London (Bar)

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Essex Court Chambers

Rankings

Chambers Review

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Energy & Natural Resources - London (Bar)

Band 2

What the Team is Known For

Essex Court Chambers is a heavyweight set which draws upon particular strengths in international arbitration and commercial disputes to represent clients in a range of energy matters. Members are renowned for their strong international practices and are adept at handling cases relating to oil and gas pricing, climate change, insurance matters and construction problems. A notable case undertaken by members of the set this year is Petersen Energía v The Argentine Republic, a $16 billion dispute arising out of the expropriation of a stake in an Argentinian energy company. An interviewee says that the set is "responsive, friendly and always helpful."

Joe Ferrigno is a senior clerk.

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Strengths

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  • The clerks do a good job at responding to our queries and preparing fee notes.

    Energy & Natural Resources respondentUK Bar

  • The clerking team at Essex Court is always a pleasure to work with.

    Energy & Natural Resources respondentUK Bar

  • The clerks are excellent and really want to get to know you as a client.

    Energy & Natural Resources respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Claire Blanchard
    Claire Blanchard

    Claire Blanchard

    Claire Blanchard KC is a strong commercial litigator and arbitrator who is very much at home handling energy cases. She is known by market sources for her impressive courtroom demeanour and pronounced insurance expertise.

    • Claire Blanchard is a very bright silk.

      Energy & Natural Resources respondentUK Bar
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  • David Mildon KC
    David Mildon KC

    David Mildon KC

    David Mildon KC is experienced at handling an array of energy matters and offering a strong overseas practice. Mildon is an expert in oil and gas, electricity and renewables issues; he is also noted for his work on cases concerning the Climate Change Levy and carbon trading. Acknowledged for his intellectual capacity, he has a particular interest in cases requiring in-depth economic analysis.

    • David is incredibly experienced, especially on the LNG side.

      Energy & Natural Resources respondentUK Bar
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  • Graham Dunning
    Graham Dunning

    Graham Dunning

    Graham Dunning KC is a silk with a strong reputation for shipping litigation, also advising clients on a range of commercial energy disputes. In particular, he is focused on the oil and gas sector and frequently appears in arbitrations at the ICC and LCIA.

    • Graham Dunning is tremendous.

      Energy & Natural Resources respondentUK Bar
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  • James Willan
    James Willan

    James Willan

    James Willan KC has notable skills representing some of the largest names in the energy market in disputes, typically related to oil and gas. He has significant experience in disputes involving the production of energy and the trading of energy too. He is adept at handling disputes in international arbitrations as well as the Commercial Court.

    • James is incredibly clever and willing to get into the detail. His drafting is superb.

      Energy & Natural Resources respondentUK Bar

    • James is absolutely amazing, probably the cleverest person I have dealt with - only a few people can match his intellect or service in this market.

      Energy & Natural Resources respondentUK Bar

    • James's intellectual capabilities are really exceptional. His level of engagement and strategic thinking is second to none.

      Energy & Natural Resources respondentUK Bar
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  • Philippa Hopkins
    Philippa Hopkins

    Philippa Hopkins

    Philippa Hopkins KC has experience representing clients in areas such as long-term coal supply agreements and oil production sharing agreements. She has significant experience appearing in international arbitrations.

    • Philippa is fiercely intelligent; she has very good written and oral advocacy and is highly effective in cross-examinations.

      Energy & Natural Resources respondentUK Bar

    • Philippa has clear drafting and powerful advocacy without being bombastic, and she's very persuasive with a nice manner.

      Energy & Natural Resources respondentUK Bar

    • As an advocate, Philippa has a real sense of authority and credibility - she comes across as capable and in charge of the case she is running and has a sense of authority in the room.

      Energy & Natural Resources respondentUK Bar
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  • Siddharth Dhar
    Siddharth Dhar

    Siddharth Dhar

    Siddharth Dhar KC is a respected barrister with wide-ranging commercial expertise who has experience in significant energy cases in both a courtroom and arbitration context. He is often instructed to act as lead advocate in large arbitrations and in appeals.

    • Siddharth is very client-friendly whilst also being very good on his feet - he has the ear of the court.

      Energy & Natural Resources respondentUK Bar
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  • Anton Dudnikov
    Anton Dudnikov

    Anton Dudnikov

    Anton Dudnikov's practice spans the oil and gas and mining sectors. He has been instructed on investor state and commercial arbitrations on behalf on some of the largest oil and gas and mining companies in the world. Dudnikov also routinely appears in arbitration-related hearings in the English courts.

    • Anton always provides high-quality and thoughtful advice; he's a pleasure to work with.

      Energy & Natural Resources respondentUK Bar

    • Anton is an authority - he's very clever, tactical and also strategic in his approach.

      Energy & Natural Resources respondentUK Bar

    • Anton is well prepared and anticipates any arguments thrown back to him by the other side.

      Energy & Natural Resources respondentUK Bar
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  • Tariq Baloch
    Tariq Baloch

    Tariq Baloch

    Tariq Baloch's energy practice primarily relates to disputes arising from upstream oil and gas exploration. He is also very well versed in matters involving renewables and has in-depth knowledge of the Energy Charter Treaty. He holds extensive experience in investor treaty arbitration along with Commercial Court disputes.

    • Tariq is very good with clients, technically very proficient and able to devise strong legal arguments for a winning case strategy.

      Energy & Natural Resources respondentUK Bar
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Ranked Barristers at Essex Court Chambers (8)

London (Bar)

Essex Court Chambers has rankings in the following guides

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