Chambers Review
Provided by Chambers
International Arbitration - The English Bar - Global Market Leaders
What the Team is Known For
Essex Court Chambers has long enjoyed a reputation as a "powerhouse" for international arbitrations involving commercial and insurance matters. Its barristers are consistently recognised for their truly international practices, receiving instructions from the Middle East, Europe and Africa and acting in some of the most significant and high-value disputes. Members offer unrivalled expertise across an impressive breadth of sectors, and have particular prowess in energy and insurance and reinsurance disputes. The barristers at Essex Court Chambers are regularly called upon to handle proceedings and cases involving foreign law under all major institutional rules. A solicitor opines that "Essex Court is the best chambers at the Bar for international law and arbitration." Several others concur, applauding the set's "second to none," "top of the pile" and "leading" expertise and "great depth of legal talent."
Strengths
Team leader Katie Myles and assistant team leader Dave Mansfield are always on the ball.
The clerks are very responsive, keen to accommodate and realistic with availability of preferred counsel, offering sensible suggestions for alternatives when needed.
The barristers and clerks alike at Essex Court Chambers always deliver excellent service and response levels.
Essex Court runs a smooth operation, with very responsive clerks and barristers alike.
Kevin Grubb, team leader, has been very good to work with. He's relaxed but gets to the issue quite quickly. He's responsive and tries to understand our side as well, as instructing solicitors.
Notable practitioners
David Joseph KC comes highly recommended for his broad commercial international arbitration practice, which covers a wide array of industries including the energy, telecommunications, construction, insurance, shipping and aerospace sectors. He regularly acts as counsel in high-stakes arbitration enforcement cases. He has extensive experience in BIT arbitrations.
David is top of the top.
David Joseph is extremely energetic and engaged. He listens well, thinks outside the box and works fantastically as part of a team.
Our clients have absolute faith in David's advice.
Graham Dunning KC has longstanding experience appearing before courts and arbitration panels domestically and abroad. He often represents states and state entities in investment treaty claims, and exhibits strong expertise acting in large oil and gas disputes. He has been involved in arbitrations under the rules of the ICC, the LCIA and UNCITRAL, and those brought under the Energy Charter Treaty.
What I like about Graham is that he's very thorough, thoughtful and invested in the case. He's well prepared for cross-examinations and general advocacy at all times.
Graham is fantastic. He's user-friendly and prepared to roll his sleeves up.
Graham's real skill remains arguing cases and trying to win for his client, using all the strategies he's picked up along his career to outfox the opposition.
Graham Dunning is a heavyweight arbitration specialist.
Graham is one of the top members of the London Bar for investment and commercial arbitrations. He's a force of nature.
Joe Smouha KC is widely considered to be one of the strongest practitioners at the International Arbitration Bar due to his extensive experience in handling notable commercial disputes under a number of prominent arbitral institutions including the ICC and LCIA. He also takes appointments as a commercial arbitrator. His advocacy experience includes court appearances in the Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands.
Joe Smouha is one of the strongest international arbitration practitioners.
Ricky Diwan KC is highly regarded for his international arbitration practice, which concentrates on commercial and investment issues. He has significant experience of arguing cases under a variety of laws and regulations and representing clients before national and international arbitral tribunals. He is noted for having helped to draft the Mauritian International Arbitration Act 2008.
Ricky Diwan is superb. He's a really excellent advocate and unbelievably thorough.
Ricky's brain is encyclopedic about arbitration law, He's very methodical, with an appetite for detail.
Ricky is one of the brainiest KCs at the Bar. He has an instant rapport with the judges and is a master of legal and arbitral detail. He's sure to become one of the grand silks of our age.
Ricky does a masterful job. His navigation of conflict of law issues is very impressive.
Matthieu Gregoire has notable experience handling LCIA and ICC arbitrations. He is astute at advising government bodies, as well as companies and individuals operating in the energy and mining sectors, among others. He is well-versed in both commercial and investment treaty disputes.
Matthieu is one of the best senior juniors in the London market and beyond. He is extremely capable in a technical sense, but he's also able to interact with clients, since he used to be a solicitor.
Matthieu is a rising star in this field. He's capable of very quickly assimilating vast amounts of information and considering complex legal and commercial issues and providing clear, decisive advice.
Matthieu is excellent. He's user-friendly, easy to work with and a great advocate who builds good rapport with the judge.
Naomi Hart has broad experience in a range of commercial arbitration disputes, including those relating to the energy and aerospace sectors. She has the demonstrable ability to work on high-value, high-profile mandates and has operated in several regions, including Central and Eastern Europe and Africa.
Naomi is a really prodigious worker. She's very bright, efficient and a pleasure to deal with.
Paul Wee acts for governments, major corporations and financial institutions in complex, sometimes high-value arbitrations, particularly in the telecoms, energy and infrastructure sectors. He is also an expert in investment treaty arbitrations and related enforcement proceedings.
Paul is razor sharp. He's seriously impressive and he will go a long way.
Paul is an outstanding junior with particularly deep knowledge of international arbitrations and investment disputes. He's extraordinary.
Paul is probably the best barrister that I have ever worked with.
Paul Choon Kiat Wee is one of the next generation of star barristers.
Paul Key KC specialises in international arbitrations arising in a variety of sectors including oil and gas, shipping, foreign investments and mining. He has an impressive track record of representing large corporate clients in high-profile cases, as well as high net worth individuals and government organisations. He has acted in challenges to arbitration awards.
Paul is a really effective advocate. He's great on his feet, extremely user-friendly and just intellectually so impressive.
Paul is robust and very sharp. He's able to position our responses really well.
Philippa Hopkins KC is well versed in acting in a broad range of domestic and international arbitrations, demonstrating expertise across a number of industry sectors, including construction, banking and pharmaceuticals. She regularly accepts appointments as arbitrator and offers advocacy under the auspices of the LCIA, ICC and LMAA.
Philippa Hopkins is phenomenal. She's clever, pragmatic, commercial and superb in her knowledge of the law.
Philippa is a complete barrister - intellectually incredibly strong and a highly persuasive barrister with excellent client care skills.
Ben Juratowitch KC is known as an accomplished practitioner in the international commercial arbitration space. He is experienced in representing parties in high-level, complex cases in jurisdictions including those in Africa and Central and Eastern Europe.
Ben is exceptional. He's really user-friendly, measured and calm, and understands strategy.
Ben is able to simplify complexity and explain the legal position in a clear and compelling manner.
Ben is exceptionally clear, logical in his thinking and a brilliant oral advocate.
Ben is a very impressive advocate. He reads the room well and adapts quickly. He always knows exactly what to say.
James Collins KC is noted for an international arbitration practice focussing on representing clients, including high-profile and foreign corporations, before domestic and international tribunals. He is particularly strong on insurance, financial transaction and international trade disputes. He has appeared in court in the British Virgin Islands as well as London.
James Collins is a very effective operator. He's one of those people who is reassuringly confident, but not in a smug way. He has a very nice manner where you just know that he's on it.
James is super smart and good to work with. He's an excellent advocate and highly commercial.
James Willan KC provides robust representation when handling international arbitrations governed by LCIA and SIAC rules. He is also well versed in oil rig disputes under SCMA and LMAA rules. He is also experienced in arbitration-related Commercial Court proceedings for interim relief including freezing orders.
James Willan has hit the ground running since taking silk. He's among the best that I've used.
James is a very bright and well-regarded silk.
James is a brilliant young silk - just excellent.
Lucas Bastin KC handles a wide range of matters in this field, including international commercial arbitration, investment treaty arbitration, and work before English (and foreign domestic) courts in aid of enforcement of arbitration awards. He's the favoured choice of silk for several sovereign states.
Lucas Bastin is an amazing advocate. He is calm under fire in hearings and takes his time to consider his answers, which he then presents in a way that is very persuasive.
Lucas is unique in the sense that he has all the skills one would want in a silk, but he's also worked at a law firm, so he knows how best to run cases. His insight is incredibly valuable.
Lucas is an encyclopedia of international law.
Words don't do Lucas justice. He is unquestionably the best at what he does, at his level.
Stephen Houseman KC is noted for his broad commercial practice spanning subjects including finance, natural resources and pharmaceuticals. He is also recognised for his expertise in handling anti-suit injunction and anti-arbitration injunction matters.
Stephen is second to none on legally heavy work such as anti-suit injunctions and challenges to awards. On his feet, he does not pull his punches and his intellect shines through.
Stephen is exceptional. He continues to go from strength to strength. For anti-suit injunctions and jurisdictional issues, there's no one better at the Bar.
Stephen Houseman is a ferocious advocate and very clever.
Stephen is a very good and effective advocate in arbitrations.
Alison Macdonald KC receives acclaim for her top-end public international law and investment treaty disputes practice. She is sought after by both sovereign state parties and investors alike. She has notable expertise advising on ICSID proceedings, with a particular knowledge of BIT claims.
Alison Macdonald is an extremely clever, analytical, forensic and measured advocate. She reads the tribunal really well and doesn't get riled up.
Alison is a delight to work with. She's super knowledgeable about public international law and extremely friendly.
Angeline Welsh KC possesses a wide international arbitration practice covering a range of commercial claims, including those concerning investment treaties and the banking, technology and construction sectors. She is especially sought after for her expertise in handling disputes arising in emerging markets and in court proceedings related to arbitrations, such as enforcement of arbitral awards and anti-suit injunctions.
There's only one word needed to describe Angeline, and that is 'brilliant.'
Angeline is a real arbitration specialist.
Angeline Welsh is terrific. She's so responsive, a real team player and a very thoughtful and compelling advocate.
Dan Sarooshi KC is highly sought after by investors looking to bring claims against sovereign states. He is deeply experienced in handling high-value and high-profile disputes under ICSID, UNCITRAL, LCIA and PCA rules. Additionally, he can assist with follow-up claims, award challenges and enforcement proceedings. In addition to his practice, Sarooshi is also a professor of public international law at Oxford University.
Dan Sarooshi is a very accomplished international lawyer and a consummate professional. His incisive analysis and willingness to roll up his sleeves is very impressive indeed.
Dan is spectacular on his feet and his knowledge is encyclopedic.
David Scorey KC is a respected practitioner with notable experience as a commercial litigator. He is well versed in handling proceedings under ICC rules. He provides counsel on matters stemming from a broad spectrum of sectors including insurance and oil and gas.
David's very hard-working and his advocacy in international arbitrations is brilliant.
David Scorey is immensely clever. While he is obviously extremely proficient in the law, he remains devoutly commercial. He knows the insurance industry incredibly well.
David Scorey is a tremendously user-friendly silk.
Emily Wood KC concentrates her practice on high-value, complex international commercial arbitration and has particular expertise in handling challenges to arbitral awards. She has substantial experience of arbitrations conducted under ICC, LCIA, UNCITRAL and ICSID rules. In addition to her work as counsel, she also takes sole arbitrator appointments.
Emily's interventions and questions are excellent. She clearly has a grip of the complex issues that arise in this space. She's a silk to watch.
Iain Quirk KC is renowned for providing robust representation in international arbitrations under the remit of the ICC and has acted in a number of Section 68 applications. His international arbitration experience covers a wide array of industries, and he regularly handles matters concerning the oil and gas and construction sectors. He has particular interest in arbitration-related court applications such as injunctions and award challenges.
Iain is very easy to deal with and I like his calm and measured advocacy style.
Iain Quirk is superb. He's very strategic and willing to roll up his sleeves.
Richard Millett KC is highly regarded for his handling of high-value international arbitrations for financial clients, significant individuals and international corporations. He handles institutional and ad hoc arbitrations and frequently appears in offshore jurisdictions. He is experienced in energy disputes and investment arbitrations.
Richard is an astonishingly smart arbitration practitioner.
Richard is the strongest advocate we use. He has a lovely way with the Bench. He has a beautiful rhetorical style and is brilliant at dealing with tricky questions.
Sean Aughey is rated highly for his representation of both investors and sovereign states in international arbitrations. He is praised for his deep expertise in BIT claims brought under ICSID rules. His clients include Jordan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Al Jazeera Media Network. He is often instructed as sole counsel on matters.
Sean is an absolute intellect and an extremely able advocate, both on paper and before tribunals. He may not be a KC yet, but he has all the hallmarks of a silk in waiting.
Sean has skills far beyond his year of call. He can lead in a masterful way and his drafting is superb.
Siddharth Dhar KC has established himself as a go-to name for energy sector and investment treaty arbitrations. He has acted in billion-dollar arbitral disputes under the auspices of various institutions including the ICC, ICSID and the LCIA. He counts several sovereign states among his clients.
Siddharth is very user-friendly, with an ability to see what others don’t. He's a huge asset to any team.
Siddharth is a first-rate silk and a trusted advisor. He is deeply knowledgeable and forensic in his assessment of issues, presenting complex arguments in a clear and persuasive manner.
Steven Berry KC provides solid representation in international arbitration disputes concerning commodities, shipping, and insurance and reinsurance. He is experienced in appearing before tribunals governed by the rules of the LMAA, SIAC, the LCIA and the ICC.
Steven Berry is very charming and a good advocate.
Benedict Tompkins is recognised as an up-and-coming junior for his broad international arbitration practice. He represents both sovereign states and commercial investors in complex arbitrations, occasionally unled. He is regularly instructed in high-value disputes, and wields notable experience advising on complex offshore proceedings, having been called to the Bar of the BVI.
Benedict Tompkins is exceptionally bright and very client-friendly.
Benedict is a rising star in international arbitration.
Benedict is absolutely superb - fiercely intelligent. supremely responsive and an extremely good advocate. His written work is often near flawless.
Benedict Tompkins is extremely hard-working and very knowledgeable in the field.
Anton Dudnikov is regularly instructed as sole counsel on various disputes by enviable clients such as state governments and high-profile individuals. Born in Russia, he draws on his ability to speak Russian and his experience of Russian culture to deal with arbitral disputes arising from the CIS. He also often works on prominent and high-value cases arising in the Middle East and Central Asia.
Anton is one of the most, if not the most, impressive juniors I have worked with. He wields superb knowledge of the law, he always gives pragmatic advice and he's a real pleasure to work with to boot.
Anton is a tenacious advocate and a highly talented drafter. He provided exceptional support throughout our arbitration.
Tariq Baloch represents an enviable array of clients including international corporations in multi-jurisdictional arbitrations governed by the rules of leading institutions, including the LCIA and ICC. He handles insurance and reinsurance, energy, oil and gas, banking and construction matters, to name but a few. He regularly acts in complex, high-value disputes.
Tariq Baloch is a stellar advocate. Having him on your side is a relief.
He is one of the best and brightest advocates around, and his written submissions are wonderful. He writes crisply and well and on point. He's a real star.
Tariq is extraordinarily user-friendly and razor sharp. He is a consummate team player who will make any counsel team function better through his legal and human skills.