Department profile
Fountain Court Chambers

International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance

UK Bar Guide 2026 : London (Bar)


Fountain Court Chambers

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance - London (Bar)

Band 3

Band 3


What the Team is Known For

Fountain Court Chambers has a solid arbitration offering and vast international capabilities. Its barristers have established multi-jurisdictional expertise and act in high-profile disputes across Singapore, Switzerland, the UAE and Russia, to name a few. The set wields considerable expertise in a range of industries, regularly acting as either counsel or arbitrator in big-ticket insurance and energy arbitrations, often governed by LCIA, ICC and DIFC rules. A market source notes that Fountain Court Chambers has an "excellent set of juniors and silks with the expertise to cover a wide range of cases." Another interviewee comments: "The set has assembled the best brains and the hardest working advocates and is providing the disputes market with a commercial and flexible team."

Alex Taylor is the senior clerk.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The clerking is very good and professional.

    International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance respondentUK Bar
  • Alex Taylor, senior clerk, Sian Huckett, deputy senior clerk, and the team always look after us very well.

    International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Bankim Thanki
    Band 1Bankim Thanki

    Bankim Thanki

    Bankim Thanki KC is well regarded for the breadth of his expertise in relation to international arbitration. He has handled a number of ICC and UNCITRAL arbitrations seated in Stockholm, Singapore and the British Virgin Islands. He also handles arbitrations under the Energy Charter Treaty. As well as acting as counsel, he also sits as arbitrator.

    • Bankim is very good on strategy and approach.

      International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance respondentUK Bar
    • Bankim is very compact and well put together in presentation and arguments. He does not use an unnecessary word and is quietly effective.

      International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Anneliese Day
    Band 2Anneliese Day

    Anneliese Day

    Anneliese Day KC, already well known for her award-winning construction practice, has an impressive commercial arbitration practice that sees her appear before the ICC, SCC and LCIA on highly complex and high-value matters. She also acts as an arbitrator.

    • Outstanding in all respects. Feels like one of the team, really rolls up her sleeves to prepare a case and a superb strategist. Everything you hear about her formidable advocacy is true!

      International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Alexander Milner
    Band 3Alexander Milner

    Alexander Milner

    Alexander Milner KC is well versed in handling cases involving Russian and CIS elements. He has a varied practice that covers arbitral proceedings under LCIA and ICC rules, as well as ad hoc arbitrations. He demonstrates his strength in providing counsel on enforcement issues as well as commercial and investment treaty work. He draws strength from his bilingual capabilities.

    • Alexander Milner is an incredibly clever and intuitive barrister.

      International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Ben Valentin
    Band 4Ben Valentin

    Ben Valentin

    Ben Valentin KC handles an international arbitration practice that focuses on disputes arising in the insurance, finance, aviation and energy industries. He frequently acts on behalf of clients in the British Virgin Islands and East Asia in arbitrations governed by ICC rules.

    • Ben is like a Rolls Royce of a KC. He's amazingly clever, commercial and easy to work with.

      International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance respondentUK Bar
    • He is extremely fast in his advice and his pleadings are ultra clear. He has a way of analysing and drafting that is clear.

      International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4James Cutress
    Band 4James Cutress

    James Cutress

    James Cutress KC is renowned for the strength of his arbitration practice, which covers such areas as aviation, finance and reinsurance. He has experience in handling matters under ARIAS and LCIA rules, and he has handled arbitrations in several jurisdictions including those in Africa, Europe and Asia.

    • He is a very smooth operator, very effective in conveying a very complex set of facts and technical points to a judge in a digestible manner.

      International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Richard Lissack
    Band 4Richard Lissack

    Richard Lissack

    Richard Lissack KC is a highly sought silk for high stakes commercial arbitration matters under such rules as the ICSID. Lissack provides expertise in a wide range of sectors including banking, health and sports, among numerous others.

    • Richard Lissack is an incredible leader and makes complicated problems look simple.

      International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance respondentUK Bar
    • Richard gives you the impression he has thought of every single detail and provides a certain level of calm and clarity you don't get from many counsel, even senior KCs.

      International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Timothy Howe
    Band 4Timothy Howe

    Timothy Howe

    Timothy Howe KC handles a wide array of disputes resolved by means of international arbitration, and has noted expertise in finance and energy matters. He has appeared in various arbitral venues, including London, Singapore and Vienna. He is adept at acting under various institutional rules including those of the LCIA and ICC as well as ad hoc arbitrations under UNCITRAL. He has substantial expertise in arbitrations in which sovereign states are participants.

    • Timothy Howe is very skilled.

      International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance respondentUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at Fountain Court Chambers (8)

London (Bar)

  • Profile image of Bankim Thanki KC

    Bankim Thanki KC

    International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance

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  • Profile image of Peter Goldsmith KC

    Peter Goldsmith KC

    International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance

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  • Profile image of Anneliese Day KC

    Anneliese Day KC

    International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance

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  • Profile image of Alexander Milner KC

    Alexander Milner KC

    International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance

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  • Profile image of Ben Valentin KC

    Ben Valentin KC

    International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance

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  • Profile image of James Cutress KC

    James Cutress KC

    International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance

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  • Profile image of Richard Lissack KC

    Richard Lissack KC

    International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance

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  • Profile image of Timothy Howe KC

    Timothy Howe KC

    International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance

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