Department profile

Commodities: Derivatives & Energy Trading

UK Guide 2026 : UK-wide

Reed Smith LLP

Rankings

Ranked Individuals

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Commodities: Derivatives & Energy Trading - UK-wide

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Reed Smith has a market-leading commodities practice with extensive capability across physicals, derivatives, energy trading and trade finance. The firm deals with all kinds of hard and soft commodities, from sugar to metals. It marshals a deep bench of practitioners to represent global clients, which include trade associations, banks and producers. Reed Smith maintains a strong international practice.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

Reed Smith represented Viterra in defending an application brought
by Sharp in English court proceedings challenging the findings made in two GAFTA appeal arbitration awards issued in Viterra’s favour.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

The team is familiar with the individual legal and regulatory requirements applicable for each trading venue.
Commodities: Derivatives & Energy Trading respondentUK
They have strong expertise in complex transactions with comprehensive security packages in multiple jurisdictions.
Commodities: Derivatives & Energy Trading respondentUK
Reed Smith is the Rolls-Royce of the London commodities legal offerings.
Commodities: Derivatives & Energy Trading respondentUK
Reed Smith's strengths are its excellent legal technical and market knowledge, pragmatic and responsive advice and deep bench.
Commodities: Derivatives & Energy Trading respondentUK
The really special thing about the Reed Smith team is its deep bench of very good associates. Embedded in the team's structure is collaboration. You never have a break where you can't reach someone.
Commodities: Derivatives & Energy Trading respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Senior Statespeople
Senior Statespeople
Richard Swinburn
Richard Swinburn has an excellent reputation in the market for his physical commodities practice. He regularly represents banks and commodity traders in commercial transactions and financing matters.
Richard is the wisest of counsel. There is nothing he has not seen. The length of time he has had in the industry is special and you get the benefit of that wealth when you speak to him.
Commodities: Derivatives & Energy Trading respondentUK
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Band 1
Band 1
Chris Borg
Chris Borg is a revered regulatory specialist who advises banks, traders and brokers on derivatives trading compliance. His regulatory expertise is complemented by his wealth of transactional experience. He is a noted leader on options and futures contracts.
Chris has a great depth of knowledge of the European regulatory framework governing commodities.
Commodities: Derivatives & Energy Trading respondentUK
Chris Borg has unparalleled industry and regulatory knowledge.
Commodities: Derivatives & Energy Trading respondentUK
Chris has extensive knowledge of physical commodity markets, commodity trading and how these cross over into the financial regulatory space, which is ideal for dealing with regulatory queries.
Commodities: Derivatives & Energy Trading respondentUK
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Band 2
Band 2
Brett Hillis
Brett Hillis's legal expertise in the sector is complemented by his wealth of experience as a former banker in the derivatives market. He has notable skill in a wide range of regulatory and transactional matters involving energy commodities and derivatives. He often represents energy companies, traders and risk managers.
Brett is excellent all round.
Commodities: Derivatives & Energy Trading respondentUK
Brett Hillis is fantastic to work with. His standout quality is his depth of knowledge.
Commodities: Derivatives & Energy Trading respondentUK
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Band 2
Band 2
Jonathan Solomon
Jonathan Solomon leads the firm's EMEA and South-East Asia trade and commodities finance practice. He is noted for his expertise in structured finance matters and regularly advises clients on pre-finance facilities and pre-delivery syndicated loan facilities.
Jonathan is very commercial, very sharp in documentation, and very good at keeping deal momentum.
Commodities: Derivatives & Energy Trading respondentUK
He is incredibly 'on' all the time and has the ability to handle the cross-border work.
Commodities: Derivatives & Energy Trading respondentUK
Jonathan has the ability to navigate extremely complex and lengthy processes while maintaining the focus and ensuring that we protect our interests in an efficient manner.
Commodities: Derivatives & Energy Trading respondentUK
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Band 2
Band 2
Vassia Payiataki
Vassia Payiataki has notable experience in international trade and physical commodities. Her practice encompasses transactions and disputes, including complex issues relating to insurance and contractual disputes.
Vassia is a go-to for soft commodities work. She has a sharp mind and strategic thinking capabilities.
Commodities: Derivatives & Energy Trading respondentUK
Vassia is highly experienced and very knowledgeable in commodities, especially soft commodities and oils.
Commodities: Derivatives & Energy Trading respondentUK
Vassia Payiataki is an excellent lawyer. She is very dedicated and has great knowledge of the commodities trading world.
Commodities: Derivatives & Energy Trading respondentUK
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Band 3
Band 3
Elizabeth Farrell
Elizabeth Farrell is able to utilise her expertise in a variety of commodity settings. Her client list boasts impressive names across trading houses, mining companies and energy firms.
Her ability to apply first-rate technical legal knowledge to real-world transactions and disputes in high-pressure situations is extremely impressive.
Commodities: Derivatives & Energy Trading respondentUK
Elizabeth has unparalleled market experience and knowledge. She is client- and commercially focused. She provides invaluable specialist advice on complex matters.
Commodities: Derivatives & Energy Trading respondentUK
Elizabeth Farrell is very responsive, has excellent legal technical skills and has deep market knowledge.
Commodities: Derivatives & Energy Trading respondentUK
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Band 3
Band 3
James Atkin
James Atkin is noted for his expertise in energy trading matters. He acts for an impressive roster of clients in the oil and gas sector and frequently advises on trading agreements.
James is methodical, thorough and an excellent draftsman. He strikes the right balance between protecting our interests and finding a compromise.
Commodities: Derivatives & Energy Trading respondentUK
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Band 3
Band 3
Simone Goligorsky
Simone Goligorsky advises a range of clients, including financial institutions, trade associations and energy companies on compliance, risk management and regulatory issues.
Simone is very responsive and delivers timely advice.
Commodities: Derivatives & Energy Trading respondentUK
Simone comes at problems with both a transactional and regulatory background, which provides much value to the work we instruct her on.
Commodities: Derivatives & Energy Trading respondentUK
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Band 4
Band 4
Paul Skeet
Paul Skeet is an all-rounder commodities practitioner experienced in transactional matters and disputes. He advises energy suppliers, trading houses and financial institutions.
Paul has a great analytical mind and consistently delivers clear advice that reflects both deep legal knowledge and a strategic mindset.
Commodities: Derivatives & Energy Trading respondentUK
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Up and Coming
Up and Coming
Elizabeth Stroud
Elizabeth Stroud is a partner in the firm's energy and natural resources group, based in London. She has notable experience in derivatives and financing transactions.
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