Chambers Review

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

2
Band 2

What the Team is Known For

Twenty Essex is a prominent set in the arbitration market, noted for its capabilities in commercial, investment treaty and insurance disputes. The set has a strong international presence, and its barristers appear in complex and high-profile disputes across Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Members here are deeply experienced in acting under the auspices of various arbitral bodies, including HKIAC, SIAC, the ICC, the LCIA and the LMAA, and in ad hoc arbitrations. A source reports: "Twenty Essex has strong arbitration expertise with broad experience in arbitration hearings." The barristers offer expertise across a range of industries, regularly acting for clients in the insurance, shipping and energy sectors, and are particularly skilled in handling award enforcement disputes.

Chris Theobald is the practice director.

Strengths

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Notable Practitioners

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Belinda McRae
1
Belinda McRae
1
Band 1

Belinda McRae is an extremely impressive practitioner in the field of international arbitration. She has a burgeoning practice which covers a broad range of matters including commercial arbitrations, investor-state disputes and related appeals. She has experience acting in proceedings under LCIA and ICC rules.

A first class arbitration practitioner with excellent knowledge of public international law.

Belinda is great with clients. She drafts very effectively, thinks through issues in depth and is great at proposing solutions.

Belinda is very tenacious, very hardworking and very easy to work with.

Charles Kimmins
1
Charles Kimmins
1
Band 1

Charles Kimmins KC is a formidable international arbitration counsel, concentrating on arbitrations under ICC, LMAA and HKIAC rules, as well as acting in ad hoc proceedings. He advocates before tribunals across the world, acting in arbitrations seated in London, Switzerland, New York and Paris. He has particular experience in the insurance and shipping fields, and offers expertise in private equity disputes. He is skilled at leading teams of barristers in multiple related arbitrations.

Charles Kimmins is a very tough opponent.

Duncan Matthews
1
Duncan Matthews
1
Band 1

Duncan Matthews KC is viewed by the market as a heavyweight courtroom advocate. He provides robust international arbitration representation in disputes across a broad spectrum of industries. He regularly handles energy, technology and shipping disputes, among others. He is well versed in matters under UNCITRAL and LMAA rules and has acted in ad hoc arbitrations. He also has expertise in anti-suit injunctions in support of arbitration proceedings.

One of the best in London.

A genuine leader in the field, both as counsel and arbitrator.

Philip Edey
1
Philip Edey
1
Band 1

Philip Edey KC is well regarded for his expertise in international arbitrations, acting in disputes seated in cities such as San Francisco and London under the remit of the ICC and other arbitral institutions. His diverse client base spans the globe, and includes companies and individuals in an ever-growing list of jurisdictions including China and Japan. He has significant expertise in shipping arbitrations. He also takes appointments as an arbitrator.

A very powerful advocate.

David Lewis
2
David Lewis
2
Band 2

David Lewis KC is experienced in appearing before courts and arbitral tribunals including the ICC, SIAC and the LMAA. His arbitration practice continues to thrive and he receives notable instructions from clients in Singapore. He is an expert in complex shipping disputes, as well as those arising in the energy and banking sectors. He regularly accepts appointments as the sole counsel in an arbitration.

David has a fantastic ability to cut through complex issues and give clear, commercial advice. He's obviously incredibly smart and understands the benefit of providing simple advice, in quick time.

He is a very calm and measured advocate.

He does not only possess the expertise you expect of a top-notch KC but is also very down-to-earth and extremely user-friendly. A real joy to work with.

David is an incredible advocate and cross-examiner.

Michael Ashcroft
3
Michael Ashcroft
3
Band 3

Michael Ashcroft KC is a hugely intelligent practitioner with impressive credentials across a range of markets, including energy and shipping. His work often involves very high-stakes and extremely technical legal points. He has additional expertise challenging arbitration awards.

He is very clear with his opinions and inspired confidence becasue he knows what he is doing.

Michael was technically strong, responsive and a pleasure to work with.

Philip Riches
3
Philip Riches
3
Band 3

Philip Riches KC undertakes a wide array of disputes, with a particular emphasis on shipping matters. His practice also includes oil and gas and commodities arbitrations. He has particular experience in making applications relating to arbitrations that include freezing injunctions, disclosure orders and arbitral enforcements. He is particularly experienced in cases conducted under LCIA, ICC and LMAA rules.

Philip is very approachable, his advice is spot-on and he has good client skills.

Sam Goodman
3
Sam Goodman
3
Band 3

Sam Goodman has a strong arbitration and investment treaty disputes practice. He has acted in several significant arbitrations over the past few years, appearing in proceedings brought under the auspices of the LCIA, ICC, ICSID, LMAA, PCA and SCC.

Sam Goodman is absolutely brilliant.

Sara Masters
3
Sara Masters
3
Band 3

Sara Masters KC has a distinguished practice in the space which encompasses both institutional and ad hoc arbitrations. She has notable experience representing clients in disputes under the auspices of the ICC, LMAA and LCIA. She has further experience providing counsel on challenges to arbitral awards. She is renowned for her strength in handling matters concerning shipping.

Sara Masters is very client-friendly and approachable with great commercial nous.

Guglielmo Verdirame
4
Guglielmo Verdirame
4
Band 4

Lord Guglielmo Verdirame KC is recognised for his sophisticated international arbitration practice. He has notable experience advising on high-value investment treaty disputes, representing a host of sovereign states and multinational companies. He has appeared before various international arbitration tribunals including the Permanent Court of Arbitration, ICSID and UNCITRAL.

Guglielmo is a very accomplished international lawyer, and he works in an extremely collegiate manner.

He is a very sophisticated and very polished advocate, and very knowledgeable in international law.

Henry Byam-Cook
4
Henry Byam-Cook
4
Band 4

Henry Byam-Cook KC has a practice which covers a broad range of commercial matters including shipping, insurance and professional negligence. He has notable experience handling arbitrations governed by the rules of the LMAA, and regularly acts as counsel under ad hoc, institutional and trade arbitration rules.

He can drill down and challenge clients and experts, and as a result, his advocacy is great.

Jonathan Ketcheson
4
Jonathan Ketcheson
4
Band 4

Jonathan Ketcheson has a burgeoning investment treaty arbitration practice. He has acted for sovereign states and global companies in high-stakes disputes. He has experience appearing in arbitrations under several major rule sets, including those of ICSID, UNCITRAL, the LCIA and the LMAA. Ketcheson is called to the Bar of the BVI.

A rising star in arbitration and public international law.

Luke Pearce
4
Luke Pearce
4
Band 4

Luke Pearce KC handles international arbitrations across a range of jurisdictions. He has acted before tribunals in London, Zürich, New York and San Francisco in disputes governed by LCIA, LMAA, ICC and AAA rules. He is well versed in commercial arbitrations relating to energy, shipping and insurance disputes, and is adept at handling arbitration award enforcements.

Luke is exceptionally good at analysis and he is very firm in his views.

Luke Pearce is very academic and very pleasant.

4
Mark Tushingham
4
Band 4

Mark Tushingham maintains a broad commercial practice, including investment treaty disputes, international arbitration and arbitration-related court work. He has additional expertise advising on banking, energy and commodities matters. He has appeared in matters under ICSID, ICC, LCIA and LMAA rules. Prior to joining the England and Wales Bar, Tushingham practised as a barrister in New Zealand.

Mark is incredibly thorough, practical and commercial.

Mark Tushingham is very quick and a great advocate.

Richard Greenberg
4
Richard Greenberg
4
Band 4

Richard Greenberg is regularly sought to act in high value arbitrations involving multiple jurisdictions. He has in-depth expertise in a wide range of sectors such as shipping and commodities and finance. Greenberg is trusted as a sole counsel in extremely complex arbitrations.

Richard is responsive, approachable, all over the detail and grasps complexity quickly. He does not shy away from putting forward a challenging case and is creative and flexible in his approach.

Timothy Hill
4
Timothy Hill
4
Band 4

Timothy Hill KC's arbitration practice covers a wide range of sectors including natural resources, commodities and energy and takes in matters across the globe. He has experience of arbitrating under various rules such as ICC and LCIA.

A highly impressive advocate and takes no prisoners.

Wendy J Miles
4
Wendy J Miles
4
Band 4

Wendy Miles KC is respected for her ability to handle complex ICC, ICSID and LCIA arbitral proceedings. A specific area of strength lies in handling issues relating to the energy and natural resources sector. She also acts as an arbitrator.

Wendy is pleasant, sensible and impressive.

Ranked Barristers at
Twenty Essex

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Filter by
Band

Silks (KC)

London (Bar)

International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance

Charles Kimmins KC
1
Charles Kimmins KC
1
Band 1
Duncan Matthews KC
1
Duncan Matthews KC
1
Band 1
Philip Edey KC
1
Philip Edey KC
1
Band 1
David Lewis KC
2
David Lewis KC
2
Band 2
Michael Ashcroft KC
3
Michael Ashcroft KC
3
Band 3
Philip Riches KC
3
Philip Riches KC
3
Band 3
Sara Masters KC
3
Sara Masters KC
3
Band 3
Guglielmo Verdirame KC
4
Guglielmo Verdirame KC
4
Band 4
Henry Byam-Cook KC
4
Henry Byam-Cook KC
4
Band 4
Luke Pearce KC
4
Luke Pearce KC
4
Band 4
Timothy Hill KC
4
Timothy Hill KC
4
Band 4
Wendy J Miles KC
4
Wendy J Miles KC
4
Band 4

Juniors

London (Bar)

International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance

Belinda McRae
1
Belinda McRae
1
Band 1
Sam Goodman
3
Sam Goodman
3
Band 3
Jonathan Ketcheson
4
Jonathan Ketcheson
4
Band 4
4
Mark Tushingham
4
Band 4
Richard Greenberg
4
Richard Greenberg
4
Band 4