Chambers Review

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Public International Law - London (Bar)

1
Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Twenty Essex enjoys a sterling reputation in public international law, and houses a formidable bench of silks and juniors with immense knowledge of the field. The barristers are regularly to be found in the most momentous inter-state disputes taking place before the ICJ, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and other key international tribunals. The set has acted in numerous disputes on maritime delimitation. Investor-state disputes form an additional area of strength, with some members exhibiting particular expertise in the relationship between BITs and EU law. Barristers from Twenty Essex also undertake significant advisory work for governments on international trade and human rights law. An instructing solicitor views the set as a "go-to place for public international law matters". Another source echoes this, adding that the set has "some of the strongest PIL and investment arbitration barristers in the market at all levels". Recently, Twenty Essex barristers represented the Government of Ukraine in proceedings against the Russian Federation before the ECtHR, brought in the aftermath of Russian invasion in 2022.

Strengths

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Notable Practitioners

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Daniel Bethlehem
Daniel Bethlehem
Star Individuals

A benchmark to which others aspire, Sir Daniel Bethlehem KC handles high-profile state-to-state, diplomatic immunity and BIT cases. He has strong ties to the FCO and has vast experience of both counsel work and arbitral appointments.

Daniel is hugely effective and knowledgeable litigator in the PIL space.

Daniel is always such a constructive lawyer, trying to use law to develop the law itself. He has a higher calling that always stands out.

Daniel is just brilliant in every respect. He is all over everything from the smallest detail to the strategic direction.

Michael Wood KC (Hon)
Star Individuals

Active in all areas of public international law, Sir Michael Wood KC (Hon) has devoted a significant portion of his career to advising the FCO. He is well versed in complex land and maritime boundary disputes, and has enviable experience appearing before international courts and tribunals.

Michael has an unparalleled breadth of experience and expertise in international law.

Michael has a real deep knowledge of PIL.

Michael is an encyclopedia.

Philippa Webb
Philippa Webb
Star Individuals

Philippa Webb acts for states and non-governmental bodies, advising on a wide range of PIL issues including state and diplomatic immunities, as well as maritime, boundary and treaty disputes. She is a professor of public international law at King's College London.

Philippa is a true expert in the international law, with particularly broad knowledge.

Philippa is a superstar. She is impressively clear and thorough, with strong strategic judgement.

Philippa has an extraordinary depth of intellect.

Belinda McRae
1
Belinda McRae
1
Band 1

Belinda McRae possesses superb expertise spanning BIT arbitration, inter-state disputes and domestic litigation with international law elements. She has appeared in important cases on diplomatic immunity, the compatibility of BITs with EU law and other issues.

Belinda has an excellent understanding of the field and you can trust her to be a brilliant member of your squad.

Belinda is furiously smart, hard-working and no-nonsense. She has excellent knowledge and judgement combined with a strategic sense of what the court tribunals are likely to do.

Belinda's written work is phenomenal. I love working with her, she is such a superstar.

Kate Parlett
1
Kate Parlett
1
Band 1

Highly regarded for investment treaty arbitrations and inter-state disputes, Kate Parlett has appeared as an advocate before the ICJ in multiple cases concerning a range of PIL issues, including arbitration over terrestrial and maritime delimitation. She also teaches international law at both Cambridge and Geneva.

Kate is incredibly well versed in the field and a very methodical, thorough advocate.

Kate has a really compelling presence and is someone the judges listen to.

Kate is very responsive and quick-thinking.

Kate is a great advocate and has a first-rate intellect.

Penelope Nevill
1
Penelope Nevill
1
Band 1

Formerly a practising solicitor in New Zealand, Penelope Nevill advises on all aspects of PIL law. She regularly lectures on the topic at Cambridge University and King's College London, and attacks a wide variety of leading cases including heavy investor-state arbitration and work examining the jurisdiction of sovereign states in relation to foreign nationals.

Penelope is knowledgeable and able to refine the complex issues into accessible points. She is responsive and always available.

Simon Olleson
1
Simon Olleson
1
Band 1

Simon Olleson has a strong academic background in PIL and a keen interest in the law of state responsibility. He has recently advised on the PIL angles of environmental disputes and shown himself to be an expert in maritime delimitation cases and BIT arbitration. He has acted in ICJ, PCA, ICSID and ad hoc arbitration proceedings.

Simon is a go-to for me in the heavy research-focused cases.

Simon is really clever; his forensic analysis and mastery of the law is evident. He produces excellent advocacy, both written and oral.

Guglielmo Verdirame
2
Guglielmo Verdirame
2
Band 2

Lord Verdirame is active in a broad spectrum of PIL work, tackling cases dealing with international human rights, BITs and inter-state disputes. He is a noted academic in this area, and has appeared before UK courts and various international arbitration tribunals including the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

Guglielmo is one of the smartest lawyers.

He is accomplished and collegiate.

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

Manuel Casas
3
Manuel Casas
3
Band 3

Manuel Casas focuses his practice on the matters concerning inter-state and investor-state disputes. He brings particular expertise to the matters arising from the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and the UK.

Manuel is an exceptionally skilled barrister possessing extensive knowledge and experience in the PIL and the investment arbitration fields.

Manuel is an excellent oral advocate. He is very commanding on his feet and incredibly user-friendly.

Monica Feria-Tinta
3
Monica Feria-Tinta
3
Band 3

Monica Feria-Tinta focuses her practice on all aspects of PIL, having appeared before the full range of international courts and tribunals. In recent years she has acted in high-profile cases concerning international human rights, diplomatic immunity and bilateral investment treaty disputes.

Monica is a skilled advocate with an expert command of environmental matters.

Monica is a very bright and very able barrister.

Paolo Busco
3
Paolo Busco
3
Band 3

Paolo Busco has a broad PIL practice and has significant experience in negotiations, international arbitrations and major UNCLOS disputes. He is favoured as counsel by the Government of the United Arab Emirates. He is qualified as an avvocato in Italy.

Paolo is incredibly hard-working, technically very sound and personable.

Paolo is an effective legal adviser and an able man.

Sudhanshu Swaroop
3
Sudhanshu Swaroop
3
Band 3

Sudhanshu Swaroop KC is commended for his high-profile international law practice. He receives praise for his recent performance in landmark climate change cases, where he acted as lead counsel to the UK, in addition to other significant pieces of international state-led litigation. Other areas of expertise include shipping, commercial law, international arbitration and state immunity.

Sudhanshu has an excellent knowledge of public international law and great advocacy skills.

Wendy J Miles
3
Wendy J Miles
3
Band 3

Wendy Miles KC is a strong commercial public international lawyer who concentrates her practice on international arbitration, including BIT disputes. She represents claimant investors and other clients, and is in demand to act as both counsel and arbitrator.

Courtney Grafton
U
Courtney Grafton
U
Up and Coming

Courtney Grafton capably handles a range of disputes in front of international courts. She often, but not exclusively, represents states and has growing experience in the ICJ matters.

Courtney is a bright and capable junior.

Courtney is very sharp, responsive and quick to turn things around.

Courtney is a beautiful drafter; her work is easy to read, clear, accurate, concise and smooth. She has a good attention to detail, is very familiar with the evidence and is very efficient.

Courtney is incredibly thorough and totally reliable. She is one of my first picks to bring into a team.

Ranked Barristers at
Twenty Essex

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Filter by
Band

Silks (KC)

London (Bar)

Public International Law

Daniel Bethlehem KC
Daniel Bethlehem KC
Star Individuals
Guglielmo Verdirame KC
2
Guglielmo Verdirame KC
2
Band 2
Sudhanshu Swaroop KC
3
Sudhanshu Swaroop KC
3
Band 3
Wendy J Miles KC
3
Wendy J Miles KC
3
Band 3

Juniors

London (Bar)

Public International Law

Michael Wood KC (Hon)
Star Individuals
Philippa Webb
Philippa Webb
Star Individuals
Belinda McRae
1
Belinda McRae
1
Band 1
Kate Parlett
1
Kate Parlett
1
Band 1
Penelope Nevill
1
Penelope Nevill
1
Band 1
Simon Olleson
1
Simon Olleson
1
Band 1
Manuel Casas
3
Manuel Casas
3
Band 3
Monica Feria-Tinta
3
Monica Feria-Tinta
3
Band 3
Paolo Busco
3
Paolo Busco
3
Band 3
Courtney Grafton
U
Courtney Grafton
U
Up and Coming