JUNIOR PROFILE

Ali Al-Karim

UK Bar 2026

Brick Court Chambers

Ranked in 3 practice areas

Sanctions

All Circuits

2 years ranked

Public International Law

London (Bar)

2 years ranked

International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance

London (Bar)

2 years ranked

About

Provided by Brick Court Chambers

UK Bar

Practice Areas

Ali Al-Karim is recognised as a leading barrister in public international law, international arbitration, sanctions, and commercial litigation. Ali acts in the most high-value and high profile commercial litigation, including the Phones4U litigation and the dispute over the ownership of Sheffield United Football Club. In international arbitration, Ali acts in both investor-state and commercial arbitrations, where he is often instructed for his advocacy and cross-examination; he has particular expertise in arbitrations raising EU law and sanctions issues. He acts in public international law cases all around the world, including the ICJ, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, the European Court of Human Rights, the Court of Justice of the European Union, and domestic courts around the world. Ali is one of the leading barristers at the Bar in sanctions; he has acted in high-profile sanctions cases in the English courts, and has a busy advisory practice. Ali is acting in the leading UK Supreme Court case on sanctions: Shvidler & Dalston Projects. In 2024, Ali was nominated for International Barrister of the Year at the Advocate awards.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

UK Bar

Sanctions - All Circuits

Band 1

Individual Editorial

Ali Al-Karim has a burgeoning sanctions practice, with particular interest in the UK and EU regimes. He draws on deep public law expertise to advise corporate clients, private individuals and government entities on the full gamut of sanctions law, including on Blocking Regulations. Alongside sanctions, Al-Karim is gaining a reputation for proficiency in matters of public international law, EU investment law and international arbitration.

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Public International Law - London (Bar)

Band 2

Individual Editorial

Ali Al-Karim is recognised as a rising star in the field of public international law. He has appeared before the ICJ, the ECtHR, ICSID tribunals and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in a host of high-profile cases. In addition to PIL, Al-Karim has earned a strong reputation for his work on sanctions, European trade law and international arbitration.

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

Band 4

Individual Editorial

Ali Al-Karim is commended for his thriving international arbitration practice. He has experience beyond his years advising both states and investors on treaty disputes under ICSID rules. Other areas of expertise include arbitration-related litigation, sanctions and broader matters of public international law. Additionally, Al-Karim is well versed in EU law arbitration matters.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Ali is a superb advocate. He is commercially aware, with a brilliant grip on the law.
SanctionsUK Bar
Ali is a special talent. He is an extraordinary man. He is inspiring to those he works with and for.
SanctionsUK Bar
Ali is very agile and adept at moving around in the sanctions world. He has a really good handle on the law.
SanctionsUK Bar
Ali is compelling and clearly has the ear of the judges.
Public International LawUK Bar
Ali is incredibly bright. He is clearly one of the leading up-and-coming international law juniors. He is very clear and compelling in his written advocacy.
Public International LawUK Bar
Ali is a very thoughtful and curious barrister. He digs to get to the issues.
Public International LawUK Bar