Energy & Natural Resources | UK Bar

Brick Court Chambers is renowned as simply "one of the absolute strongest sets out of London" with a strong bench of experienced silks and juniors collectively offering an impressive level of expertise in the energy sector. Members are particularly respected for their prowess in commercial cases, in addition to competition, public law and insurance disputes. Clients include multinational oil and gas companies, energy regulators and financial services giants. A notable recent instruction for the set is Octopus v Bulb, a dispute involving a claim for rectification and a cross claim, which both total £250 million.

One Essex Court is a market-leading set for energy and natural resources work with an unparalleled membership of heavy-hitting advocates. The expertise of the barristers spans the full range of energy disputes, including those relating to oil and gas, renewable energy sources, water, nuclear and conventional power and mining. Members maintain an outstanding reputation for success in the Commercial Court and in arbitrations, and are frequently seconded to regulators such as Ofgem and Ofwat. Recent cases include an assessment of damages appeal which was successfully dismissed in British Gas Trading Ltd v (1) Shell UK Limited (2) Esso Exploration and Production UK Limited. An interviewee comments that the set "is truly the top of the field, while being accessible to solicitors and clients alike, collaborative and pragmatic." Another says: "They are renowned for taking on the biggest, most complex disputes and dominating them."

Darren Burrows is the senior clerk.

4 Pump Court is an esteemed commercial construction set with a plethora of experience in energy sector construction, engineering, shipping and technology disputes. Its international client roster includes shipyards, contractors, insurers and reinsurers, in addition to leading energy companies. Although offering a breadth of experience across various energy sectors, 4 Pump Court garners particular acclaim for its standout work in relation to oil and gas projects, including onshore and offshore oil fields, pipelines and LNG plants. Recently, members of the set have represented a Saudi Arabian utility in two arbitrations resulting from a termination of a contract to build power stations. A source highlights that the set have "excellent counsel with a modern and commercial approach."

Carl Wall is a senior clerk.

Atkin Chambers is home to an outstanding group of energy barristers with significant construction and engineering experience. Members stand out for their representation of upstream and downstream oil and gas clients in high-profile disputes and also have an increasing presence in renewable energy cases. Barristers at Atkin Chambers regularly appear in disputes relating to large projects across the world, as well as in cases regarding UK-based developments such as BP v McDermott International, involving the largest gas field development in the world. An interviewee comments: "I have never found them to be lacking in their ability to handle the most complex and sophisticated matters."

David Barnes is the chief executive and director of clerking.

Essex Court Chambers is a heavyweight set which draws upon particular strengths in international arbitration and commercial disputes to represent clients in a range of energy matters. Members are renowned for their strong international practices and are adept at handling cases relating to oil and gas pricing, climate change, insurance matters and construction problems. A notable case undertaken by members of the set this year is Petersen Energía v The Argentine Republic, a $16 billion dispute arising out of the expropriation of a stake in an Argentinian energy company. An interviewee says that the set is "responsive, friendly and always helpful."

Joe Ferrigno is a senior clerk.

Keating Chambers is a highly regarded set with leading dual expertise in energy and construction disputes. Interviewees praise Keating as being "distinguishable in the energy industry due to its longstanding history in the market and impressive success rate in matters." Members are instructed by high-profile energy companies, the owners and operators of oil, gas, nuclear and renewable energy facilities, corporate investors and contractors in a plethora of high-value disputes. Barristers regularly appear in the LCIA, ICC, TCC and Court of Appeal in high-profile matters. The case of Tullow Ghana Ltd v Vallourec Oil & Gas France is a recent example of the high-stakes work members of the set have undertaken.

Clients in the energy sector benefit from 3 Verulam Buildings' recognised strength within investor treaty and commercial international arbitration matters. Members are instructed on an impressively broad spectrum of energy disputes arising from upstream and downstream oil and gas, mining, renewables, nuclear and conventional power. The Gerald Metals LLC v China National Gold Group is a noteworthy recent example of the sort of high-level arbitrations the set's barristers routinely appear in. One interviewee commented that the set has "excellent barristers who are very user-friendly and down to earth."

Stuart Pullum leads the clerking team.

39 Essex Chambers is a respected set offering a breadth of experience across energy mandates, including construction, engineering, environmental and planning disputes, as well as regulatory work and the representation of public bodies. Tenants are additionally qualified to handle international arbitration for energy sector clients and others. Cases undertaken by barristers at the set range from those arising in the oil industry to disputes relating to nuclear power stations. An interviewee reports that it is "one of the key sets I would consider for matters involving the intersection of construction and energy disputes."

Andrew Poyser is the director of clerking.

7 King's Bench Walk is an esteemed group of barristers with significant experience in energy and natural resources disputes. The set handles environmental, shipping, insurance and contractual claims, to name a few. Members offer deep expertise in the field of oil and gas exploration and production. The set is also known for its success in complex international arbitrations, with barristers regularly appearing in the LCIA. One source states that the set has "deep expertise and represents clients fearlessly." Recent examples of members' impressive cases include Nord Stream AG v LIC & Arch Europe, highlighting the set's ability to handle insurance-related energy disputes. Gary Rose and Eddie Johns are the deputy senior clerks.

Quadrant Chambers is a leading shipping set with a strong energy offering. Barristers at Quadrant are routinely engaged by upstream and downstream oil and gas clients in significant disputes. Unparalleled experience in marine, rig and transport engineering also informs the set's growing energy practice. One interviewee comments that they are "a top set of chambers." Another adds: "The set has experts in commodities and oil - the go-to for that sector." An example of the set's strong capability in coal supply contracts is RWE V SUEK. Members can also boast experience in LNG disputes with cases such as North West Shelf Gas.

Twenty Essex has a group of highly esteemed litigators and arbitrators with a notable energy focus. Members are equipped to handle the full range of oil and gas and mining-related matters, including upstream, midstream and downstream work, construction disputes and corporate issues. The barristers here are frequently active in high-profile international disputes, including those in the Middle East, Africa and Latin America. Members can claim to hold expertise in the intersection of shipping law and LNG. Interviewees praise the set for its 'high-calibre barristers with good experience of international arbitration." Another adds that it has "excellent breadth of knowledge across the industry."

Anthony Carroll is practice director.