Ranking tables

International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance | UK Bar

London (Bar)

This section features advice on the resolution of disputes by one or more neutral parties, either an arbitrator or an arbitration panel. Many contracts require mandatory arbitration in the event of a dispute. 

Examples of the institutions include AAA (American Arbitration Association), ICC (International Chamber of Commerce), ICSID (International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes) and LCIA (London Court of International Arbitration). 

The section is split into three tables: International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance, International Arbitration: Construction/Engineering and International Arbitration: Arbitrators.  

Rankings overview for Sets

All Sets profiles

1
Band 1
  1. Essex Court Chambers
    1
    Essex Court Chambers
    International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance
    2024 | Band 1 | 20 Years Ranked
    Essex Court Chambers has long enjoyed a reputation as the go-to set for international arbitration. Its barristers are consistently recognised for their truly international practices, receiving instructions from the Middle East, Europe and Africa and acting in some of the most significant and high-value disputes. Members offer unrivalled expertise across an impressive breadth of sectors, and have particular prowess in energy and insurance and reinsurance disputes. The barristers at Essex Court Chambers are regularly called upon to handle proceedings and cases involving foreign law under all major institutional rules. Over the past year the barristers have been in a number of high-profile matters, including a ground-breaking and novel appeal related to the auction of NFTs. Solicitors interviewed say: "Essex Court benefits from a wide range of true subject matter experts from senior silks through to juniors," and describe it as "undoubtedly the leading commercial set in London, with an unparalleled national and international reputation."
2
Band 2
  1. 3 Verulam Buildings
    2
    3 Verulam Buildings
    International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance
    2024 | Band 2 | 13 Years Ranked
    3 Verulam Buildings has a well-established reputation in international arbitration, with notable depth in commercial disputes. The set is steeped in a long history of top-quality appointments in the financial services sector, often acting in arbitrations relating to shareholder disputes, as well as arbitration award enforcements. Its barristers also demonstrate expertise in energy and development-related disputes for clients across the Middle East, Europe and Africa, frequently conducted under the rules of the LCIA, the ICC, SIAC and UNCITRAL. Members offer additional strength to clients in investor-state disputes, acting in complex and high-value ICSID arbitrations. Counsel from 3VB have been involved in a number of high-profile matters over the past year, including representing investors in an ICSID arbitration claim against the country of Turkmenistan.
  2. 7 King's Bench Walk
    2
    7 King's Bench Walk
    International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance
    2024 | Band 2 | 20 Years Ranked
    7 King's Bench Walk is home to a celebrated bench of silk and junior talent, frequently sought out to handle complex commercial and insurance arbitrations. The set offers an enviable breadth of expertise, with members acting for clients in the pharmaceutical, energy, aviation, insurance and shipping sectors in arbitrations under ICC and LCIA rules. The barristers wield strong international capabilities, appearing in arbitrations seated across Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai and Europe as both advocates and arbitrators. The set is a go-to choice for Bermuda Form claims and award enforcements. Over the past year the barristers have been involved in a number of prominent matters including cases involving maritime piracy and the detention of a vessel, as well as UNCITRAL arbitration relating to oil issues in Africa.
  3. Brick Court Chambers
    2
    Brick Court Chambers
    International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance
    2024 | Band 2 | 20 Years Ranked
    Brick Court Chambers is well reputed for its international arbitration expertise and has a strong presence across a wide range of commercial disputes. The barristers are highly adept at handling disputes before the full range of arbitral institutions, such as the LCIA, the LMAA, the ICC and UNCITRAL, and ad hoc arbitrations. The set is recognised for its diverse offering, acting for an impressive roster of clients across the telecoms, shipping, natural resources, financial services and energy sectors, often with an African or Middle Eastern focus. Members here offer additional expertise in arbitral award enforcement matters. A highlight this year for the set includes representing National Iranian Oil in a long-running dispute.
  4. One Essex Court
    2
    One Essex Court
    International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance
    2024 | Band 2 | 20 Years Ranked
    One Essex Court has formidable expertise in international arbitration and is able to draw on a strong bench of renowned practitioners who handle a wide array of commercial and insurance-related disputes. The set enjoys an international reputation, with members appearing in arbitrations seated in London, Singapore, Dubai, Geneva and Stockholm. Barristers at the set appear in a range of high-profile disputes on behalf of clients in the energy and finance sectors, among others. One Essex Court fields both accomplished advocates and notable arbitrators. The barristers are well versed in the rules of major arbitral institutions, including the LCIA, the ICC, HKIAC, ICSID and SIAC, and often handle cases governed by foreign law. Over the past year barristers from the set have been involved in major pieces, including enforcement proceedings involving the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
  5. Twenty Essex
    2
    Twenty Essex
    International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance
    2024 | Band 2 | 20 Years Ranked
    Twenty Essex is a prominent set in the arbitration market, noted for its capabilities in commercial 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. 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. Over the past year, the barristers have acted on a number of significant matters, including a case involving a Norwegian oil company in a dispute relating to deep-water drilling.
3
Band 3
  1. Fountain Court Chambers
    3
    Fountain Court Chambers
    International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance
    2024 | Band 3 | 18 Years Ranked
    Fountain Court Chambers has a solid arbitration offering and vast international capabilities. Its barristers have established multi-jurisdictional expertise and act in high-profile disputes across Singapore, Switzerland, the UAE and Russia, to name a few. The set wields considerable expertise in a range of industries, regularly acting as either counsel or arbitrator in big-ticket insurance and energy arbitrations, often governed by LCIA, ICC and DIFC rules. Recent highlights include counsel's successful representation of a telecoms operator in the enforcement of a very high value claim in the British Virgin Islands, as well as appearances before The Hague on behalf of the Republic of India.
  2. Quadrant Chambers
    3
    Quadrant Chambers
    International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance
    2024 | Band 3 | 8 Years Ranked
    Quadrant Chambers has a strong arbitration practice and a growing market presence. Barristers receive impressive instructions to act in highly significant disputes from a number of key regions, including the Middle East, Asia and Africa. The set bears considerable experience in disputes related to shipping, construction, and oil and gas, and tenants are comfortable acting across UNCITRAL, ICC and LCIA rules. An interviewee notes that "the quality of the leaders and juniors is universally excellent and allows them to produce top-quality representation at the necessary level."