Public International Law | UK Bar

Essex Court Chambers is a pre-eminent public international law set with "cutting-edge PIL barristers who mix genuine academic credentials with practical experience as counsel and advocates". The team remains at the forefront of the most cutting-edge international disputes. The set's academically accomplished barristers field significant expertise in state-versus-state disputes and BIT arbitration. They frequently appear before the ICJ and all of the other major international courts and tribunals, as well as the UK and European courts. Members are highly adept at handling the full spectrum of PIL issues, often advising governments, international organisations and corporations on land and sea territorial disputes, international trade and investments, and state immunity. They are also able to advise on related human rights and international criminal law issues. Recent highlights include involvement in an ICSID claim brought against Norway focused on access to snow crab fisheries in shared international waters.

Joe Ferrigno is a senior clerk.

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.

3VB possesses strong credentials in investor-state arbitration. The set handles an impressive roster of high-value disputes on behalf of sovereign states and investors across the world, including in the Middle East, Africa and East Asia. Barristers here are highly adept at acting before a range of international courts and arbitral institutions including the ICC and ICSID. An instructing solicitor described the set as "leaders in public international law with expertise and experience involving cross-border issues and actions involving states". Members of chambers recently represented Turkish investors in an ICSID claim against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia alleging breaches of equitable treatment and unlawful expropriation.

Kathryn Paterson is the chambers director.

Blackstone Chambers is highly regarded for its prowess in international law, particularly in areas of crossover with other fields including private international law, domestic public law, human rights, commercial and EU law. Barristers here are often instructed in high-profile and politically sensitive disputes, and are highly sought after by the British and other governments for advice on a range of related issues, often grappling with questions of state or diplomatic immunity. A solicitor notes the set for providing "leading expertise at the Bar in terms of sanctions advice", while another source notes: "We rely on Blackstone Chambers for their expertise in human rights and constitutional law." Blackstone's barristers are currently leading the charge on behalf of Ukraine in its ECtHR case against Russia, following the 2022 invasion.

Derek Sutton and Adam Sloane are the joint senior clerks.

Matrix Chambers excels across a breadth of PIL issues, wielding an abundance of academic expertise and offering a deep understanding of humanitarian law, international criminal law and international relations. A market source notes that "Matrix has barristers that offer expertise over a range of public areas of international law who also have an unrivalled depth of knowledge". The barristers demonstrate notable capability in state-versus-state disputes, including those over disputed territory or maritime rights. Members are also highly adept at acting as counsel or arbitrators in investment disputes before the ICC, ICSID or The Hague's Permanent Court of Arbitration. Recently, members played a leading role in South Africa's ICJ case brought against Israel, concerning allegations of genocide in the Gaza Strip.

Paul Venables is the senior practice manager for public international law.

11KBW has an impressive bench of practitioners able to offer a wide range of expertise in public international law. The team has considerable experience acting in front of numerous courts including the ICJ and International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, as well as domestic courts. Members have acted in BIT matters, investment treaty arbitrations and state-to-state claims, along with judicial reviews, and are noted to be "highly responsive, well organised, efficient and friendly and all times." The set boasts a long list of notable clients from governments and state entities to corporations and individuals.

Mark Dann is the senior clerk.

Brick Court Chambers is recognised for its budding public international law practice. The set fields an impressive team of active silks and juniors on many of the year's largest matters. A client notes: "They are user-friendly and personable, as well as being real experts in the area of public international law." The bench has experience operating in the ECtHR, Supreme Courts and ICJ. Additionally, the set frequently appears in significant international arbitrations, commonly under ICSID or PCA jurisdiction. A notable example of recent work undertaken by members is representing Al-Jazeera in an ICSID claim arising out of the Egypt-Qatar BIT.

Paul Dennison and Tony Burgess are the senior clerks.