Public International Law | UK Bar

Essex Court Chambers is a pre-eminent public international law set and 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 the case of Maduro Board of the Central Bank of Venezuela v Guaidó Board of the Central Bank of Venezuela.

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. One source comments: "Twenty Essex is known for its professionalism and ability to offer advice on complex issues of international law."

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. Recent highlights include Wikipedia v Turkey, a challenge before the ECtHR to the Turkish government's decision to block access to Wikipedia.

Blackstone Chambers is highly regarded for its prowess in international law, particularly in areas of crossover with other fields including 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.

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. 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.

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. The set boasts a long list of notable clients from governments and state entities to corporations and individuals. Recent work highlights include Equatorial Guinea v Gabon, a dispute over land and maritime boundaries.