Public International Law: The English Bar | Global

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 "have some of the strongest PIL and investment arbitration barristers in the market at all levels." Recently, Twenty Essex barristers have represented the Government of Ukraine in proceedings against the Russian Federation before the European Court of Human Rights, 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.

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-organized, 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.