International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance

Ali Malek KC handles a broad range of international arbitration disputes regarding oil and gas, infrastructure, banking and joint venture matters, among others. He acts on behalf of governments, investors, shareholders, charities and international companies in arbitrations across the Middle East, Europe and Asia. He is familiar with the rules of various arbitral bodies including the LCIA and ICSID. He also has expertise in handling disputes under Sections 67 and 69 of the International Arbitration Act 1996.

"Ali is a bit of a legend in the field. He's getting out there and doing really good cases. He's very well respected and rightly so."

"Ali Malek KC is just a delight to work with. He's super impressive as an advocate when presenting a persuasive argument in front of tribunal members and he is very commercially minded."

Can Yeginsu assists with the full gamut of international arbitration including those governed by LCIA, ICC and ICSID rules. He is experienced in disputes relating to conflicts of law and jurisdiction, and is well versed in matters concerning a wide range of industries including the IT, energy, insurance, shipping and financial services sectors.

"Can's advocacy and cross-examination of key witnesses and experts is to be noted. He's outstanding in his field."

"Can Yeginsu is holistically excellent in international arbitration."

"Can is a star performer and a phenomenal advocate. He's very switched on with the law and very good in distilling the issues. He wins the room."

"Can is a really top lawyer who works very hard for his clients. He is imaginative, innovative and great at thinking his way around problems which sometimes seem insurmountable."

Christopher Harris KC is an impressive performer in the space with significant experience representing clients in commercial international arbitration disputes relating to a wide array of industries. He is well regarded for his advocacy in high-value oil and gas disputes and infrastructure-related arbitrations. He regularly acts in arbitrations under ICSID, UNCITRAL and ICC rules. He also acts in investment treaty arbitrations.

"Christopher Harris is one of the best barristers in terms of knowledge and experience of investment treaty arbitration and public law work."

"Christopher is one of the brainiest silks in the field, and nice to work opposite to boot!"

"Christopher Harris KC is the undisputed god of ICSID arbitration. He's probably the best in the world at it. His knowledge of the area of law, his contacts... its just completely phenomenal."

Nicholas Craig KC has a vast experience in acting in international arbitration matters. He appears in a variety of disputes relating to subjects such as energy, insurance and telecommunications, among others. He also sits as an arbitrator.

"Nicholas Craig is a really powerful advocate and the most responsive KC I have ever worked with."

"Nick Craig has got quite the presence in court - he's really excellent."

"Nicholas produces beautifully readable and client-friendly opinions and advice. He is very straightforward, and he gets to the heart of the matters across a range of sectors."

"Nicholas Craig is a prominent arbitration barrister. He's exceptional. His advocacy is very delicate and understated; he navigates the tribunal dynamic impressively."

Cameron Miles has emerged as a highly talented barrister with academic pedigree, who focuses on ICSID arbitrations and enforcement cases. He has represented both companies and states in large-scale disputes concerning investments in energy and natural resources infrastructure.

"Cameron is a go-to for public international issues, particularly one needing a deep dive. He's very personable and willing to get stuck into the detail to grapple difficult questions."

"Cameron Miles is a talented lawyer and very enthusiastic about the work."

"Cameron is a brilliant young lawyer in the international law space. He comes up with creative points and provides specialist help. He has a sound grasp of the whole area."

Damien Walker has an arbitration practice that covers truly international commercial disputes, many of which give rise to issues of conflicts of law. He is experienced in handling proceedings governed by the majority of leading institutional rules. He also takes part in investment treaty applications and offers expertise in handling disputes under Sections 67, 68 and 69 of the International Arbitration Act 1996.

"Damien is a clear-headed barrister who is able to assess any crisis and tackle any legal issue."

"Damien is an exceptionally good barrister."

Georges Chalfoun is an impressive junior with a multifaceted arbitration practice who regularly handles significant disputes for clients in the oil and gas sector. He continues to establish a strong presence in the Middle East, while also taking instructions in Eastern Europe.

"Georges Chalfoun is superb. His attention to detail is impressive and he has an excellent grasp of the big picture. Having him on the team makes the lives of solicitors easier."

"Georges' experience of being a solicitor makes him fit comfortably in a counsel team. He's great at dealing with clients, for example."

Jonathan Nash KC is frequently instructed on high-value, high-profile international arbitrations. He has acted in cases under the ICC and LCIA, among others, covering subjects such as sports, telecommunications and finance disputes.

"Jonathan is extremely bright, approachable, easy to work with and very responsive."

"Jonathan Nash is the barrister I choose when I want a smooth and calm presentation. He gives no histrionics; he can make opponents look chaotic. He's always in control."

Liisa Lahti is highly experienced in international arbitration matters. She has particular expertise in challenging arbitration awards. She has acted in cases under FCC, Hong Kong Arbitration Ordinance, ICC and LMAA rules. She is often sought out to act as sole counsel.

"Liisa Lahti is wonderfully down to earth, a great team player, superbly technical and very capable on her feet."

"Liisa has really good subject matter knowledge and she's very easy to work with."

Mark Wassouf is well respected in the international arbitration market. He draws on his previous experience as a solicitor, and is highly regarded for his representation in international commercial and investment treaty arbitrations. His fluency in Arabic gives him a strong advantage in instructions emanating from the Middle East.

"Mark Wassouf is a very impressive junior. He's very good with solicitor and client relationships, and his legal advice is top notch."

"Mark is capable of seamlessly integrating into a solicitor team."

"Mark is smart and enthusiastic and he's very comfortable dealing with clients."

"Mark Wassouf is very thorough and he really fights his client's corner. He will push their point and give an honest assessment of the case at hand."

Zachary Douglas KC possesses a wealth of expertise in international disputes, having appeared before various arbitral tribunals governed by the rules of many major arbitral institutions, such as the SCC, the Permanent Court of Arbitration and ICSID. Being fluent in Russian and French, he is experienced in carrying out arbitrations in both of these languages. His cases are often precedent-setting and at the cutting edge of the law.

"Zachary Douglas is extraordinarily bright and he knows matters of international law like few others do."

"Zachary Douglas KC is very sharp and diligent, always coming really well prepared to a hearing."

Peter de Verneuil Smith KC is highly sought after for his broad expertise in commercial international arbitrations and related court matters, including enforcement. He is no stranger to advising on billion-dollar disputes, acting in several significantly high-value arbitrations over his career. He is considered a go-to silk for international shareholder disputes. He is called to the Bar of Hong Kong and the BVI.

"Peter is a very strong advocate. He steamrolls his opposition and he's fantastic with a tribunal."

"Peter's a real technical expert with a very nice courtroom manner. He's quietly understated but he's in command of the room."

"Peter is highly intelligent and is able to deploy clear and persuasive arguments both in writing and orally. He is an impressive advocate - persuasive, assertive and clear."

Rajesh Pillai KC provides robust assistance in international arbitrations. He acts for a wide range of clients including contractors, investment funds and shareholders. He is often sought after for his expertise in offshore and foreign law disputes, particularly in connection with India. His clients include companies and individuals from around the world.

"Rajesh Pillai KC is hugely commercial and a very effective advocate. He understands the client's pressure points."

"Rajesh is very switched on, charismatic and adept at helping his team understand how to present in front of a tribunal."

"Rajesh is very thorough and always on call - you never need to follow up."

"Rajesh is a great captain to our ship. He leads with confidence and deals with the clients, counsel and tribunal effortlessly."

Tom Montagu-Smith earns praise for his broad commercial international arbitration practice. He's a regular at the DIFC arbitration courts, having become a go-to counsel for international clients looking to conduct arbitrations pertaining to Middle Eastern projects.

"Tom is very knowledgeable about the DIFC courts and he's very good on his feet. He has a lot of confidence in his advocacy, making him particularly effective in cross-examinations."

"He's a superb cross-examiner and a brilliant oral advocate who has the ear of the judges and tribunal."

"Tom is the absolute leader for Middle East work. He dominates that space."

"Tom really knows his stuff and judges have respect for him."

Yash Bheeroo has a broad commercial offering as an accomplished international lawyer, advising on arbitration, oil and gas disputes, commercial litigation and civil fraud cases. He regularly appears before many of the esteemed arbitration centres around the world, oftentimes as sole counsel. This includes the LCIA, the ICC, SIAC, DIAC and HKIAC. Bheeroo is called to the Bar of the BVI.

"Yash Bheeroo is very diligent, hard-working, good on strategy and good at thinking on his feet."

Dominic Kennelly is commended for his burgeoning international arbitration practice. Having previously worked as a solicitor before coming to the Bar, he acts for private HNW individuals, private companies and financial institutions before a variety of authorities, including DIAC and the LCIA.

"Dominic Kennelly punches really far above his weight. I have been impressed with his great advocacy and attention to detail."

"Dominic is a real future star. As a former solicitor, he gets how to deliver really excellent service and he has a good feel for strategy, often seeing smart angles that others don't."

"Dominic Kennelly is really exceptional. He goes above and beyond the call of duty for his clients."

"He rolls his sleeves up and works very hard."

Judy Fu is a rising star for international arbitration work. She offers clients a broad range of expertise across the commercial spectrum, with notable sector strength in ownership and energy and natural resource disputes. Fu accepts offshore instructions, having been called to the Bar of the BVI, and offers clients fluency in both Mandarin and Cantonese. Before coming to the Bar in 2019, Fu practised as a solicitor at a US law firm.

"Judy is carving out a very nice arbitration practice. She writes really succinct, clear and very forceful arguments."

"Judy has a unique background working as a solicitor, so she does not limit herself to a barrister's approach. She can approach situations and witnesses with great care and polish."

"She is incredibly bright and has the benefit of having spent time as a solicitor, so you get a huge amount of value because of her high level of experience. She can tailor advice to what clients want."

Ravi is an up-and-coming commercial junior with deep expertise in international arbitration and related court mandates. He is regularly instructed in high-stakes arbitrations under the auspices of the LCIA, the ICC and UNCITRAL. His clients include sovereign states, private UHNW individuals and international corporations. He has become a go-to counsel for parties based in the Middle East, or those looking to conduct arbitrations in the region.

"Ravi Jackson is all over the detail, willing to offer his own view and very proactive."