International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance

Edward Ho is regarded as being one of the top juniors at the Bar for international arbitration work. He provides representation in Energy Charter Treaty arbitrations and disputes under the auspices of bodies such as ICSID and UNCITRAL. He has notable expertise in the energy, mining and commodities markets. He takes instruction as sole counsel as well as in his capacity as a junior.

"Edward Ho is fantastic. He's very commercial, responsive and user-friendly. His counsel is clear, concise and confident without being overbearing."

"Edward is one of the brightest and most brilliant people of his generation. I wouldn't be surprised if he took silk soon. He was silk material five years ago!"

"Edward is phenomenal - just so well prepared. Junior team members learn a lot from him."

Mark Howard KC is acclaimed for his significant experience handling a wide range of arbitrations, including those relating to the telecommunications, energy and banking sectors on behalf of international corporations. He has particular expertise in acting in LCIA and UNCITRAL arbitrations.

"Mark Howard is the pre-eminent cross-examiner. He's a big star in this field."

"Mark Howard is the natural choice for the most complex and most high-value blockbuster disputes. He lives up to his stellar reputation, radiating pre-eminence."

"Mark is one of the leading commercial silks at the Bar - he's still very much at the top of his game."

Vernon Flynn KC is known for his significant expertise in handling domestic and international commercial disputes, including multi-jurisdictional arbitration. He has appeared before courts and tribunals in various jurisdictions including Dubai, Singapore, Stockholm and the Cayman Islands, acting on behalf of prominent individuals and major corporations. He has taken part in arbitrations under the auspices of the ICC and various other arbitral institutions.

"Vernon is excellent on complicated and technical legal issues. He sets everything out in a clear way and he is great at coming up with creative suggestions accordingly."

"Vernon is the go-to advocate to work out how to make a very difficult argument winnable. He's an exceptionally clever and dexterous performer."

"Vernon is a highly respected senior advocate -a great strategist, a first-class technical lawyer and a pleasure to work with."

Salim Moollan KC operates a busy practice taking in investor-state disputes at a high level as well as straight commercial arbitrations. He also draws on his experience as former chair and vice-chair of UNCITRAL and is a member of numerous other panels. He has particular expertise in energy and telecoms cases. He is considered a go-to counsel for cases involving Mauritian and Singaporean law.

"Salim is an example of a unique blend of charisma, legal drafting prowess and eloquent oral advocacy. His documents are masterfully crafted, and his ability to present his arguments is awe-inspiring."

"Salim is brilliant. His knowledge of international arbitration is first class. His analysis and drafting are superb, and his guidance across all aspects of a case is invaluable."

"Salim is a genius and a brilliant strategist. He is a true expert in the field of international arbitration."

"Salim exhibits customary flair in both his written and oral advocacy, conducts forceful and piercing cross-examination, and is both firm and charming in equal measure when addressing the tribunal."

"Salim is at the top of his game. He's very polished, excellent on his feet and extremely adept and diplomatic. Clients and solicitors have the utmost confidence in his abilities."

Stephen Midwinter KC acts as an adviser and advocate in international arbitrations, with substantial experience handling disputes under LCIA rules. He handles a wide array of disputes and has a strong emphasis on insurance and reinsurance claims and extensive knowledge of the energy and banking sectors. The disputes he is involved in are often worth tens of millions of pounds. He has developed especial expertise in CIS-related cases.

"Stephen Midwinter has a nice and direct style of advocacy that is compelling. He gets to the point, while being very forceful and concise."

"Stephen is outstanding in sheer speed and inventiveness. His turnaround time is extremely quick."

"Stephen is friendly and down to earth. He's really easy to talk to and he can fire off an email immediately."

"Stephen is ridiculously clever and very well organised. He meets deadlines, produces an excellent product, and is also a rather pleasing and measured advocate."

Ali Al-Karim is commended for his thriving international arbitration practice. He has experience beyond his years advising both states and investors on treaty disputes under ICSID rules. Other areas of expertise include arbitration-related litigation, sanctions and broader matters of public international law. Additionally, Al-Karim is well versed in EU law arbitration matters.

"Ali's just fabulous. Intellectually, he's phenomenal."

"Ali's ability to understand and distil complex technical issues from the get-go and to prepare his oral advocacy in a short time is very impressive."

"Ali is an exceptional oral advocate, able to convey difficult arguments with extreme persuasion and a distinctive flair that makes him stand out even among very experienced barristers."

"Ali is a remarkably capable lawyer - exceptionally intelligent, diligent and effective."

Emilie Gonin earns praise for her sophisticated international arbitration practice. She represents both sovereign states and investors in high-stakes investment treaty disputes heard under ICSID and UNCITRAL rules. Additionally, she represents private parties in commercial arbitrations brought under the major procedural rules, including Swiss Rules and those of the ICC, the LCIA and UNCITRAL, among others. Gonin also accepts appointments as arbitrator.

"Emilie's work ethic is just phenomenal. She is very passionate and energetic."

"Emilie can turn a flailing case on its head. Her knowledge of procedural matters is extremely helpful when dealing with a tribunal, and her cross-examination skills are stellar."

Fionn Pilbrow KC acts on behalf of a variety of individuals and organisations including oil companies, banks, insurers and reinsurers. He is experienced in disputes conducted under the LCIA and ICC, as well as arbitrations pursuant to LMAA rules. He also has experience obtaining and enforcing arbitration awards.

"Fionn is one of the best junior silks at the Bar. He has exceptional strategic vision and an ability to fit into the team to focus on best outcome for the client."

"Fionn Pilbrow is a phenomenal barrister who has a lovely combination of technical ability and a lovely writing style that is accessible to everyone on the team, be they clients or juniors."

"Fionn Pilbrow is everything you want in a silk - the full package. His key skill is that he is capable of dealing with difficult clients."

Harry Matovu KC is a heavyweight commercial silk who brings his impressive skill set to bear for both sovereign states and companies alike in high-stakes international arbitrations. He has notable expertise representing clients in arbitrations concerning Africa-related disputes. He has in-depth knowledge of related arbitral matters such as enforcements.

"Harry Matovu is simply the sharpest knife in the drawer and the brightest bulb in the chandelier. He never ceases to amaze and he is fun to work with, which is important."

"Harry is a smooth operator - a brilliant silk and a phenomenal advocate."

"Working with Harry is a joy. He is responsive and his written submissions are excellent, but where he shines yet brighter still is on his feet. His advocacy is fantastic."

"Harry is a superb advocate in all aspects. He has the quality of making a complex situation seem simple and he is an absolute pleasure to work with."

Helen Davies KC is widely distinguished as a market-leading commercial silk. In addition to her litigation and competition practices, Davies takes on high-value international arbitration instructions for a broad host of clients, including private UHNW individuals and multinational corporations. She is a popular choice of arbitrator, also. Davies is the joint head of Brick Court Chambers.

"Helen is a big name in the field and a real class act. She's very bright, authoritative and strategic."

"Helen is very well regarded in the field as a really safe pair of hands. She's very measured and unexcitable, but also approachable and personable, so judges and arbitrators trust her."

"Helen Davies is well prepared, forensic and generally terrific."

Senior junior Jonathan Dawid advises a broad range of commercial clients in high-stakes arbitral proceedings under several of the major rules, including those of the ICC, the LCIA, ICSID and UNCITRAL. Clients recognise the deep breadth of his knowledge and experience, often instructing him as lead counsel on matters, including as sole counsel, sometimes against heavyweight silks.

"Jonathan is very, very bright, he is an excellent communicator and he understands the client relationship."

"Jonathan Dawid is a pleasure to work with."

Simon Salzedo KC is noted for his international arbitration expertise, particularly in disputes under the auspices of the LCIA and LMAA. His practice covers a wide range of markets such as insurance and reinsurance, banking and shipping. He regularly acts on behalf of trustees, wealth funds and other entities across Africa and Asia. Before turning to the law, he worked as an accountant.

"Simon is extremely thorough when it comes to detail and he makes very compelling submissions. I think he's one of the cleverest advocates you can encounter."

"The calibre of cases that Simon is working on is of the highest tier. He's immensely clever and creative in a way you just don't see with other barristers."

"Simon is very thorough and methodical, leaving no stone unturned. I guess that's what you'd expect from a former accountant!"

Tim Lord KC brings deep expertise to his international arbitration work, which sees him acting in high-stakes, complex matters. He has experience appearing before leading tribunals, operating under the auspices of the LCIA, the ICC and HKIAC. He is called upon to act for big-name multinational corporations and UHNW individuals in high-value disputes.

"Tim Lord has a great command of the facts and is very well prepared."

"Tim brings a wealth of experience and really great insight. He's also really user-friendly, which makes working through knotty issues easier."

Zahra Al-Rikabi is a rising star in the field of international arbitration. She is sought after by investors for her investment treaty disputes expertise. Al-Rikabi's fluency in Arabic makes her a prime candidate for instructing solicitors seeking MENA expertise. She recently began accepting appointments as an arbitrator.

"Zahra is a very, very good barrister and very experienced in arbitration work."

Chintan Chandrachud is recognised as an up-and-comer for his work in the international arbitration space. He has appeared in ICSID, PCA, MCIA, LCIA, ICC, UNCITRAL and ad hoc arbitrations. He has notable sector expertise in energy and mining, and receives instructions from multinational corporations, sovereign states and state-owned entities. He also accepts arbitrator appointments.

"Chintan is an extremely bright guy, and his written advocacy is quality."

"Chintan Chandrachud is one of the smartest juniors we've come across, No matter what you throw at him, he can get up to speed."

"Chintan worked in a law firm before, so he can see a matter from both sides. He's very commercial and bright."

"Chintan Chandrachud is exceptionally bright, incredibly user-friendly and works seamlessly with the junior team."