Public International Law
UK Bar Guide 2025 : London (Bar)
Band 3
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
(020) 7379 3550Chambers Review
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: "When we have a complex, high-profile international law matter that requires sophisticated advocacy on a tight timescale, there is no hesitation about engaging Brick Court." The bench has experience operating in the ECtHR, Supreme Courts and the 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 the Crescent v National Iranian Oil Company dispute, a multibillion-dollar dispute centred on failures to deliver natural gas.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Senior clerk Tony Burgess is very experienced, very personable and a good guy to deal with."
"The clerks are generally very good with clients. I would call out Tony Burgess and Jo Francis in particular."
"Senior clerk Tony Burgess is very experienced, very personable and a good guy to deal with."
"The clerks are generally very good with clients. I would call out Tony Burgess and Jo Francis in particular."
Notable Practitioners
Ali Al-Karim is recognised as a rising star in the field of public international law. He has appeared before the ICJ, the ECtHR, ICSID tribunals and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights on a host of high-profile cases. In addition to PIL, Al-Karim has earned a strong reputation for his work on sanctions, European trade law and international arbitration.
"Ali Al-Karim is an incredibly conscientious barrister who is responsive and sophisticated. He is quick to identify new arguments and strategic positions to advance a client's needs."
"Ali has shown himself to possess all the virtues of a top-notch modern barrister, combining insight and acumen with responsiveness and an appetite for the complex and the unusual."
"Ali's level of perception is off the charts. He turns over stones that others wouldn't have ever thought to have turned over."
"Ali is a knowledgeable and user-friendly junior counsel. He's very good."
Edward Ho has a strong practice which sees him regularly act for claimants in high-level investor-state disputes, focusing on Central Asian states.
"Edward is a gifted advocate. He absolutely holds his own against heavyweight silks, refusing to go down without a fight."
"Edward is a fantastic cross-examiner, especially when it comes to experts. He delves into the detail and is not afraid to go toe-to-toe with them on said detail."
Emilie Gonin is a strong PIL-focused barrister whose practice centres on bilateral investment treaty arbitrations and other international commercial disputes. She has appeared in several ICSID arbitrations over the past few years, in addition to others in the LCIA, HKIAC, UNCITRAL and the ICC.
"We find Emilie very knowledgeable and user-friendly."
"Emilie Gonin is without question a rising star in the English Bar.I am always impressed by her creativity, attention to detail and grasp of the bigger picture."
"Emilie is a very impressive barrister. She is super responsive, diligent and incredibly bright."
Maya Lester KC offers especial expertise in economic sanctions and undertakes significant work in a range of international legal disciplines, with recent work involving close scrutiny of the Treaty on European Union. Among other clients, she acts on behalf of investors in various arbitral proceedings.
"Maya is one of the most formidable legal brains and intellects at the bar."
Zahra Al-Rikabi is a noted up-and-coming barrister who frequently acts on behalf of states, international organisations and diplomats. She represents clients in diplomatic immunity, state jurisdiction and BIT disputes. Al-Rikabi's fluency in Arabic makes her a prime candidate for instructing solicitors seeking MENA expertise.
"Zahra is fantastic. She is trusted as a junior by silks and coming into her own as an advocate too, oral and written."
Ranked Barristers at
Brick Court Chambers
Silks (KC)
London (Bar)
Juniors
London (Bar)