Public International Law
UK Guide 2025 : UK-wide
Band 2
Email address
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+44 20 7936 4000About
Provided by Freshfields
Please visit the Freshfields website for more details about our work in this category:
Chambers Review
Freshfields is highly regarded for its PIL work in Latin America, the Middle East, Africa and India. The firm is very experienced in advising on inter-state and investor-state disputes, and is often sought after for its expertise in international human rights matters, especially those affecting businesses. It has further expertise in handling boundary disputes and matters concerning the Law of the Sea, and is also known for its pro bono contribution to various NGOs and other human rights organisations. The team has appeared before a range of international courts and tribunals including the ICJ and ECtHR, and offers significant expertise in international disputes concerning the oil and gas and telecoms sectors.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The Freshfields team have given perceptive and concrete advice in a complex and often ambiguous situation."
"Freshfields has extraordinary resources. Their service levels and responsiveness are of an exceptionally high standard."
"Freshfields are very well organised, scheduled and results-oriented."
"Freshfields combine great intellectual heft, perfect professionalism and true personal concern."
"The Freshfields team have given perceptive and concrete advice in a complex and often ambiguous situation."
"Freshfields has extraordinary resources. Their service levels and responsiveness are of an exceptionally high standard."
"Freshfields are very well organised, scheduled and results-oriented."
"Freshfields combine great intellectual heft, perfect professionalism and true personal concern."
Notable Practitioners
William Thomas KC is head of the firm's PIL disputes, litigation and arbitration group. He has a broad PIL practice with a strong focus on Middle Eastern jurisdictions. He exhibits considerable strength in matters concerning the Law of the Sea and boundary disputes, and also has significant experience appearing before the ICJ.
"Will is an experienced and astute PIL practitioner. Clients love working with him. He is very focused and an excellent advocate."
"Will is devastating as a cross-examiner. He is extremely forensic; he manages the detailed evidence and the big picture. He did a great job keeping everything accessible for the client."
"Will is very collaborative as well as being analytically sharp."
Sylvia Noury KC is head of the firm's arbitration practice in London. She is highly experienced in international arbitration, with significant expertise in high-value BIT disputes. She has a particular focus on emerging markets, handling substantial work across Africa, India and Latin America for clients in industries such as energy and telecoms.
"Sylvia has a very analytic mind. She is able to grasp complex issues and distil them down to tasks and deliverables so that her arguments before tribunals can be understood and accepted."
"She is a very hard worker and an excellent team leader."
"Sylvia is exceptional. She is a leader in her field, but also a delight to work with."
Joshua Kelly is a senior associate in Freshfields' London office. His expertise spans investment treaty disputes, international environmental law, the Law of the Sea and human rights.
"Josh Kelly is incredibly commercially savvy, which really sets him apart. He is also very collaborative and easy to work with."
"Josh is impressively clear in his advice and measured in his response to emergencies. He is a reassuring presence on a case."
"Josh has been an absolute pleasure to work with. He is thorough, responsive and knowledgeable: all round first class."
Ranked Lawyers at
Freshfields
UK-wide