Energy & Natural Resources

One Essex Court is a market-leading set for energy and natural resources work with an unparalleled membership of heavy-hitting advocates. The expertise of the barristers spans the full range of energy disputes, including those relating to oil and gas, renewable energy sources, water, nuclear and conventional power and mining. Members maintain an outstanding reputation for success in the Commercial Court and in arbitrations, and are frequently seconded to regulators such as Ofgem and Ofwat. The set acted for Trafigura defending claims brought by Rasmala Trade Finance Fund alleging fraudulent coal trades. An interviewee says: "One Essex Court is the go-to set for complex matters in the energy sector."

"One Essex Court has one of the best sets of clerks."

"The clerks are responsive, efficient and able to quickly digest and progress the most complex cases."

Darren Burrows is the set's senior clerk and Jackie Ginty is the first deputy senior clerk.

Alexander Gunning KC
Alexander Gunning KC is well regarded by peers and solicitors for his effective style of advocacy. He has been involved in a range of energy infrastructure cases, and has acted for contractors in disputes concerning the mining, drilling and transportation of natural resources. Gunning frequently represents clients from Central Asia and China. "If Alexander Gunning is on the other side, it's unfortunate. He's just the absolute pinnacle of who you want on energy cases, whether pricing or construction."

Daniel Toledano KC
Daniel Toledano KC is widely respected as an established and robust silk, and he exhibits a winning manner in the courtroom and with clients. He is known for his sharp analytical skills and strong sense of commitment, both of which he demonstrates when representing large industry bodies in a broad range of commercial disputes involving complex contractual and regulatory issues. Toledano has a particular aptitude for handling North Sea oil and gas disputes. "Daniel Toledano listens and is very considerate. He doesn't overtrade, but allows enough time for matters and is properly on top of the detail." "Daniel has superb technical skills and industry-sector knowledge. He can analyse the most complex issues and deliver clear, commercial and pragmatic advice."

John McCaughran KC
John McCaughran KC is an outstanding advocate with a widely acknowledged and thoroughgoing sector specialism. He is an experienced litigator and arbitrator with great expertise both domestically and internationally, and is admitted to the Bar in the BVI and Cayman Islands. His clear focus is the oil and gas industry, and he acts for a range of major energy and utilities players in the upstream and midstream markets. McCaughran has an in-depth knowledge of the workings of a number of institutions, including the LCIA, the SCC and UNCITRAL. "John McCaughran is a go-to lawyer for energy disputes. He is a real industry expert with a very strong client-following." "He's incredibly responsive and user-friendly, offering top-notch legal analysis. For contractual interpretation questions in the energy industry, he's second to none." "John is super bright. Once he's analysed something and worked it through, that's the answer."

Laurence Rabinowitz KC
Laurence Rabinowitz KC is a dominant presence in the commercial energy arena, with a reputation as a go-to resource for an array of litigation and arbitration matters worldwide. Solicitors turn to him for his ability to take on the cases with the highest stakes, and he deals with contractual disputes surrounding some of the biggest energy deals in the market. His areas of practice range from traditional oil and gas to alternative energy. He is equally comfortable handling both domestic and international disputes. "Laurence remains one of, if not the, leading energy disputes KC. His advice is clear and commercial." "Laurence is one of the most well-known barristers. He's one of these big names people will deploy." "He's very competent; judges listen to him and he's a very effective advocate."

Nehali Shah
Nehali Shah is a highly regarded junior with a strong practice advising clients on all aspects of upstream and downstream oil and gas disputes. She regularly appears in commercial litigation and arbitrations, both domestically and internationally, and a number of her cases focus on the financing aspects of projects. "Nehali Shah is excellent. She's extremely good at drafting and is responsive."

Alain Choo Choy KC
Alain Choo Choy KC is an eminent figure in the energy market who operates both domestically and internationally across a spectrum of commercial energy matters, with a particular focus on cases concerning the financing and ownership of large projects and resources. Key areas of expertise include mining and the upstream oil and gas industry. He frequently appears in both international arbitrations and court hearings, including those before the BVI Commercial Court and Supreme Court of Mauritius. "Alain Choo Choy is incredibly intelligent. If he's on a case, it makes clients sit up and think they've hired the big guns."

Emma Jones
Emma Jones acts across a broad range of commercial energy matters. She has particular expertise in cases relating to contractual matters, especially those with contract for difference agreements. Jones focuses on acting for clients in court hearings and arbitrations in the oil and gas and alternative energy sectors. "Emma Jones is a highly capable junior with excellent technical skills, knowledge of complex industry sectors and superb written advocacy."

Jeffery Onions KC
Jeffery Onions KC is acclaimed for his undoubted intellect and fierce commitment to complex commercial cases, many of which have a regulatory or environmental angle. He exhibits deep energy sector expertise and acts for heavyweights in the oil and gas industry. His practice spans advisory and advocacy work, and sees him handling both arbitrations and High Court litigation.

Sa'ad Hossain KC
Sa'ad Hossain KC is a prominent commercial barrister frequently involved in energy issues, including disputes over the rights and responsibilities associated with natural resources and infrastructure. He frequently acts in cases in the oil and gas sector, with downstream utility supply a particular area of strength. His practice also involves advising clients on operating, transportation and capacity agreements, as well as drilling rig and FPSO operations. "Sa'ad Hossain is user-friendly, incisively intelligent and good on his feet."

David Wolfson KC
David Wolfson KC is known for his analytical approach to a variety of cases in the energy sector, including those arising from the extraction and supply of gas. His commercial practice frequently sees him appearing in high-profile oil and gas disputes. "David is charming and can express his points of view well." "He's excellent."

Anthony Grabiner KC
Anthony Grabiner KC is a well-known silk with a strong reputation across a variety of commercial law areas. He brings esteem and gravitas to significant cases and is noted for his work as an arbitrator. Grabiner has the capacity to handle a range of sizeable commercial disputes pertaining to the oil and gas industry.

Conall Patton KC
Conall Patton KC is a highly regarded silk who is capable of dealing with both the commercial and regulatory aspects of energy work. He has experience in advising and representing clients both in court and in arbitration, and acts for high-ranking developers and facility operators, as well as commodity traders. Patton is equally capable of handling disputes relating to the oil and gas, renewable energy and mining sectors. "Conall is superb. One of the very best of his generation." "He's a big hitter on corporate and commercial disputes."

Laurence Emmett KC
Laurence Emmett KC is a well-regarded silk who has an impressive repertoire of energy cases, especially in relation to the upstream and downstream oil industries. He earns praise for handling regulatory and commercial cases relating to both traditional and non-traditional sources of energy. His practice spans both domestic and international cases. "Laurence is really easygoing, down to earth and very bright. People who are not easily impressed by lawyers are impressed by Laurence Emmett." "He's very good on oil and gas matters and on moving into the energy transition. He's a very thorough and thoughtful lawyer." "Laurence is very good in conference. He is calm and gets right to the point."

Orlando Gledhill KC
Orlando Gledhill KC is a respected silk who handles significant cases across a wide range of areas, tackling matters concerning both traditional and non-traditional resources. Gledhill represents engineering contractors, facility operators and utility providers. He is held in high regard for his emissions trading practice.

Thomas Sharpe KC
Thomas Sharpe KC is an accomplished competition law practitioner with significant experience on the regulatory side of energy work. He represents a range of clients, including utility companies, investment funds and regulatory bodies, providing both advocacy and non-contentious regulatory advice. He is particularly well regarded for his work in the water industry. Sharpe acts for significant market players from across Europe, including German and French clients. "He's able to take a very clear view on the most complex of matters."

Nicholas Sloboda KC
Nicholas Sloboda KC is well regarded by solicitors for his oil and gas experience. His clients include energy companies and mining majors and he acts in oil sale disputes, upstream cases and a range of arbitration matters. He regularly appears before the Commercial Court. "Nicholas Sloboda is very good on tactics and group litigation. He's very sharp, hard-working and concise in his advice."