Public International Law: The English Bar

A benchmark to which others aspire, Sir Daniel Bethlehem KC handles high-profile state-on-state, diplomatic immunity and BIT cases. He has strong ties to the FCO and has vast experience of both counsel work and arbitral appointments.

"Sir Daniel is undoubtedly one of the stars of the Bar for complex international public law disputes. He brings real in-depth knowledge and gravitas."

"He is completely phenomenal - he has a gift for rendering incredibly complex concepts into simple and easy to understand language."

"He is a very deep thinker, analytical but strategic."

Active in all areas of public international law, Sir Michael Wood has devoted a significant portion of his career to advising the FCO. He is well versed in complex land and maritime boundary disputes, and has enviable experience appearing before international courts and tribunals.

"Michael Wood is the top barrister when it comes to public international law."

Formerly a practising solicitor in New Zealand, Penelope Nevill advises on all aspects of PIL law. She regularly lectures on the topic at Cambridge University and King's College London, and attacks a wide variety of leading cases including heavy investor-state arbitration and work examining the jurisdiction of sovereign states in relation to foreign nationals.

"Penelope is a pleasure to work with - very down to earth while providing very thorough and detailed advice."

"She is really considered, diligent and razor sharp."

Philippa Webb acts for states and non-governmental bodies, advising on a wide range of PIL issues including state and diplomatic immunities, as well as maritime, boundary and treaty disputes. She is a professor of public international law at King's College London.

"Philippa is very passionate and committed to the cause; she truly represents the client wholeheartedly."

"Philippa is extremely learned. Her knowledge of international law is very impressive; she is very strong analytically and writes very clearly."

"Philippa is one of the great academic heavyweights. She is extremely knowledgeable, which shows through in her advocacy."

Simon Olleson has a strong academic background in PIL and a keen interest in the law of state responsibility. He has recently advised on the PIL angles of environmental disputes and shown himself to be an expert in maritime delimitation cases and BIT arbitration. He has acted in ICJ, PCA, ICSID and ad hoc arbitration proceedings.

"Simon is forensic, measured and extremely user-friendly."

"He is a very strong technician and extremely authoritative."

Guglielmo Verdirame KC is active in a broad spectrum of PIL work, tackling cases dealing with international human rights, BITs and inter-state disputes. He is a noted academic in this area, and has appeared before UK courts and various international arbitration tribunals including the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

"He is very calm under pressure and has a very nice manner with the tribunal. Verdirame distils things very quickly and doesn't take bum points. He makes the key points and that's where he stops."

"Guglielmo is very good at cutting to clear, crisp points."

"A very smooth and effective advocate."

Well regarded for investment treaty arbitrations and inter-state disputes, Kate Parlett has appeared as an advocate before the ICJ in multiple cases concerning a range of PIL issues, including arbitration over terrestrial and maritime delimitation. She also teaches international law at both Cambridge and Geneva.

"Kate's level of expertise and the sophistication of her work are conveyed through the quality of her submissions."

"Kate Parlett is amazing, so clever and really gets what the clients need."

"Kate was able to break down complicated legal issues into something that was really simple."

Belinda McRae possesses superb expertise spanning BIT arbitration, inter-state disputes and domestic litigation with international law elements. She has appeared in important cases on diplomatic immunity, the compatibility of BITs with EU law and other issues.

"Belinda was concise, authoritative and very client-friendly."

"She is an analytical powerhouse, writes extremely quickly and is a pleasure to work with."

Monica Feria-Tinta focuses her practice on all aspects of PIL, having appeared before the full range of international courts and tribunals. In recent years she has acted in high-profile cases concerning international human rights, diplomatic immunity and bilateral investment treaty disputes.

"Monica is a talented speaker, very engaging and always combines practical insights with academic rigour."

"Monica is well organised, structured and easy to work with even on the most difficult cases."

Paolo Busco has a broad PIL practice and has significant experience in negotiations, arbitrations and major UNCLOS disputes.

"Paolo Busco is a rare combination of solid international law competence and ability in international affairs. He has a proactive approach and a refined sense of strategy."

Wendy Miles KC is a strong commercial public international lawyer who concentrates her practice on international arbitration, including BIT disputes. She represents claimant investors and other clients, and is in demand to act as both counsel and arbitrator.