International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance | UK Bar

Essex Court Chambers has long enjoyed a reputation as a "powerhouse" for international arbitrations involving commercial and insurance matters. Its barristers are consistently recognised for their truly international practices, receiving instructions from the Middle East, Europe and Africa and acting in some of the most significant and high-value disputes. Members offer unrivalled expertise across an impressive breadth of sectors, and have particular prowess in energy and insurance and reinsurance disputes. The barristers at Essex Court Chambers are regularly called upon to handle proceedings and cases involving foreign law under all major institutional rules. A solicitor opines that "Essex Court is the best chambers at the Bar for international law and arbitration." Several others concur, applauding the set's "second to none", "top of the pile" and "leading" expertise and "great depth of legal talent."

3 Verulam Buildings enjoys a well-established reputation as a "leading set in international arbitration," while also being recognised as a "go-to for complex commercial proceedings" more generally. The set is steeped in a long history of top-quality appointments in the financial services sector, often acting in arbitrations relating to shareholder disputes, as well as arbitration award enforcements. Its barristers also demonstrate expertise in energy and development-related disputes for clients across the Middle East, Europe and Africa, frequently conducted under the rules of the LCIA, the ICC, SIAC and UNCITRAL. Members offer additional strength to clients in investor-state disputes, acting in complex and high-value ICSID arbitrations.

7 King's Bench Walk is home to a celebrated bench of silk and junior talent, frequently sought out to handle complex commercial and insurance arbitrations. Instructing solicitors praise the team's skilled approach to handling "all [arbitration] forums, both in London and internationally, with a real working knowledge of each." The set offers an enviable breadth of expertise, with members acting for clients in the pharmaceutical, energy, aviation, insurance and shipping sectors in arbitrations under ICC, LMAA and LCIA rules. The barristers wield strong international capabilities, appearing in arbitrations seated across Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai and Europe as both advocates and arbitrators. The set is a go-to choice for Bermuda Form claims and award enforcements.

Brick Court Chambers is well reputed for its international arbitration expertise and has a strong presence across a wide range of commercial disputes. The barristers are highly adept at handling disputes before the full range of arbitral institutions, such as the LCIA, the LMAA, the ICC and UNCITRAL, and ad hoc arbitrations. The set is recognised for its diverse offering, acting for an impressive roster of clients across the telecoms, shipping, natural resources, financial services and energy sectors, often with an African or Middle Eastern focus. Members here offer additional expertise in arbitral award enforcement matters. An interviewee comments: "Brick Court Chambers is first class for insurance advice." A highlight this year for the set is representing the Government of Malaysia in an arbitration that arose from the 1MDB fraud.

One Essex Court has formidable expertise in international arbitration and is able to draw on a strong bench of renowned practitioners who handle a wide array of commercial and insurance-related disputes. The set enjoys an international reputation, with members appearing in arbitrations seated in London, Singapore, Dubai, Geneva and Stockholm. Barristers at the set appear in a range of high-profile disputes on behalf of clients in the energy and finance sectors, among others. One Essex Court fields both accomplished advocates and notable arbitrators "capable of handling the most complicated legal issues," opines an instructing solicitor. The barristers are well versed in the rules of major arbitral institutions, including the LCIA, the ICC, HKIAC, ICSID and SIAC, and often handle cases governed by foreign law.

Twenty Essex is a prominent set in the arbitration market, noted for its capabilities in commercial, investment treaty and insurance disputes. The set has a strong international presence, and its barristers appear in complex and high-profile disputes across Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Members here are deeply experienced in acting under the auspices of various arbitral bodies, including HKIAC, SIAC, the ICC, the LCIA and the LMAA, and in ad hoc arbitrations. An instructing solicitor opines that "Twenty Essex is a go-to chambers for the most complex of arbitration cases," with a "strong and deep bench of talent, from KCs to juniors." The barristers offer expertise across a range of industries, regularly acting for clients in the insurance, shipping and energy sectors, and are particularly skilled in handling award enforcement disputes.

Fountain Court Chambers has a solid arbitration offering and vast international capabilities. Its barristers have established multi-jurisdictional expertise and act in high-profile disputes across Singapore, Switzerland, the UAE and Russia, to name a few. The set wields considerable expertise in a range of industries, regularly acting as either counsel or arbitrator in big-ticket insurance and energy arbitrations, often governed by LCIA, ICC and DIFC rules. A market source notes that the set "distinguishes itself from its peers through its consistent delivery of high-calibre legal services."

Quadrant Chambers has a strong arbitration practice and a growing market presence. Barristers receive impressive instructions to act in highly significant disputes from a number of key regions, including the Middle East, Asia and Africa. The set bears considerable experience in disputes related to shipping, construction, and oil and gas, and tenants are comfortable acting across UNCITRAL, LMAA, GAFTA, ICC and LCIA rules. An interviewee notes that the set is "fantastic throughout, from top to bottom," displaying clear "strength and depth in expertise." Another praises the strong "commercial nous" that runs throughout Quadrant Chambers, "from clerks and pupils through to the most senior KCs."