Public International Law | UK Bar

Essex Court Chambers is a pre-eminent public international law set with a "great number of particularly brillant individuals". The team remains at the forefront of the most cutting-edge international disputes. The set's academically accomplished barristers field significant expertise in state-versus-state disputes and BIT arbitration. They frequently appear before the ICJ and all of the other major international courts and tribunals, as well as the UK and European courts. Members are highly adept at handling the full spectrum of PIL issues, often advising governments, international organisations and corporations on land and sea territorial disputes, international trade and investments, and state immunity. They are also able to advise on related human rights and international criminal law issues. Recent highlights include involvement in Zeph v Australia, a USD200 billion investment treaty claim.

Twenty Essex enjoys a sterling reputation in public international law, and houses a formidable bench of silks and juniors with immense knowledge of the field. The barristers are regularly to be found in the most momentous inter-state disputes taking place before the ICJ, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and other key international tribunals. The set has acted in numerous disputes on maritime delimitation. Investor-state disputes form an additional area of strength, with some members exhibiting particular expertise in the relationship between BITs and EU law. Barristers from Twenty Essex also undertake significant advisory work for governments on international trade and human rights law. An instructing solicitor views the set as a "powerhouse for PIL work". Another source echoes this, adding that the set "dominates the field". Recently, Twenty Essex barristers have represented the Government of Ukraine in proceedings against the Russian Federation before the European Court of Human Rights, brought in the aftermath of Russian invasion in 2022.

3VB possesses strong credentials in investor-state arbitration. The set handles an impressive roster of high-value disputes on behalf of sovereign states and investors across the world, including in the Middle East, Africa and East Asia. Barristers here are highly adept at acting before a range of international courts and arbitral institutions including the ICC and ICSID. An instructing solicitor praises the set's "very strong bench of first-class barristers, all of whom have very impressive academic credentials". Another source "couldn't think of a better set for complex international matters". Members of chambers recently represented claim investors in an ICSID arbitration against Bosnia involving two hydroelectric power plant projects.

Blackstone Chambers is highly regarded for its prowess in international law, particularly in areas of crossover with other fields including private international law, domestic public law, human rights, commercial and EU law. Barristers here are often instructed in high-profile and politically sensitive disputes, and are highly sought after by the British and other governments for advice on a range of related issues, often grappling with questions of state or diplomatic immunity. Blackstone barristers are currently leading the charge on behalf of Ukraine in its ECtHR case against Russia, following the 2022 invasion.

Matrix Chambers excels across a breadth of PIL issues, wielding an abundance of academic expertise and offering a deep understanding of humanitarian law, international criminal law and international relations. A market source notes that Matrix Chambers is "one of the best sets in the world to handle public international law matters, without a doubt". The barristers demonstrate notable capability in state-versus-state disputes, including those over disputed territory or maritime rights. Members are also highly adept at acting as counsel or arbitrators in investment disputes before the ICC, ICSID or The Hague's Permanent Court of Arbitration. Recently, members played a leading role in South Africa's ICJ case brought against Israel, concerning allegations of genocide in the Gaza Strip.

11KBW has an impressive bench of practitioners able to offer a wide range of expertise in public international law. The team has considerable experience acting in front of numerous courts including the ICJ and International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, as well as domestic courts. Members have acted in BIT matters, investment treaty arbitrations and state-to-state claims, along with judicial reviews. The set boasts a long list of notable clients from governments and state entities to corporations and individuals. Recent work highlights include Equatorial Guinea v Gabon, a dispute over land and maritime boundaries.

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.