The Legal 500 > 20 Essex Street (Chambers of Iain Milligan QC) > London, ENGLAND > Lawyer profiles

20 Essex Street

Chambers of Iain Milligan QC

LONDON, WC2R 3AL, ENGLAND

Tel:: Work 020 7842 1200
Fax:: Fax 020 7842 1270
DX:: 0009 LONDON CHANCERY LANE WC2

Web:: www.20essexst.com
Email:

Singapore, London

Lawrence Akka QC

Tel:: Work +44 20 7842 1200
Email:

Position

Lawrence Akka has an extensive background in large commercial and contractual disputes, particularly involving technology, media and telecommunications. His practice covers software and hardware procurement, outsourcing, supply and development, e-commerce, broadcasting, nternet and telecommunications law and data protection. He has been instructed in numerous IT cases relating to subjects as diverse as satellite provisioning, telephone tapping and internet gambling. He was shortlisted for Chambers and Partners IT Junior of the Year Award in 2009, and is the vice-chairman (civil) of the Bar Council IT Panel. He has been involved with information technology for over 25 years, and has a thorough grasp of the technical and other issues involved in the industry. He has written a number of domestic and business software applications, and is fluent in several computer programming languages. Lawrence also specialises in shipping, commodities, insurance and commercial law, principally in the following areas: carriage by sea and road, charterparty and MOA disputes, international and domestic sale of goods, commodity trading and futures, international trade, agency and licensing, conflict of laws and jurisdiction, maritime, commodity and other domestic and international arbitration. He accepts appointments to sit as arbitrator and has been appointed in both IT and shipping references.

Career

Called to Lincoln's Inn 1991, Cassel Scholar; Everard Ver Heyden Foundation Prize for Advocacy - CLE 1991.

Member

COMBAR; LCLCBA (London Common Law and Commercial Bar Association); Society for Computers and Law; British Computer Society.

Education

Manchester Grammar School; St Catherine's College, Oxford (1990 BA Hons (1)).

Practice Areas

International commercial arbitration; Information technology; Shipping - marine

Back to index

Search News and Articles

Legal Developments worldwide

Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to

Jersey Royal Court considers measure of damages for dilapidations claims

In the absence of any statutory provision in Jersey addressing how dilapidations claims are to be quantified, the Royal Court's decision in JSSL v Barclays has provided some much needed guidance, particularly in circumstances where there is an acceptance that works to redress dilapidations have not been and will not be carried out.

- Ogier
English Supreme Court rules on Mistake and Hastings Bass

On 9 May 2013 the English Supreme Court handed down a unanimous judgment on the seminal cases of Pitt-v- Holt and Futter -v- Futter , with Lord Walker's valedictory judgment conclusively resolving the English position on the rule in Hastings Bass and rescission on the ground of mistake.

- Ogier
Getting the breaks

Shook, Hardy & Bacon currently authors the Insurance section of The In-House Lawyer magazine. For more information and articles from this author click here .

- Falcon Chambers
Product liability and dietary supplements

Shook, Hardy & Bacon currently authors the Insurance section of The In-House Lawyer magazine. For more information and articles from this author click here .

- Shook, Hardy & Bacon International LLP
The calm before  the storm: are  you prepared for  a dawn raid?

WilmerHale currently authors the Fraud and Corporate Crime section of The In-House Lawyer magazine. For more information and articles from this author click here .

- WilmerHale
International shipment of waste: transporters beware

Burges Salmon LLP currently authors the Environment and Energy section of The In-House Lawyer magazine. For more information and articles from this author click here

- Burges Salmon LLP
Cyprus Shipping Industry : Business as usual. Why despite recent events Cyprus remains an internatio

Cyprus is the third most populated island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is strategically located at the crossroads of Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Traditionally Cyprus has always been at the heart of the seafaring trade and therefore always functioned as an important centre for trade and commerce. Today as a member of the European Union it remains an optimal business base. It is one of the most attractive locations for foreign investments worldwide. Foreign companies have been given the opportunity to invest and establish business in Cyprus on equal terms with local investors as no distinction is made between foreign and Cypriot companies.

- Michael Kyprianou & Co
FOREIGN EXCHANGE OPERATIONS

The excellent support system in combination with the ideal jurisdiction provided in Cyprus set the country in the list of the most desirable countries through which you can offer foreign exchange operations. In addition, the accession of Cyprus within the European Union and, most importantly, the extremely beneficial economic advantages available due to the low costs and the outstanding taxation, create a covetable environment for foreign investors.

- Michael Kyprianou & Co
National public order. Adoption of the Draft

The Presidium of the Supreme Commercial Court of the Russian Federation (hereinafter - SCC RF) adopted by the Informative Letter No. 156 dated the 26th of February, 2013 (hereinafter - the Informative Letter) on Review of the consideration by arbitrazh courts of the cases on the implementation of the public order clause as the ground for rejection of the recognition and enforcement of the foreign court decisions and arbitral awards.

- Lidings Law Firm
China Customs New Interpretation

For many products, tariff classification can be technically complex, confusing, and subject to multiple interpretations. Often several different Harmonized System Codes ("HS Code") may seem applicable for one given product with different tariff rates. Tariff classification is indeed a process of application of customs classification rules, including customs rulings and decisions, and misclassification may trigger severe legal consequences. The sad fact is, unfortunately, that many companies rely on non-legal professionals to determine the HS Codes for imports or exports. A recent interpretation issued by the General Administration of Customs of China ("GACC") (Circular No. [2012] 495 Shu-Fa-Fa) (the "Interpretation") reinforces the process of tariff classification as a legal matter, and formulates the test as to what counts for regulatory violation if tariff classification rules are improperly applied by the importer or exporter in a given case. If the legal defense is successful, misclassification may only be treated as a non-violation misclassification, with the possible obligation to pay up additional customs duties, if any, but without administrative or criminal consequences. The Interpretation took effect as from February 1, 2013.

- Haoliwen Partners