3 Verulam Buildings is ‘one of the premier sets at the English commercial Bar’ with esteemed members recognised for their extensive experience handling the whole spectrum of arbitration proceedings with wide-ranging sectorial and geographical reach. Amongst the most in-demand arbitrators are Ali Malek KC who has a track record of presiding over ICSID cases, Zachary Douglas KC, whose experience as an arbitrator ranges from commercial to public international law matters, Christopher Symons KC, a full time international commercial arbitrator and Jane Davies Evans KC, a dual-qualified barrister and chartered accountant, with expertise in energy disputes, construction and commercial disputes. Alongside a busy arbitration counsel practice, Christopher Harris KC has become an increasingly sought-after arbitrator in commercial and investment arbitration matters across Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
International arbitration: arbitrators in
London Bar
Keating Chambers
Keating Chambers ‘remains the leading set for construction and engineering disputes’. Members act as arbitrators, either on a full-time basis, or in addition to counsel practices, and receive regular arbitration appointments in large-scale, high value and complex commercial international arbitrations including many of the largest infrastructure, construction, energy and offshore disputes globally. Barristers are often dual-qualified as chartered engineers, such as Robert Gaitskell KC, and are particularly renowned for their significant expertise in construction, engineering, energy and natural resources. On the senior end, John Marrin KC, Veronique Buehrlen KC and Marcus Taverner KC secure notable appointments, particularly in the Middle East.
Testimonials
‘Excellent clerks and management.’
‘Very efficient and helpful.’
‘Keating is a power house of excellence.’
‘They are the pre-eminent set of chambers involved in building/ construction disputes, with strength in depth all the way down.’
Work highlights
One Essex Court
One Essex Court ‘has an outstanding cohort of arbitrators, including senior retired judges and respected commercial litigators’, popular for heavyweight commercial disputes worldwide. Members regularly receive appointments as independent arbitrators in a wide range of domestic and international disputes, sitting as sole arbitrators or as part of a tribunal. Leading full time arbitrators include Dame Elizabeth Gloster, Christopher Style KC, Ian Glick KC, Peter Leaver KC, Lord Neuberger and Andrew Foyle.
Testimonials
‘Excellent. Angela Hodgson is always friendly, extremely efficient, and a joy to work with.’
‘Undoubtedly one of the leading commercial sets.’
‘Chambers is very strong in international arbitration.’
Work highlights
Twenty Essex
Twenty Essex is ‘a very strong set in the international arbitration arena with many outstanding arbitrators’ such as Sir Bernard Rix, Sara Masters KC, and Duncan Matthews KC. Appointments span all major arbitral institutions including ad-hoc arbitrations under the UNCITRAL rules across many sectors including energy, insurance, mining, IP, pharmaceuticals and a wide range of commercial disputes. While the set continues to be globally recognised and respected for its strong commercial expertise, its reputation for investor-state work grows with regular investor-state arbitration appointments. Notable additions boosting the set’s bench strength include Baiju Vasani, Wendy Miles KC, both also acting as counsel, and Philippa Charles, who joined from Stewarts Law LLP. Clare Ambrose is particularly sought-after as a full member of the LMAA and Sir Peter Gross attracts appointments in maritime as well as commercial disputes. Kate Parlett is building a strong practice of high-value international commercial arbitration appointments.
Testimonials
‘They have recently hired Catherine Reeves, who has changed the game. She is fantastic in engaging with the arbitration community, organising key events and is the go-to person when considering arbitrators. She is keen on the right kind of diversity and has made it clear, which is hugely appreciated.’
‘Catherine Reeves deserves a special mention – an excellent and very experienced arbitration specialist managing the arbitrators’ practices.’
‘Twenty Essex is the top set in arbitration – both for arbitrators and counsel. It is a leading set historically but have recently reinvigorated their approach – offering interesting debates, hosting events. They have expertise across commercial, investor-state and state-state arbitrations – which is rare.’
‘Twenty Essex has a very good reputation as the home of a large number of arbitrators with expertise across a wide range of fields.’
Work highlights
39 Essex Chambers
39 Essex Chambers boasts an impressively diverse roster of highly experienced full and part-time arbitrators from senior silks through to the junior end. Across a wide range of sectors ranging from commercial and sports disputes, where Lord Dyson is a key practitioner, to investment treaty as well as large construction and energy arbitrations, in which Peter Rees KC continues to be sought out for appointment. With an enviable track record of high-profile commercial, construction, energy and technology arbitrations, David Brynmor Thomas KC, Marion Smith KC and Lindy Patterson KC stand out, whilst Adrian Hughes KC is hugely respected in the Middle East, Hong Kong and China. On the junior end, Grace Cheng is a highly sought-after multilingual arbitrator, often sitting as sole arbitrator, with wide-ranging sectorial and jurisdictional experience.
Arbitration Chambers
Arbitration Chambers ‘is the most attractive proposition among the new arbitrator-only sets now springing up; their roster of arbitrators is second to none – some of the best regarded arbitrators in the world'. Its high-profile members including John Beechey, the former ICC president, John Bishop and Juliet Blanch as well as Karyl Nairn KC who joined chambers in January 2023 and was recently appointed as a Deputy High Court Judge, the set enjoys an excellent reputation for its ‘diversity in terms of experience level, geographic representation and subject matter expertise.’
Testimonials
‘Arbitration Chambers has a unique service, in that it goes beyond the regular services of business development, finance and administration. It also has full time qualified legal staff who can support its members on their matters in more substantive ways, in addition to assisting with research and preparation for writing and speaking engagements.’
‘The clerks are extremely efficient.’
‘They are well run by Sarah Lancaster who is well known in the arbitration world following her time at the LCIA.’
Work highlights
Arbitrators at 24 Lincoln's Inn Fields
Arbitrators at 24 Lincoln’s Inn Fields is ‘top notch in international arbitration’ and ‘has an outstanding roster of arbitrators’ that cater to the full spectrum of industries, most notably construction, energy, insurance and reinsurance, and shipping. Chambers, an affiliate of Essex Court Chambers, fields an impressive array of high-ranking former judges, esteemed silks, including David Mildon KC, Jeffrey Gruder KC, Iain Quirk KC, Graham Dunning KC and David Joseph KC and up-and-coming arbitrators, such as Angeline Welsh KC and Benedict Tompkins. Amongst the most in-demand full-time arbitrators are Lord Collins and Sir Bernard Eder.
Testimonials
‘Rachel Newman is an excellent arbitrators’ clerk. She is efficient, responsive and totally reliable.’
‘The clerks have always been very helpful in helping to organize the appointment of arbitrators.’
‘The clerks are reactive, understanding of the relevant issues and efficient.’
‘Very strong set with many experienced arbitrators’
‘Excellent set: very strong and deserved reputation in arbitration matters.’
‘Excellent.’
Brick Court Chambers
Brick Court Chambers houses a strong bench of full and part-time arbitrators. Joint head of chambers Helen Davies KC has extensive experience in all aspects of commercial litigation and her experience as an arbitrator ranges from numerous contractual disputes to energy, banking, insurance and reinsurance, financial services and professional negligence. Another in-demand highly experienced arbitrator is Hilary Heilbron KC with appointments, both ad hoc and institutional, involving substantial claims across a wide geographical spectrum sitting as both chair and co-arbitrator. Her work spans most industry sectors including a wide range of corporate disputes, joint ventures and energy disputes. Also frequently sought-after in heavy international arbitrations is Harry Matovu KC, regularly instructed as counsel and appointed as arbitrator including as presiding arbitrator in major international commercial arbitrations, in particular in Africa-related disputes and arbitrations under ICC, LCIA and UNCITRAL rules.
Testimonials
‘A premier set.’
‘Well known for its work in the international arbitration space.’
7 King's Bench Walk
7 King’s Bench Walk ‘has a large number of very experienced insurance practitioners, and arbitrators – all of high quality’ and remains ‘one of the go-to sets for complex insurance arbitrations.’ The set’s expertise extends to arbitrations arising from a wide range of sectors spanning international business and commerce, commercial claims, aviation, shipping, commodities, and logistics, as well as energy and natural resources disputes. Members specialise in sitting as independent arbitrators or party-appointed co-arbitrators with the set’s former judges, including Lord Jonathan Mance, Sir Stephen Tomlinson and Sir Jeremy Cooke, being particularly sought-after. A wide offering at the junior end enables the set to offer solutions to resolving lower value international trade, commodities, and insurance claims. Stephen Hofmeyr KC, Siobán Healy KC and James Drake KC also have an enviable track record of high-profile arbitrations.
Testimonials
‘Very efficient and pleasant clerking.’
Atkin Chambers
Atkin Chambers is ‘first-class, a superb construction set’, many of whose members receive frequent arbitration appointments for their expertise in disputes concerning major energy projects across exploration and extraction, power plant construction and infrastructure as well as mining and major commercial and leisure developments, IT and transport infrastructure. Full-time arbitrators include Sir Robert Akenhead and Doug Jones . In addition to his counsel practice, Martin Bowdery KC is also a Deputy High Court Judge and was appointed to the ADGM Arbitration Centre’s Panel of Arbitrators. Janet Walker has over 20 years’ experience as sole, presiding and co-arbitrator in commercial and treaty investment arbitrations. In 2022, Stuart Catchpole KC was appointed to the panel of arbitrators of the BVI International Arbitration Centre.
Testimonials
‘David Barnes is the gold standard.’
‘Extremely efficient and responsive, led by the finest CEO at the bar, David Barnes.’
‘David Barnes is commercial, clever and diplomatically savvy; Justin Wilson is responsive and sharp; Andrew Burrows and Rob Bryant are both responsive and capable.’
‘An exceptional set of construction practitioners.’
‘Excellent chambers with strength in depth, led by an excellent team.’
‘Top specialist set.’
‘One of the top sets in construction with a wide bench. ‘
Work highlights
Keating Chambers
Keating Chambers ‘remains the leading set for construction and engineering disputes’. Members act as arbitrators, either on a full-time basis, or in addition to counsel practices, and receive regular arbitration appointments in large-scale, high value and complex commercial international arbitrations including many of the largest infrastructure, construction, energy and offshore disputes globally. Barristers are often dual-qualified as chartered engineers, such as Robert Gaitskell KC, and are particularly renowned for their significant expertise in construction, engineering, energy and natural resources. On the senior end, John Marrin KC, Veronique Buehrlen KC and Marcus Taverner KC secure notable appointments, particularly in the Middle East.
Testimonials
‘Excellent clerks and management.’
‘Very efficient and helpful.’
‘Keating is a power house of excellence.’
‘They are the pre-eminent set of chambers involved in building/ construction disputes, with strength in depth all the way down.’
Work highlights
One Essex Court
One Essex Court ‘has an outstanding cohort of arbitrators, including senior retired judges and respected commercial litigators’, popular for heavyweight commercial disputes worldwide. Members regularly receive appointments as independent arbitrators in a wide range of domestic and international disputes, sitting as sole arbitrators or as part of a tribunal. Leading full time arbitrators include Dame Elizabeth Gloster, Christopher Style KC, Ian Glick KC, Peter Leaver KC, Lord Neuberger and Andrew Foyle.
Testimonials
‘Excellent. Angela Hodgson is always friendly, extremely efficient, and a joy to work with.’
‘Undoubtedly one of the leading commercial sets.’
‘Chambers is very strong in international arbitration.’
Work highlights
Twenty Essex
Twenty Essex is ‘a very strong set in the international arbitration arena with many outstanding arbitrators’ such as Sir Bernard Rix, Sara Masters KC, and Duncan Matthews KC. Appointments span all major arbitral institutions including ad-hoc arbitrations under the UNCITRAL rules across many sectors including energy, insurance, mining, IP, pharmaceuticals and a wide range of commercial disputes. While the set continues to be globally recognised and respected for its strong commercial expertise, its reputation for investor-state work grows with regular investor-state arbitration appointments. Notable additions boosting the set’s bench strength include Baiju Vasani, Wendy Miles KC, both also acting as counsel, and Philippa Charles, who joined from Stewarts Law LLP. Clare Ambrose is particularly sought-after as a full member of the LMAA and Sir Peter Gross attracts appointments in maritime as well as commercial disputes. Kate Parlett is building a strong practice of high-value international commercial arbitration appointments.
Testimonials
‘They have recently hired Catherine Reeves, who has changed the game. She is fantastic in engaging with the arbitration community, organising key events and is the go-to person when considering arbitrators. She is keen on the right kind of diversity and has made it clear, which is hugely appreciated.’
‘Catherine Reeves deserves a special mention – an excellent and very experienced arbitration specialist managing the arbitrators’ practices.’
‘Twenty Essex is the top set in arbitration – both for arbitrators and counsel. It is a leading set historically but have recently reinvigorated their approach – offering interesting debates, hosting events. They have expertise across commercial, investor-state and state-state arbitrations – which is rare.’
‘Twenty Essex has a very good reputation as the home of a large number of arbitrators with expertise across a wide range of fields.’
Work highlights
39 Essex Chambers
39 Essex Chambers boasts an impressively diverse roster of highly experienced full and part-time arbitrators from senior silks through to the junior end. Across a wide range of sectors ranging from commercial and sports disputes, where Lord Dyson is a key practitioner, to investment treaty as well as large construction and energy arbitrations, in which Peter Rees KC continues to be sought out for appointment. With an enviable track record of high-profile commercial, construction, energy and technology arbitrations, David Brynmor Thomas KC, Marion Smith KC and Lindy Patterson KC stand out, whilst Adrian Hughes KC is hugely respected in the Middle East, Hong Kong and China. On the junior end, Grace Cheng is a highly sought-after multilingual arbitrator, often sitting as sole arbitrator, with wide-ranging sectorial and jurisdictional experience.
Arbitration Chambers
Arbitration Chambers ‘is the most attractive proposition among the new arbitrator-only sets now springing up; their roster of arbitrators is second to none – some of the best regarded arbitrators in the world'. Its high-profile members including John Beechey, the former ICC president, John Bishop and Juliet Blanch as well as Karyl Nairn KC who joined chambers in January 2023 and was recently appointed as a Deputy High Court Judge, the set enjoys an excellent reputation for its ‘diversity in terms of experience level, geographic representation and subject matter expertise.’
Testimonials
‘Arbitration Chambers has a unique service, in that it goes beyond the regular services of business development, finance and administration. It also has full time qualified legal staff who can support its members on their matters in more substantive ways, in addition to assisting with research and preparation for writing and speaking engagements.’
‘The clerks are extremely efficient.’
‘They are well run by Sarah Lancaster who is well known in the arbitration world following her time at the LCIA.’
Work highlights
Arbitrators at 24 Lincoln's Inn Fields
Arbitrators at 24 Lincoln’s Inn Fields is ‘top notch in international arbitration’ and ‘has an outstanding roster of arbitrators’ that cater to the full spectrum of industries, most notably construction, energy, insurance and reinsurance, and shipping. Chambers, an affiliate of Essex Court Chambers, fields an impressive array of high-ranking former judges, esteemed silks, including David Mildon KC, Jeffrey Gruder KC, Iain Quirk KC, Graham Dunning KC and David Joseph KC and up-and-coming arbitrators, such as Angeline Welsh KC and Benedict Tompkins. Amongst the most in-demand full-time arbitrators are Lord Collins and Sir Bernard Eder.
Testimonials
‘Rachel Newman is an excellent arbitrators’ clerk. She is efficient, responsive and totally reliable.’
‘The clerks have always been very helpful in helping to organize the appointment of arbitrators.’
‘The clerks are reactive, understanding of the relevant issues and efficient.’
‘Very strong set with many experienced arbitrators’
‘Excellent set: very strong and deserved reputation in arbitration matters.’
‘Excellent.’
Brick Court Chambers
Brick Court Chambers houses a strong bench of full and part-time arbitrators. Joint head of chambers Helen Davies KC has extensive experience in all aspects of commercial litigation and her experience as an arbitrator ranges from numerous contractual disputes to energy, banking, insurance and reinsurance, financial services and professional negligence. Another in-demand highly experienced arbitrator is Hilary Heilbron KC with appointments, both ad hoc and institutional, involving substantial claims across a wide geographical spectrum sitting as both chair and co-arbitrator. Her work spans most industry sectors including a wide range of corporate disputes, joint ventures and energy disputes. Also frequently sought-after in heavy international arbitrations is Harry Matovu KC, regularly instructed as counsel and appointed as arbitrator including as presiding arbitrator in major international commercial arbitrations, in particular in Africa-related disputes and arbitrations under ICC, LCIA and UNCITRAL rules.
Testimonials
‘A premier set.’
‘Well known for its work in the international arbitration space.’
7 King's Bench Walk
7 King’s Bench Walk ‘has a large number of very experienced insurance practitioners, and arbitrators – all of high quality’ and remains ‘one of the go-to sets for complex insurance arbitrations.’ The set’s expertise extends to arbitrations arising from a wide range of sectors spanning international business and commerce, commercial claims, aviation, shipping, commodities, and logistics, as well as energy and natural resources disputes. Members specialise in sitting as independent arbitrators or party-appointed co-arbitrators with the set’s former judges, including Lord Jonathan Mance, Sir Stephen Tomlinson and Sir Jeremy Cooke, being particularly sought-after. A wide offering at the junior end enables the set to offer solutions to resolving lower value international trade, commodities, and insurance claims. Stephen Hofmeyr KC, Siobán Healy KC and James Drake KC also have an enviable track record of high-profile arbitrations.
Testimonials
‘Very efficient and pleasant clerking.’
Atkin Chambers
Atkin Chambers is ‘first-class, a superb construction set’, many of whose members receive frequent arbitration appointments for their expertise in disputes concerning major energy projects across exploration and extraction, power plant construction and infrastructure as well as mining and major commercial and leisure developments, IT and transport infrastructure. Full-time arbitrators include Sir Robert Akenhead and Doug Jones . In addition to his counsel practice, Martin Bowdery KC is also a Deputy High Court Judge and was appointed to the ADGM Arbitration Centre’s Panel of Arbitrators. Janet Walker has over 20 years’ experience as sole, presiding and co-arbitrator in commercial and treaty investment arbitrations. In 2022, Stuart Catchpole KC was appointed to the panel of arbitrators of the BVI International Arbitration Centre.
Testimonials
‘David Barnes is the gold standard.’
‘Extremely efficient and responsive, led by the finest CEO at the bar, David Barnes.’
‘David Barnes is commercial, clever and diplomatically savvy; Justin Wilson is responsive and sharp; Andrew Burrows and Rob Bryant are both responsive and capable.’
‘An exceptional set of construction practitioners.’
‘Excellent chambers with strength in depth, led by an excellent team.’
‘Top specialist set.’
‘One of the top sets in construction with a wide bench. ‘