Mr Lionel Persey KC > Chambers of Poonam Melwani KC > London, England > Barrister Profile
Quadrant Chambers Offices
Quadrant Chambers
QUADRANT HOUSE, 10 FLEET STREET
LONDON
EC4Y 1AU
England
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Mr Lionel Persey KC
Position
Lionel Persey is a leading commercial barrister specialising in a wide range of areas, including Energy (upstream, midstream and downstream), every aspect of Shipping (including Shipbuilding), Infrastructure, Construction and Engineering disputes, International Arbitration and Insurance. He appears as an advocate both in court and in arbitration worldwide and has considerable experience in running technically and legally complex cases. He is a fearless advocate and cross-examiner. Lionel Persey is also an experienced arbitrator, having received over 350 appointments (as sole arbitrator, party-appointed arbitrator and chair) in ICC, LCIA, UNCITRAL, LMAA, SMCA, SIAC, HKIAC, AAA and Lloyd’s arbitrations.
Career
Called to the Bar in 1981, took Silk in 1997. Deputy High Court Judge (2010), sitting in the Commercial Court and Queen’s Bench Division. Recorder of the Crown Court (2002). Lloyd’s Arbitrator (2009). Chaired Merchant Shipping Act Inquiries in 2000 and 2006. Supplementary Panel of Treasury Counsel 1992-97. Member of the Gibraltar Bar. Joint Head of Quadrant Chambers (2006-2012).
Languages
French.
Memberships
COMBAR, LCLCBA, LMAA (supporting member).
Education
Université de Limoges (1979 Diplôme D’Études Juridiques Françaises); University of Birmingham (1980 LLB Hons Law with French).
Leisure
Music, reading, food and wine, travel, gardening; member of The Reform Club.
Lawyer Rankings
London Bar > International arbitration: arbitrators
(Leading counsel as arbitrators)Ranked: Tier 2London Bar > Energy
(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 1Quadrant Chambers ‘offers an excellent roll call of lawyers at all levels of qualification with expertise in the shipping, commodities, energy and international arbitration space’. Energy is a key growth area for the set, within which the set focuses predominantly on the oil and gas industry, both upstream and downstream. Lionel Persey KC remains a go-to counsel and arbitrator in high-value energy disputes. ‘Extremely effective advocate’ Simon Rainey KC is ‘a joy to listen to and very quickly wins the confidence of judges and tribunals’. ‘Intelligent, succinct’ and increasingly popular junior Caroline Pounds acted for the claimant in Vitol S.A. v J.E. Energy Ltd, a Commercial Court dispute concerning the sale fuel oil on an FOB Tema/SE Ghana basis, which raised important issues around the terms and conditions in the contract of sale, including whether the claimant was under any obligation to load the fuel oil pending the provision of a letter of credit. After a four-day hearing the court decided in Vitol’s favour, providing useful guidance regarding the liability obligations of an FOB Buyer.
London Bar > International arbitration: counsel
(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 2London Bar > Shipping
(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 1Lionel Persey KC –Quadrant Chambers ‘Lionel is extremely knowledgeable and experienced when it comes to wet matters. He is clear and sharp in his thinking. Someone you definitely want in your team if you are going to trial.’