Joe Smouha KC KC > Essex Court Chambers > London, England > Barrister Profile

Essex Court Chambers is ‘one of the top sets’ in the art and cultural property field and handles complex cases across the spectrum of the field. ‘Great communicator and very strong advocate’ Joe Smouha KC continues to act in the litgation concerning the Bouvier affair, concerning an alleged defrauding of Russian oligarch Dmitry Rybolovlev by a Swiss art transporter, continuing in three separate jurisdictions. Claudia Renton has a particularly strong reputation for handling authenticity cases and ‘dealing with experts and very complex scientific evidence.’

Essex Court Chambers handle high-profile and high-value international banking and finance litigation, with members regularly for blue-chip city and US firms, offshore and in domestic litigation. Joe Smouha KC is noted for his ‘strong advocacy, and precise and persuasive presentation,‘ and alongside Louise Hutton KC represented the Prime Minister of Georgia against Credit Suisse’s Bermuda life insurance subsidiary for losses incurred to the assets held by two life insurance policy wrappers as a result of fraud of the relationship manager in Bidzina Ivanishvilli v Credit Suisse Life (Bermuda) Ltd. Stephen Houseman KC is focused on disputes within banking, finance and investment, acting for both major banks and financial institutions. Sophia Hurst acts for major banks and funds as well as regulators, and has experience on the consumer credit aspects of the Consumer Rights Act 2015. James Sheehan KC took silk in 2024.

Essex Court Chambers stands out as a ‘strong set with an excellent reputation and quality advocates’, handling a myriad of substantial commercial litigation including civil fraud, insurance, banking and finance, and shipping-related work. In NMC Healthcare v  Shetty, Ruth Den Besten KC is defending the founder of NMC Healthcare amidst allegations of fraudulent activity following the Middle Eastern hospital group’s collapse into administration in 2020. Joe Smouha KC is leading Ciaran Keller in Nex Group Limited’s defence against TP ICAP, a case relating to the non-disclosure of alleged liabilities arising from the German cum-ex trading scandal. In another high-profile matter, Nathan Pillow KC and Tim Akkouh KC are representing Eurasian Natural Resources Company in claims against Dechert LLP, Neil Gerrard, and the Serious Fraud Office, pertaining to the SFO’s investigation into and the solicitors firm’s advice about alleged corruption in ENRC’s international operations. Daniel Oudkerk KC is representing hundreds of thousands of claimant vehicle owners in six separate group actions concerning diesel emissions against major motor manufacturers. Adding to the chambers’ distinguished roster, David Peters KC and James Sheehan KC were elevated to silk status in March 2024 and Paul Stanley KC was appointed Deputy High Court Judge with effect from January 2023.

Maintaining its reputation as a ‘leading set in civil fraud’, Essex Court Chambers handles significant fraud cases in England and Wales and internationally, appearing before the Commercial and Chancery Courts, at the appellate level, and in arbitration. In PrivatBank v Kolomoisky, James Willan KC, leading Christopher Lloyd, represents the commercial bank against its former shareholders, alleging fraudulent lending to companies controlled by the defendants. Meanwhile, Nathan Pillow KC, David Davies KC, and Anton Dudnikov KC are acting for the claimants in National Bank Trusts v Mints, a case against a Russian family accused of banking fraud. Public Institution for Social Security v Al Rajaan and others, an international fraud litigation involving alleged large-scale bribery of the former Director General of the Kuwaiti social security fund, sees Anna Dilnot KC acting for the claimant; Joe Smouha KC, James Collins KC, and Felix Wardle representing the Man Group; and James Willan KC and Tim Akkouh KC acting for Muna Al Wazzan. David Peters KC and James Sheehan KC took silk in March 2024.