David Brynmor Thomas KC > Chambers of Charlie Cory-Wright KC and Richard Harwood KC > London, England > Barrister Profile

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.

With a ‘great breadth of expertise’ on display, 39 Essex Chambers tackles an array of construction and engineering issues on both domestic and international fronts. Marion Smith is acting for the defendant Buro Four Project Services Ltd in Standard Life Assurance Limited v Gleeds, a claim concerning the procurement, development, and design of a mixed-use retail and residential project in West Berkshire. In the international arena, David Brynmor Thomas KC is representing Vedanta against Baker Hughes, a significant dispute arising from the supply of drilling services and materials in India. Crossing over with the set’s expertise in areas such as public law, Kate Grange KC is one of a significant number of members to have had involvement in the Grenfell Tower inquiry – she was part of the counsel to the inquiry team.

39 Essex Chambers’s international arbitration practice is defined by particular strength in the construction and commercial arenas, with disputes typically arising out of infrastructure, energy and natural resources projects, as well as international trade and commodities. The set’s client portfolio consists of major multinationals, government and state-owned entities, energy companies and financial service providers. Notable members include Adrian Hughes KC and David Brynmor Thomas KC who have a well-established international arbitration construction and engineering practice in all the major arbitral centres. While Hughes KC has a strong China and Hong Kong focus, Brynmor Thomas KC has a significant India practice, recently acting in a dispute arising from the supply of drilling services and materials in India arising from allegations of force majeure during Covid. Hughes KC is representing the main contractor in a major ICC arbitration from one of the world’s largest solar energy projects in the Middle East. On the junior end, Karishma Vora and Vivek Kapoor bring in specialist experience in international trade and construction arbitration, respectively.

39 Essex Chambers is ‘one of the leading sets in the construction and arbitration areas‘. Members remain active in complex, high-value mandates within this space across the Asia Pacific region; in one example, David Brynmor Thomas KC appeared for the claimant in a dispute concerning the supply of drilling services and materials in India, arising from allegations of force majeure during the COVID-19 pandemic. Adrian Hughes KC is very well known for advising clients from the Chinese-speaking world on high-value international arbitration matters. Steven Lim ‘displays great judgement in deciding the best points to take‘ in arbitrations.

With a broad construction offering spanning Dubai, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, 39 Essex Chambers is adept in contentious infrastructure as well as energy and natural resources matters. David Brynmor Thomas KC is well-versed in disputes concerning public transport projects and renewable power scheme developments. Marion Smith KC is an established arbitrator and counsel, while Karim Ghaly KC is experienced in airport, hotel, skyscraper, and sports stadia construction disputes. Alexander Burrell enjoys a strong reputation in the energy sector.