Essex Court Chambers ‘stands at the very pinnacle of the English commercial Bar, particularly for complex international disputes’. Paul McGrath KC is acting for the claimants in Petersen & Ors v Republic of Argentina, concerning the enforcement of a $16.4bn judgment issued against Argentina in New York arising from a dispute over an alleged breach of contract. Joe Smouha KC ‘is able to combine a ferocious intellect with steely determination and a thoroughly charming personality’. In March 2025, the senior end of chambers was bolstered by the elevation of the ‘robust, hard-working, and effective’ Ciaran Keller KC and the ‘incredibly bright, creative and methodical’ Anton Dudnikov KC to silk.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Profile
Position
Anton has a broad commercial practice. He is regularly instructed in international arbitrations, as well as trials and applications in the High Court and the County Courts. He has appeared in the Court of Appeal, and is accustomed to acting both as sole counsel and as part of a team of leading and other junior counsel, solicitors and experts. Key areas of expertise include: arbitration and related court applications; banking and financial services; civil fraud and asset tracing; commercial dispute resolution; conflict of laws and private international law; European law and competition; and insurance and reinsurance.
Career
Called 2008; Gray’s Inn. Research assistant for Professor Simon Whittaker, St John’s College, Oxford (2006-07); Tutor in EC Law, St John’s College and Balliol College, Oxford (2007-08); Tutor in Jurisprudence, Wadham College, Oxford (2007-08); Research assistant, Law Commission (2008-09); Call, Gray’s Inn (2008); Pupillage at Essex Court Chambers (2009-10); Essex Court Chambers (2010).
Languages
Russian (fluent); Anton is a native Russian speaker.
Education
St John’s College, Oxford, BA (First Class Hons) (Law) (2003-06); St John’s College, Oxford, BCL, Distinction (Conflict of Laws, Restitution, Jurisprudence and Political Theory) (2006-07); BVC (Very competent) (2007-08); Keble College Advanced International Advocacy Course (2013). Awards: Casberd Scholarship (for a distinction in Law Moderations) (2004); Lord Justice Holker Award (Gray’s Inn) (2006); Herbert Hart Prize (for best performance in Jurisprudence and Political Theory) (2007); Phoenicia Scholarship (Bar European Group) (2008); Lee Essay Prize (Gray’s Inn) (2009).
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Joe Ferrigno runs a tight ship.'
- 'Ollie Butcher is fantastic to deal with.'
- 'Joe Ferrigno runs a top quality clerks' room.'
- 'Essex Court’s clerks provide a comprehensive and quality service which is second to none.'
- 'A premium set.'
- 'Essex Court are a quality chambers which is highly regarded with an impressive barrister line up.'
- 'Essex Court Chambers are a class act.'
- 'A leading commercial set.'