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. Bolstering the team at the junior end, Carola Binney and Edward Gilmore joined the group in March 2026.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Profile
Position
Barrister with a broad-based practice. Between 1999 and 2001 he was editor of Lloyds Law Reports, Banking.
Career
Called 1994, Inner Temple; Essex Court Chambers 1995; attorney-at-law for the Cayman Islands 1997; called to Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court 2005.
Languages
French (working knowledge).
Memberships
Commercial Bar Association (COMBAR); Fraud Advisory Panel; London Common Law and Commercial Bar Association.
Education
University College, Oxon (BA, BCL).
Content supplied by Essex Court Chambers
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Masterful cross-examination, a phenomenal intellect with exceptional command of the detail.'