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
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.
- '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.'