Essex Court Chambers's Nathan Pillow KC is currently leading a three-person team acting for Trafigura Pte Limited in one of the largest commodities fraud cases in the English Commercial Court, concerning allegations of $600m of nickel going missing following the collapse of a long-term trade financing arrangement. Philippa Hopkins KC also handles including LCIA and LMAA disputes concerning commodities, and trade arbitrations under FOSFA and GAFTA rules. New silk David Walsh KC has a broad-ranging commodities practice that encompasses international trade, carriage of goods, financing, insurance, and commodities futures. In Trafigura Pte Ltd v Sudanese Petroleum Corporation, he is acting as sole counsel for Trafigura in a $22m claim against Sudanese governmental agencies in respect of sums due from swaps of crude and gasoil.
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Testimonials
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- 'Strong clerking.'
- 'A very strong Chambers in this area.'
Lawyers
Leading Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
Philippa Hopkins KC
Nathan Pillow KC
‘Nathan can take anything and make it better, and his ability to read judges is second to none.’
2025 Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
David Walsh KC
‘An outstanding new silk with excellent written skills and an incredible ability to get to the heart of complex matters.’
Leading Juniors
Leading juniors are those with significant experience of key cases, strong market recognition from both peers and clients, and are seen as future candidates for silk.
John Robb
‘John has an encyclopaedic knowledge of contract law and is good in conference, good in mediation, and good with clients and in court.’