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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Profile
Position
Advises and acts in a wide range of commercial disputes, both in court and arbitration. Specialises in particular in dry shipping and commodities/international trade and in insurance/reinsurance disputes, but is also involved in more general commercial disputes and in aviation, professional negligence, sale of goods and associated matters (including commodities contracts, letter of credit disputes, commercial agency disputes and computer/information technology disputes) and banking matters. Has a particular interest in private international law issues. Also sits as an arbitrator. Publications: co-author, Colman, Lyon and Hopkins’ ‘The Practice and Procedure of the Commercial Court’ (6th ed); was also contributing editor to 17th edn of ’Arnould on Marine Insurance’.
Career
Called 1994, Middle Temple.
Memberships
COMBAR; London Maritime Arbitrators Association (supporting member); LCIA.
Education
Merton College, Oxford (BA jurisprudence; joint winner of the Martin Wronker prize for best performance in Final Honour Schools; BCL with distinction); Eldon Scholar, University of Oxford; Queen Mother’s Scholar of the Middle Temple.
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- 'Strong clerking.'
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