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
Specialises in commercial dispute resolution. Practises in the English courts at all levels, and before international arbitral tribunals of all varieties. Extensive experience of working on heavy and complex cases, as part of a team made up of solicitors, foreign lawyers and/or other counsel; but equally at home acting alone, both as an advocate and in an advisory context. Particular interest in and experience of cases involving civil fraud, including injunctive and other interim relief; equitable, proprietary and restitutionary claims and remedies; and tracing and asset recovery. Work generally has an international character and often involves complex jurisdictional and conflict of laws issues.
Career
Called 1997, Gray’s Inn; Essex Court Chambers 1998; Silk 2015.
Languages
French (near fluent).
Education
Magdalen College, Oxford (BA).
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