Twenty Essex is ‘a go-to set for commodity disputes, demonstrating good bench strength’, and houses a team of ‘skilled barristers with commodities expertise at all levels of seniority’. The group has an excellent track record in advising on a wide spectrum of complex, high-value shipping and trade matters, often appearing before the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. In recent work for the team, Michael Ashcroft KC acted in a high-value contractual dispute under the rules of GAFTA, while Michael Collett KC represented Viterra in a damages claim arising from alleged breach of obligations under two contracts for the purchase of pulses. Among the juniors, Daniel Bovensiepen is well versed in advising on matters under ICC and LCIA rules. In a boost to chambers, Josephine Davies KC and Oliver Caplin KC were elevated to silk level in March 2024.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
- Profile
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Arron Zitver is an excellent senior clerk and highly professional.'
- 'The clerks at Twenty Essex are great, very responsive and you can see they work as a team. Arron is always very helpful and quick to respond.'
- 'The clerking team at Twenty Essex is great. Will Inkin has been particularly responsive and helpful.'
- 'The clerks are always helpful and assist with finding counsel and scheduling. Arron Zitver and Robert Wheeler are particularly helpful.'
- 'Twenty Essex is the leading set for commodities and shipping work. They are extremely professional and are the first port of call for pretty much all London counsel work.'
- 'Twenty Essex has a range of knowledgeable and respected barristers. It is great to be able to call upon depth of knowledge.'
- 'Twenty Essex boasts a roster of skilled barristers with commodities expertise at all levels of seniority.'
- 'Twenty Essex is a go-to chambers for international trade, commodities and shipping disputes with a particular bias towards energy.'
- 'Twenty Essex has great bench depth at all levels.'
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.
2024 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.
2023 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.
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.
Rising stars
Rising stars at the Bar are defined as barristers between four and eight years’ call who are seen as up-and-coming members of the Bar in their respective practice areas by clients and peers alike. They will already be instructed in high-profile, complex, and high-value contentious and non-contentious matters, working with and opposite more experienced leading counsel.
