Twenty Essex has a deep bench focused on commodities, shipping and international trade. Among its members are some of the most respected silks and juniors in the commodities space, including those who have established key points of law that govern market practice. In Omni v Samancor, a $7m SIAC arbitration concerning the sale of manganese, standout silk Michael Ashcroft KC achieved a favourable settlement in a matter that involved complex issues regarding applicability of sanctions clause following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Michael Collett KC defended a GAFTA appeal in Sharp Corp Ltd v Viterra BV, which arose from the non-performance of two contracts for the purchase of pulses. New to the top tier of silks is Timothy Hill KC, who is ‘one of the very best’. Turning to the set's juniors, Alex Carless is assisting Glencore in seeking €110m in payment for cargoes of diesel.
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Profile
Work Department
Arbitration and mediation; Banking and finance; Commercial law; Energy and natural resources; Insolvency and company law; Insurance and reinsurance; Private international law; Shipping
Position
Alex specialises in a broad range of commercial matters, including banking and finance, regulation, energy, fraud, shipping, commodities and construction.
He is regularly instructed (either led or as sole counsel) in matters in the Commercial Court, the Chancery Division and arbitration. Alex also appears in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal.
Alex has spent time at an international bank in London and a defence club in Oslo.
Alex holds degrees from the University of Cambridge (Law, Double First) and the University of Oxford (BCL, Distinction).
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Clerks Arron Zither and Robert Wheeler are both excellent. The clerk's room generally is very amenable to discussing rates and availability.'
- 'Arron Zitver is very approachable and helpful.'
- 'Twenty Essex is my go-to set due to their large number of high-calibre commodities specialists.'
- 'Twenty Essex has considerable depth and real quality. Good service a from clerks. Wide range of suitable counsel at all levels."
- 'Twenty Essex is one of the leading if not the leading set for commodities litigation. The offer strength and depth at both KC and junior level. A real go-to set for commodities litigation.'