Essex Court Chamber is highly regarded for its work in matters relating to the commercial aspects of large-scale energy and natural-resources litigation, drawing on the set’s international arbitration expertise. Among its standout silks is Paul Key KC, who recently acted as lead counsel for Petrochemical Holdings in one of the largest ICSID arbitration claims ever brought against Romania, included allegations of corruption by the country’s former President. Graham Dunning KC was successful as lead counsel for the Kurdistan Regional Government Minister of Oil and Natural Resources in a claim for more than $1.5bn relating to change of control of two blocks under PSCs in Northern Iraq. New silk Anton Dudnikov KC, described as a ‘top-shelf barrister’, is greatly sought after. He recently acted for a subsidiary of Shell in a $1+bn dispute relating to an oil field off the coast of Nigeria.
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Profile
Position
Anton has a broad commercial practice. He is regularly instructed in international arbitrations, as well as trials and applications in the High Court and the County Courts. He has appeared in the Court of Appeal, and is accustomed to acting both as sole counsel and as part of a team of leading and other junior counsel, solicitors and experts. Key areas of expertise include: arbitration and related court applications; banking and financial services; civil fraud and asset tracing; commercial dispute resolution; conflict of laws and private international law; European law and competition; and insurance and reinsurance.
Career
Called 2008; Gray’s Inn. Research assistant for Professor Simon Whittaker, St John’s College, Oxford (2006-07); Tutor in EC Law, St John’s College and Balliol College, Oxford (2007-08); Tutor in Jurisprudence, Wadham College, Oxford (2007-08); Research assistant, Law Commission (2008-09); Call, Gray’s Inn (2008); Pupillage at Essex Court Chambers (2009-10); Essex Court Chambers (2010).
Languages
Russian (fluent); Anton is a native Russian speaker.
Education
St John’s College, Oxford, BA (First Class Hons) (Law) (2003-06); St John’s College, Oxford, BCL, Distinction (Conflict of Laws, Restitution, Jurisprudence and Political Theory) (2006-07); BVC (Very competent) (2007-08); Keble College Advanced International Advocacy Course (2013). Awards: Casberd Scholarship (for a distinction in Law Moderations) (2004); Lord Justice Holker Award (Gray’s Inn) (2006); Herbert Hart Prize (for best performance in Jurisprudence and Political Theory) (2007); Phoenicia Scholarship (Bar European Group) (2008); Lee Essay Prize (Gray’s Inn) (2009).
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'They have an exceptionally strong team, both of KCs and juniors. Joe Ferrigno's clerking team - Ollie Butcher and Samantha Wright come in for special mention - are personable, professional and easy to pick up the phone to.'
- 'The clerks are very good, competent and reasonable.'
- 'A good number of lawyers with experience in the sector.'
- 'Essex Court consistently produces high quality talent in this space.'
- 'Top to bottom great quality, great talent in all types of arbitration and commercial litigation.'