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
Graham Dunning QC was until recently the co-head of Essex Court Chambers. He has a full time practice as an advocate and arbitrator in substantial international and commercial disputes. Graham has recently appeared at all levels in the English courts from the Supreme Court down, offshore and in international arbitrations in London and other arbitration venues around the world. Amongst other things, he has conducted two heavy fraud trials, several appeals to the English Court of Appeal, Supreme Court and Privy Council, an important Commercial Court banking/commodities trial, commercial arbitrations in London, Dubai and Singapore, a trial in the DIFC in Dubai, various anti-suit injunctions and applications for freezing relief, an appeal in the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal, major oil and gas arbitrations, numerous arbitration-related court applications (including issues of state immunity), and substantial investment arbitrations in Washington, Stockholm and Paris and other international commercial arbitrations (eg ICC, UNCITRAL, LCIA, LCIA-lndia, SCC). His clients have included states and state entities, banks, major commercial corporations and high-net-worth individuals. He also frequently sits as arbitrator in international arbitrations of all kinds, having been appointed in more than 70 cases. He has extensive experience of disputes relating to investments in oil and gas, mining, international trade in all types of commodities, energy, infrastructure, as well as shareholder disputes.
Career
2013-2017 Co-Head of Essex Court Chambers; 2012 Called to Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (St Vincent); 2011 Called to Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (BVI); 2009 Bencher, Lincoln’s Inn; 2001 Silk; 1983 Joined Essex Court Chambers; 1982 Called to the Bar Lincoln’s Inn;
Memberships
LCIA; BMLA, Member ICC UK Task Force on National Rules of Procedure for Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Awards; BILA; SIAC panel; KLRCA panel
Education
Cambridge, England, 1st Class Hons Law, BA; MA; Harvard Law School, LLM
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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.'