A ‘go-to’ set for construction and arbitration work, 39 Essex Chambers boasts arbitrators experienced in a wide range of contexts, including acting as sole-arbitrator or chair of a tribunal. Adrian Hughes KC is well-versed in arbitrations at the LCIA, SIAC and DIFC-LCIA, with a particular focus on construction and energy. Peter Rees KC is regularly appointed in cases under ICSID rules. A former Master of the Rolls, Lord Dyson is appointed across a broad array of disputes and has been particularly sought after for sports arbitrations. Lindy Patterson KC focuses on energy and construction disputes in the Middle East, Scandinavia and Africa. Karim Ghaly KC, Marion Smith KC and Richard Wilmot-Smith KC are other key names.
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Profile
Position
Peter specialises in international commercial arbitration and litigation and is widely recognised as one of the leading arbitration and construction disputes lawyers in the world. He has been recommended as a leading expert in commercial arbitration and litigation by, amongst others, the Euromoney Guides to the World’s Leading Litigation Lawyers and Experts in commercial arbitration and in the Legal Business Report on Legal Experts as an expert in arbitration, commercial litigation and construction and in the Chambers ‘Leaders in their Field’ as an expert in construction.
Career
Qualified 1981; Norton Rose 1981-2006; partner 1987; partner Debevoise & Plimpton LLP 2006; legal director Royal Dutch Shell plc 2011-14. In this role, Peter had ultimate responsibility for the Shell global legal function and for advising the Shell Group management on all legal matters of group-wide importance.
Memberships
Member of the Court of the London Court of International Arbitration; member of the Governing Body of ICC Court of Arbitration; member of the Board of the International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution; member of the Board of Trustees of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators; vice chair of the European General Counsel’s Association; solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales; fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators; Chartered Arbitrator; Accredited Mediator – ADR Chambers.
Education
Downing College, Cambridge University (BA law); Nottingham Trent University (MBA).
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The Chambers are very proactive and manager their barristers well.'
- '39 Essex Chambers is one of my go-to sets of chambers for construction and arbitration work.'
- 'They are a strong set with an excellent reputation.'
- 'The clerks are a pleasure to deal with. Professional and approachable.'