Twenty Essex is praised as a ‘top player across commercial arbitration’ and are highly regarded for their expertise in maritime, trade and international public law matters. Both silks and juniors alike are highly experienced appearing in arbitrations under all major institutions, including, but not limited to ICC, SIAC, UNCITRAL and LMAA. Members of the set additionally have a strong track record acting on both sides of investor state disputes, recently Lord Verdirame KC and Philip Riches KC led Jonathan Ketcheson, Kate Parlett and Sam Goodman in the long-running Diag Human v Czech Republic, in which the team continues to represent Diag Human and Josef Strava in the commercial court addressing various challenges against the high value award issued in 2008. Angharad Parry KC was made silk in 2025 and has a strong track record in arbitrations concerning jurisdictional issues. The set is well-connected in Asia, with a Singapore office; Nakul Dewan KC added English and Welsh silk to his prior Indian senior advocate designation in 2025.
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Profile
Work Department
Arbitration; Commodities and international trade; Energy and infrastructure; Public international law
Position
Kate specialises in public international law and international arbitration. Her practice covers the full range of public international law including land and maritime boundaries, law of the sea, state responsibility, treaty obligations, immunities, the use of force, international humanitarian law, international trade law, human rights, environmental law and sanctions. She also represents states and investors in investment treaty arbitrations, including under the ICSID and UNCITRAL rules.
Kate has extensive experience as an advocate before international tribunals and domestic courts. Kate has been instructed and appeared before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in disputes concerning land and maritime boundaries, transboundary environmental harm, and treaty and other international obligations. She has also been instructed in several cases before the European Court of Human Rights. She has recently appeared before the English courts in numerous leading cases involving diplomatic immunity, head of government immunity, and Foreign Act of State.
She also sits as arbitrator in international commercial disputes across a range of sectors and institutional rules. Kate holds Australian nationality only.
Kate is recommended as a leading junior for public international law in the legal directories. She has been most recently described as having a ‘first rate intellect, very well-organised mind, very diligent and able to get on with whatever the task – including complex factual and expert issues.’
Kate has taught public international law, international investment and commercial arbitration, and international human rights law at the universities of Cambridge, Paris-II (Panthéon-Assas), Queen Mary (University of London), Queen’s University (Canada), Queensland and at the Graduate Institute in Geneva.
Languages
French (conversational)
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Arron Zitver is responsive and approachable.'
- 'Jack Leppington has been very helpful, always responsive and on top of the issues we raise with him. Pleasant to deal with.'
- 'Good clerking across the clerks room, led by the excellent Chris Theobald.'
- 'The clerks at Twenty Essex have been a pleasure to deal with over the years. They’re straightforward, reliable, and always quick to respond—no fuss, just very capable. They understand how to make things work, especially when timelines are tight or arrangements are complex. That kind of support behind the scenes really matters, and they get it right.'
- 'The service from the clerks’ room has been exemplary. The clerks are highly professional and possess an in-depth understanding of the barristers’ capabilities. They always anticipate our needs, ensuring that all administrative aspects of our instructions are handled efficiently, from scheduling conferences to coordinating document exchanges.'
- 'Twenty Essex has broadened out its offering and is now a top player across commercial arbitration and commercial Chancery work.'
- 'They have one of the strongest sets for international arbitration, with very capable barristers at all levels.'
- 'There’s a real depth of talent across the chambers, but what stands out is how practical and grounded their advice is. They’re not just technically strong—they bring a strategic mindset and are clearly used to handling complex, high-stakes matters. Working with them feels like a genuine partnership, and their barristers are responsive, thoughtful, and always well-prepared.'