3 Verulam Buildings

3 Verulam Buildings handles a myriad of substantial commercial and investment treaty arbitrations that span all major sectors and are seated in arbitration centres across the globe, including the LCIA, HKIAC and the DIAC, to name a few. Members of the set have a particularly strong track record in complex and highly contentious investment treaty disputes, acting on behalf of both investors and states. Fielding extensive experience in multinational litigation and arbitration. Christopher Harris KC leads Dominic Kennelly and Catherine Drummond for the claimants in Border Timbers and another v Zimbabwe in relation to the registration and enforcement of an ICSID award against the southern African state following the country’s seizure of timber-producing land as part of its government’s campaign of land transfers. Georges Chalfoun, Mark Wassouf, Can Yeginsu and Cameron Miles are also highly experienced in investment treaty disputes and the related enforcement proceedings. Timothy Killen joined the team in October 2025.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

'Clerks room is great– always had a good experience with 3VB clerks. Harry Freeman is particularly excellent. Very accommodating and has a very good grasp of what clients need.'
'The clerks’ room at 3 Verulam Buildings provides a reliable and efficient service, with clear communication throughout. Harry Freeman, in particular, is helpful and he handles queries promptly.'
'Stuart Pullum is very accommodating.'
'The junior clerks have been quick and responsive. They were able to get solid information from the court ahead of time, and have an inside line to all things listing, judges and courts.'
'3VB has an impressive depth of bench in this area with most members being highly proficient and visible in this area.'
'3VB is an excellent set. Good selection of Counsel at all levels, with first rate reputations. Set has a genuine focus on equity, with Counsel from diverse backgrounds which brings depth to the practice.'

Lawyers

Leading Silks

KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.

Ali Malek KC

'Ali remains a true powerhouse in international arbitration, combining formidable advocacy skills and an uncanny ability to read the tribunal, with cohesive and engaging teamwork and leading from the front in all respects. A true master of the field.'

Ewan McQuater KC

Hugely experienced, towering presence in international arbitration.'

Jonathan Nash KC

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Tom Montagu-Smith KC

Tom has an exceptional legal mind and is able to handle the most complex cases.'

Nicholas Craig KC

'Nick is a very good advocate and is able to read the room well and adapt his advocacy depending on the judge and case in hand.'

David Quest KC

'David has an exceptional legal brain, and is a stand-out barristers.'

2024 Silks

Jane Davies Evans KC

Leading Juniors

Leading juniors are those with significant experience of key cases, strong market recognition from both peers and clients, and are seen as future candidates for silk.

Georges Chalfoun

'Superb barrister, far beyond his call, enormous capacity for factual analysis, a pleasure to work with.'

Can Yeğinsu

'Can has the gravitas and erudition of a KC. He is also clever, charming and a pleasure to work with.'

Timothy Killen

‘Tim has a very calm assured manner. He is experienced at handling witnesses and exudes authority.’

Mark Wassouf

‘Always calm under pressure with excellent draftsmanship, Mark is convincing and authoritative before tribunals, exercises superb judgement, and is a rising star in international arbitration—equally adept in commercial and investment treaty arbitrations.’

Yash Bheeroo

'Yash has an excellent legal mind and knows English law inside and out. He is an excellent advocate, both orally and in writing. At the same time, he is commercially minded and an excellent strategist. He is also a great colleague and really user friendly.'

Catherine Drummond

‘Cat is absolutely superb. You would not know she was of such junior level given her excellent written work, communication and technical skills.’

Judy Fu

Kate Holderness

'Kate is a really impressive senior junior who is all over the detail of a case and produces excellent written work. Also a very strong advocate.'

Ravi Jackson

Ravi is an incredibly capable junior. His drafting skills are excellent and for someone of his call he has impressive intuition. In addition Ravi is extremely diligent and a pleasure to work with.'

Dominic Kennelly

'Dominic is a standout choice as a junior in complex international arbitrations, where his diligent and effective casework is always a case-changing contribution.'

Liisa Lahti

'Liisa is one of the greats. Mind-bogglingly brilliant but also a tremendous team player and all round super person to have on your team. She has a calm, confident and assured advocacy style.'

Ian McDonald

'Ian is an absolute star. He's extremely clever and diligent, as well as being an all-round nice guy.'

Cameron Miles

'Cameron is insightful and a very good lawyer. He is particularly good at finding coherent and clever ways to put a client's interests first. A good strategic thinker, he is also an excellent sounding board.'

Miriam Schmelzer

‘Miriam is an outstanding senior junior. She is smart, forensic and hardworking. She is approachable at all times, responsive and lovely to work with.’

Matthew Watson

‘Matthew is a sharp legal mind, with an impressive ability to master the detail. His written advocacy is consistently brilliant, without exception, and he provides excellent strategic insight. Matthew is user-friendly, exceptionally hardworking and a pleasure to instruct.’

Rebecca Zaman

'Rebecca made submissions on quantum and remoteness - very clear and effective; very nimble in response to tribunal questions. Excellent focus on the points that really mattered. Excellent drafting skills - clear, comprehensive, directional, powerful. All round, excellent barrister.'

Rising stars

Rising stars at the Bar are defined as barristers between four and eight years’ call who are seen as up-and-coming members of the Bar in their respective practice areas by clients and peers alike. They will already be instructed in high-profile, complex, and high-value contentious and non-contentious matters, working with and opposite more experienced leading counsel.