‘A top set with excellent practitioners both senior and junior’, members of 3 Verulam Buildings integrate expertise in international commercial law and treaty arbitration to lead on international law matters concerning the obligations of states, international organizations, and corporations. Prominent individuals lead in English and international courts alike; Christopher Harris KC, ’undoubtedly one of the leading silks at the bar in this area’, led when acting for the claimant in Zhongshan Fucheng v Nigeria, which concerned the interplay between states’ rights to immunity under international law and English procedural laws. Leading juniors include international treaty arbitration specialist Cameron Miles, who has ongoing involvement in proceedings for Pakistan concerning the Indus Water Treaty; and the ‘highly practical and commercially attuned’ Mark Wassouf who continues to act as lead junior counsel for the Russian Federation in the Court of Appeal concerning its defence of attempts to enforce the arbitral award against it concerning the expropriation of Yukos.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'James Kelly is excellent, his presence means that the relationship with the barristers runs very smoothly. He is a problem solver. Stuart Pullum is very experienced, knows the market inside out and there is no question or problem he cannot solve.'
- 'The clerks are very professional, responsive and solutions oriented. Stuart Pullum is very experienced, he understands his barristers and the potential clients' needs and is able to find the perfect match, perfect solutions.
- 'The service provided by the clerks’ room is consistently excellent—efficient, responsive, and always accommodating, even under tight timelines. The clerks demonstrate a deep understanding of the needs of instructing solicitors and funders alike. '
- 'The clerks’ room at 3 Verulam Buildings provides a reliable and efficient service, with clear communication throughout. Joe Brown, in particular, is helpful and he handles queries promptly.'
- 'The set clearly fosters a culture of excellence, collaboration, and intellectual rigour. There is a genuine sense of cohesion among its members, which enhances the quality of advocacy and advice provided across the board. The breadth of talent, combined with a strong emphasis on mentorship and continuous development, ensures that clients benefit from consistently high standards at every level. This collective ethos, along with the set’s readiness to engage with complex and often novel issues, makes it a standout destination for high stakes legal work.'
- 'The chambers enjoys an outstanding reputation in public international law. It has a deep bench of practitioners who are frequently instructed in some of the most challenging and high-profile matters globally. The clerks are knowledgeable, efficient, and a pleasure to work with, ensuring that instructions are managed promptly and with care.'
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.
Christopher Harris KC
‘Chris comes across as very mature and very bright in court. His judgement is very good. He is an excellent drafter.’
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.
Cameron Miles
‘Cameron is a formidable opponent. His written advocacy is extremely persuasive. He comes up with game-changing arguments which are meticulously researched. He has a deep knowledge of international law in all its forms and is experienced in the many fora in which it arises.’
Can Yeginsu
'What sets Can apart in this field is his ability to fuse scholarly depth with practical litigation instincts. His strategic insight is of the highest order, allowing him to anticipate procedural complexities and position arguments to maximum effect. His advocacy is measured, authoritative, and compelling, and he has a unique ability to engage with both legal and policy dimensions of a case. His presence in a matter lends confidence and credibility to the entire legal team.'
Calum Mulderrig
'A young international lawyer who is rapidly coming into his own.'
Mark Wassouf
'Very straight-thinking combined with deep knowledge of every aspect of arbitration-related English court proceedings. Willing to work as part of a team and roll his sleeves up when necessary. Simply excellent.'
Ian McDonald
'He is careful and responsive, remains calm at all times. He has good communication skills and he was knowledgeable of the facts of the case and the legal aspects.'