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Position
Patrick has a broad commercial practice in line with Chambers’ profile, with a particular focus on international trade, civil fraud/asset recovery, insurance, company/insolvency and shipping disputes. Patrick also has a particular interest in and experience of cases raising issues of private international law, and has published in this field: [2021] LMCLQ 27. His advocacy was recently described by Henshaw J as “clear and cogent…, both in writing and at the oral hearing”.
He has substantial experience of complex litigation in the High Court, and of international arbitration under LCIA, ICC, UNCITRAL, and LMAA Rules, both as sole counsel and as part of a team. Recent highlights as sole counsel include appearing, against a silk, for the appellants in an appeal under s.69 of the Arbitration Act 1996 (Fastfreight v Bulk Trident [2023] EWHC 105 (Comm)), and appearing for the successful defendant in a 4-day High Court trial involving multiple factual and expert witnesses (Arnold v Halcyon Yachts [2022] EWHC 2858 (Admlty)).
Recent highlights of led work included being led by Julian Kenny KC for the buyers in a dispute concerning the sale of a c.US$40million superyacht, being led by Charles Kimmins QC and Sean Snook in the Court of Appeal in the important case Potter v Canada Square Operations Ltd [2021] EWCA Civ 339, and being led by David Lewis QC in an eight-figure shareholder dispute before the Courts of Gibraltar, arising out of the merger of two of the world’s largest online gambling companies.”
Patrick read law at the University of Oxford, graduating with a first class degree and ranked first in the university in contract law. He also studied for the BCL, taking papers in restitution of unjust enrichment, conflict of laws, commercial remedies and corporate insolvency.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The clerks are consistently practical, approachable, and highly responsive. I work most often with Chris Theobald and Arron Zitver, both of whom are a genuine pleasure to deal with.'
- 'Historically, this set has produced very good pupils and juniors.'
- 'Twenty Essex are strong chambers when it comes to dry shipping litigation, and one of our preferred sets for this type of work.'
- '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.'
- 'The clerks turn around requests very quickly.'
- 'Twenty Essex is an excellent set.'
- 'Very user-friendly. Very strong barristers.'
- "One of the leading shipping sets."