Twenty Essex is described as “very user-friendly,” particularly in commercial shipping matters, where its barristers frequently act in high-profile international disputes. A standout case is Angeliki Frangou v John Frangos, where Timothy Hill KC and Andrew Feld are acting against Oliver Caplin KC, who leads Patrick Dunn-Walsh in a dispute between two members of a Greek shipping dynasty concerning loss-pooling arrangements among a group of vessels. In Briety Shipping Inc v Trafigura Maritime Logistics Pte Ltd, a dispute concerning a hire adjustment mechanism after the spike of LNG prices after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Michael Ashcroft KC and Daniel Bovensiepen act for the claimant, opposing Philip Edey KC and Michal Hain. Julian Kenny KC and Hain also appeared in the Supreme Court in the litigation concerning the MSC Flaminia, a container ship which exploded in the mid-Atlantic, killing three crew members and causing extensive damage to the vessel and its cargo.
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Profile
Work Department
Arbitration and mediation; Banking and finance; Civil fraud; Commercial law; Energy and natural resources; Private international law; Shipping
Position
Philip is co-Head of Chambers. He is a specialist lead advocate whose practice focuses on commercial disputes both in court and arbitration.
He is ranked in the leading directories for civil fraud, commercial dispute resolution, banking and finance, international arbitration, insurance, shipping, and commodities. He has considerable experience in relation to freezing injunctions. Philip is also particularly noted for his cross-examination skills.
Philip’s current cases include acting for a prominent high-net-worth individual in relation to fraud claims for around US$500 million brought against him and others by two banks; and for Dechert and the individual defendants sued by two prisoners in Ras Al Khaimah who allege that the defendants are responsible for their alleged mistreatment. He also recently acted for certain policyholders in the test case brought by the FCA against insurers who denied that their business interruption cover protected the policyholders against the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Most of Philip’s work has a strong international element, with his clients coming from all around the world. The cases on which he is instructed often raise complex jurisdictional and conflict of laws issues, including the interplay between proceedings in court and arbitration.
He has acted as lead counsel before the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court of England and Wales, as well as in many arbitrations seated both in England and overseas. Philip also accepts appointments as arbitrator.
Languages
French.
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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."