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; Civil fraud; Commercial law; Energy and natural resources; Insurance and reinsurance; Private international law; Shipping
Position
Timothy specialises in international commercial litigation and arbitration. He has considerable expertise in very high value and complex cases and also urgent disputes involving swift interim relief.
He is well known for his ability to quickly master complicated and technical cases. Timothy has considerable experience of conducting heavy and lengthy trials and arbitrations, and of working closely with large teams of junior counsel, solicitors and experts. He is well known for his formidable skills in cross-examination and appearances in the appellant courts.
Timothy works across all sectors but he has particular experience in energy and natural resources, insurance, construction and engineering, international trade, commodities, transportation, shipping and aviation. Other commercial litigation which he regularly undertakes includes: joint ventures and shareholders’ agreements, distribution agreements, commercial agents, banking and finance with particular expertise of the ISDA Master Agreement and trade credit insurance, enforcement of guarantees, civil fraud and sanctions. Recently, he has been involved in disputes concerning the construction of aircraft, ships and onshore/offshore oil and gas facilities and has a close grasp of the technical issues that arise in these disputes.
He sits as a commercial arbitrator, both pursuant to bespoke terms and under the auspices of institutions such as the LCIA, ICC and others. Timothy is also a Centre for Dispute Resolution (CEDR) accredited mediator.
Timothy regularly gives evidence on English law in foreign proceedings and arbitrations.
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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."