Professional practice
Jeremy is a leading barrister specialising in complex commercial litigation, including all aspects of international arbitration, banking and funds, insurance and commercial fraud. He is a powerful and experienced advocate and he is recognised by all the leading legal directories, as follows:
“a first-rate brain… other barristers should be very scared when they come up against him because they will be outfoxed”.
“an excellent advocate, calm and unflappable”
“a powerful advocate with a dogged determination in arguing his case”
“a real arbitration specialist”
“an ability to deliver results that has won him many fans”.
“brilliant”, “excellent”
and “coming up with the most creative and commercial solutions to really knotty problems, and delivers outstanding pieces of work… He is also incredibly nice, friendly and funny.”
In 2023, Jeremy is acting in numerous high-profile commercial disputes, including for the Republic of Mozambique in Commercial Court proceedings against Credit Suisse, VTB Privinvest (and others) concerning $2bn-worth of sovereign guarantees; for a major US-based timberland company in a $300m insurance dispute with the London market; and for a well-known international investor in a multi-million pound dispute over family assets.
In recent years, Jeremy acted for Arch in the Supreme Court for the leading case of Financial Conduct Authority v Arch test case (2020) on losses resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2022, he appeared as sole counsel in numerous cases including WSB v FOL (2022) concerning sections 67-69 Arbitration Act 1996 and a complex international arbitration concerning a tower of excess liability insurance. In 2021, Jeremy also appeared as sole counsel in a lengthy commercial fraud case, SFO v Litigation Capital and Others (2021), as well as in numerous heavy Freezing Injunctions in respect of complex international frauds.
Jeremy has been sitting as a Recorder since 2018 (Crime / Chancery). He is also a frequent broadcaster on radio and TV about key issues in the law and was formerly an adjunct Professor at Pepperdine University, California.
Jeremy sits as an arbitrator and takes appointments through Arbitrators at 24 Lincoln’s Inn Fields. Should you wish to make an enquiry, please visit their website by clicking here.
- What others say
Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2024, Commercial Dispute Resolution:
“Jeremy is incredibly sharp-witted, very charming and very easy to work with. He is always a great team player.”
“A pleasure to work with, he’s pragmatic and on top of the detail.”
“Jeremy Brier always provides conclusive advice and is very responsive.”
Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2024, Shipping & Commodities:
“Jeremy is very easy to work with, a great team player and a strong leader.”
Legal 500 UK Bar 2024, Commercial Litigation:
‘Jeremy is astute and quickly gets to grips with the key issues in a case. He is a compelling advocate and has a pragmatic, commercial approach that impresses clients. Jeremy is extremely good to work with, he engages with the detail, provides clear advice, and does it with a great deal of good humour.’
Legal 500 UK Bar 2024, Insurance:
‘Jeremy’s written submissions are always well argued and make complex material easy to follow. A pleasure to work with and a real team player.’
Legal 500 UK Bar 2024, Shipping:
‘Enthusiasm, responsiveness, team work – all good!’
Legal 500 UK Bar 2022, Commercial Litigation:
“A very powerful advocate with a dogged determination in arguing his case, both in written and oral advocacy.”
Legal 500 UK Bar 2022, Insurance:
“A brilliant advocate and an excellent drafter.”
Legal 500 UK Bar 2022, Shipping:
“An excellent advocate, calm and unflappable in hearings. Very clear advice given. Strongly recommended”
Legal 500 UK Bar 2021, Shipping:
“Has a wealth of experience.“
Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2021, Commercial Dispute Resolution:
“He is articulate, hard-working, affable and someone with a first-rate brain. Other barristers should be very scared when they come up against him as they will be outfoxed.”
Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2021, Shipping & Commodities:
“A safe pair of hands.”
Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2017, Commercial Dispute Resolution:
“Well regarded for his multi-jurisdictional practice and particularly good on shipping matters. His ability to manage client expectations and deliver results has won him many fans in the market.”
Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2017, Shipping & Commodities:
“He is very pleasant and provides a good sounding board for ideas.”
Legal 500 2016, Shipping:
“Extremely bright.”
Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2016, Commercial Dispute Resolution:
“Very personable and polished in his approach. He has the makings of a top silk.”
Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2016 , Shipping & Commodities:
“A very good advocate who does well with difficult cases. He spots the points others can’t.”
Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2015, Commercial:
“A junior with a strong commercial practice who often appears in cases unled. He handles high-profile, complex cases, including arbitrations, and regularly appears in shipping, technology and contractual disputes.”
Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2015, Commercial:
“Drafts very well indeed.”
Legal 500 UK Bar 2014, Shipping:
“Excellent work ethic and very able.”
Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2014, Commercial:
“He is very clever and very bright, and he drafts very well.”
“Noted for having a broad commercial practice that includes areas such as commercial fraud and marine law.”
Legal 500 2013, Shipping:
“A standout junior … highly intelligent.”
Chambers & Partners 2013, Commercial:
“Has a broad-ranging practice with an emphasis on commercial shipping disputes.”
Legal 500 2012, Shipping:
“Quick-thinking with the ability to formulate unique arguments.”
Legal Week 2008, Top Ten Future Stars of the Bar:
“A genuine class act in the making.”
- Examples of recent work
- WSP v FOL (2022) concerning section 67, s.68 and s.69 Arbitration Act 1996
- Acting for the insured in an arbitration concerning a $300m “insurance tower” (2022)
- Representing a family in a dispute concerning ownership of a painting, constructive trusts and sales contracts (2022)
- SFO v Litigation Capital and others (2021): Leading case on equitable principles and fraud
- Financial Authority v Arch (2020): Leading Supreme Court case on business interruption insurance
- Acting for a billionaire investor in a quant funds dispute (2020)
- Freezing orders and search order return dates in respect of a major international fraud concerning European banks (2020, 2021)
- Acting for shipowners in a lengthy marine insurance / fraud dispute (2019)
- Golden Belt v BNP Paribas (2019): concerning duty of care of banks
- Arbitration & related court applications
- Acting in a series of arbitrations for a policyholder in Washington State concerning $300m claims on a tower of excess liability insurance (2019 – present)
- WSB v FOL (2022): a hearing in relation to the correct application of sections 66-68 of the Arbitration Act 1996 in the context of a successful JAMS arbitration, acting for a borrower against a lender which failed to release funds under a drawdown facility following payment of the collateral
- Acted as sole counsel in a $15m ICC arbitration concerning the sale of satellite equipment to Libya (2021-2022)
- Acted as sole counsel in an LCIA arbitration concerning a multi-million dollar failed joint venture between a leading manufacturer of luxury watches and a yacht builder (2020-2021)
- Acted as sole counsel in a dispute between a billionaire superyacht buyer in a successful LMAA arbitration against shipowners (2020).
- Acted as sole counsel in a 3-day arbitration concerning ownership of an aeroplane (2016)
- Numerous other reported cases when led as a junior including: A v B (2015) with Ricky Diwan QC concerning the construction of an arbitration agreement; and Y v S (2015) also with Ricky Diwan KC concerning enforcement under s.66.
- Banking & financial services
- Acted as sole counsel in a JAMS arbitration concerning the failure to release funds under a drawdown facility following payment of the collateral (2021)
- Advising and acting for a major London-based private equity fund in a dispute with a provider of educational establishments with Joe Smouha KC (2021)
- Acting for company owned by an Asian investor in Commercial Court claim worth at least $30m against an artificial intelligence fund with Joe Smouha KC (2021-2022)
- Acted in a leading case concerning the duty of care of banks, the Golden Belt litigation, also concerning Islamic financing and the placement of a Sukuk with Nigel Tozzi KC in the Commercial Court and the Court of Appeal (2017-2019)
- Numerous other cases as a junior covering all aspects of work with private equity, hedge funds, investment disputes and duties of care.
- Civil fraud & asset recovery
- SFO v Litigation Capital Partners (2021): Acted as sole counsel in this long-running Commercial Court case concerning asset recovery and tracing
- Acted as sole counsel for a former banker accused of an $100m+ fraud, requiring appearances at a heavy return for a freezing order; and a heavy return date for a search order (both 2021)
- Obtained multi-million dollar freezing orders in respect of a leading Russian oligarch’s assets (2020)
- Bonita v Daelim (2019): Sole counsel in complex injunctive proceedings to seek to protect funds alleged to be due to different parties under different international agreements
- Numerous other freezing order matters and related injunctions, in all manner of contexts including banking and shipping disputes.
- Commercial dispute resolution
- SFO v Litigation Capital Partners (2021): Acted as sole counsel in this long-running Commercial Court case concerning asset recovery and tracing which set out guidance on key equitable principles
- Acted as sole counsel in a trial brought by BVI-company in relation to the ownership of a Damien Hirst Painting (2021)
- Acting for a pop star in relation to a copyright dispute with another pop star (2021)
- Advising and acting for a major London-based private equity fund in a dispute with a provider of educational establishments, with Joe Smouha KC (2021)
- Advising a former Page 3 model concerning restitutionary rights against a newspaper (2020)
- Acted for a leading bathroom and kitchen company in relation to a restrictive covenant dispute against a former director (2020)
- Other reported cases of note include: Eurobank v Kalliroi a case arising out of the 2008 banking crash with Richard Millett KC; and Lobo v Corich a case concerning service in the context of building adjudications with Jeffrey Gruder KC.
- Conflict of laws & private international law
- AIG Europe v Wood Group (2021): Anti-suit injunction hearing concerning the construction of various insurance policies
- A Commercial Court hearing concerning service out in enforcement proceedings on the State of Libya (2021) following a successful $15m victory in an arbitration
- Anti-suit injunctions in the Weyerhaeuser litigation concerning towers of insurance (2018, 2019)
- Numerous other anti-suit injunctions, arbitral jurisdiction hearings and other aspects of conflict of laws.
- Insurance & reinsurance
- AIG Europe v Wood Group (2021): Anti-suit injunction hearing concerning the construction of various insurance policies
- Financial Conduct Authority v Arch (2021): Supreme Court case concerning Covid-19 payments to small and medium sized business by reason of business interruption during the pandemic. Jeremy acted at the Supreme Court hearing for Arch, with John Lockey QC, and at the Divisional Court hearing (2020).
- Acting in a series of arbitrations for a policyholder in Washington State concerning $300m claims on a tower of excess liability insurance (2021 – )
- Acted as sole counsel for a travel agency in relation to insurance losses following Covid-19 (2021);
- Acted as sole counsel for a reinsurer in relation to aggregated losses from the closure of music venues following Covid-19 (2021).
- Numerous other cases for insurers and policyholders in arbitration and the Commercial Court, both led and unled.
- Shipping & admiralty
- Acted as leading counsel for charterers in a case concerning whether owners have an obligation to deliver despite alleged war risks and sanctions in the Baltic region (2021)
- Acted as leading counsel for a Greek shipowner in relation to multi-million dollar claims brought against him by related entities (2021)
- Acted as sole counsel for a billionaire superyacht buyer in a successful LMAA arbitration against shipowners (2020).
- Sonact v Premuda Spa (2018): a case concerning the true construction of a settlement agreement in a charterparty
- Acted as junior counsel to Steven Berry KC for shipowners in a marine insurance / scuttling dispute (2017)
- Acting as junior counsel to Mark Templeman KC for shipowners in The Irene Em an important marine insurance case concerning perils of the sea (2013)
- Numerous LMAA arbitrations and other shipping matters since 2005.
- Career
2018: Appointed Recorder
2004 Call: Middle Temple
Jeremy has previously been a lecturer in EU law (Pepperdine University, 2004-2008) and is a former winner of the most prestigious debating tournament in the World: the World Debating Championships (2004).
- Education
2005 The Academy of American and International Law at The Center For American and International Law, Texas, USA
2004 BVC, ICSL – Very Competent
2003 Diploma in Law, City University – Distinction
2002 BA, Christ’s College, University of Cambridge –Double First Class Honours
- Awards
2004 Queen Mother Scholar of Middle Temple
2003 Queen Mother Scholar of Middle Temple
2002 Scholar’s Award, Christ’s College
