Adam Woolnough

Professional practice

Adam Woolnough has an established practice and extensive trial experience in substantial commercial litigation and arbitration disputes.

He has acted in arbitrations before many of the major arbitral institutions and is frequently involved in arbitrations conducted pursuant to LCIA and LMAA Rules, as well as ad hoc arbitrations. He has acted in complex disputes across all tiers of the English Courts, including the Business and Property Courts, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

Adam has recently been heavily involved in a major LCIA arbitration, described by the Financial Times in 2025 as “one of the most acrimonious, and potentially lucrative, legal battles of the past decade.”

His practice covers all types of commercial disputes, with considerable experience in shareholder disputes and share purchase agreements, energy, mining & natural resources, arbitrations & related proceedings, complex valuation exercises, shipping & sanctions, aviation, anti-suit injunctions, investment / asset management, banking & finance and civil fraud. Adam frequently works on cases with a foreign applicable law, as well as cases raising jurisdictional issues

Examples of recent cases

Examples of cases which are typical of Adam’s practice include acting as:

Junior counsel (to Joe Smouha KC and Siddharth Dhar KC) in a major LCIA arbitration regarding a valuation mechanism in an option agreement, including issues about the scope of expert determination and detailed valuation of interests in landmark London hotels.
Junior counsel (to Siddharth Dhar KC) advising in respect of the contractual arrangements between an airline and engine manufacturer.
Junior counsel (to Joe Smouha KC and James Sheehan KC) in an LCIA arbitration regarding hotel management agreements and involving claims for an account, liens and set-off.
Junior counsel (to Nigel Eaton KC) in a successful appeal to the Supreme Court (following a section 69 challenge in the Commercial Court and an appeal in the Court of Appeal) regarding the reasonable endeavours provision in a force majeure clause: [2024] UKSC 18; [2024] 2 WLR 1350.
Junior counsel (to Nigel Eaton KC) in an LMAA arbitration for breach of charterparty.
Junior counsel (to Graham Dunning KC) in four related LMAA arbitrations under contracts of affreightment giving rise to claims for c.US$100 million, raising issues of, inter alia, rectification and illegality.
Sole and junior counsel (to David Scorey KC) in multiple cases in the Commercial Court advising on and obtaining anti-suit injunctions in support of English law and jurisdiction clauses.
Junior counsel (to Graham Dunning KC) in a substantial LCIA arbitration for a national oil company regarding a decennial liability claim against a major industrial conglomerate for c. $130+ million in respect of a defective oil pipeline.
Junior counsel (to Steven Berry KC) in a successful defence and counterclaim of a c. US$100 million arbitration claim arising out of a sanctions clause in long-term bareboat charterparties for VLCCs.
Sole counsel for the defendant obtaining reverse summary judgment in relation to a claim for consideration under a share sale and purchase agreement.
Junior counsel (to Steven Berry KC) in a successful defence of s.68 and s.69 challenges in relation to case management decisions and res judicata.
Sole and junior counsel (to Steven Berry KC) in a successful defence / claim as the middle party in an LMAA charterparty claim regarding dangerous cargo (liquefaction), including the scope of demurrage following the Eternal Bliss.
Sole counsel advising on the legitimacy of a COVID Bounce Back loan application.
Junior counsel (to James Willian KC) in the five-day hearing in the Chancery Division of a jurisdictional challenge in Bourlakova v Bourlakov [2022] 4 W.L.R. 79.
Junior counsel (to Philippa Hopkins KC) in an LCIA arbitration regarding a range of hedge fund management issues, an unfair prejudice petition and a valuation of a substantial hedge fund.
Junior counsel (to Paul Key KC) in a two-week LCIA arbitration arising out of a share sale and purchase agreement in a phosphate mining company (and related s.68 proceedings), including a detailed valuation of the mining company.
Sole and junior counsel (to Steven Berry KC) in a successful one-week arbitration for bareboat charter hire and OPEX of a detained vessel, including related s.68 and 69 proceedings.
Sole counsel for BP Plc in a successful application to set aside an order made pursuant to a letter of request.
Junior counsel (to Nigel Eaton KC) in a one-week arbitration relating to the application of US sanctions to a COA.
Junior counsel (to Jern-Fei Ng KC) in a series of LMAA arbitrations arising out of the sale and purchase of jack-up drilling rigs, which included the successful defence of a s.67 challenge in the Commercial Court.
Junior counsel (to Sam Wordsworth KC and Siddharth Dhar) in an UNCITRAL investor state dispute relating to an alumina mining and refinery project, including a detailed valuation of the potential mining project.
Junior counsel (to Joe Smouha KC and Jeremy Brier KC) in a dispute in the Commercial Court involving investment management services and artificial intelligence / quantitative trading.
Junior counsel (to Daniel Oudkerk KC) for Henderson asset management in a one day appeal to the Court of Appeal, following a two week Chancery Division trial relating to the transfer of a sub-fund within an OEIC via a Scheme of Arrangement and other employment issues arising from the deferral and forfeiture of remuneration, with claims and counterclaims amounting to c.£40 million: [2019] EWCA Civ 158.
Junior counsel (to Richard Millett KC) in a six day valuation hearing in the Chancery Division relating to assets found to have been held on constructive trust by a defaulting fiduciary following a liability hearing and an enquiry into the fiduciary’s account and obtaining permission to appeal from the Court of Appeal.
Sole counsel advising on a commission agreement relating to the sale and purchase of a super-yacht.
Junior counsel (to Graham Dunning KC and Jern-Fei Ng KC) in the interlocutory disputes of a US$87 million claim for breach of fiduciary duty, dishonest assistance, unlawful means conspiracy and knowing receipt: [2019] 1 WLR 82.
Junior counsel (to David Scorey KC) in a three week First-Tier Tribunal (Tax) trial relating to an alleged £9 million tax fraud: [2018] S.T.I. 2366.
Junior counsel for the Claimant successfully obtaining a freezing injunction relating to assets held in a Cayman STAR Trust.
Junior counsel (to Vernon Flynn KC) in a one week Commercial Court trial. A US$20 million dispute regarding financing arrangements in the oil industry and a claim for rectification: [2018] EWHC 1580 (Comm).
Junior counsel (to Steven Berry KC) in an arbitration regarding delay under a superyacht construction contract.
Sole counsel for the respondent to an application for an injunction to prevent the presentation of a winding up petition in the Companies Court.
Sole counsel in a section 67 jurisdiction challenge in the Commercial Court arising out of an arbitration regarding disputed demurrage payments [2018] EWHC 1370 (Comm).
Sole counsel for the Claimant in a QBD matter concerning allegations of procurement of a breach of contract and conversion.
Junior counsel (to Andrew Twigger KC and Anna Dilnot KC) for the defendants in a thirteen week civil fraud trial in the Commercial Court worth over US$400 million: [2017] EWHC 3374 (Comm); [2017] EWHC 1116 (Comm); [2017] 1 W.L.R. 467.
Sole counsel for the claimant in a Chancery Division claim arising out of an agreement governed by German law relating to share options.
Junior counsel (to Graham Dunning KC) in a Commercial Court matter relating to guarantees worth over US$300 million connection with a major construction project.
Junior counsel (to Vernon Flynn KC) in an ICC arbitration relating to a real estate development in Dubai.
Junior counsel (to Sam Wordsworth KC) for the respondent State in an ad hoc international commercial arbitration.

What Others Say

Legal 500: International arbitration: counsel: Leading Junior Band 3:

“Adam is ferociously hard working and commits absolutely to a case; he is meticulous and detail oriented and he has an easy manner. He stands head and shoulders above contemporaries.”

Legal 500: Shipping: Leading Junior Band 3:

“Good to work with, responsive and thorough”

“Very high quality junior and pleasant to work with.”

“Promising junior and pleasant to work with”.

Arbitration (including arbitration related issues)

Adam has extensive experience in arbitration and related court applications.

He has advised and acted either as sole or junior counsel in high value, complex, arbitrations conducted in London and abroad. He has appeared in matters conducted under many of the major institutional rules (including, LCIA, ICC, SIAC, LMAA and UNCITRAL Rules), and most frequently appears in matters conducted under the LCIA or LMAA Rules in addition to ad hoc arbitrations.

He is frequently engaged to act in arbitration related claims in the Commercial Court, including substantial s.67 and s.68 challenges and s.69 appeals.

Examples of Adam’s experience in this area include:

Junior counsel (to Joe Smouha KC and Siddharth Dhar KC) in a major LCIA arbitration regarding a valuation mechanism in an option agreement, including issues about the scope of expert determination and detailed valuation of interests in landmark London hotels;
Junior counsel (to Siddharth Dhar KC) advising in respect of the contractual arrangements between an airline and engine manufacturer;
Junior counsel (to Joe Smouha KC and James Sheehan KC) in an LCIA arbitration regarding hotel management agreements and involving claims for an account, liens and set-off;
Junior counsel (to Graham Dunning KC) in four related LMAA arbitrations under contracts of affreightment giving rise to claims for c.US$100 million, raising issues of, inter alia, rectification and illegality;
Junior counsel (to Nigel Eaton KC) in a successful appeal to the Supreme Court (following a section 69 challenge in the Commercial Court and an appeal in the Court of Appeal) regarding the reasonable endeavours provision in a force majeure clause: [2024] UKSC 18; [2024] 2 WLR 1350;
Junior counsel (to Graham Dunning KC) in a substantial LCIA arbitration for a national oil company regarding a decennial liability claim against a major industrial conglomerate for c. $130+ million in respect of a defective oil pipeline;
Junior counsel (to Steven Berry KC) in a successful defence and counterclaim of a c. US$100 million arbitration claim arising out of a sanctions clause in long-term bareboat charterparties for VLCCs;
Junior counsel (to Steven Berry KC) in a successful defence of s.68 and s.69 challenges in relation to case management decisions and res judicata;
Sole and junior counsel (to Steven Berry KC) in a successful defence / claim as the middle party in an LMAA charterparty claim regarding dangerous cargo (liquefaction), including the scope of demurrage following the Eternal Bliss;
Junior counsel (to Philippa Hopkins KC) in an LCIA arbitration regarding a range of hedge fund management issues, an unfair prejudice petition and a valuation of the substantial hedge fund;
Junior counsel (to Paul Key KC) in a two-week LCIA arbitration arising out of a share sale and purchase agreement in a phosphate mining company (and related s.68 proceedings), including a detailed valuation of the mining company;
Junior counsel (to Steven Berry KC) in a successful one-week arbitration for bareboat charter hire and OPEX of a detained vessel, including related 6.68 and s.69 proceedings;
Junior counsel (to Nigel Eaton KC) in a one-week arbitration relating to the application of US sanctions to a COA;
Junior counsel (to Jern-Fei Ng KC) in a series of LMAA arbitrations arising out of the sale and purchase of jack-up drilling rigs, which included the successful defence of a s.67 jurisdiction challenge in the Commercial Court;
Junior counsel (to Steven Berry KC) in an arbitration regarding delay under a superyacht construction contract;
Sole counsel in a section 67 jurisdiction challenge in the Commercial Court arising out of an arbitration regarding disputed demurrage payments: [2018] EWHC 1370 (Comm);
Sole, and then junior, counsel (to Vernon Flynn KC) in an ICC arbitration relating to a real estate development in Dubai, which included a challenge to the Tribunal’s jurisdiction; Junior counsel (to Sam Wordsworth KC) for the respondent State in an ad hoc international commercial arbitration;
Junior counsel (to Graham Dunning KC) in a preliminary issues hearing regarding ice-breakers in an ad hoc shipping arbitration and related s.69 appeals;
Sole counsel in relation to an ad hoc dispute regarding a joint venture agreement to be performed in Singapore;
Junior counsel (to Charles Priday) in an ad hoc shipping arbitration;
Junior counsel (to Jern-Fei Ng KC) in an ad hoc international sale of goods arbitration located in Singapore, successfully challenging the Tribunal’s jurisdiction;
Junior counsel (to Jern-Fei Ng KC) in a SIAC arbitration relating to a failed Foreign Law Alliance under Singapore law;
Advising as junior counsel (to Toby Landau KC) in a SIAC arbitration regarding oil and gas production sharing contracts;
Advising as junior counsel in an Energy Charter Treaty claim and a related LCIA claim;
Sole counsel in an LMAA arbitration;
Advising as junior counsel in relation to the setting aside of awards under sections 67, 68 and 69 of the Arbitration Act 1996;
Advising as junior counsel (to Toby Landau KC) in relation to the setting aside of orders and resisting enforcement of arbitration awards.

Banking & Finance

Adam has considerable trial experience in cases involving investment/asset management services, including:

Sole counsel advising on the legitimacy of a COVID Bounce Back loan application;
Junior counsel (to Philippa Hopkins KC) in an LCIA arbitration regarding a range of hedge fund management issues, an unfair prejudice petition and a valuation of the substantial hedge fund;
Junior counsel (to Joe Smouha KC and Jeremy Brier KC) in a dispute in the Commercial Court involving investment management services and artificial intelligence / quantitative trading;
Junior counsel (to Daniel Oudkerk KC) for Henderson asset management in a one day appeal to the Court of Appeal, following a two week Chancery Division trial relating to the transfer of a sub-fund within an OEIC via a Scheme of Arrangement and other employment issues arising from the deferral and forfeiture of remuneration, with claims and counterclaims amounting to circa £40 million: [2019] EWCA Civ 158;
Sole counsel for the claimant in a Chancery Division claim arising out of an agreement governed by German law relating to share options.

Civil Fraud

Adam has considerable experience of civil fraud work. He has acted in a variety of different types of civil fraud cases, including:

Junior counsel (to James Willian KC) in the five day hearing of the jurisdictional challenge in the Chancery Division in Bourlakova v Bourlakov [2022] 4 W.L.R. 79;
Junior counsel (to Graham Dunning KC and Jern-Fei Ng KC) in the interlocutory disputes of a US$ 87 million claim for breach of fiduciary duty, dishonest assistance, unlawful means conspiracy and knowing receipt: [2019] 1 WLR 82;
Junior counsel for the Claimant successfully obtaining a freezing injunction relating to assets held in a Cayman STAR Trust;
Junior counsel (to David Scorey KC) in a three week First-Tier Tribunal (Tax) trial relating to tax fraud: [2018] S.T.I. 2366;
Junior counsel in a thirteen week Commercial Court trial (with several related interim applications), led by Andrew Twigger KC and Anna Dilnot, acting for the defendants in a multi-million pound civil fraud claim: [2017] EWHC 3374 (Comm); [2017] EWHC 1116 (Comm); [2017] 1 W.L.R. 467;
Junior counsel (to Nathan Pillow KC) for the Claimant in a QBD claim concerning allegations of diverting corporate opportunities and passing off;
Junior counsel (to David Scorey KC) in a MTIC VAT fraud case in the First-Tier Tribunal.
Junior counsel (to David Davies) in a case before the London Mercantile Court relating to misrepresentations in relation to a large investment into an offshore fund.

Commercial chancery disputes

Adam has frequently appeared in the Chancery Division, including in a substantial jurisdiction challenge and complex valuation exercises. Examples of Adam’s work in the Chancery Division include:

Junior counsel (to James Willian KC) in the five-day jurisdictional challenge in the Chancery Division in Bourlakova v Bourlakov [2022] 4 W.L.R. 79;
Junior counsel (to Daniel Oudkerk KC) for Henderson asset management in a one day appeal to the Court of Appeal, following a two week Chancery Division trial relating to the transfer of a sub-fund within an OEIC via a Scheme of Arrangement and other employment issues arising from the deferral and forfeiture of remuneration, with claims and counterclaims amounting to c. £40 million: [2019] EWCA Civ 158;
Junior counsel (to Richard Millett KC) in a six day valuation hearing in the Chancery Division relating to assets found to have been held on constructive trust by a defaulting fiduciary following a liability hearing and an enquiry into the fiduciary’s account and obtaining permission to appeal from the Court of Appeal: [2019] EWHC 1260 (Ch);
Sole counsel for the respondent to an application for an injunction to prevent the presentation of a winding up petition in the Companies Court;
Junior counsel (to Richard Millett KC) acting for an opposing creditor in a scheme of arrangement: [2014] BCC 569;
Sole counsel for the claimant in a Chancery Division claim arising out of an agreement (governed by German law) relating to share options;
Appearances as sole counsel in a variety of other matters in the Companies Court;

Adam has also previously advised as junior counsel in relation to the interpretation of wills and pension provisions.

Commercial dispute resolution

Commercial dispute resolution, in both litigation and arbitration, is at the core of Adam’s practice. He has advised and acted in relation to a wide range of commercial disputes both as sole and junior counsel. Adam’s examples of recent cases listed above shows the strength of his practice in this area.

Adam has made numerous appearances as sole counsel in the high court and the county courts and undertakes work across the full spectrum of commercial disputes.

Adam has considerable experience in various interim applications, including applications for strike out and summary judgment, specific disclosure, security for costs and extensions of time.

Examples of Adam’s work include:

Junior counsel (to Graham Dunning KC) in a substantial LCIA arbitration for a national oil company regarding a decennial liability claim against a major industrial conglomerate for c. $130m+ in respect of a defective oil pipeline;
Junior counsel (to Steven Berry KC) in a successful defence and counterclaim of a c. US$100m arbitration claim arising out of a sanctions clause in long-term bareboat charterparties for VLCCs;
Junior counsel (to Nigel Eaton KC) in a successful appeal to the Supreme Court (following a section 69 challenge in the Commercial Court and an appeal in the Court of Appeal) regarding the reasonable endeavours provision in a force majeure clause: [2024] UKSC 18; [2024] 2 WLR 1350;
Sole counsel for the defendant obtaining reverse summary judgment in relation to a claim for consideration under a share sale and purchase agreement;
Junior counsel (to Steven Berry KC) in a successful defence of s.68 and s.69 challenges in relation to case management decisions and res judicata;
Sole and junior counsel (to Steven Berry KC) in a successful defence / claim as the middle party in an LMAA charterparty claim regarding dangerous cargo, including the scope of demurrage following the Eternal Bliss;
Sole counsel advising on the legitimacy of a COVID Bounce Back loan application;
Junior counsel (to James Willian KC) in the five-day jurisdictional challenge in the Chancery Division in Bourlakova v Bourlakov [2022] 4 W.L.R. 79;
Junior counsel (to Philippa Hopkins KC) in an LCIA arbitration regarding multiple aspects of hedge fund management;
Junior counsel (to Paul Key KC) in a two-week LCIA arbitration arising out of a share sale and purchase agreement in a phosphate mining company, including a detailed valuation of the mining company;
Junior counsel (to Steven Berry KC) in a successful one-week arbitration for bareboat charter hire and OPEX of a detained vessel;
Sole counsel for BP Plc in a successful application to set aside an order made pursuant to a letter of request;
Junior counsel (to Nigel Eaton KC) in a one-week arbitration relating to US sanctions;
Junior counsel (to Jern-Fei Ng KC) in a series of LMAA arbitrations arising out of the sale and purchase of jack-up drilling rigs, which included the successful defence of a section 67, Arbitration Act 1996, challenge in the Commercial Court;
Junior counsel (to Daniel Oudkerk KC) for Henderson asset management in a one day appeal to the Court of Appeal, following a two week Chancery Division trial relating to the transfer of a sub-fund within an OEIC via a Scheme of Arrangement and other employment issues arising from the deferral and forfeiture of remuneration, with claims and counterclaims amounting to c.£40 million: [2019] EWCA Civ 158;
Junior counsel (to Richard Millett KC) in a six day valuation hearing in the Chancery Division relating to assets found to have been held on constructive trust by a defaulting fiduciary following a liability hearing and an enquiry into the fiduciary’s account: [2019] EWHC 1260 (Ch);
Sole counsel advising on a commission agreement relating to the sale and purchase of a super-yacht;
Junior counsel (to Graham Dunning KC and Jern-Fei Ng KC) in the interlocutory disputes of a US$ 87 million claim for breach of fiduciary duty, dishonest assistance, unlawful means conspiracy and knowing receipt: [2019] 1 WLR 82;
Junior counsel for the Claimant successfully obtaining a freezing injunction relating to assets held in a Cayman STAR Trust;
Junior counsel (to Vernon Flynn KC) in a one week Commercial Court trial. A US$ 20 million dispute regarding financing arrangements in the oil industry: [2018] EWHC 1580 (Comm);
Junior counsel (to Steven Berry KC) in an arbitration regarding delay under a superyacht construction contract;
Sole counsel in a section 67 jurisdiction challenge in the Commercial Court arising out of an arbitration regarding disputed demurrage payments: [2018] EWHC 1370 (Comm);
Sole counsel for the Claimant in a QBD matter concerning allegations of procurement of a breach of contract and conversion;
Junior counsel (to Andrew Twigger KC and Anna Dilnot KC) for the defendants in a thirteen week civil fraud trial in the Commercial Court worth over US$400 million: [2017] EWHC 3374 (Comm); [2017] EWHC 1116 (Comm); [2017] 1 W.L.R. 467;
Sole counsel for the claimant in a Chancery Division claim arising out of an agreement governed by German law relating to share options;
Junior counsel (to Graham Dunning KC) in a Commercial Court matter relating to guarantees worth over US$ 300 million connection with a major construction project;
Junior counsel (to Vernon Flynn KC) in an ICC arbitration relating to a real estate development in Dubai.

Conflict of laws & private international law

The international nature of Adam’s practice means that he is regularly required to advise on private international law issues.

His practice also means that he frequently advises on and litigates issues relating to jurisdiction, including anti-suit and anti-enforcement injunctions in support of jurisdiction or arbitration agreements.

Adam has also been involved in a number of cases with a foreign governing law, including the laws of the Kuwait, UAE, Germany, the Isle of Man, Colorado, New York, Kazakhstan, Russia, Singapore and Pakistan.

Energy, Mining & Natural Resources

Adam has frequently been involved in an advisory capacity and as junior counsel in relation to oil, gas and mining disputes. These include acting for NOCs, major disputes regarding alumina and phosphate mines, including complex valuations of those mining projects, gas pricing disputes, disputes regarding share sale and purchase agreements of oil and gas companies, and disputes arising out of production and sharing contracts in Kenya, India and Indonesia. Examples of Adam’s work in this area include:

Junior counsel (to Graham Dunning KC) in a substantial LCIA arbitration for a national oil company regarding a decennial liability claim against a major industrial conglomerate for c. $130m+ in respect of a defective oil pipeline;
Junior counsel (to Paul Key KC) in a two-week LCIA arbitration arising out of a share sale and purchase agreement in a phosphate mining company, including a detailed valuation of the mining company;
Junior counsel (to Sam Wordsworth KC and Siddharth Dhar) in an UNCITRAL investor state dispute relating to an alumina mining and refinery project, including a detailed valuation of the potential mining project;
Junior counsel (to Richard Millett KC) in a six day valuation hearing in the Chancery Division. The opportunity that was at the heart of the dispute related to technology designed to increase production and enhance productivity in oil and gas wells;
Junior counsel (to Graham Dunning KC and Jern-Fei Ng KC) in the interlocutory disputes of a US$ 87 million claim relating to the purchase of an oil rig in Iran;
Adam was junior counsel (to Vernon Flynn KC) in a one week, US$ 20 million, Commercial Court trial relating to financing arrangements in the oil industry: [2018] EWHC 1580 (Comm).
Junior counsel (to Steven Berry KC) in a successful defence and counterclaim of a c.US$100m arbitration claim arising out of a sanctions clause in long-term bareboat charterparties for VLCCs;
Sole and junior counsel (to Steven Berry KC) in a successful defence / claim as the middle party in an LMAA charterparty claim regarding dangerous cargoes of alumina, including the scope of demurrage following the Eternal Bliss.

Injunctions

Adam was the author of the chapter on anti-suit injunctions in support of arbitration in Bullen & Leake. Examples of Adam’s recent work involving injunctions include the following:

Sole and junior counsel (to David Scorey KC) in multiple cases advising on and obtaining anti-suit injunctions in the Commercial Court in support of English law and jurisdiction clauses;
Junior counsel for the Claimant successfully obtaining a freezing injunction relating to assets held in a Cayman STAR Trust;
Sole counsel for the respondent to an application for an injunction to prevent the presentation of a winding up petition in the Companies Court;
Junior counsel (to Andrew Twigger KC and Anna Dilnot KC) for the defendants in a thirteen week civil fraud trial in the Commercial Court worth over US$ 400 million, where freezing injunctions had been obtained: [2017] EWHC 3374 (Comm); [2017] EWHC 1116 (Comm); [2017] 1 W.L.R. 467

Insurance & reinsurance

Adam has experience in insurance and reinsurance work, and in particular Bermuda Form work, including following his pupillage with David Scorey KC. Examples of Adam’s experience include:

Sole counsel obtaining anti-suit relief in the Commercial Court on behalf of insurers in support of an exclusive English law and jurisdiction clause in relation to major products and public liability claims in the US.
Junior counsel (to David Scorey KC) in advising on and preparing to obtain anti-suit relief in support of an exclusive English law and jurisdiction clause in relation to a claim for business interruption and property damage indemnities.
Junior counsel (to Sara Cockerill KC (as she then was)) in a reinsurance dispute before the Commercial Court; and
Sole counsel advising in relation to a reinsurance matter arising from the Piper Alpha disaster.

International trade, transport & commodities

Examples of Adam’s practice in this area include:

Junior counsel (to Graham Dunning KC) in four related LMAA arbitrations under contracts of affreightment giving rise to claims for c.US$100 million, raising issues of, inter alia, rectification and illegality.
Junior counsel (to Steven Berry KC) in a successful defence and counterclaim of a c. US$100m arbitration claim arising out of a sanctions clause in long-term bareboat charterparties;
Junior counsel (to Steven Berry KC) in a successful one-week arbitration for bareboat charter hire and OPEX of a detained vessel;
Junior counsel (to Nigel Eaton KC) in a one-week arbitration relating to the application of US sanctions to a COA;
Junior counsel (to Jern-Fei Ng KC) in an arbitration under the SIAC Rules relating to a shipment of coal;
Sole counsel in a High Court commercial dispute relating to the sale and installation of industrial kitchen equipment;
Advice and assistance in a Singapore High Court dispute, relating to bunker supplies, including issues related to freezing injunctions and enforcement proceedings. Adam has also advised in relation to the recovery of payments in relation to other bunker supply disputes.

Revenue law (including VAT, IPT, duties & excise)

Adam has advised on a range of VAT issues and has been instructed as both sole and junior counsel. Adam has contributed to the De Voil’s Indirect Tax Intelligence publication and spoken at the Essex Court / Pump Court Tax VAT Conference. Examples of his work include:

Junior counsel (to David Scorey KC) in a three week MTIC VAT fraud case in the First-Tier Tribunal which relates to a platinum refinery. While completing his pupillage with David Scorey KC, Adam also gained experience in a number of other MTIC and VAT disputes. sole counsel in a dispute concerning import VAT and claims under the 13th VAT Directive currently before the First-Tier Tribunal;
Junior counsel (to Roderick Cordara KC) seeking permission to appeal a decision on customs duty to the Supreme Court;
Junior counsel (to Roderick Cordara KC and Edmund King) in a judicial review of an assessment for VAT, including issues of legitimate expectation.

Shipping & admiralty

Shipping is one of Adam’s core practice areas. He is frequently involved as either sole or junior counsel in a wide variety of dry shipping disputes and has experience across the full spectrum of charterparty disputes. He is recognized as a Leading Junior in this area. Examples of work Adam has undertaken in the field of shipping include the following:

Junior counsel (to Nigel Eaton KC) in a successful appeal to the Supreme Court (following a section 69 challenge in the Commercial Court and an appeal in the Court of Appeal) regarding the reasonable endeavours provision in a force majeure clause: [2024] UKSC 18; [2024] 2 WLR 1350;
Junior counsel (to Nigel Eaton KC) in an LMAA arbitration for breach of a voyage charterparty;
Junior counsel (to Siddharth Dhar KC) advising in respect of the contractual arrangements between an airline and engine manufacturer;
Junior counsel (to Graham Dunning KC) in four related LMAA arbitrations under contracts of affreightment giving rise to claims for c.US$100 million, raising issues of, inter alia, rectification and illegality;
Junior counsel (to Steven Berry KC) in a successful defence and counterclaim of a c. US$100m arbitration claim arising out of a sanctions clause in long-term bareboat charterparties for VLCCs;
Junior counsel (to Steven Berry KC) in a successful defence of s.68 and s.69 challenges in relation to case management decisions and res judicata;
Sole and junior counsel (to Steven Berry KC) in a successful defence / claim as the middle party in an LMAA charterparty claim regarding dangerous cargo, including the scope of demurrage following the Eternal Bliss;
Junior counsel (to Steven Berry KC) in a successful one-week arbitration for bareboat charter hire and OPEX of a detained vessel;
Junior counsel (to Nigel Eaton KC) in a one-week arbitration relating to the application of US sanctions to a COA;
Junior counsel (to Jern-Fei Ng KC) in a series of LMAA arbitrations arising out of the sale and purchase of jack-up drilling rigs, which included the successful defence of a s.67 challenge in the Commercial Court;
sole counsel advising on a commission agreement relating to the sale and purchase of a super-yacht;
Junior counsel (to Steven Berry KC) in an arbitration regarding delay under a superyacht construction contract;
Sole counsel in a section 67 jurisdiction challenge in the Commercial Court arising out of an arbitration regarding disputed demurrage payments: [2018] EWHC 1370 (Comm);
Junior counsel (to Graham Dunning KC) in a preliminary issues hearing regarding ice-breakers in an ad hoc shipping arbitration and related section 69 appeals;
Junior counsel (to Charles Priday) in an ad hoc shipping arbitration;
Advising as junior counsel (to Chris Smith KC) in relation to general average allowances; assistance to (to David Davies KC) in relation to an opinion on the enforcement of an arbitration award against an ownership interest in a vessel that had allegedly been transferred pursuant to a sham transaction;
Sole counsel in a successful application to the Commercial Court for an unless order related to a ship finance guarantee dispute.

Career

2013 Tenant at Essex Court Chambers, following completion of pupillage with David Scorey KC
2012 Called to the Bar (Lincoln’s Inn)
2012 Writer of headnotes for European Human Rights Reports
2011 Commercial experience working at Liberty Wines

Education

2011-2012 BPTC, BPP (Outstanding)

2007-2010 BA (Hons) Law, Jesus College, Cambridge (First Class in each year, ranked 4th in final year)

Awards

2012 Buchanan Prize (Lincoln’s Inn)
2011 Denning Scholarship (Lincoln’s Inn)
2011 Hardwicke Scholarship (Lincoln’s Inn)
2010 Benefactor’s (2004) Prize (Jesus College, Cambridge)
2010 Russell Vick Prize for Part II Law (Jesus College, Cambridge)
2010 Scholarship (Jesus College, Cambridge)
2009 Rebecca Flower Squire Scholarship (Law Faculty, Cambridge)
2009 Scholarship (Jesus College, Cambridge)
2008 Glanville Williams Prize for first year lawyers (Jesus College, Cambridge)
2008 Foundation Exhibition (Jesus College, Cambridge)

Barrister at Essex Court Chambers

Professional practice