Andrew Legg

Professional practice

Andrew acts in a wide range of commercial and international law disputes, before domestic courts and tribunals (Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, High Court and tax and employment tribunals), commercial arbitral tribunals (LCIA, SIAC, ICC) and international courts and tribunals (ICJ, PCA, CJEU, ECtHR, ICSID).

Andrew’s practice covers a diverse range of matters in the business and financial world, including civil fraud, banking, investments, joint ventures, international trade, tax, employment, asset recovery, insurance and reinsurance, utilities and telecoms, shareholder disputes, agriculture, mining and energy.

His cases frequently involve substantial sums, complex factual and legal issues, and disputes involving multi-jurisdictional and international elements, injunctions and interim hearings, trials and appeals. Andrew acts in such matters both as sole counsel and as part of wider team.

Examples of recent cases

Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn v Juan Carlos (former King of Spain) Andrew acts as part of a counsel team led by James Lewis KC, instructed by Robin Rathmell and James Chapman-Booth of Kobre & Kim LLP for the Claimant in relation to the Defendant’s assertion of State immunity. The immunity application was heard before Nicklin J on 6-7 December 2021.

TRW Ltd v Panasonic Industry Europe GmbH [2021] EWCA Civ 1558; [2021] EWHC 19 (TCC), Andrew acted as sole counsel at first instance and on appeal for the applicant and defendant, Panasonic, in resisting jurisdiction in a dispute relating to the supply of electronic resistors in the automotive industry, on the basis that the contracts were governed by the Courts of Hamburg, Germany. Andrew was instructed by Kimberley Smith of McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP.

Phoenix Interior Design Ltd v Henley Homes Plc [2021] EWHC 1573 (QB), Andrew acted for the Claimant as sole counsel, instructed by David Wilson of Warners Law LLP, in the trial of its claims for the recovery of unpaid invoice sums relating to the interior design and fitting out of a five-star hotel. The Defendant claimed that the quality of the goods and services had been defective and that the contract had not been completed.

UCP Plc v Nectrus Limited [2021] EWCA Civ 57, [2019] EWHC 3274 (Comm); [2019] EWHC 1732 (Comm) acted for the Defendant led by Andrew Butler KC and with Edward Blakeney, instructed by Atul Amin at Hugh Cartwright & Amin in a bifurcated trial and application to reopen permission to appeal, relating to losses from investments in the Indian property sector.

Benyatov v Credit Suisse Securities (Europe) Ltd [2020] EWHC 85 (QB), Andrew acts for Mr Benyatov, led by Charles Ciumei KC and with Naomi Hart, instructed by Tom Southwell, Doug Campbell and Ruth Manson at Scott+Scott UK LLP. Mr Benyatov claims for loss of career earnings after being unable to work following his conviction in Romania for espionage whilst conducting his duties for the bank. The trial was heard in June-July 2021.

Watson’s Dairies Ltd v AG Lambert and Partners [2020] EWHC 2825 (Ch), Andrew acted as sole counsel for a group of farmers, instructed by Esther Woolford of Clarke Willmott LLP, in setting aside an injunction to restrain them from entering into alternative supply contracts until trial.

Webster v United States [2019] 10 WLUK500 Andrew acts for the Respondent State, led by Prof Dan Sarooshi KC, instructed by Robert Volterra and Maria Fogdestam-Agius of Volterra Fietta LLP and Michael Burd and Emma Delap of Lewis Silkin LLP. The Employment Tribunal ruled that the common law doctrine of State immunity applied such that the Tribunal had no jurisdiction to hear claims by two UK nationals who were formerly employees of the US Airforce working on military bases in the UK. An appeal is due to be heard in 2022.

American Express Services Europe Ltd v HMRC [2019] UKFTT 548 (TC) Successful appeal of an assessment of over £60 million of VAT in respect of (inter alia) place of supply analysis of billing credit. Led by Roderick Cordara KC, instructed by Mitchell Moss of Ernst & Young.

What Others Say

Chambers & Partners 2025, Commercial Dispute Resolution:

“Responsive and collaborative, he can hold his own with silks.”

“He is a very smooth and polished advocate.”

The Legal 500 2025, Commercial Litigation:

”Andrew is brilliantly persuasive advocate and extremely skillful at managing clients’ expectations.”

The Legal 500 2025, Employment:

”A junior with an engaging persona that enables him to get judges onside.”

The Legal 500 2024, Employment:
“A highly intelligent and diligent junior.”

The Legal 500 2024, Commercial Litigation:
“First-class commercial junior who is full of good ideas.”

The Legal 500 2023, Employment:
“Very impressive – he is very bright, personable, hardworking, and clear in his exposition of legal positions. He also writes very well.”

The Legal 500 2023, Tax: Indirect Tax:
“Andrew produces excellent submissions and is particularly impressive in the convincing way he deals with difficult points presented by the court.”

The Legal 500 2022, Employment:
“He is intellectually very capable and works hard to meet the needs of the case”

The Legal 500 2022, Tax: Indirect Tax:
“Andrew is very approachable, positive, engaged and flexible to deal with. In hearings his advocacy style is measured and non-confrontational which achieves more in the long run than a combative approach”

The Legal 500 2021, EU Law
“A very structured and organised mind, he articulates his arguments well and is patient with demanding clients. He has a great command of tax law”

The Legal 500 2021, Employment
“Extremely diligent and hardworking, and an exceptionally able lawyer. He is also a creative legal thinker, coming up with innovative solutions to legal problems”

The Legal 500 2021, Tax: Indirect Tax
“He is industrious yet unflappable. Has good attention to detail and knowledge of public and EU law. His particular skill is being able to bring a commercial understanding to tax disputes and convey that context to the tribunal.”

Commercial dispute resolution

Cruz City 1 Mauritius Holdings v. Unitech Ltd & Ors: Advising Nectrus Limited, a Cypriot entity, in proceedings in the Isle of Man in relation to the Claimant’s efforts to enforce against it an outstanding arbitration award against Unitech Ltd (an Indian entity).

SIAC Arbitration (confidential); led by Vernon Flynn KC in a multibillion dollar dispute relating to an investment in a property development in the Philippines, instructed by Jones Day, which subsequently settled.

LCIA Arbitration (confidential); led by Huw Davies KC in a half billion dollar dispute involving allegations of bribery in relation to the award of an oil drilling contract in South America, which settled after the hearing.

R+V Versicherung AG v Robertson and Co SA [2016] EWHC 1243 (QB) Acting for the Defendant in its application to contest jurisdiction, instructed by Neil Dooley and Chloé Bakshi of Steptoe & Johnson LLP. The claim arose in relation to loss adjusting services in respect of coverage of the losses from the Christchurch, NZ earthquakes in 2010-11.

Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance Co Ltd v Houlder Insurance Commercial Court claim involving non-disclosure by brokers in the placing of insurance. The claim was for in excess of $9 million. Led by Christopher Smith KC, instructed by Nigel Wick of Holman Fenwick Willan.

Hmicho v Barclays Bank Plc [2015] EWHC 1757 (QB) Represented the applicant for injunctive relief, instructed by Vivien Davies of Edwin Coe LLP. The application was for an order to unfreeze the applicant’s bank account, which had been frozen pursuant to the European sanctions against supporters or beneficiaries of the Syrian regime.

Deutsche Bank AG v Sebastian Holdings Inc [2013] EWHC 3463 (Comm) Acted as part of the counsel team during the trial and preparation of closing submissions, with David Foxton KC, Sonia Tolaney KC, Henry King and James MacDonald, instructed by Freshfields. The case involved $multi-billion claims in the Commercial Court arising from equities and FX trading losses in 2008.

Cadogan Petroleum Holdings Ltd v Global Process Systems LLC [2013] EWHC 214 (Comm) (led by Paul Stanley KC, instructed by Bernard O’Sullivan of Byrne & Partners) The case involved the sale of gas plants in instalments, and inter alia arguments from the law of penalties, forfeiture, restitution and construction.

JP SPC 4 & Others v Timothy Schools & Others Led by Paul McGrath KC and David Peters, instructed by Anne McCarthy of K&L Gates, in a civil fraud claim and related applications arising out of a worldwide freezing order, for the recovery of over £100 million invested by Cayman Islands investment funds in the UK litigation funding market.

Employment

G Mancuello v Paraguay, Andrew acts on behalf of the Respondent state, instructed by Anna Bond and Hannah McGovern of Lewis Silkin LLP, in relation to its claim for immunity in employment tribunal proceedings brought by the claimant. The hearing on immunity listed in December 2021 was adjourned and is expected to be heard in 2022.

Webster v United States [2019] 10 WLUK500 Andrew acts for the Respondent Stated, led by Prof Dan Sarooshi KC, instructed by Robert Volterra and Maria Fogdestam-Agius of Volterra Fietta LLP and Michael Burd and Emma Delap of Lewis Silkin LLP. The Employment Tribunal ruled that the common law doctrine of State immunity applied such that the Tribunal had no jurisdiction to hear claims by two UK nationals who were formerly employees of the US Airforce working on military bases in the UK. Appeal expected to be heard in 2022.

Insurance & reinsurance

Andrew has advised on a wide range of insurance disputes, and acted for policy holders and insurers in relation to construction, coverage and settlement of claims, both before proceedings have commenced at mediation, or in litigation.

Public & administrative law

CCS Media Holdings Ltd v HMRC [2019] EWHC 1172 (Admin), led by Jim Pickup KC, instructed by Julian Balson at Bird & Bird LLP in an application for interim relief not to pay a second VAT assessment for the same quarter (the first on the basis of an MTIC fraud dispute, and the second on the basis that the same goods were not exported). The Court found that the matter was best resolved by the FTT.

R (Arab Republic of Egypt) v The Treasury Acting, led by Paul McGrath KC and Tim Eicke KC, for the Arab Republic of Egypt in its judicial review of the Treasury’s decision to withhold information relating to assets frozen in relation to a European Regulation.

R (Newby Foods) v Food Standards Agency [2019] UKSC 18; Case C-453/12. Acting, led by Hugh Mercer KC, instructed by Tim Russ of Roythornes, for the Claimant in its long-running judicial review of the FSA’s decision to impose moratorium on the production of desinewed meat, the European Commission joined as an interested party. Matters raised in satellite proceedings reported at [2014] 3 C.M.L.R. 21 included: contempt of court by the European Commission and the duty of sincere cooperation. The High Court found that the moratorium was unlawful as it applied to Newby’s chicken and pork products, applying the CJEU decision on the reference, but the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court ruled that the proper interpretation of the CJEU judgment rendered the moratorium lawful.

Public international law

Acted for and advised the UK Government (as member of the AG’s PIL B Panel) on a variety of ECHR cases, trade related public international law matters and in respect of potential international arbitral proceedings.

Webster v United States [2019] 10 WLUK500 Acted for the Respondent Stated, led by Prof Dan Sarooshi KC, instructed by by Robert Volterra and Maria Fogdestam-Agius of Volterra Fietta LLP and Michael Burd and Emma Delap of Lewis Silkin LLP. The Employment Tribunal ruled that the common law doctrine of State immunity applied such that the Tribunal had no jurisdiction to hear claims by two UK nationals who were formerly employees of the US Airforce working on military bases in the UK.

Fouad Alghanim & Sons Co. for General Trading & Contracting, W.L.L. and Mr. Fouad Mohammed Thunyan Alghanim v Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (ICSID Case No. ARB/13/38) Acted for the Respondent State, with Sam Wordsworth KC, Lucas Bastin KC and Sean Aughey, instructed by Bakr & Odeh.

Questions relating to the Seizure and Detention of Certain Documents and Data (Timor-Leste v. Australia) ICJ Order of 3 March 2014 on a Request for the Indication of Provisional Measures. Acting for Timor-Leste, led by Sir Eli Lauterpacht KC, Vaughan Lowe KC and Sir Michael Wood, instructed by DLA Piper.

Arbitration under the Timor Sea Treaty (Timor-Leste v. Australia). Acting for Timor Leste. Led by Sir Frank Berman KC, Vaughan Lowe KC and Sir Geoffrey Nice KC, instructed by Rod Bundy and Loretta Malintoppi of Eversheds (Singapore), in proceedings instituted on 23 April 2013. The Permanent Court of Arbitration acts as registry in the arbitration.

Acted for an investor, led by Toby Landau KC, in a matter involving a multi-billion dollar utilities investment dispute. The matter settled before the commencement of the hearing.

Advised various governments and commercial clients in relation to the application of sanctions regimes (Iranian, Syrian, Egyptian and Libyan), ECT claims, claims arising from BIT claims, the renegotiation of sovereign debt.

Assisted Prof Vaughan Lowe KC in relation to two matters before the ICJ in 2007-8 ‘Maritime Delimitation in the Black Sea’ Romania v Ukraine(2009), and ‘Request for Interpretation of the Judgment of 31 March 2004 in Avena and other Mexican Nationals ‘Mexico V Usa (2009).

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

Saint-Gobain Building Distribution Limited v HMRC [2021] UKUT 75 (TCC) Acted in this appeal in connection with the recovery of historic bad debt relief on VAT on supplies of building materials amounting to some £9.9 million.

Virgin Media Ltd v HMRC [2020] UKFTT 30 (TC) Acted, led by Roderick Cordara KC, instructed by David Anderson of PwC Legal LLP, in relation to the VAT treatment of payment handling charges on bills for media services.

DCM (Optical Holdings) Ltd v Revenue and Customs Commissioners [2018] UKUT 409 (TCC). Acted led by Roderick Cordara KC, instructed by David Kerr at Harper Macleod LLP in relation to statutory powers to amend repayment returns, separately disclosed charges, discounts and time bar.

JDI Trading v HMRC [2012] UKFTT 642(TC), Led by David Scorey KC, instructed by Martin O’Neill of Smith & Williamson, for the appellant. The Tribunal granted the appeal, resulting in the repayment of approximately £700k of VAT.

Career

2020 Appointed Junior Counsel to the Crown, the AG’s Public International Law B Panel

2017 Appointed Junior Counsel to the Crown, the AG’s Public International Law C Panel

2010 – 2011 Pupillage at Essex Court Chambers

2010 Called to the Bar, Lincoln’s Inn

Education

2010 DPhil, University of Oxford: thesis entitled “Deference in International Human Rights Law”

2007 MPhil, University of Oxford

2005 BCL (Distinction), University College, Oxford

2004 BA in Jurisprudence, University College, Oxford

Awards

2010 Hubert Greenland Scholarship (Lincoln’s Inn)

2009 Lord Mansfield Scholarship (Lincoln’s Inn)

2009 Hardwicke Scholarship (Lincoln’s Inn)

2006 – 2009 AHRC Doctoral Award

2006 – 2009 Harvey Fellowship

2006 Commercial Bar Studentship (University of Oxford, not able to accept)

Publications

A Legg, Book Review of ‘Deference in International Courts and Tribunals: Standard of

Review and Margin of Appreciation’, edited by Lukasz Gruszczynski and Wouter Werner (2016) 17 Journal of World Investment & Trade 166.

V.V. Veeder & A Legg “The Meaning of “Foreign Control” under Article 25(2)(B) of the ICSID Convention”, in M Kinnear et al (eds), Building International Investment Law: The First 50 Years of ICSID (2015, Kluwer Law International)

A Legg, “Human Rights, the Margin of Appreciation, and the International Rule of Law”, in M

Kanetake and A Nollkaemper (eds), The Rule of Law at the National and International Levels (2016, Hart Publishing)

A Legg, The Margin of Appreciation in International Human Rights Law (2012, OUP)

A Legg, ‘Jarvis and the FTT’s jurisdiction to address human rights violations’ (2013) 200 De Voil ITI 27

A Legg, ‘Oxfam, Accenture and the standard of review in claims for breach of a legitimate expectation’ (2012) 195 De Voil ITI 18

A Legg, ‘Esporta Ltd v HMRC: VAT on membership fees’ (2011) 1100 Tax Journal 8

Barrister at Essex Court Chambers

Professional practice