Daniel Fox

Professional practice

Daniel has a broad practice in line with Chambers’ profile. He is regularly instructed in a wide range of practice areas, including, commercial litigation and arbitration, sports law, public and human rights law, financial regulatory law, insurance law, shipping law, employment law, civil fraud, banking and financial services law, and public international law.

His recent commercial work includes: acting for a hotel in a covid-19 business interruption insurance claim; advising a telecommunications company on its termination rights (as a result of sanctions issues) in relation to a $100m contract in Myanmar; and acting for the insurer of a shipping agency in a dispute relating to damaged goods. He also regularly appears in the Employment Tribunal and the Employment Appeal Tribunal in employment disputes.

Daniel is particularly interested in disputes in the sports sector (including anti-doping, safeguarding, transgender issues, and disciplinary matters). He is currently acting for a sportswear company in a dispute in relation to its sponsorship of an Italian football club, for Liverpool fans in the claim against UEFA arising out of the Champions League Final and for an ice hockey player in an anti-doping matter. He recently acted for an Olympic medallist in a selection dispute with British Rowing, and for a hospitality company in a dispute relating to the Monaco Grand Prix. He sits on the Disciplinary Committees of Table Tennis England and the Suffolk Football Association. He also sits on the Disciplinary, Disputes, and Appeal Panel for British Canoeing, where he hears appeals, mostly in relation to competition selection/qualification disputes, and safeguarding issues. He is a panel member on the Sports Resolutions Pro Bono Panel, and provides safeguarding advice to NGBs on the Safeguarding Case Management Programme. He also sits on the Safeguarding Case Management Group of Badminton England. He is a keen sportsman and participates in (and watches) many sports. He is a founder and captain of Gray’s Inn Football Club. He will accept (when qualified) Direct/Public Access instructions solely in relation to sports matters.

Daniel is also particularly interested in public law, human rights, and public international law matters. He is regularly instructed through the Government’s Junior Junior’s scheme. His recent work includes: advising in relation to a high-profile development project by a public body; advising a Government department on the commitments made by the UK Government in various trade treaties; advising a client with assets in Russia in relation to sanctions; and assisting the Employment Lawyers Association in drafting their response to the Government’s consultation on the Human Rights Act Reform. He is an Assistant Editor of the European Human Rights Reports, published by Sweet & Maxwell.

Daniel is also interested in financial regulatory matters, and he was recently instructed by the Financial Conduct Authority in an enforcement action. Much of Daniel’s commercial work involves financial issues. He is currently writing an article on the potential for climate change litigation in the context of ss.90 and 90A FSMA.

Daniel also has an interest in climate change and environmental law disputes, and has written and spoken on the subject. He recently advised an environmental law charity on climate-friendly bond agreements. He is a founding member of Chambers’ Climate and Environmental Law Group, and is due to start a secondment with ClientEarth. His science background is particularly useful in this regard.

Before coming to the Bar, Daniel studied physics and philosophy at Durham University, where he graduated with a First-Class degree. He then completed the GDL, BPTC, and an LLM – for which he was awarded multiple scholarships from Gray’s Inn, City Law School, and UCL.

The BSB’s “Public Access Guidance for Lay Clients” can be found here.

Memberships

British Association for Sport and Law (BASL)
The Constitutional & Administrative Law Bar Association
The Commercial Bar Association

Arbitration & related court applications

Daniel has extensive experience in relation to arbitrations. Examples include:

Acting for a sportswear company in a dispute in relation to its sponsorship of a Serie A football club under the ICC rules. The dispute included an application for an emergency interim injunction, and relates to the correct interpretation of a Right of First Refusal (ROFR) clause.
Acting in an $120m claim relating to a construction project in Kuwait under the LCIA rules. The dispute raises complex and novel issues of Kuwait law, including in relation to limitation and decennial liability.
Advising in relation to an urgent injunction application. The application related to a share purchase agreement in respect of an Icelandic bank.
Assisting a Member of Chambers in an arbitration involving a dispute between a solicitors’ firm and their insurers. The dispute arose out of several withdrawals of cover following investigations by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Acting for a ship owner in a dispute in relation to the application of an off-hire clause.

Banking & financial services

Daniel has extensive experience in relation to banking and financial services disputes. Examples include:

Assisting on a half-billion-dollar fraud claim against a major European bank. The dispute raised complex issues of Georgian law, limitation, and professional negligence.
Acting for the Financial Conduct Authority in an enforcement action against a financial services provider.
Advising in relation to an urgent injunction application. The application related to a share purchase agreement in respect of an Icelandic bank.

Civil fraud & asset recovery

Daniel is developing a civil fraud practice in line with Chambers’ profile. His recent instructions include:

Assisting during the trial of a half-billion-dollar fraud claim against a major European bank. The dispute raised complex issues of Georgian law, limitation, and professional negligence.
Acting, as sole counsel, for an employment agency in a dispute against a multinational pharmaceutical company. The dispute raises issues of fraud.
Advising in relation to a fraud claim regarding a house purchase.

Climate change and environmental law

Daniel is particularly interested in climate change and environmental law disputes and advisory work. His experience of commercial, public law, and public international law disputes (as well as his science background) leaves him well placed to advise and act in this area. He recently advised an environmental law charity in relation to climate-friendly bond agreements.

He has also co-authored an article on climate change disputes and the fiduciary duties of company directors, and has spoken on the subject. He is a founding member of Chambers’ Climate and Environmental Law Group and is due to start a secondment with ClientEarth. He is currently writing an article on FSMA claims in the climate change context, particularly in relation to ss.90 and 90A of the FSMA 2000.

Commercial chancery disputes

Much of Daniel’s commercial work involves chancery elements. For example, his recent instruction in a half-billion dollar claim against a major European bank raised complex issues of trust law.

Commercial dispute resolution

Daniel has extensive experience of all aspects of commercial dispute resolution. Examples include:

Acting for a US sportswear company in a dispute in relation to its sponsorship of a Serie A football club. The dispute included an application for emergency injunctive relief, and relates to the correct interpretation of a Right of First Refusal (ROFR) clause.
Acting in an $120m claim relating to a construction project in Kuwait. The dispute raises complex and novel issues of Kuwait law, including in relation to limitation and decennial liability.
Acting, as sole counsel, for a hospitality company in a dispute relating to the Monaco Grand Prix.
Advising in relation to a professional negligence dispute. The dispute raised complex issues of quantum, in particular, the question of whether the claimant would be entitled to “cost of cure” damages.
Acting, as sole counsel, for a hotel in a covid-19 business interruption insurance claim.
Advising a multinational telecommunications company on its termination rights in relation to a $100m contract in Myanmar. The dispute raised complex issues in relation to sanctions and the doctrines of foreign and domestic illegality.
Advising, as sole counsel, a hotel in relation to the termination provisions in its contract to provide government covid-19 quarantine facilities.
Acting, as sole counsel, for the insurer of a shipping agency in a dispute relating to damaged goods. The dispute raised difficult issues in relation to Himalaya Clauses.
Advising a UK company in relation to sanctions and its assets in Russia.
Advising in relation to an urgent injunction application. The application related to a share purchase agreement in respect of an Icelandic bank.
Assisting during the trial of a half-billion-dollar fraud claim against a major European bank. The dispute raised complex issues of Georgian law, limitation, and professional negligence.
Acting, as sole counsel, for an employment agency against a multinational pharmaceutical company in a dispute about a “back-door placement”. A jurisdiction challenge was successfully defended.
Assisting a Member of Chambers in an arbitration involving a dispute between a solicitors’ firm and their insurers. The dispute arose out of several withdrawals of cover following investigations by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Advising in relation to a misrepresentation claim regarding a house purchase.
Acting for a ship owner in a dispute in relation to the application of an off-hire clause.

Company & insolvency law / corporate recovery

Much of Daniel’s commercial work involves company and insolvency issues. For example, his recent instruction in a half-billion dollar claim against a major European bank raised complex issues of attribution and corporate personality. And Daniel has recently advised in relation to various share purchase agreements.

Conflict of laws & private international law

Much of Daniel’s work is international, and so issues of conflict of laws often arise. In a recent instruction on a half-billion-dollar fraud claim, issues of Bermudian, Swiss, and Georgian law were raised. And novel questions of conflict of laws arose. He is currently instructed in an LCIA arbitration involving issues of Kuwaiti and Korean law. And he recently, as sole counsel, successfully defended a jurisdiction challenge in a dispute between an employment agency and a multinational pharmaceutical company.

Daniel has also recently undertaken various pieces of work relating to sanctions, with significant conflict of laws and private international law elements.

Employment

Daniel regularly appears (both led and as sole counsel) in employment disputes. He recently appeared as sole counsel in a successful appeal to the Employment Appeal Tribunal in a discrimination claim against an NHS Trust. He is currently acting for an employment agency in a dispute against a multi-national pharmaceutical company in relation to “back door placements”, and for a former employee in the aviation sector in an unfair dismissal claim. He also helped to draft the Employment Lawyers Association’s response to the Government’s consultation on the Human Rights Act reform, and was a member of the working party with respect to that response.

Energy & natural resources

Daniel is currently instructed in an $120m LCIA arbitration relating to a Kuwaiti construction project in the energy sector. The arbitration raises issues of Kuwaiti law.

Financial Regulatory

Daniel has a particular interest in financial regulatory disputes. He recently acted for the Financial Conduct Authority in an enforcement action against a financial services provider. Much of Daniel’s commercial work involves financial elements, including recent advice in relation to an Icelandic bank. He is currently writing an article on the potential for climate change litigation in the context of ss.90 and 90A FSMA.

Human rights & civil liberties

Daniel has a particular interest in human rights and civil liberties matters, and is developing a practice in the field. He is an Assistant Editor of the European Human Rights Reports, published by Sweet & Maxwell. He is also a member of, and is regularly instructed through, the Government’s Junior Juniors’ scheme. His recent successful appearance in the Employment Appeal Tribunal raised issues of human rights law. He also helped to draft the Employment Lawyers Association’s response to the Government’s consultation on the Human Rights Act reform, and was a member of the working party with respect to that response.

Daniel is happy to advise, and act, on a pro bono basis in relation to human rights and civil liberties matters.

Insurance & reinsurance

Daniel has extensive experience of disputes in the insurance sector. Examples include:

Acting, as sole counsel, for a hotel in a covid-19 business interruption insurance claim.
Assisting a Member of Chambers in an arbitration involving a dispute between a solicitors’ firm and their insurers. The dispute arose out of several withdrawals of cover following investigations by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Acting, as sole counsel, for the insurer of a shipping agency in a dispute relating to damaged goods. The dispute raised difficult issues in relation to Himalaya Clauses.
Assisting during the trial of a half-billion-dollar fraud claim against a major European bank. The dispute raised complex issues of insurance law.

International trade, transport & commodities

Daniel has extensive experience in relation to international trade and transport matters. Examples include:

Advising a Government department on the commitments made by the UK Government in various trade treaties.
Acting, as sole counsel, for the insurer of a shipping agency in a dispute relating to damaged goods shipped across the Atlantic Ocean.
Advising a UK company in relation to sanctions and its assets in Russia.
Acting for a ship owner in a dispute in relation to the application of an off-hire clause.

Media, art & entertainment

Daniel has a particular interest in cases relating to the media, art and entertainment sectors. He recently acted for a group of retired sportsmen in an application for an anonymity order. During pupillage he assisted a Member of Chambers with the enforcement stage of a dispute concerning a major auction house and an alleged counterfeit painting. His work in the sports sector (including in high profile cases) leaves him well placed to act in relation to media, art and entertainment matters.

Offshore litigation

Much of Daniel’s commercial work is based in ‘offshore’ jurisdictions, or involves issues of ‘offshore’ law. His recent instruction in a half-billion-dollar fraud claim was based in Bermuda, and involved issues of Bermudian, Georgian, and Swiss law. He has recently provided advice in relation to sanctions to a client with assets in Russia.

Professional negligence

Much of Daniel’s commercial work involves professional negligence issues. Examples include:

Acting in a half-billion-dollar fraud claim which was, in essence, a professional negligence dispute.
Advising in relation to a professional negligence dispute. The dispute raised complex issues of quantum, in particular, the question of whether the claimant would be entitled to “cost of cure” damages.
Assisting a Member of Chambers in a professional negligence insurance claim by a firm of solicitors.
Advising in relation to a professional negligence claim regarding a house purchase.

Public & administrative law

Daniel has a particular interest in public and administrative law matters. He is a member of, and is regularly instructed through, the Government’s Junior Juniors’ scheme, and he is an Assistant Editor of the European Human Rights Reports, published by Sweet & Maxwell. His recent work includes:

Advising in relation to a high-profile development project that has attracted significant media attention. The issues included general public law principles and procedure, the National Security and Investment Act 2021, public procurement rules, competition rules, and state aid rules.
Advising a Government department of its obligations under various trade treaties, and how those obligations might impact upon Government policy.
Advising a UK company in relation to sanctions, the government licensing process, and its assets in Russia.
Assisting the Employment Lawyers Association in drafting their response to the Government’s consultation on the Human Rights Act Reform.

Daniel is happy to advise, and act, on a pro bono basis in relation to public and administrative law matters.

Public international law

Daniel is developing a practice in public international law. He has recently been instructed by a Government department to advise on the commitments made by the UK Government in various trade treaties (and on how those commitments may impact upon Government policy). He helped the Employment Lawyers Association to draft their response to the Government’s consultation on the Human Rights Act reform – which included issues of public international law. He is an Assistant Editor of the European Human Rights Reports, published by Sweet & Maxwell.

He is currently undertaking various pieces of work in relation to sanctions, including advising a multinational telecommunications company on its rights in relation to a contract with a Myanmar company allegedly owned by sanctioned individuals, and advising a UK company on sanctions in relation to its assets in Russia.

Daniel is happy to advise, and act, on a pro bono basis in relation to public international law matters.

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

Daniel is happy to act and advise in relation to tax matters. During pupillage, he assisted a Member of Chambers with an appeal to the First Tier Tribunal in a VAT dispute relating to the reverse charge mechanism.

Sanctions

Daniel has recently advised on various sanctions-related issues, including advising a multinational telecommunications company on its rights in relation to a contract with a Myanmar company allegedly owned by sanctioned individuals, and advising a UK company on sanctions in relation to its assets in Russia.

Shipping & admiralty

In line with Chambers’ profile, much of Daniel’s commercial work has arisen in the shipping sector, including his recent instruction in a dispute for the insurers of a shipping agency in relation to damaged goods on a transatlantic crossing. The dispute, in which Daniel is acting as sole counsel, raises complex issues relating to Himalaya Clauses. He is also acting for the owners of a ship in a dispute in relation to an off-hire clause.

Sports law

Daniel is particularly interested in disputes in the sports sector (including anti-doping, safeguarding, transgender issues, and disciplinary matters). His recent sports work includes:

Acting for Liverpool fans in the claim against UEFA arising out of the Champions League final.
Applying for an anonymity order in a high-profile claim brought by a group of retired sportsmen.
Acting for an Olympic medalist in a selection dispute with British Rowing.
Acting for an ice hockey player in an anti-doping matter.
Advising Badminton England in relation to various safeguarding cases, as a member of the Safeguarding Case Management Group.
Acting for a sportswear company in a dispute in relation to its sponsorship of an Italian football club playing in the Serie A league. The dispute relates to the interpretation of a Right of First Refusal (ROFR) clause.
Acting for a hospitality company in a dispute relating to the Monaco Grand Prix.
Hearing cases relating to breaches of the FA Regulations in his role as a member of the Disciplinary Committee of the Suffolk Football Association.
Advising Table Tennis England on its disciplinary policies and procedures.
Hearing a dispute in relation to the selection for the GB team for the Canoeing Marathon World Championships.

Daniel sits on the Disciplinary Committees of Table Tennis England and the Suffolk Football Association. He also sits on the Disciplinary, Disputes, and Appeal Panel for British Canoeing, where he hears appeals, mostly in relation to competition selection/qualification disputes, and safeguarding issues. He is a panel member on the Sports Resolutions Pro Bono Panel, and provides safeguarding advice to NGBs on the Safeguarding Case Management Programme. He also sits on the Safeguarding Case Management Group for Badminton England. He is a keen sportsman and participates in (and watches) many sports. He is a founder and captain of Gray’s Inn Football Club.

Daniel is happy to advise, and act, on a pro bono basis in relation to sports matters. He will accept (when qualified) Direct/Public Access instructions solely in relation to sports matters.

The BSB’s “Public Access Guidance for Lay Clients” can be found here.

Career

2021: Appointed to the Government’s Junior Junior Panel

2021: Tenant at Essex Court Chambers

2020-2021: Pupil at Essex Court Chambers (supervised by David Peters)

2019: Called to the Bar at Gray’s Inn

Education

2019-2020: LLM in International Commercial Law, University College London

2018-2019: BPTC, City Law School

2017-2018: GDL, City Law School

2014-2017: B.Sc. Natural Sciences (Physics and Philosophy), Durham University

2006-2013: The Ashcombe School, Dorking