Grace Ferrier

Professional practice

Grace practises commercial litigation and international arbitration. She is particularly experienced in high-value and complex commercial disputes involving international elements, including most recently, Município de Mariana v BHP, one of The Lawyer’s Top 20 Cases of 2020, 2022 and 2024, the 13-week liability trial for which concluded in March 2025. Grace’s international arbitration experience includes representing or advising parties in proceedings under LCIA, ICC and ad-hoc rules as well as in associated court applications including challenges, enforcement and injunctive relief. Grace’s other areas of expertise include group litigation, civil fraud, banking and financial services, commercial employment, ESG-related matters, public international law (including human rights, sanctions and state immunity issues), parent company liability and insurance.

Notable instructions include:

Acting for more than 700,000 Claimants in Município de Mariana v BHP [2024] EWHC 953 (TCC), [2024] EWHC 954 (TCC), [2024] EWHC 952 (TCC), [2024] EWHC 207 (TCC), [2024] EWHC 192 (TCC), [2024] EWHC 23 (TCC), a multi-billion-pound dispute arising from Brazil’s largest environmental disaster and the largest class action by claimant size in English legal history (with Alain Choo Choy KC, Andrew Fulton KC and others).
Advising the Post Office’s external solicitors in relation to the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry (with Jonathan Hough KC and others).
Acting for the Claimants in Hoffman v Finalto Group Limited, a multi-million fintech dispute involving claims for breach of contract and allegations of fraudulent misrepresentation (with Alain Choo Choy KC and Edward Brown KC).
Advising in connection with proceedings in Republic of Mozambique v Credit Suisse International & Ors, a $3bn bribery and fraud dispute arising from the “Tuna Bonds” scandal and one of The Lawyer’s Top 20 Cases of 2023.
Advising in connection with proceedings in JSC Privatbank v Kolomoisky & Bogolyubov – a $1.9bn fraud dispute and one of The Lawyer’s Top 20 Cases of 2022.
Acting in an ad-hoc arbitration involving issues of contractual interpretation and subsequent applications under s.66 and 69 of the Arbitration Act 1996 (with David Joseph KC).
Acting in an ad-hoc arbitration involving issues of contractual interpretation and estoppel and subsequent applications under ss.66, 68 and 69 of the Arbitration Act 1996 (with David Joseph KC).
Acting in an LCIA arbitration involving a dispute between a global consulting firm and their former employee (with Roderick Cordara KC).

Grace has experience conducting the variety of tasks that accompany heavy litigation and arbitration including drafting pleadings, orders, opening and closing submissions, Disclosure Review Documents, Redfern Schedules, Lists of Common Ground Issues and Case Memoranda (and any necessary associated inter partes negotiation of the same); appearing led at interlocutory hearings (interim applications, Case Management Conferences, Disclosure Guidance Hearings and Pre-trial Reviews); and cross-examination preparation. In addition to appearing as junior counsel, Grace has appeared unled in the County Court.

As a fluent Brazilian Portuguese speaker, Grace is well-suited to acting in Lusophone and Latin American disputes. She also has extensive expertise in Brazilian law, especially the law pertaining to Brazilian Environmental, Civil and Corporate Liability, limitation and waiver, and associated issues of Civil Procedure.

Grace has a particular interest in ESG matters and appeared as the lead junior in the Environmental Law claim in Município de Mariana v BHP during which time she developed significant knowledge of Brazilian Environmental Law. She regularly writes on the subject, including articles on the quantification of environmental damage, developments in deforestation legislation and litigation and the unique role of indigenous peoples in combating the climate crisis.

Grace completed an accelerated Law (Jurisprudence) degree at the University of Oxford on a full tuition fee scholarship, graduating with a multi-prize winning first, including prizes for best performance in private law, contract, tort and criminal law. She subsequently taught contract law and tort law at the University of Oxford. Before that, Grace was an Associate at JP Morgan and later worked as an independent consultant to other City banks, having graduated with a BA in History and Portuguese from St. John’s College, Oxford in 2014.

Grace is a David Karmel, Bedingfield and Atkin Scholar of Gray’s Inn (the Inn’s top scholarships each year).

Career

2022 Tenant at Essex Court Chambers

2021-2022 Pupil at Essex Court Chambers (with Emily Wood KC)

2021 Called to the Bar (Gray’s Inn)

2019-2020 Contract and Tort tutor – University of Oxford

2016-2020 Consultant – HSBC Private Bank (2016), Wells Fargo (2016-2017), JP Morgan (2019-2020)

2014-2016 Associate – JP Morgan

2013 Commercial Analyst – British Consulate, São Paulo (during year abroad)

Education

2020-2021 The Inns of Court College of Advocacy, PGDip in Bar Practice

2017-2019 Harris Manchester College, University of Oxford, BA Jurisprudence, First Class (ranked 6th in year)

2010-2014 St John’s College, University of Oxford, BA History and Portuguese, 2.1 with Distinction in the colloquial use of Portuguese

Awards

2022 Atkin Scholar (Gray’s Inn)

2021 Bedingfield Scholar (Gray’s Inn)

2019

Gibbs Prize (Oxford University) for best aggregate performance in Trusts, Land, Contract and Tort law

Slaughter and May Prize (Oxford University) for joint best performance in Contract Law

Wronker Prize (Oxford University) for best performance in Tort Law

Law Faculty Prize (Oxford University) for best performance in Criminal Law

D’Souza Prize (Oxford University) for best performance on the Senior Status BA

2018

Ashtiany Prizes (Harris Manchester College) for first class results in internal examinations in Trusts, Land and Jurisprudence

Rowlinson Prize (Harris Manchester College) for Excellent Achievement

Best Oralist Prize (The Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot) for best performance out of 100 competitors

Winner (Blackstone University of Oxford Human Rights Moot)

2017

David Karmel Scholar (Gray’s Inn)

Second Undergraduate Degree Scholarship (Harris Manchester College)

Best Oralist prize (University of Oxford 7KBW Commercial Law Moot 2017)

2011 Casberd Academic Scholarship (St. John’s College)

Arbitration & related court applications

Grace’s recent instructions include:

Acting in an ad-hoc arbitration involving issues of contractual interpretation and subsequent applications under s.66 and 69 of the Arbitration Act 1996 (with David Joseph KC).
Acting in an ad-hoc arbitration involving issues of contractual interpretation and estoppel and subsequent applications under ss.66, 68 and 69 of the Arbitration Act 1996 (with David Joseph KC).
Acting in an injunction to restrain an alleged breach of arbitral confidentiality and an application for permission to appeal the judgment of said application to the Court of Appeal (with David Joseph KC).
Advising on the transfer of rights under an arbitration agreement and associated issues of state immunity (with Iain Quirk KC).
Acting in an LCIA arbitration involving a dispute between a global consulting firm and their former employee (with Roderick Cordara KC).

During pupillage, Grace assisted with the following matters:

An LCIA arbitration concerning a dispute about the proper construction of the standard form contract used in the non-household retail water market and the duty of good faith.
An appeal before the Privy Council arising out of an enforcement challenge on the application and interpretation of Articles V.1(a)-(c) and V.2(b) of the New York Convention.
An ICC arbitration involving claims for breaches of exclusivity obligations and restrictive covenants in an international cement contract.
A jurisdiction challenge under 67 of the Arbitration Act 1996.
An application to set aside an order for the enforcement of an arbitral award under s.66 of the Arbitration Act 1996 on the basis that the order would serve no useful purpose.
Resisting a claim for an anti-suit injunction on the basis of undue delay.
An appeal arising out of a claim for an anti-suit injunction as to the proper approach to be taken to two conflicting jurisdiction clauses.
Advising on proper forum in a standard form contract with both an exclusive jurisdiction clause and an arbitration clause incorporated by agreement.

Banking & financial services

Grace’s recent instructions include:

Acting in a multi-million fintech dispute involving claims to management equity and allegations of fraudulent misrepresentation (with Alain Choo Choy KC and Edward Brown KC).
Advising in a claim against the Designated Manager of a close-ended investment fund in Guernsey in connection with losses resulting from the failure of the fund (with Tim Akkouh KC).

During pupillage, Grace assisted with the following matters:

Advising on whether a private credit firm was entitled to appoint receivers over rights to amounts payable under various trade credit insurance policies.
Advising on the law applicable to claims arising out of allegations of financial market manipulation.
An application for reverse summary judgment or to strike out a claimant bank’s claims to enforce UAE judgments against various assets on the grounds of retention of beneficial ownership and as transactions defrauding creditors under 423 of the Insolvency Act 1986 on the basis that they did not raise a serious issue to be tried.
Advising in connection with the unauthorised release of security pledged by the claimant bank in return for commodities financing.

Business and Human Rights

Grace’s recent instructions include acting for more than 700,000 Claimants in Município de Mariana v BHP [2024] EWHC 953 (TCC), [2024] EWHC 954 (TCC), [2024] EWHC 952 (TCC), [2024] EWHC 207 (TCC), [2024] EWHC 192 (TCC), [2024] EWHC 23 (TCC), a multi-billion-pound dispute arising from Brazil’s largest environmental disaster (with Alain Choo Choy KC, Andrew Fulton KC and others). The dispute involved consideration of law at the intersection between human rights and civil liability, in particular, the right to an ecologically balanced environment enshrined in Article 225 of the Brazilian Constitution and its direct applicability and horizontal effect.

Grace’s interest in Human Rights & Civil Liberties can be traced back to her engagement in a variety of human rights-related extracurricular activities during her legal studies. Grace won the University of Oxford Blackstone Human Rights Moot Court Competition 2018 and Best Oralist prize at The Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Court Competition 2018 out of 100 participants. Both competitions centred on international human rights law issues.

Additionally, Grace participated in the Bonavero Institute’s “Gateways to Human Rights Research and Practice” programme “Research Training on Police Use of Force Legislation & Jurisprudence” which culminated in the publication of her academic review on Police Use of Force Legislation & Jurisprudence in Brazil, see: https://www.policinglaw.info/country/brazil.

Civil Fraud & Asset Tracing

Grace’s recent instructions include:

Acting in a multi-million fintech dispute involving allegations of fraudulent misrepresentation (with Alain Choo Choy KC and Edward Brown KC).
Advising in connection with proceedings in Republic of Mozambique v Credit Suisse International & Ors, a $3bn bribery and fraud dispute arising from the “Tuna Bonds” scandal and one of The Lawyer’s Top 20 Cases of 2023.
Advising in connection with proceedings in JSC Privatbank v Kolomoisky & Bogolyubov, a $1.9bn fraud dispute and one of The Lawyer’s Top 20 Cases of 2022.

During pupillage, Grace assisted with the following matters:

A dispute about interests in an international fishing business involving allegations of misappropriation and unlawful means conspiracy.
A claim for misrepresentation in connection with the sale of a group of residential care homes.
Advising on potential claims and associated jurisdictional issues arising out of a significant cross-border fraud.
Advising on the law applicable to a claim for fraudulent misrepresentation in connection with the alleged manipulation of financial markets.

Commercial chancery disputes

Grace’s recent instructions include advising in a claim against the Designated Manager of a close-ended investment fund in Guernsey in connection with losses resulting from the failure of the fund (with Tim Akkouh KC).

During pupillage, Grace assisted with the following matters:

Advising on whether a Deed of Assignment permitted creditors to appoint receivers to enforce their rights to amounts payable under certain trade credit insurance policies.
Advising on potential claims and associated jurisdictional issues arising out of a cross-border fraud.
A probate claim concerning interests in the multi-million-pound estate of Russian businessman.
A Part 71 cross examination of an officer of a judgment debtor.

Commercial dispute resolution

Grace’s recent instructions include:

Acting for more than 700,000 Claimants in the 13-week liability trial in Município de Mariana v BHP [2024] EWHC 953 (TCC), [2024] EWHC 954 (TCC), [2024] EWHC 952 (TCC), [2024] EWHC 207 (TCC), [2024] EWHC 192 (TCC), [2024] EWHC 23 (TCC) – a multi-billion-pound dispute arising from the collapse of the Fundão tailings dam involving Brazilian law claims of strict environmental liability, negligence and controlling shareholder liability as well as issues of limitation and waiver (with Alain Choo Choy KC, Andrew Fulton KC and others). A central limb of the Claimants’ case involved arguments that BHP’s Dual Listed Company exercised control over the joint venture vehicle which operated the Fundão tailings dam and was thus responsible for its collapse.
Acting in a multi-million fintech dispute involving claims for breach of contract (with Alain Choo Choy KC and Edward Brown KC).
Advising in connection with proceedings in Republic of Mozambique v Credit Suisse International & Ors, a $3bn bribery and fraud dispute arising from the “Tuna Bonds” scandal and one of The Lawyer’s Top 20 Cases of 2023.
Advising in connection with proceedings in JSC Privatbank v Kolomoisky & Bogolyubov, a $1.9bn fraud dispute and one of The Lawyer’s Top 20 Cases of 2022.

During pupillage, Grace assisted with the following matters:

A dispute as to the proper application of the Civil Liability Contribution Act 1978 to a Part 20 claim in a dispute about interests in an international fishing business.
A dispute between a high-speed railway operator and a multinational conglomerate in connection with alleged breaches of a trademark licensing
A dispute between a sports streaming service and a telecommunications provider in connection with alleged breaches of a distribution partnership agreement.
A claim for breach of contract and fraudulent misrepresentation in connection with the sale of a group of residential care homes.
Advising on the merits of claims for breach of contract and negligence in connection with the unauthorised release of security by a provider of collateral management
Advising on whether an aircraft leasing contract was frustrated by EU sanctions against
A claim for wrongful termination of an aircraft leasing contract.
An application for reverse summary judgment or to strike out claims challenging transfers of assets on the grounds of retention of beneficial ownership and as transactions
Advising on the contractual rights and obligations between a sporting body and a third party.

Conflict of laws & private international law

Grace’s recent instructions include:

Acting in a multi-million fintech dispute involving issues of Israeli law (with Alain Choo Choy KC and Edward Brown KC).
Acting in Município de Mariana v BHP which involved consideration of the law applicable to an agency relationship (with Alain Choo Choy KC, Andrew Fulton KC and others).

During pupillage, Grace assisted with the following matters:

An appeal before the Privy Council arising out of a challenge to a Brazilian arbitral award involving questions of proof of foreign law and issue estoppel.
Advising as to the law applicable to the question of whether the assignment of an insurance policy was prohibited in circumstances where the contract of assignment and the insurance policy were governed by different laws.
A jurisdiction challenge in the Chancery Division involving applications to stay proceedings under Article 34 of the Brussels Regulation and on forum non conveniens
Advising as to the jurisdictional basis for a foreign intervener in multi-party proceedings to bring a counterclaim against a foreign claimant.
Advising on the law applicable to claims for fraudulent misrepresentation and breaches of competition law in connection with alleged financial market manipulation.
A question as to the law applicable to a contract to stream sporting events in Italy for the purposes of determining whether s.27 of the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977
Advising on the law applicable to a claim in negligence arising out of the unauthorised release of security in Ghana.
Advising on whether a jurisdiction clause with a floating law can be saved by applying Article 7 of the Rome Regulation to determine applicable law.

ESG

Grace appeared as the lead junior in the Environmental Law claim in the 13-week trial of Município de Mariana v BHP, during which time she developed extensive knowledge of Brazilian Environmental Law. She also regularly writes about ESG matters, including recent articles on the quantification of environmental damage, developments in deforestation legislation and litigation and the unique role of indigenous peoples in combating the climate crisis.

Employment

Grace’s recent instructions include:

Acting for the former executives of a fintech company in a claim for breach of contract and wrongful termination for whistleblowing.
Acting for a former employee of a global consulting firm in claims for breaches of restrictive covenants.

During pupillage, Grace assisted with an unfair dismissal claim raising issues about the proper scope of Royal Mail Group Ltd (Respondent) v Jhuti (Appellant) [2019] UKSC 55 and the extent to which dismissal due to third-party pressure could amount to substantive unfairness where that pressure was itself based on unlawful discrimination.

Group Actions

Grace’s recent instructions include:

Acting for more than 700,000 Claimants in Município de Mariana v BHP [2024] EWHC 953 (TCC), [2024] EWHC 954 (TCC), [2024] EWHC 952 (TCC), [2024] EWHC 207 (TCC), [2024] EWHC 192 (TCC), [2024] EWHC 23 (TCC), the largest class action by claimant size in English legal history (with Alain Choo Choy KC, Andrew Fulton KC and others).
Advising the Post Office’s external solicitors in relation to the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry, involving consideration of the conduct of the Post Office Group Litigation (with Jonathan Hough KC and others).

Human rights & civil liberties

Grace has a particular interest in Human Rights & Civil Liberties having engaged in a variety of human rights-related extracurricular activities during her studies. Grace won the University of Oxford Blackstone Human Rights Moot Court Competition 2018 and won Best Oralist prize at The Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Court Competition 2018 out of 100 participants. Both competitions centred on international human rights law issues.

Insurance & reinsurance

During pupillage, Grace assisted with the following matters:

Advising on whether certain insurance policies prohibited the assignment of rights to amounts payable thereunder.
An appeal as to the proper approach to two conflicting jurisdiction clauses in a tower of insurance policies.
Advising on the proper construction of an excess of loss insurance policy.
Advising on whether an insurer could retrospectively reallocate losses under a tower of excess of loss contracts of reinsurance so as to increase its recoveries from a particular layer.

International Trade & Transport

Grace has a particular interest in International Trade and Transport having previously worked in the Department for UK Trade and Investment at the British Consulate in Brazil. Grace worked in the Mass Transport and Infrastructure department advising British businesses interested in entering the Brazilian market. During pupillage, Grace assisted Members of Chambers in the following International Trade & Transport matters:

A dispute between two businesses engaged in the international trade of cement involving claims for breaches of exclusivity obligations and restrictive covenants.
A dispute before the Commercial Court between a highspeed rail operator and a multinational conglomerate in connection with alleged breaches of a trademark license agreement.
An advice as to whether an aircraft leasing contract was frustrated by EU sanctions against Russia.
A claim for wrongful termination of an aircraft leasing contract.

Public & administrative law

Grace’s recent instructions include advising the Post Office’s external solicitors in relation to the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry (with Jonathan Hough KC and others). During pupillage, Grace assisted with drafting grounds in an application for the judicial review of a decision by the Westminster Magistrates Court to vary an Account Freezing Order issued under s.303Z1 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 against companies associated with a sanctioned Russian oligarch.

Public international law

Grace has been instructed to advise on the transfer of rights under an arbitration agreement and associated issues of state immunity (with Iain Quirk KC). During pupillage Grace assisted with the following matters:

A confidential matter concerning the application of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 to certain breaches of The Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.
A crucial test case for the UK-Russia sanctions regime involving (a) an application by companies associated with a sanctioned Russian oligarch to vary Account Freezing Orders issued under s.303Z1 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 following suspicions that said companies had breached UK sanctions and (b) an application to judicially review the decision of the Westminster Magistrates Court to vary said AFOs.

Grace has a particular interest in Public International Law owing to her previous experience working at the British Consulate in São Paulo and her engagement in various international human rights law extracurriculars during her degree, including The Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Court Competition 2018, for which she won Best Oralist prize.

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

During pupillage, Grace assisted a Member of Chambers in connection with an appeal against two HMRC decisions which determined that the appellant’s supplies of fund management services to certain collective investment funds were not VAT exempt because the funds were not subject to specific State supervision within the meaning of EU law.

Barrister at Essex Court Chambers

Professional practice