Members of Chambers are pleased to announce that Ben Juratowitch QC will join Essex Court Chambers on Monday 1 November 2021.
Ben is a partner at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP and is Head of the firm’s Public International Law practice. Ben took silk in 2017 and is also a member of the Paris Bar. He was called to the Bar by Lincoln’s Inn on 27 May 2021 and will commence full time practice as a barrister in November.
Ben is recognised as an outstanding advocate and a first-rate scholar. He appears before international courts and tribunals in disputes between states, disputes between foreign investors and states, and disputes between commercial parties. He has been counsel for a broad range of states, corporations, international organisations and individuals in disputes before the International Court of Justice, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, the European Court of Human Rights, and arbitral tribunals constituted by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes, the International Chamber of Commerce, the London Court of International Arbitration, the Singapore International Arbitration Centre and the Cairo Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration. He has equally appeared before the English courts and the Caribbean Court of Justice in cases concerning international arbitration and international law.
Ben is ranked as a stand-out practitioner in International Arbitration and Public International Law by the leading legal directories. He has most recently been ranked a Band 1 Global Market Leader in Chambers and Partners 2021, where he is described as having “an outstanding ability to communicate complex legal arguments with conceptual clarity and persuasiveness,” and as combining “high-level legal expertise with a strategic and innovative approach.”
Joint Heads of Chambers, Joe Smouha QC and Huw Davies QC said “We are delighted that Ben will be joining Chambers. International arbitration and public international law have always formed an important part of the work of members of Chambers, which fit with and support the enormous range of international litigation in which members of chambers are involved. Work in those areas has continued to grow steadily in recent years, which is reflected in the number of pre-eminent individuals in these fields who have joined chambers in recent years. Ben is a well-known and highly respected advocate and scholar who stands out for his expertise in a variety of fields. We look forward to welcoming him.”
Senior Clerk Joe Ferrigno said “Taking on Ben provides Chambers with an exceptional opportunity to grow our already well-established international disputes and PIL practices, adding a versatile practitioner with an excellent reputation and caseload who will no doubt contribute considerably to the breadth and depth of expertise offered to clients.”
The Co-Head of Freshfields’ International Arbitration Group, Nigel Blackaby QC, and the incoming Head of Freshfields’ Public International Law practice, Will Thomas QC, said “We are delighted for our friend Ben that he will continue his career at the Bar. Ben played an important role in developing Freshfields’ PIL team, which continues to be ranked “Band 1” by Chambers Global, and is renowned for its deep bench of experienced practitioners across its global practice. Essex Court Chambers are fortunate to be joined by such an accomplished advocate and we look forward to collaborating with Ben in his new role.”
Ben said “Over many years I have appeared with, against and before barristers from Essex Court Chambers in commercial arbitrations, investment treaty disputes, cases between States, and cases in the English and Caribbean courts. It is an honour to be joining them in Chambers. I am immensely grateful to my colleagues at Freshfields over the years for the trust they have placed in me and the opportunities they have given me, as well as for their supportive approach to my decision to become independent. I am very pleased that we will be continuing to work together.”
