On 26 February 2024 the Competition Appeal Tribunal, in a unanimous judgment, determined a central issue in the long-running Merricks v Mastercard proceedings in favour of Mastercard. The claim is a class action brought by Mr Merricks CBE on behalf of all those who, between 22 May 1992 and 21 June 2008, were UK residents over the […]

Members of Essex Court Chambers are delighted to congratulate Neil Hart KC and Luke Tattersall on being nominated for awards at the upcoming Bar Pro Bono Awards 2024. Neil Hart KC has been nominated for the Pro Bono KC of the Year award and Luke Tattersall has been nominated for the International Pro Bono Barrister […]

65 Members of Essex Court Chambers have received rankings in the 2024 edition of the Chambers Global Guide following its release today. Members have been ranked in 7 jurisdictions including the USA, UK, Belize, Asia-Pacific, Middle East-wide, Singapore and Europe, and are ranked across 9 practice areas including International Arbitration, Public International Law, Commercial Dispute Resolution, […]

Iain Quirk KC gave evidence today at the House of Lords Special Public Bill Committee on the Arbitration Bill, in his capacity as Deputy Chair of ICC UK. Iain gave evidence on the proposals regarding the law governing the arbitration agreement and challenges to the jurisdiction of a tribunal under s.67 of the Arbitration Act […]

Members of Essex Court Chambers are delighted to announce that Richard Hoyle has been shortlisted for Social Mobility Bar Champion of the Year at the Legal 500 ESG Award 2024. The inaugural Legal 500 ESG Awards will celebrate the very best diversity & inclusion, sustainability and governance initiatives across the UK legal market – private […]

Professor Dapo Akande, Chichele Professor of Public International Law, has been awarded a commendation by the Ambassador of Japan to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Hajime Hayashi. The Ambassador’s Commendation was awarded to Professor Akande “for his outstanding contribution to the progressive development of international law and his tremendous support for Japan’s efforts in strengthening the […]

On Friday 2 February 2024, the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands rejected an application by the Cayman general partner (“IGCF GP”) of an investment fund (“IGCF”) to set aside an Enforcement Order in relation to an arbitration award. IGCF’s remaining primary asset is a substantial stake in K-Electric, a vertically integrated utility company in […]

Three cases involving four members of Essex Court Chambers are featured in The Lawyer’s Top 10 Appeals with proceedings set to be heard in court during 2024. The list includes cases with significant sums in dispute as well as disputes involving high profile parties or issues. The cases involving members of Essex Court Chambers are […]

In an arbitration award made on 31 January 2024 (agreed by the parties to be public), Sir Richard Aikens ruled in favour of 300+ hairdressing salon owners on wording which referred to “an emergency likely to endanger life or property.” Sir Richard disagreed with the assumption of the Divisional Court in the FCA test case […]

Joe Smouha KC’s term as Head of Chambers ended on 31 January 2024. We owe him a profound debt of gratitude for his tireless work and unswerving commitment as joint Head of Chambers, first with Huw Davies KC and then with Richard Millett KC, over the last four years. He continues in full time practice as a member of Chambers. Richard Millett KC and Paul […]

As was widely reported in the media last week, some £75m of assets linked to Baroness Mone and her husband Douglas Barrowman were frozen under a restraint order granted under s41 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 in December 2023. The assets include real property in London, Scotland and the Isle of Man as […]