Members of chambers have been highly ranked in the Chambers and Partners UK Bar Guide 2025, which was released today.
A total of 68 Members of Chambers hold 170 rankings across 25 practice areas. The set has been ranked in 12 practice areas, including a Band 1 ranking in: Commercial Dispute Resolution, Fraud: Civil, International Arbitration and Public International Law.
Special mention is given to the following members who have been listed as ‘Up and coming’ in the following categories:
- Benedict Tompkins for Commercial Dispute Resolution
- Freddie Popplewell for Commercial Dispute Resolution
- Wei Jian Chan for Commercial Dispute Resolution
- Freddie Onslow for Employment
- Benedict Tompkins for International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance
- Mubarak Waseem for Public International Law
- Bibek Mukherjee for Shipping & Commodities
And also to the following members who have received a ‘Star at the Bar’ ranking:
- Roderick Cordara KC for Tax
- Vaughan Lowe KC for Public International Law
- Joe Smouha KC for Commercial Dispute Resolution
- David Craig KC for Employment
- Amy Sander for Public International Law
The set is ranked in the following categories:
- Commercial Dispute Resolution: Band 1
“The set has a deep pool of experts capable of handling commercial cases arising from many different legal areas, such as banking, civil fraud, energy and shipping, to name but a few. An interviewee notes: “The team at Essex Court is peopled with barristers who are quick thinking and able to cut through complicated issues in order to find solutions.” - Fraud Civil: Band 1
“A fantastic set with top-class barristers and seamless administration,” housing a strong bench of senior and junior barristers who are experienced in the handling of large fraud cases both in the UK and further afield. Areas of expertise for the team include claims arising from allegations of misrepresentation, misappropriation and conspiracy, and the set’s barristers are also well versed in seeking or opposing injunctions to freeze, trace and recover assets.” - International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance: Band 1
“A “powerhouse” for international arbitrations involving commercial and insurance matters. Its barristers are consistently recognised for their truly international practices, receiving instructions from the Middle East, Europe and Africa and acting in some of the most significant and high-value disputes. A solicitor opines that “Essex Court is the best chambers at the Bar for international law and arbitration.” - Public International Law: Band 1
“Essex Court Chambers is a pre-eminent public international law set with a “great number of particularly brillant individuals”. The team remains at the forefront of the most cutting-edge international disputes. The set’s academically accomplished barristers field significant expertise in state-versus-state disputes and BIT arbitration.” - Offshore: Band 2
“Its barristers continue to act in some of the most high-profile and high-value offshore disputes. “Nothing seems to faze Essex Court,” the set has “huge depth of expertise across the board”. Members have experience in several key offshore jurisdictions, including the Caribbean, the Channel Islands, Singapore and Dubai, and further jurisdictions such as Belize.” - Chancery: Commercial: Band 2
“This set’s barristers are noted for their expert handling of complex and high-profile commercial chancery disputes. Regularly instructed on both sides of major commercial chancery disputes, barristers here have been involved in some of the most celebrated cases of recent years.” - Employment: Band 2
“Essex Court Chambers is a formidable commercial set with substantial experience of employment litigation in the High Court and above. Interviewees report that the set has “extremely good employment expertise at silk and junior level” delivered by “barristers who are at the top of their game.” - Energy and Natural Resources: Band 2
“Members are renowned for their strong international practices and are adept at handling cases relating to oil and gas pricing, climate change, insurance matters and construction problems.” - Insurance: Band 2
“Essex Court Chambers offers impressive advocacy in the courtroom alongside considerable strengths handling international arbitrations. The set possesses enviable prowess in the Bermuda Form, counting published authors on the subject among its tenants. “Formidable set of senior and junior silks in the insurance and reinsurance disputes sector”. - Shipping & Commodities: Band 2
“Adept across wet and dry shipping matters, members of Essex Court Chambers are regularly sought out by shipbuilders, ship owners, shipyards and insurers for their expert knowledge. Interviewees praise the set’s “clear advice provided on complex issues” and note the set’s “impressive and very deep bench.” - Tax: Indirect Tax: Band 2
“A widely respected chambers recognised for the strength of its indirect tax expertise. Members here act in cases relating to VAT recovery disputes, judicial reviews, the application of EU VAT law, MTIC fraud, and customs and excise duties, among others.” - Banking and Finance: Band 3
“The “universally exceptional” barristers at the set are routinely instructed to act on behalf of a variety of clients, ranging from global banks and funds to investment managers and sovereign governments. Frequent complex matters tackled by the set include claims of LIBOR manipulation and swaps mis-selling, as well as fraud and bribery trials.”
The Chambers and Partners UK Bar Guide is available to view here.