Members of Chambers are pleased to announce that Thomas Sebastian has joined Essex Court Chambers from today, Monday 17 July 2023. Tom joins Chambers from Monckton Chambers.
Tom has a diverse commercial practice in line with Chambers’ profile with a particular focus on public international law, all aspects of international economic law including WTO law and investment arbitration law, EU law, competition law and international commercial arbitration.
Tom is an Indian national called to the Bar in India in 1999 and called to the Bar in England & Wales in 2012. He brings with him over 20 years’ experience as an international and regulatory litigator. He has extensive experience in the English courts and before various international tribunals. Recent case highlights include acting for Google in its dispute with Epic Games and acting for the United Kingdom in defending a 2.7 billion euro infraction action brought before the CJEU. Tom is a member of the Attorney-General’s Public International Law “A panel”.
Tom is recommended in the legal directories as a leading junior for Public International Law, International Arbitration and Competition Law. In Chambers and Partners 2023 he is described as having “A very experienced and assured senior junior, and a very strong drafter. An outstanding advocate and WTO expert renowned for his trade law knowledge.” The Legal 500 2023 describe Tom as follows: “Tom is an excellent advocate and has great strategic judgement. This is someone you want in your team for the most complex and challenging international law disputes, particularly if it involves a trade element.”
Tom joins a number of cross-recruits who have joined Essex Court Chambers in recent years including Ben Juratowitch KC, Paul Wee, Sean Aughey, Sophia Hurst, Christopher Lloyd, Alexander Riddiford and Matthieu Gregoire.
Senior Clerk Joe Ferrigno said “Tom joins chambers with an impressive public international law and competition practice. His stand-out analytical ability and extensive international experience is already well known to members of chambers who have worked with him. There is no doubt that his excellent reputation and caseload will contribute considerably to our already well-established international commercial disputes team.”
Tom says “I look forward to developing my practice at Essex Court Chambers. Essex Court has a formidable global reputation and an incredible heritage across all of its areas of focus. It is a privilege to be able to take forward my practice in the areas of public international law, international arbitration, commercial litigation and competition law with colleagues at Essex Court Chambers. I remain grateful for all of the support I received from everyone at Monckton Chambers.”
