Charles Graham KC
Barrister
Call 1986 Silk 2003
Charles is a hugely experienced advocate and adviser in litigation and arbitration, with particular expertise in handling large-scale international arbitration concerning issues of contractual interpretation, energy disputes, construction projects, sale of goods, share purchase agreements, and breach of warranty claims.
He has a wide experience of accounting issues, civil fraud and banking claims and many other aspects of commercial law. Charles is recommended in Chambers UK and Chambers Global for his experience in Commercial Litigation and recommended in The Legal 500 as a legal expert in Energy related matters and International Arbitration.
Recent cases include;
LCIA Proceedings [2021]
Acting for the Claimant in a dispute concerning claim for breach of contract and duty of obligations to disclose information under a joint venture agreement with the Defendant’s European subsidiary company. The claim is centred around the Claimant’s purchase of a multinational oil and gas exploration and production company for $5.5billion in circumstances where the Defendant was pursuing an arbitration claim against the company in question for $8billion.
LCIA Proceedings [2021]
For the Claimant (with Connall Patton KC and Saul Lemer) in LCIA proceedings for breach of an investment agreement in relation to an investment in a CIS state.
(1)Quartz Assets LLC (2) Quartz Assets Pte ltd v Kestrel Coal Midco Pty Ltd [2021]
Acting for the Claimant companies in their claim for damages from the Defendant for its breach of what the Claimants contend was an obligation on its part to obtain mezzanine financing, for the purposes of acquitting an Australian coal mine, exclusively from the Claimants.
Brown-Forman Beverages Europe Ltd. v Bacardi UK LimitedLCIA Proceedings [2021]
For Brown-Forman in a claim against Bacardi UK Limited under a parent company guarantee, raising difficult issues of construction, equitable set-off and the rule in Holme v Brunskill.
LCIA Arbitration [2017 - 2019]
For Claimant, joint-venture contractor, in major, complex and technical arbitration proceedings relating to a construction project in the energy sector. The claim, for $750m, raised, amongst other things, a difficult issue concerning the interpretation of a construction sub-contract viewed in its relevant factual matrix.
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Examples of Recent Cases
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Commercial Litigation
- (1)Quartz Assets LLC (2) Quartz Assets Pte ltd v Kestrel Coal Midco Pty Ltd [2021]
Acting for the Claimant companies in their claim for damages from the Defendant for its breach of what the Claimants contend was an obligation on its part to obtain mezzanine financing, for the purposes of acquitting an Australian coal mine, exclusively from the Claimants. - Brown-Forman Beverages Europe Ltd. v Bacardi UK Limited [2021]
For Brown-Forman in a claim against Bacardi UK Limited under a parent company guarantee, raising difficult issues of construction, equitable set-off and the rule in Holme v Brunskill. - LCIA Proceedings [2021]
Acts (with Connall Patton KC and Saul Lemer) for the claimant in LCIA proceedings for breach of an investment agreement in relation to an investment in a CIS state. - LCIA Arbitration [2021]
For Claimant, joint-venture contractor, in major, complex and technical arbitration proceedings relating to a construction project in the energy sector. The claim, for $750m, raised, amongst other things, a difficult issue concerning the interpretation of a construction sub-contract viewed in its relevant factual matrix - Dar Al Arkan Real Estate Development & ors v. Al Refai & ors [2014] EWCA Civ 715Acting for 2nd Defendant, Kroll Associates, as Respondent to an appeal brought by the Claimants against a decision that the Court had jurisdiction to commit a director of the Claimant companies for contempt, even though he was resident out of the jurisdiction. The Court of Appeal held that the Court did have jurisdiction to commit him for civil contempt both under CPR 81.4 and under CPR 6.36 and PD 6B para 3.1.
- Energy Venture Partners Ltd v. Malabu Oil & Gas Limited [2014] EWCA Civ 1295; [2014] EWHC 1390 (Comm); [2013] EWHC 2118 (Comm)
Acting for the defendant, Malabu Oil & Gas Limited, in the matter brought by the Claimant company (EVP) for commission of US$200 million said to be due under an oral contract following the surrender by Malabu of its interest in an oil exploration licence, alternatively for a quantum meruit. Malabu defeated the contractual claim for commission but EVP was awarded US$110.5 million by way of quantum meruit. Malabu then had a further claim launched by EVP dismissed. EVP next sought to appeal an interlocutory order made earlier that it should fortify its cross-undertaking in damages. That appeal was dismissed - 2010 - Advising UK-based company (which aimed to carry on an international architecture practice as a joint venture via a shareholding in a foregin company) on the meaning and effect of the relevant shareholders' agreement.
- 2009 - CEP Holdings Ltd & Anor v. Steni AS [2009] EWHC 2447 (QB)
Trial, in which a key issue in the case was the meaning in an exclusive distribution agreement of a clause requiring the distributor to use "all reasonable endeavours" to promote the supplier's products in the UK. - 2009 - Shinhan Card Ltd v. Citibank and JP Morgan Chase (Chancery Division)
Acted for well-known international bank in action invloving analysis of its obligations as Note Trustee under a Deed relating to a complex securitisation arrangement. - 2009 - Acting for Claimant company in an international arbitration concerning the operation (and interpretation) of a "Build Operate Transfer" contract governing the production of anodes for use in an aluminium smelting plant in the former Yugoslavia.
- Inchcape -v- Lookers
2008 - Acting for one well-known car retailer in an action against another for recovery of a break fee payable in circumstances in which the second car retailer withdrew from a commitment to enter a business sale agreement to purchase a portfolio of car dealerships.
- (1)Quartz Assets LLC (2) Quartz Assets Pte ltd v Kestrel Coal Midco Pty Ltd [2021]
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Arbitration
- 2021 LCIA Arbitration
Acting for the Claimant in a dispute concerning claim for breach of contract and duty of obligations to disclose information under a joint venture agreement with the Defendant’s European subsidiary company. The claim is centred around the Claimant’s purchase of a multinational oil and gas exploration and production company for $5.5billion in circumstances where the Defendant was pursuing an arbitration claim against the company in question for $8billion. - 2021 LCIA Arbitration
For the Claimant (with Connall Patton KC and Saul Lemer) in LCIA proceedings for breach of an investment agreement in relation to an investment in a CIS state. - 2021 UNCITRAL Arbitration
For the Defendant in a claim under the Commercial Agents Regulations - 2017-2019 LCIA Arbitration
For Claimant, joint-venture contractor, in major, complex and technical arbitration proceedings relating to a construction project in the energy sector. The claim, for $750m, raised, amongst other things, a difficult issue concerning the interpretation of a construction sub-contract viewed in its relevant factual matrix. - 2016 ICC Arbitration
For the successful Claimant in a substantial international arbitration between a major Russian manufacturer and its supplier of metal for use in a gas pipeline. - 2013 - 2014 UNCITRAL Arbitration
Acting for a subsidiary of a well-known Indian telecoms group as respondent in an UNCITRAL Arbitration (the arbitration having its seat in Lagos, Nigeria), in relation to a claim brought by the claimant, which was a shareholder in a Nigerian telecoms company. The claimant shareholder claimed that it had been deprived of pre-emption rights when other shareholders in the Nigerian company sold their shares to the respondent Indian subsidiary. By the time of the quantum hearing the claimant was seeking US$4.9 billion in damages. At the quantum hearing we successfully limited the claimant’s claim to US$132 million, i.e. some 3% of the total claimed. - 2014 ICC Arbitration
Acting for the Claimant in an ICC Arbitration brought against the Respondent concerning the quality of heavy steel plates manufactured to fabricate into pipe for use transporting natural gas. The case has involved an ICC Pre-Arbitral Referee Procedure by which the Defendant applied to a Referee for an order that the Claimant should take delivery and pay for undelivered plates. That application was rejected. - 2014 ICC Arbitration
Acting for a Dubai company in an ICC Arbitration under which it is seeking payment for sums due under a contract made concerning the supply of spares for helicopters to the Indian Navy. - 2012 UNCITRAL Arbitration
Acting for Claimant in ad hoc Arbitration under UNCITRAL Rules. Claim arose out of contractual dispute concerning an aluminium smelting plant in Montenegro. Parties had agreed a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Contract and the dispute concerned the sums payable thereunder following the transfer of the plant back to Claimant. Claimant was successful. - 2009
Acting for Claimant company in an international arbitration concerning the operation (and interpretation) of a Build Operate Transfer contract governing the production of anodes for use in an aluminium smelting plant in the former Yugoslavia. - 2006-2007 ICC Arbitration
For a Spanish company which was respondent to a claim for about 70m, arising out of its sale of a subsidiary to a French buyer, the market leader in the relevant industry. - 2006-2007
Acting as Arbitrator in domestic arbitration between an insurer and an incorporated professional body, concerning the proper interpretation of that corporations Articles of Association. - 2003 - 2004 UNCITRAL Arbitration
Acting in an ad hoc arbitration under UNCITRAL rules in relation to a complex dispute arising out of the privatisation of the steel industry in Macedonia; the case involved complex accounting issues. - 2003-2004 ICC Arbitration
Acting in an ICC arbitration for clients in relation to their dispute with J.Sainsbury plc arising out of Sainsbury's attempt to open and run a chain of supermarkets in Egypt. In that connection resisted (unsuccessfully) application for stay of related English proceedings under Arbitration Act 1996, section 9. See El Nasharty & ors v. J. Sainsbury plc [2003] EWHC 2195 (Comm) [2004] 1 Lloyds Rep. 309. - 2003-2004 CEDR Mediation
For the clients against a firm of solicitors in relation to a dispute concerning advice given by the solicitors to the clients in connection with the sale of their IT company to a German company.
- 2021 LCIA Arbitration
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Banking and Financial Services
- 2010 Macquarie Internationale Investments v. Glencore (Court of Appeal)
Successful oral application for permission to appeal against judgment in relation to a case turning on the proper construction of warranties under a share sale agreement. - 2009 Shinhan Card Ltd v Citibank and JP Morgan Chase (Chancery Division)
Acted for well-known international bank in action involving analysis of its obligations as Note Trustee under a Deed relating to a complex securitisation arrangement. - 2006 Advised German bank as to whether it would be in breach of English banking law if it were to disclose client-related information being demanded from it by the Department of Justice in the USA.
- 2005 - Advised several companies whose bank accounts had been or were threatened with closure by high street banks, very possibly at the instigation of HMRC.
- 2009 - Acting for Intended Claimants in action to be brought against an IFA and a Swiss Private Bank alleging professional negligence and breach of contract arising out of advice given (or not given) by the IFA and the Bank in relation to a scheme involving a foreign currency mortgage and an offshore bond, the purpose of which was to mitigate the clients' exposure to inheritance tax.
- 2006-2007 Doughty Hanson & Co. v. Roe [2007] EWHC 2212 (Ch) – Acting for minority shareholder seeking to overturn the result of an expert determination of the “fair value” of his shares. The underlying assets relevant to the share valuation in this case concerned the company’s activities as the manager of a number of private equity funds/partnerships.
- 2005-2006 Advising a financial services company as regards its rights under a contract made with a local law society for the provision of financial services to members of that society and/or their clients.
- 2004-2005 – Acting for the seller of a Jersey-based trust company in relation to proceedings brought against it the buyer, another financial services company, the proceedings being for breach of warranties given under the share sale agreement.
- 2010 Macquarie Internationale Investments v. Glencore (Court of Appeal)
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Civil Fraud and Investigations
- R.Tchenguiz v Serious Fraud Office; V.Tchenguiz v Serious Fraud Office
Acting for the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) in respect of two claims, one brought by Robert Tchenguiz and associated companies and trusts and the other by his brother Vincent Tchenguiz and associated companies and trusts, each brother seeking hundreds of millions of pounds in damages arising from alleged false imprisonment, trespass and/or misfeasance in public office. - 2008 Al-Rawas v. Pegasus Energy & Ors (No 2) [2008] EWHC 617 (QB)
Appeared for Claimant in case concerning the measure and extent of recoverability of damages payable by a claimant pursuant to undertakings given by him when obtaining a search and seizure order and a freezing order. - 2006-2007 Al Rawas v. Pegasus Energy & ors [2007] EWCA Civ 268; [2006] EWHC 2264 (QB). Acted for the victim of an alleged fraud in Mauritius in English proceedings, involving the obtaining (and subsequent discharge) of search & seizure and freezing injunctions in support of proceedings brought in Mauritius.
- 2005 Nokia France SA v. Interstone Trading Limited (unrep.) Nokia France SA v Interstone Trading Limited - Acting for defendants in relation to civil fraud claims brought by Nokia in connection with the alleged conversion of mobile phones; this case involved a supposed 'carousel fraud'.
- R.Tchenguiz v Serious Fraud Office; V.Tchenguiz v Serious Fraud Office
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Competition and EU Law
- 2009 Bloomsbury International Ltd & ors v. (1) Sea Fish Industry Authority & (2) DEFRA [2009] EWHC 1721 (QB) & [2010] EWCA Civ 263
Acting for Claimants in first instance action seeking restitution of payments of levy on the basis of the Woolwich principle and/or on grounds of mistake. Also successfully appeared in subsequent Court of Appeal hearing. Case involved issues of Statutory Interpretation and EU law relating to the Free Movement of Goods. - 2006 Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance plc & anor v. MK Digital Fze (Cyprus) & ors [2006] EWCA Civ 629, [2006] 2 Lloyds Rep 110, [2006] 2 All ER (Comm) 145
Acting for lead defendant in successful appeal against first instance decision that the English courts had jurisdiction to try an action; the case concerned the meaning and effect and inter-relationship between the Judgments Regulation (Council Regulation (EC) No. 44/2001), the Brussels Convention and the CMR Convention, Article 31. - 2006 Advising companies as to their rights arising out of the decision by HMRC to withhold from them repayments of VAT, in the light of the judgment of the ECJ in the Optigen case.
- 2005 - Advising a company which supplies a particular healthcare product across Europe as to what steps it should take to in the light of one of its senior employees seeking to develop and supply a rival product in a number of Member States of the EU.
- 2005 Greencore plc v. Elementis plc [2005] EWHC 2139 (Comm)
Acting for a client involved in a dispute arising out of the sale of a malting company which concerned the numerous and complex EC regulations governing the export of malt from the EU. - 2005 - Nokia France SA v. Interstone Trading Limited (unrep.)
This civil fraud case involved consideration of the EU Regulation on Insolvency Proceedings (Council Regulation (EC) No 1346/2000). - 2004 - Acting for an English seller against a Spanish buyer in an action brought to determine which if them, as a matter of EU and related domestic legislation, was liable for excise duty on a consignment of cigarettes following the theft of that consignment.
- 2009 Bloomsbury International Ltd & ors v. (1) Sea Fish Industry Authority & (2) DEFRA [2009] EWHC 1721 (QB) & [2010] EWCA Civ 263
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Company and Insolvency
- 2010 - Advising a Big 4 firm on legal issues arising in the course of an expert determination.
- 2006-2007 Doughty Hanson & Co. v. Roe [2007] EWHC 2212 (Ch) – Acting for minority shareholder seeking to overturn the result of an expert determination of the “fair value” of his shares.
- 2006 Acting on behalf of purchaser in action in debt and for breach of contract arising out of a disputed draft completion balance sheet prepared pursuant to a share sale agreement.
- 2004 Acting in UNCITRAL arbitration for Macedonian seller of business where sale price depended in part on completion accounts prepared under Macedonian GAAP.
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Insurance and Reinsurance
- 2006-2007 – Acting as Arbitrator in domestic arbitration between an insurer and an incorporated trade organisation to which it belonged, concerning the proper interpretation of that corporation’s Articles of Association .
- 2003 European International Reinsurance Co. v. Curzon Insurance, Curzon Insurance v. Sedgwick Ltd (Part 20 proceedings) [2003] EWHC 321 (Comm). Acted for Part 20 Defendant insurance brokers in respect of claim brought against them in negligence as regards the placing and presentation of an insurance & reinsurance risk on behalf of a company wanting "catastrophe" cover in relation to its exposure to asbestos-related risks in the USA.
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IT and Telecommunications
- 2006-2007 - Sole counsel in major ICC arbitration acting for a Spanish company which was respondent to a claim for about €70m, arising out of its sale of a subsidiary to a French buyer, both the buyer and the target being important players in the market for the provision of IT (CADCAM) services to the European textile and fashion industry .
- Amoco (UK) Co & Ors v. British American Offshore Ltd & anr [2001] QBD Transcript 16/11/2001, LTL 27/11/2001, see also [2002] BLR 135.
In addition to the points made above in relation to specialist drilling equipment, further advising defendant oil rig manufacturers as regards prospects of defeating claims based on supposed defects in computer and electrical equipment on board the rig.
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Company, Shareholder and Joint Venture Disputes
- 2010 Advising UK-based company (which aimed to carry on an international architecture practice as a joint venture via a shareholding in a foreign company) on the meaning and effect of the relevant shareholders agreement.
- 2006 – Detailed consideration of the termination provisions in Partnership Deed (and under Partnership Act 1890) relating to partnership engaged in the production of British films and television programmes.
- 2004-2005 – Acted on behalf of property developer in joint venture dispute concerning the possible development of former MOD property.
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Jurisdiction and Conflict of Laws
- 2009 - Giving advice to US lawyers in relation to the taking of evidence in the UK in support of US proceedings.
- 2007 – Giving advice to US lawyers and evidence for us in US proceedings as to the meaning under English law of a forum selection clause.
- 2007 – Sole counsel in ICC Arbitration involving share sale agreement governed by Spanish law and involving a French buyer and Spanish seller; case required detailed consideration of the interplay between Spanish law as the law of the contract and English/international legal principles, applicable to an ICC arbitration with its seat in London
- 2006 – Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance plc & anor v. MK Digital Fze (Cyprus) & ors [2006] EWCA Civ 629, [2006] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 110, [2006] 2 All ER (Comm) 145. Acting for lead defendant in successful appeal against first instance decision that the English courts had jurisdiction to try an action; the case concerned the meaning and effect and inter-relationship between the Judgments Regulation (Council Regulation (EC) No. 44/2001), the Brussels Convention and the CMR Convention, Article 31.
- 2006 – Advised US clients as regards the prospects for obtaining a freezing injunction against an Austrian bank in support of putative proceedings against that bank in the US.
- 2005 – Assisted defendants to US securities action in relation to the making of an application for a declaration that the English Court had no jurisdiction to entertain the Claimant’s claim against them.
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Takeovers, Mergers and Acquisitions
- 2006-2007 – Sole counsel in major ICC arbitration acting for a Spanish company which was respondent to a claim for about €70m, arising out of the acquisition by the Claimant (a French public company listed on Euronext) of a privately owned Spanish company. The acquisition was structured as a merger.
- 1990’s – For 9 years acted as junior counsel in relation to the preparation and bringing by the Administrators of British & Commonwealth Holdings plc (“B&C”) of 4 actions arising out of that company’s doomed takeover of Atlantic Computers plc. The actions were brought against the merchant bank instructed by B&C, the merchant bank instructed by the target, the target’s accountants and directors. Each action involved detailed consideration of the then applicable City Code and other M&A principles, practices and procedures.
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Energy and Natural Resources
- 2017-2019 LCIA Arbitration
For Claimant, joint-venture contractor, in major, complex and technical arbitration proceedings relating to a construction project in the energy sector . The claim, for $750m, raised, amongst other things, a difficult issue concerning the interpretation of a construction sub-contract viewed in its relevant factual matrix. - BG International (NSW) Limited & ors v. Talisman Sinopec Energy UK Limited & ors
Acting for Claimant, in a dispute in the Commercial Court relating to the amount of Operating Expenditure charged and chargeable under a TPOSA (Transportation, Processing and Operating Services Agreement) in circumstances where the TPOSA governing the sharing between the owners of two fields of expenditure incurred in relation to transportation of hydrocarbons from one field through a Floating Production, Storage and Offloading unit (FPSO) that was already providing the like services to the owners of another field. BG was operator of one field and the Defendant (Talisman) the operator of the other field. - Ithaca Energy (UK) Ltd v North Sea Energy (UK) Ltd [2012] EWHC 1793 (QB)
Acting for the Defendant, North Sea, in relation to a dispute concerning the meaning of the expression “appraisal well” in the context of a Joint Operating Agreement (JOA), as under the JOA North Sea could opt out of drilling an appraisal and it had purported to exercise that right. The Court decided that that even though the well was intended to drill for contingent resources it fell to be treated as a production well rather than an appraisal well. - Energy Venture Partners Ltd v. Malabu Oil & Gas Limited [2014] EWCA Civ 1295; [2014] EWHC 1390 (Comm); [2013] EWHC 2118 (Comm)
Acting for the defendant, Malabu Oil & Gas Limited, in the above case, brought by the Claimant company (EVP) for commission of US$200 million said to be due under an oral contract following the surrender by Malabu of its interest in an oil exploration licence, alternatively for a quantum meruit. Malabu defeated the contractual claim for commission but EVP was awarded US$110.5 million by way of quantum meruit. Malabu then had a further claim launched by EVP dismissed. EVP next sought to appeal an interlocutory order made earlier that it should fortify its cross-undertaking in damages. That appeal was dismissed. - Re. Heritage Oil
Advising an oil and gas company in relation to the meaning and exercise of pre-emption rights arising under a Joint Operating Agreement relating to the exploration for oil in Uganda. - 2010 - Advising a well-known gas company on its obligations under a Joint Operating Agreement relating to a block ir blocks in the North Sea.
- Mobil v. Petroleos de Venezuela
2008 – Advising two oil majors (and other international companies) as to the steps to be taken in the wake of a wide-ranging interim injunction obtained by another oil major against a state-owned oil company based in Venezuela and in particular as to whether, having been notified of that injunction, they needed to seek the Court’s approval for the carrying out of their existing contractual obligations. - 2008 – Advising an oil major on the meaning and effect of an agreement for the transportation and processing of natural gas liquids and the delivery of the crude oil and raw gas derived therefrom, together with a complex set of inter-related rules and procedures relating to the upstream processing and delivery of natural gas and those natural gas liquids.
- 2004 - Advising an energy company in relation to a dispute with British Gas concerning the manufacture, supply and servicing of Co-generation Units in Brazil.
- 2001 - Amoco (UK) Co & Ors v. British American Offshore Ltd & AnrLTL [2001] QBD Transcript 16/11/2001, LTL 27/11/2001, see also [2002] BLR 135 - Acting as counsel in an 86-day trial in the Commercial Court on behalf of defendant oil rig manufacturers, with particular responsibility for Blow-Out Prevention systems, Drill Floor equipment & computer and electrical equipment ; the claimant had sought a declaration that it was entitled to terminate a contract for use of an oil rig in the North Sea; the defence involved establishing that each ground of complaint relied on by the claimant as giving it that right was baseless; the defence was successful and the claimant was ordered to pay costs on the indemnity basis.
- 2017-2019 LCIA Arbitration
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Professional Liability
- 2009 - Acting for Intended Claimants in action to be brought against an IFA and a Swiss Private Bank alleging professional negligence and breach of contract arising out of advice given (or not given) by the IFA and the Bank in relation to a scheme involving a foreign currency mortgage and an offshore bond, the purpose of which was to mitigate the clients exposure to inheritance tax.
- 2004 - Acting in a CEDR mediation for clients against a firm of solicitors in relation to a dispute concerning advice given by the solicitors to the clients in connection with the sale of their IT company to a German company.
- 2004 - Acting for a company in an intended action against its former actuaries in relation to alleged errors in valuing and advising in relation to the company's pension fund.
- 2003 European International Reinsurance Co. v. Curzon Insurance, Curzon Insurance v. Sedgwick Ltd (Part 20 proceedings) [2003] EWHC 321 (Comm). Acted for Part 20 Defendant insurance brokers in respect of claim brought against them in negligence as regards the placing and presentation of an insurance & reinsurance risk on behalf of a company wanting "catastrophe" cover in relation to its exposure to asbestos-related risks in the USA.
- 1990’s – For 9 years acted as junior counsel in relation to the preparation and bringing by the Administrators of British & Commonwealth Holdings plc (“B&C”) of 4 actions alleging negligence on the part of the professionals involved in B&C’s doomed takeover of Atlantic Computers plc. The actions were brought against the merchant bank instructed by B&C, the merchant bank instructed by the target, the target’s accountants and directors. Each action involved detailed consideration of the then applicable City Code and other M&A principles, practices and procedures.
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What the Directories Say
"Charles has a photographic memory and is a strong cross-examiner. He also has a wonderful way about him." (Chambers UK 2024 - Commercial Dispute Resolution)
"A great advocate." (Chambers UK 2024 - Commercial Dispute Resolution)
"He is thorough, good to work with, very charming and a good advocate." (Chambers UK 2021 - Commercial Dispute Resolution)
"He is fantastic; he has a very engaging personality, and clients really like him." "Charles penetrates the case and very quickly gets his head around it. He is an absolute pleasure to work with, and clients love him." (Chambers Global 2021 - Commercial Dispute Resolution)
"Charles is a rare combination of affable and supremely bright. He is a joy to work alongside, with a positive approach and a very user-friendly style that belies his intellect." (Legal 500 2021/22 - Commercial Litigation)
"He is personally delightful, with forensic attention to detail, strong work ethic and outstanding client handling skills. Our clients adore him." (Legal 500 2021/22 - International Arbitration)
"Super-sharp and yet thoroughly likeable, he is a great team leader and is able to placate even the most cantankerous judge." (Legal 500 2021/22 - Energy)