ONE ESSEX COURT TOP RANKED FOR 'ENERGY'

Such is the preponderance of “high-quality members with strong intellectual backgrounds” at One Essex Court, “you are highly unlikely to have made an error of judgement if you instruct anyone here.” All the barristers on offer are “rigorously well schooled in the law” and enjoy the benefit of “professional, unobtrusive and modern clerking.” They include Laurence Rabinowitz QC, a top commercial silk who is “amazing at everything he does.” “Hugely in demand from energy companies,” he “gives off a very calm and authoritative air and never seems flustered.” Possessed of “clear analytical skills,” he “gets to the heart of a problem with ease and has a rare elegance of delivery in court.” The “formidable” Ian Glick QC is a “frighteningly bright silk who knows his way around the energy sector.” He has been acting for a large power company in relation to transport, supply and sale agreements in Indonesia and Singapore. He has also represented a major oil and gas producer based in Canada in a dispute involving operations in Peru. “Top-drawer” Lord Grabiner QC “holds a courtroom's attention with his presence.” Such is the esteem that he is held in, he “wins everybody’s respect, not least the senior business people he comes into contact with.” This ensures his regular participation in the great cases of the day, as evidenced by his recent role in the Buncefield litigation. Fellow silk John McCaughran QC is a “solid performer who is incredibly clever.” Often involved in disputes relating to energy supply contracts, he recently represented GTL and Centrica in relation to the construction and operation of gas supply agreements in Northern Ireland. Jeffery Onions QC, like many of the silks at the set, has years of experience to bring to bear on his cases. One who “invariably fights strongly on clients’ behalf,” he undertakes a wide range of complex commercial work both as an advocate and in an advisory context. In the energy sector he has been handling cases involving the termination of gas sales agreements and disputes concerning pipeline and transport issues. Finally among the silks, Neil Kitchener QC is held up as being “commercial, approachable and responsive.” He has a broad-based commercial litigation practice and handles domestic and international energy disputes. In the past year he successfully acted for a client in an arbitration concerning cross-border gas pipelines. Proving that the set has a bright future ahead of it, Alan Griffiths is but one of a collection of highly regarded juniors. “Phenomenally intelligent and incredibly hard-working,” he successfully acted for E.ON in proceedings before the Competition Commission over the arrangements for offtake of gas from the National Transmission System (NTS). He also represented the applicants, a Texas-based LNG shipper and marketer, in a judicial review challenge to GEMA's decision on Transmission Price Control Review of fixed baseline entry capacities to the gas NTS. Daniel Toledano is a “star in the making” who impresses peers with his “ability to take on a case at the last minute and produce a flawless performance.” He continues to advise and act for oil and gas majors and electricity generators, suppliers and traders. He acted for the claimant on the ownership of carbon dioxide emission allowances allocated to the combined heat and power plant at Grangemouth under the EU Emission Trading Scheme. Michael Fealy is a “crisp and effective advocate, able to get to the point when handling complicated cases.” He tackles a broad range of work in the energy sector, ranging from upstream oil and gas matters to disputes about joint operating agreements and contracts regarding gas pricing reviews. He also has a mining and minerals practice. Clients like him because he is “easy to work with and has a relaxed manner.” “Cool, calm and collected" is how clients described Sa'ad Hossain, a lawyer who is “exceptionally easy to work with, analytically able and a real team player.” He recently successfully acted for the claimants at first instance in the Court of Appeal in Centrica Plc & BGTL v Premier Power Ltd. According to interviewees, “all-round high-quality performer” Alain Choo Choy is “sound, reliable, and hard-working.” He has been involved in arbitrations relating to the LNG sector, and also acted in Teesside Power v PX. Last but not least, Conall Patton acts for energy companies in a wide range of commercial disputes. He was part of the team that acted for E.ON in proceedings before the Competition Commission. Clients describe him as a “rising star who has a terrific grasp of the issues.”