Practice Profile
Joe has a successful practice across three of Chambers’ main practice areas: commercial litigation/arbitration (including civil fraud and energy disputes), insurance/reinsurance and shipping/commodities. He frequently appears in court and before arbitral tribunals, both led and as sole counsel.
Recent general commercial and civil fraud cases include:
- A c.USD 500 million arbitration involving conspiracy and bribery allegations, led by David Allen KC, to be heard over 3-4 weeks.
- A USD 250 million-plus LNG arbitration, led by David Allen KC and Marcus Mander.
- Sahara v Sonara [2024] EWHC 3163 (Comm) – a two-week Commercial Court trial concerning breach of various oil contracts, now on appeal to the Court of Appeal.
- A one-week commercial arbitration concerning alleged non-delivery under diesel contracts, led by Michael Ryan.
- The Argo Fund v ArcelorMittal [2025] EWHC 581 (Comm), an unlawful conspiracy claim, led by Noel Casey KC.
- Claims against a creative under a management agreement heard over three days, as sole counsel.
Recent insurance/reinsurance cases include:
- RSA v Equitas, a complex reinsurance dispute in the London Circuit Commercial Court, heard in June/July 2025. Led by Sushma Ananda.
- A 3-week commercial arbitration concerning claims under an insurance policy in respect of damage to marine structures and resulting loss. Led by Jason Robinson KC.
- A multi-jurisdictional insurance dispute, led by Michael Holmes KC.
- The Russian aircraft insurance litigation (operator claims).
Recent shipping cases include:
- A c.USD 50 million Commercial Court dispute concerning among other things frustration and sanctions in the context of guarantees in respect of performance under bareboat charters. Led by David Allen KC.
- A 3-day voyage charterparty hearing in LMAA arbitration, as sole counsel.
- A 3-day LMAA arbitration concerning allegations of breach of a time charter, led by Richard Sarll.
- A USD 30 million plus superyacht dispute, led by David Allen KC and Jason Robinson KC.
- A USD 2 million-plus superyacht dispute, as sole counsel.
- Multiple LMAA arbitrations, as sole counsel.
Joe speaks fluent French and Spanish and can work with documents in Portuguese. He also has some knowledge of Mandarin Chinese.
- A c.USD 500 million arbitration involving conspiracy and bribery allegations, led by David Allen KC, to be heard over 3-4 weeks.
- A high-value insurance dispute involving fraud allegations.
- The Argo Fund v ArcelorMittal [2025] EWHC 581 (Comm), an unlawful conspiracy claim, led by Noel Casey KC
- Sahara v Sonara [2024] EWHC 3163 (Comm) – a USD 100 million plus Commercial Court claim for breach of various oil contracts, led by Timothy Young KC and Stephen Du.
- ICC arbitration acting for a state-owned oil and gas company in relation to claims arising under a production sharing contract with over USD 300 million in dispute.
- Two related USD 250 million ad hoc arbitrations against a state-owned entity regarding liability for gas curtailments and renewal entitlements under a series of gas supply agreements.
- Acted for an oil and gas company in an ICC arbitration relating to contractual entitlements on termination of a contract for seismic analysis services.
- USD 250 million-plus LNG arbitration, led by David Allen KC and Marcus Mander.
- A one-week commercial arbitration concerning alleged non-delivery under diesel contracts, led by Michael Ryan.
- Claims against a creative under a management agreement as sole counsel.
- A c. USD 50 million claim concerning the provision of helicopter services.
- ICC arbitration acting for a state-owned oil and gas company in relation to claims arising under a production sharing contract with over $300 million in dispute.
- Two related $250 million ad hoc arbitrations against a state-owned entity regarding liability for gas curtailments and renewal entitlements under a series of gas supply agreements.
- Acted for an oil and gas company in an ICC arbitration relating to contractual entitlements on termination of a contract for seismic analysis services.
- $250 million-plus LNG arbitration, led by David Allen KC and Marcus Mander.
- A one-week commercial arbitration concerning alleged non-delivery under diesel contracts, led by Michael Ryan.
- Multiple high-value international commercial arbitrations under various arbitral rules.
- Resisted a s.67 challenge in respect of a FOSFA award.
- Acted for a major mining company in relation to a shareholder dispute.
- Advised on possible challenges to an arbitration award under s.68 of the Arbitration Act 1996 in a construction dispute.
- Advised on a challenge to the appointment of an arbitrator in ICC arbitration.
- Acted as tribunal secretary in ICC and ICSID arbitrations
- RSA v Equitas, a complex reinsurance dispute in the London Circuit Commercial Court, heard in June/July 2025. Led by Sushma Ananda.
- The Russian aircraft insurance litigation (operator claims).
- A complex, multi-jurisdictional, high-value insurance litigation.
- A 3-week commercial arbitration concerning claims under an insurance policy in respect of damage to marine structures and resulting loss. Led by Jason Robinson KC.
- Sahara v Sonara [2024] EWHC 3163 (Comm) – a $100 million plus Commercial Court claim for breach of various oil contracts, led by Timothy Young KC and Stephen Du.
- A 3-day LMAA arbitration concerning allegations of breach of a time charter, led by Richard Sarll.
- A 3-day voyage charterparty trial in LMAA arbitration, as sole counsel
- Multiple LMAA arbitrations as sole counsel.
- A c.USD 50 million Commercial Court dispute concerning among other things frustration and sanctions in the context of guarantees in respect of performance under bareboat charters. Led by David Allen KC
- A $30 million plus superyacht dispute, led by David Allen KC and Jason Robinson.
- A $2 million plus superyacht paint dispute, as sole counsel.
- A luxury yacht-building dispute as sole counsel.
- A claim concerning sale of a non-conformant vessel, as sole counsel.
Assisted with drafting of chapters on confidentiality and recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards in G. Born, International Commercial Arbitration (2020).
Co-author of English law chapter of Schwarz, Trenor and Ortner (eds.), Contractual Performance and COVID- 19 – An In-Depth Comparative Law Analysis (Kluwer, 2020).
2018: Bar Professional Training Course, City University, Outstanding (8th in the year).
2017: Graduate Diploma in Law, BPP University, Distinction.
2016: BA French and Spanish, St John’s College, University of Cambridge, Double First.
Scholarships and Awards
Sunley Scholarship (2018/2019) – Lincoln’s Inn.
Buchanan Award (2018) – Lincoln’s Inn.
Denning Scholar (2017/2018) – Lincoln’s Inn.
McMahon Studentship (2017/2018) – St John’s College, Cambridge.
Hardwicke Entrance Scholarship (2016) – Lincoln’s Inn.
College Prize (2013, 2014, 2016) – St John’s College, Cambridge.
Whytehead Scholar (2013, 2014, 2016) – St John’s College, Cambridge.
Languages
French (fluent)
Spanish (fluent)
Portuguese (reading)
Mandarin Chinese (conversational).