Joseph Rich

Joseph Rich 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 [2025] EWHC 2704 (Comm), 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.

Expertise

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Civil Fraud

A c.USD 500 million arbitration involving conspiracy and bribery allegations, led by David Allen KC, to be heard over 3-4 weeks.
A complex, multi-jurisdictional, high-value insurance litigation involving fraud allegations.
The Argo Fund v ArcelorMittal [2025] EWHC 581 (Comm), an unlawful conspiracy claim, led by Noel Casey KC.

Commercial litigation/arbitration

Sahara v Sonara – 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.

Energy & Natural Resources

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.

Insurance and Reinsurance

RSA v Equitas [2025] EWHC 2704 (Comm), 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.

International Arbitration

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.

Shipping and commodities

Sahara v Sonara – a USD 100 million plus Commercial Court claim for breach of various oil contracts, led by Timothy Young KC and Stephen Du.
A 3-day voyage charterparty trial in LMAA arbitration, as sole counsel.
A 3-day LMAA arbitration concerning allegations of breach of a time charter, led by Richard Sarll.
Multiple LMAA arbitrations as sole counsel.
A c.USD 50 million Commercial Court dispute concerning guarantees in respect of performance under bareboat charters. Led by David Allen KC.

Shipbuilding and superyachts

A USD 30 million plus superyacht dispute, led by David Allen KC and Jason Robinson.
A USD 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.

What the directories say

Directories

‘Highly attentive to detail and able to review voluminous material quickly and effectively, he demonstrates strong analytical skills.’

Commodities (Rising Star), Legal 500 2026