14/03/2016
20 Essex Street welcomes public international law specialist Kate Parlett
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Members of 20 Essex Street are pleased to welcome Dr Kate Parlett, a specialist in public international law and international arbitration. Kate was previously in practice as a solicitor, most recently at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP in Paris.
Kate has frequently appeared as advocate and counsel in disputes before the International Court of Justice. Most recently, Kate was part of the team representing Costa Rica successfully in two disputes with Nicaragua, involving contested territory and environmental harm. She is currently instructed by Costa Rica in its maritime delimitation case with Nicaragua, pending before the International Court of Justice. She is also instructed, with Sir Daniel Bethlehem QC (and Freshfields), for the Government of Chile in its case with Bolivia concerning access to the sea.
Kate also has extensive experience in international investment arbitration. At Freshfields, she was part of the team representing Saint Lucia in an ICSID dispute in which the first order for security for costs was issued by an investment tribunal. She also represented Electrabel in a dispute under the Energy Charter Treaty arising from measures taken in the context of Hungary’s accession to the European Union.
Admitted as a solicitor in Australia in 2003 and in England and Wales in 2010, Kate was called to the Bar in 2014. She has a doctorate and a masters in public international law from the University of Cambridge.
Sir Daniel Bethlehem QC, a leading barrister in public international law says: “We are delighted that Kate has joined 20 Essex Street. She comes with impressive experience and a stellar reputation in both mainstream Public International Law work and investment arbitration. We are fortunate that she has chosen to come to the Bar in London and to join 20 Essex Street. We look forward to the continued success of her practice.”
Duncan Matthews QC, 20 Essex Street’s co-head of Chambers says: “We are pleased to welcome Kate to the set to further enhance our long tradition of pre-eminence in Public International Law. Kate’s experience within the commercial and investor state aspects of Public International Law will be a real asset to the continuing development of the set’s practice.”
Kate adds: “I am honoured to join 20 Essex Street, a chambers with an unparalleled reputation in public international law and international arbitration. I am looking forward to the opportunity to continue to develop my international practice from the independent Bar.”
