Philip Edey KC

Philip is co-Head of Chambers. He is a specialist lead advocate whose practice focuses on commercial disputes both in court and arbitration.

He is ranked in the leading directories for civil fraud, commercial dispute resolution, banking and ﬁnance, international arbitration, insurance, shipping, and commodities. He has considerable experience in relation to freezing injunctions. Philip is also particularly noted for his cross-examination skills.

Philip’s current and recent cases include acting for one of the defendants to the claim brought by the Kuwaiti Public Institution for Social Security to recover over US$800 million alleged to have been paid in bribes to its former Director General; for an Indian bank defending fraud claims brought against it both in England and ADGM for over US$5 billion; for a prominent high-net-worth individual in relation to fraud claims for around US$500 million brought against him and others by two banks; and for Dechert and the individual defendants sued by two prisoners in Ras Al Khaimah who allege that the defendants are responsible for their alleged mistreatment. He also recently acted for certain policyholders in the test case brought by the FCA against insurers who denied that their business interruption cover protected the policyholders against the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Most of Philip’s work has a strong international element, with his clients coming from all around the world. The cases on which he is instructed often raise complex jurisdictional and conﬂict of laws issues, including the interplay between proceedings in court and arbitration, and claims under foreign law (including, recently, of various Arab countries, New York, Ukraine and Russia).

He has acted as lead counsel before the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court of England and Wales, as well as in many arbitrations seated both in England and overseas. Philip also accepts appointments as arbitrator.

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Example cases

PIFSS v Al Wazzan and others [2024] EWHC 480 (Comm): representing a Bahamian Foundation against allegations of dishonestly receiving the proceeds of bribes in the context of wider claims seeking to recover over US$800 million in alleged bribes.
NMC v Shetty, Manghat and Bank of Baroda: representing Bank of Baroda defending claims for fraudulent trading and under Abu Dhabi law for over US$5 billion, arising out of the collapse of the NMC healthcare group.
PJSC National Bank and PJSC Bank Otkritie v Boris Mints and others [2022] 1 WLR 3099 and [2023] EWHC 118: representing the prominent Russian businessman Boris Mints in defending claims for over US$500 million against him by two Russian banks for alleged fraudulent conspiracy in relation to the restructuring of loans.
Al Sadeq and Quzmar v Dechert, Neil Gerrard and others [2024] EWCA Civ 28: representing the defendants to these claims by two individuals who are currently imprisoned in Ras Al Khaimah following their conviction there for fraud offences but allege that they were mistreated in detention and wrongly convicted, and that the defendants are responsible for such.
FCA v Arch and other insurers [2020] EWHC 2448 (Comm): successfully acted for certain policyholder SMEs who were given permission to intervene in the test case brought by the FCA against a number of insurers who denied that they provided insurance cover in relation to business interruption losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sabbagh v Khoury [2019] EWCA Civ 1219: acted for appellants on their successful (in significant part) appeal in respect of an anti-arbitration injunction granted by Robin Knowles J in relation to a foreign-seated arbitration on vexatious and oppressive grounds ([2018] EWHC 1330 (Comm)).
FSDEA v dos Santos and others [2018] EWHC 2199 (Comm): acted for 18 corporate defendants successfully challenging jurisdiction in respect of fraud claims against them in relation to management of US$5 billion of the Angolan Sovereign Wealth Fund’s money; and obtaining discharge of a US$3 billion worldwide freezing and proprietary injunction.
Sodzawiczny v Ruhan [2018] EWHC 1908 (Comm): acted for two of the defendants seeking to discharge a freezing injunction successfully seeking a stay, under s 9 Arbitration Act 1996, of claims against them for fraudulent misappropriation of over US$20 million.
PAO Tatneft v Ukraine [2019] EWHC 3740 (Ch); [2019] EWHC 1543 (Comm); and [2018] EWHC 1797: acting for Ukraine in seeking to resist enforcement of US$112m award in relation to claim under bilateral investment treaty.
Sabbagh v Khoury [2017] EWCA Civ 1120: acted for some of the defendants on their appeal in relation to their challenge to jurisdiction and application for a stay under s 9 Arbitration Act 1996 in relation to claims for over $500 million for conspiracy to misappropriate shares and other assets.
Newland Shipping v Toba and Others [2017] EWHC 1416 (Comm): acted for Middle Eastern defendant successfully obtaining relief from sanctions, challenging jurisdiction and setting aside a default judgment in relation to claim for conspiracy to steel a cargo of oil.
Libyan Investment Authority v Goldman Sachs [2016] EWHC 2530 (Ch): joint lead advocate for the LIA in its claim to set aside equity derivative trades entered into with Goldman Sachs and for the return of the US$1.2 billion premium paid on the grounds of undue influence (including improper inducements).
Shagang Shipping Co Ltd v HNA [2016] EWHC 1103 (Comm): acted for defendant seeking to resist payment of US$68 million under guarantee provided in respect of performance of charterparty on the basis that the charterparty was procured by bribery to which individuals had confessed to the police in China, though the claimant alleged that those confessions resulted from torture.
Hut Group v Nobahar-Cookson [2016] EWCA Civ 128; [2014] EWHC 3842 (QB) – acted for claimant at trial in relation to claim for breach of financial/accounting warranties in share purchase agreement and defending counterclaim for alleged fraudulent breach of different SPA warranties; and then in successfully resisting appeal.
Bunge SA v Nidera BV [2015] UKSC 43; [2015] 3 All ER 1082: acted for respondent on an appeal relating to the scope of the compensatory principle identified in The Golden Victory (and in particular when post-renunciation events must be taken into account in the calculation of damages) and the effect of the default clause in a standard GAFTA contract wording.

Commercial dispute resolution

Philip is ranked as a leading KC in relation to commercial dispute resolution (Chambers UK Bar 2023) and commercial litigation (The Legal 500 UK Bar 2023 and The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2023: The English Bar). He was a nominee for the The Legal 500 Commercial Litigation QC of the year (2017). He has advised and acted as lead advocate in a wide variety of domestic and international commercial disputes including those involving:

Fraud and other similarly serious allegations
Share Purchase Agreements (including breach of warranty claims)
Joint ventures and shareholder agreements
Alleged derivative mis-selling by a bank
A property management agreement
Professional negligence (including financial services, insurance brokers, and solicitors)
Construction projects (including sub-sea)
Senior employee service contracts
A debt collecting service agreement
Carbon credit trading agreements
Interim relief (including anti-suit and freezing injunctions)

Cases include:

PIFSS v Al Wazzan and others [2024] EWHC 480 (Comm): representing a Bahamian Foundation against allegations of dishonestly receiving the proceeds of bribes in the context of wider claims seeking to recover over US$800 million in alleged bribes.
NMC v Shetty, Manghat and Bank of Baroda: representing Bank of Baroda defending claims for fraudulent trading and under Abu Dhabi law for over US$5 billion, arising out of the collapse of the NMC healthcare group.
PJSC National Bank and PJSC Bank Otkritie v Boris Mints and others: representing the prominent Russian businessman Boris Mints in defending claims for over US$500 million against him by two Russian banks for alleged fraudulent conspiracy in relation to the restructuring of loans.
Al Sadeq and Quzmar v Dechert, Neil Gerrard and others: representing the defendants to these claims by two individuals who are currently imprisoned in Ras Al Khaimah following their conviction there for fraud offences but allege that they were mistreated in detention and wrongly convicted, and that the defendants are responsible for such.
General Electric Co v Alpine US Bidco Inc [2021] EWHC 45 (Ch): acted for Alpine on their successful application for a stay of Court proceedings pending an expert accounting determination of the closing payment due under an SPA.
Sabbagh v Khoury [2019] EWCA Civ 1219: acted for appellants on their successful (in significant part) appeal in respect of an anti-arbitration injunction granted by Robin Knowles J in relation to a foreign-seated arbitration on vexatious and oppressive grounds ([2018] EWHC 1330 (Comm)).
FSDEA v dos Santos and others [2018] EWHC 2199 (Comm): acted for 18 corporate defendants successfully challenging jurisdiction in respect of fraud claims against them in relation to management of US$5 billion of the Angolan Sovereign Wealth Fund’s money; and obtaining discharge of a US$3 billion worldwide freezing and proprietary injunction.
Newland Shipping v Toba and others [2017] EWHC 1416 (Comm) – acted for Middle Eastern Defendant successfully obtaining relief from sanctions, challenging jurisdiction and setting aside a default judgment in relation to claim for conspiracy to steel a cargo of oil.
LIA v Goldman Sachs [2016] EWHC 2530 (Ch) – joint lead advocate for the LIA in its claim for US$1.2bn against Goldman Sachs – equity derivatives – undue influence – unconscionable bargain.
Sabbagh v Khoury [2017] EWCA Civ 1120; [2014] EWHC 3233 (Comm) – representing a number of defendants alleged to be involved in a conspiracy to deprive the claimant of over USD500m of assets, in relation to their challenge to the jurisdiction of the English court and application for a stay under s.9 of the Arbitration Act 1996.
The Hut Group v Cookson [2016] EWCA Civ 128; [2014] EWHC 3842 (QB) – acted for claimant at trial in relation to claim for breach of financial/accounting warranties in share purchase agreement and defending counterclaim for alleged fraudulent breach of different SPA warranties; and then in successfully resisting appeal.
Enercon GmbH v Enercon (India) [2012] 1 Lloyd’s Rep.519 – acting for the defendant in obtaining the discharge of an anti-suit and freezing injunction against it in relation to a dispute arising out of joint venture relating to the manufacture and sale of wind turbines in India.
Masri v Consolidated Contractors International [2011] 2 CLC 566 (CA) – successfully represented the judicial administrators of CCI before the Court of Appeal which discharged a receivership order made against them.
The Buncefield litigation [2009] 2 Lloyd’s Rep. 1 – successfully defending one of the main Defendants against claims put at over £1 billion.
Sea Emerald v Prominvest [2008] EWHC 1979 (Comm) – representing Ukrainian bank successfully defending claim under a guarantee.

Arbitration

Philip is ranked as a leading KC in relation to international arbitration (Chambers UK Bar 2023 and The Legal 500 UK Bar 2023). Philip was International Arbitration Junior of the Year (Chambers and Partners 2008).

Philip has acted as advocate in numerous arbitrations including before ICC, LCIA, LMAA, FOSFA, ARIAS and ad hoc tribunals in disputes relating to amongst other things:

Investments in venture capital funds
Share purchase agreements
Shareholder agreements / joint ventures
Alleged industrial espionage
Share agreements/joint ventures
Oil and gas production agreements
A telecoms project in the Middle East
Insurance (including Bermuda form) and reinsurance
Commodities
Charterparties
Shipbuilding

In addition, Philip has extensive experience of appearing in Court in disputes relating to arbitrations including on arbitration appeals under s.68 and s.69 of the Arbitration Act 1996 and in relation to the enforcement of foreign awards, the appointment of arbitrators, the jurisdiction of the tribunal and anti-suit injunctions in support of or to restrain arbitration.

Recent court cases relating to arbitration include:

PAO Tatneft v Ukraine [2020] EWHC 3161 (Comm); [2019] EWHC 3740 (Ch); [2019] EWHC 1543 (Comm); and [2018] EWHC 1797: acting for Ukraine in seeking to resist enforcement of US$112m award in relation to claim under bilateral investment treaty, with issues including meaning of “investment” in BIT, whether the investment was made in accordance with Ukrainian law, issue estoppel, waiver and apparent bias.
Sabbagh v Khoury [2019] EWCA Civ 1219: acted for appellants on their successful (in significant part) appeal in respect of an anti-arbitration injunction granted by Robin Knowles J in relation to a foreign-seated arbitration on vexatious and oppressive grounds ([2018] EWHC 1330 (Comm)).
Sodzawiczny v Ruhan [2018] EWHC 1908 (Comm): acted for two of the defendants seeking to discharge a freezing injunction successfully seeking a stay, under s 9 Arbitration Act 1996, of claims against them for fraudulent misappropriation of over US$20 million.

Philip also accepts appointments as arbitrator.

Banking

Civil fraud

Philip is ranked as a Leading Silk in relation to Civil Fraud (Chambers UK Bar 2023) and has advised and acted as advocate in many cases involving allegations of fraud and similarly serious conduct, including allegations of:

Deceit and fraudulent breach of warranty in relation to a share purchase agreement
Fraud in the procurement of an arbitration award
Conspiracy to misappropriate assets
Bribery and torture
Fraudulent bills of lading
Deceit in connection with the sale of derivatives
Fraudulent inspection reports

Philip’s recent cases include:

PIFSS v Al Wazzan and others [2024] EWHC 480 (Comm): representing a Bahamian Foundation against allegations of dishonestly receiving the proceeds of bribes in the context of wider claims seeking to recover over US$800 million in alleged bribes.
NMC v Shetty, Manghat and Bank of Baroda: representing Bank of Baroda defending claims for fraudulent trading and under Abu Dhabi law for over US$5 billion, arising out of the collapse of the NMC healthcare group.
PJSC National Bank and PJSC Bank Otkritie v Boris Mints and others: representing the prominent Russian businessman Boris Mints in defending claims for over US$500m against him by two Russian banks for alleged fraudulent conspiracy in relation to the restructuring of loans.
Sabbagh v Khoury [2019] EWCA Civ 1219; [2018] EWHC 1330 (Comm); [2017] EWCA Civ 1120; and [2014] EWHC 3233 (Comm) – representing a number of defendants alleged to be involved in conspiracy to deprive the claimant of over US$500m of assets in relation to interlocutory hearings relating to jurisdiction, s.9 of the Arbitration Act 1996 and anti-arbitration injunctions.
FSDEA v dos Santos and others [2018] EWHC 2199 (Comm): acted for 18 corporate defendants successfully challenging jurisdiction in respect of fraud claims against them in relation to management of US$5 billion of the Angolan Sovereign Wealth Fund’s money; and obtaining discharge of a US$3 billion worldwide freezing and proprietary injunction.
Newland Shipping v Toba and others [2017] EWHC 1416 (Comm) – acted for Middle Eastern Defendant successfully obtaining relief from sanctions, challenging jurisdiction and setting aside a default judgment in relation to claim for conspiracy to steel a cargo of oil.
LIA v Goldman Sachs [2016] EWHC 2530 (Ch) – joint lead advocate for the LIA in its claim for US$1.2bn against Goldman Sachs – equity derivatives – undue influence – unconscionable bargain – improper inducements.
Hut Group v Nobahar-Cookson [2016] EWCA Civ 128; [2014] EWHC 3842 (QB) – acted for claimant at trial in relation to claim for breach of financial/accounting warranties in share purchase agreement and defending counterclaim for alleged fraudulent breach of different SPA warranties; and then in successfully resisting appeal.
Shagang Shipping v HNA Group [2014] EWHC 2241 (Comm) – representing a major Chinese company seeking to resist payment of over US$60m under a guarantee, in case involving allegations of bribery in relation to the underlying charterparty and of torture by Chinese police to extract confessions of bribery.
BHP v Dalmine (CA) [2003] All ER (D) 258 – representing Italian manufacturer of steel pipes for underwater gas pipeline who had produced fraudulent inspection reports for the pipes.

Energy and natural resources

Insurance and reinsurance

Philip is ranked as a leading KC in relation to insurance and reinsurance (Chambers UK Bar 2023; WWL 2023; and The Legal 500 UK Bar 2023) and was Insurance Junior of the Year (Chambers, 2007). With regard to his insurance work, he has been described as “a very polished advocate” (Chambers UK Bar 2023).

Philip has advised and acted as advocate in court and arbitration in relation to many insurance and reinsurance disputes including in relation to:

Bermuda form
Business interruption (including in relation to COVID-19)
Casualty business
D&O insurance
Fidelity
Liability
Long-tail business
Marine
Personal accident
Professional indemnity
Property

Issues on which he has advised or which have arisen in cases in which Philip has acted as advocate include:

Avoidance
Aggregation
Breach of warranty
Abandonment
Brokers’ negligence
Time bar
Coverage
Fraud
Constructive total loss
Rectification
Follow-the-settlements clauses
Quantification of recoverable losses
Jurisdiction

Although many of Philip’s cases are heard in confidential arbitrations, his reported cases include:

FCA v Arch and other insurers [2020] EWHC 2448 (Comm): successfully acted for certain policyholder SMEs who were given permission to intervene in the test case brought by the FCA against a number of insurers who denied that they provided insurance cover in relation to business interruption losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dornoch v Westminster BV [2009] 2 Lloyd’s Rep. 191 – marine insurance – abandonment – constructive trust.
Allianz v Aigaion [2008] 2 Lloyd’s Rep.595 – marine insurance – premium payment warranties.
Faraday v Cop Re [2007] Lloyd’s Rep. IR 23 – whether a settlement agreement was a “without prejudice” agreement for the purposes of a follow-the-settlements clause in a reinsurance contract.
KCM and ARH v Coromin – claim under insurance in respect of losses arising from collapse of Zambian copper mine – difference in conditions cover.
Travelers Casualty v Sun Life Assurance [2007] Lloyd’s Rep.IR 619 – breach of warranty in relation to insurance against risk of costs incurred by reason of review of past business required by FSA.
IMG v Simmonds [2004] Lloyd’s Rep.IR 247 – contingency insurance – cancelled cricket tournament between India and Pakistan – avoidance – breach of warranty.
Swiss Re v United India [2004] I. L. Pr. 4 – jurisdiction in relation to dispute under a reinsurance contract.
Demetra K (CA) [2002] 2 Lloyd’s Rep.581 – rectification of insurance contract.
HIH v Chase [2003] 2 Lloyd’s Rep.61 (HL); [2001] 2 Lloyd’s Rep.483 (CA) – film finance insurance – scope of clause purporting to limit insurers’ rights of avoidance.
HIH v New Hampshire (CA) [2001] 2 Lloyd’s Rep. 161 – film finance insurance – whether term a warranty – whether remedy for breach of warranty excluded.
Imperio v Heath (CA) [2001] 1 WLR 112 – breach of fiduciary duty – time bar.
Kingscroft v Nissan (CA) [1999] Lloyds Rep. IR 603 – insurance pool – reinsurance – avoidance.

Commodities

Shipping

Philip is ranked as a leading KC in relation to shipping (Chambers UK Bar 2023 and The Legal 500 2023).

Philip has advised and acted in relation to numerous shipping disputes both in court and arbitration arising out, for example:

Charterparties (time, voyage and bareboat)
COAs
FFAs
Shipbuilding contracts
Ship sale contracts
Contracts for the supply of bunkers
Bills of lading

The types of issue with which Philip has dealt include:

Contamination of cargo
Dangerous cargo
Unsafe ports
Unseaworthiness
Hire and off-hire
The Hague Rules
Demurrage
Repudiation of long term contracts
Calculation of damages
Jurisdiction
Bunker supply
Limitation of liability
Salvage and general average

Although many of Philip’s shipping cases are heard in confidential arbitration, his reported cases include:

The Fortune Plum [2013] 2 Lloyd’s Rep.618 – representing charterers under long-term time charter on s.69 appeal, having won arbitration in which charterers alleged to have repudiated the charter.
BW Gas v JAS Shipping [2010] 2 Lloyd’s Rep.626 (CA) – representing bareboat charterers of a new-build on their appeal relating to the obligations of the disponent owners on delivery.
The Zenovia [2009] 2 Lloyd’s Rep.139 – acting for time charterers on their s.69 appeal relating to the re-delivery obligations of owners having given notice of intended re-delivery.
MSC Napoli – acting for owners in the limitation and liability proceedings arising out of the casualty in January 2007.
Sea Emerald v Prominvest [2008] Lloyd’s Rep. Plus 96 – representing Ukrainian bank defending claim under a refund guarantee given in respect of a shipbuilding contracts.
The Doric Pride [2005] 2 Lloyd’s Rep.470 and [2006] 2 Lloyd’s Rep.446 (CA) – successfully representing charterers in relation to off-hire claim at first instance and before the Court of Appeal.
The Jalagouri [1999] 1 Lloyd’s Rep.903 and [2000] 1 Lloyd’s Rep.515 (CA) – successfully representing charterers in relation to off-hire claim at first instance and before the Court of Appeal.
Cory Brothers v Baldan [1997] 1 Lloyd’s Rep.424 – representing freight-forwarding agent in relation to dispute as to payment of freight with their freight-forwarding agents.
The Laconian Confidence [1997] 1 Lloyd’s Rep.139 – representing owners on an arbitration appeal in relation to off-hire under Cl.15 of the NYPE charter form.

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