16/01/2017

SIR MARTIN MOORE-BICK JOINS 20 ESSEX STREET AS ARBITRATOR

Following his retirement in December 2016 as Vice-President of the Court of Appeal, Civil Division, Sir Martin Moore-Bick has returned to 20 Essex Street as an arbitrator member.

Before his appointment to the High Court in 1995 at the age of 48 Sir Martin practised as a barrister at 20 Essex Street (formerly at 3 Essex Court, Temple). He was called to the Bar in 1969 and was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1986. He specialised in arbitration, shipping, commodity trading, insurance and related financial disputes and frequently appeared as counsel before maritime arbitrators and appeal panels of the main commodity trades associations. After taking Silk he also practised as an arbitrator.

On his appointment to the High Court Bench Sir Martin was nominated to sit in the Commercial and Admiralty Courts and was Judge in Charge of the Commercial Court from October 2000 to April 2002. In 2005 he was appointed to the Court of Appeal where he delivered a number of important judgments in a wide range of disputes relating to arbitration law and practice, the carriage of goods by sea, shipbuilding, the sale of goods, banking and finance and other areas of commercial activity.  

Christopher Hancock QC and Duncan Matthews QC, the Co-Heads of 20 Essex Street announce:

'Members of 20 Essex Street are delighted to welcome back Sir Martin following his distinguished career on the Bench. His record in civil justice reform and in delivering landmark commercial judgments will serve him well in his career as an international commercial arbitrator. The combination of his sharp intellect and efficiency with benign approachability will have a wide appeal to parties.’