Fionn is a well-established commercial silk and is recommended by Chambers and Partners, Chambers Global and the Legal 500 as a leading silk for commercial litigation / commercial dispute resolution.

All of his work can broadly be described as commercial litigation. He is regularly instructed in commercial disputes, big and small, international and domestic, arising out of all industry sectors and professions, in both litigation and arbitration. He has particular experience of high-value, high-profile, high-pressure disputes. As such he has extensive experience of all aspects of the preparation and conduct of heavy trials, involving substantial factual dispute and/or extensive expert evidence, as well as of all types of jurisdictional and interlocutory dispute. He is an experienced advocate, well used to having conduct of trials and interlocutory matters, in the Commercial Court and other divisions of the High Court.

For examples of his cases, see the “Reported Cases” section below.

He is recommended by Chambers and Partners, Chambers Global and the Legal 500 as a leading silk for international arbitration.

A substantial proportion of Fionn's commercial practice takes place in arbitration. Over the years, for example, Fionn has acted:

• For the claimant in an LCIA arbitration relating to a mine in the Dominican Republic

• For an Austrian bank in an ICC arbitration;

• For an oil trader in a SIAC arbitration;

• For a restaurant franchisee in an ad hoc arbitration against the franchisor;

• For a Russian oligarch in an LCIA arbitration;

• For a Swiss oil trader in a London arbitration under LMAA Rules;

• For a major European bank in an ICC arbitration against a central European state;

• For an international oil company in a series of arbitrations under the UNCITRAL Rules (with a Stockholm seat);

• For a reinsurer in a Bermuda form arbitration;

• For an international energy company in an arbitration under LCIA Rules;

• For an aluminium company in a dispute under the Swiss International Rules of Arbitration;

• For an international commodity trader in an LCIA arbitration;

• For a major Brazilian steelmaker in an ICC arbitration;

• For a Russian telecoms operator in a series of arbitrations under the LCIA Rules;

• For a major oil trader in an LCIA arbitration;

• For a major insurer in connection with an ad hoc arbitration arising under the Arbitration Act 1996;

• For a commodity trader in a FOSFA arbitration;

• For a major American insurance company in an ad hoc reinsurance arbitration;

• For a Russian entity in an ICC arbitration with a Geneva seat;

• For a captive insurer in an ad hoc arbitration under the Bermuda Form;

• For a reinsurer in a dispute under ARIAS rules.

Equally, Fionn has experience of applications to the English courts in support of or in connection with domestic and international arbitrations, including applications for interim relief and injunction, applications to recognise and enforce foreign awards and challenges to awards.

Fionn is recommended by Chambers and Partners as a leading silk for Banking & Finance.

Much of Fionn's commercial practice involves banking and finance disputes. Recent work includes:

• Commercial Court claim for a US-based fund seeking repayment under a participation agreement;

• Commercial Court claim for an English bank in respect of helicopters it had acquired when enforcing security arrangements;

• A claim for an Austrian bank defending itself against allegations arising out of the manner in which it had collected in a debt;

• Acting in disputes in the Commercial Court and also in the Cayman Islands arising out of the sale of a fund of funds business;

• Acting for a German bank in a series of claims arising from the sale of its interest in Formula 1;

• Acting for European Bank in a claim under a performance guarantee agreement against a Central European State;

• Acting for a lender in an appeal raising issues as to the recoverability of swap agreement break costs;

• Acting against a major bank in substantial breach of confidence case in the Chancery Division;

• Advising a bank acting as trustee holding legal ownership of a business worth c. £3-4 billion in relation to disputes as to the management of the business;

• Acting against a bank at first instance and on appeal in a dispute arising under a letter of credit on UCP 600 terms;

• Acting for a claimant seeking to recover from a financial institution under a demand guarantee;

• Acting for a large number of high-net-worth individuals bringing misrepresentation claims against a major bank;

• Acting for a hedge fund pursuing a breach of contract claim against a strategic investment fund;

• Numerous cases of claims made under security documents.

Fionn also advises in relation to non-contentious banking and financial services matters. He has particular experience of dealing with the Takeover Panel, particularly in “acting in concert” matters..

For examples of his cases, see the “Reported Cases” section below.

Fionn is recommended by Chambers Global, Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500 as a leading silk for Energy & Natural Resources.

Fionn acts regularly in disputes arising in the energy and natural resources fields. Indeed, his specialism in the field led to him being nominated as Energy Junior of the Year at the 2019 Legal 500 Bar Awards. In recent years he has acted:

• For a mining company in a dispute arising out of the sale of a nickel mine in the Dominican Republic;

• For the operator of the Sullom Voe Terminal in a number of disputes arising under its various operating agreements;

• For North Sea oil company in various disputes arising under long-term agreements;

• For an oil company in a dispute arising out of an oil concession in Egypt;

• For a mining company in a dispute arising out of the sale of a copper mine in Peru;

• For a Nigerian oil company in a c.$1.5 billion fraud claim;

• For an oil major in a €1 billion claim for breach of contract and breach of confidence;

• For a North Sea oil company in a dispute under a Farm-In Agreement;

• For an oil trading company in a $350 million fraud claim;

• For BP in the TNK-BP dispute between BP and its Russian joint venture partners arising out of BP's proposed strategic alliance with Rosneft;

• For a major European energy company in a dispute arising out of the potential exploitation of gas fields in Kurdistan;

• For ENRC in a dispute relating to a Brazilian iron ore mining project;

• For an oil trader in a claim arising out of the supply of crude oil to Romania in the 1990s;

• For the defendant in a dispute relating to the sale and purchase of Tanzanian gold mining licences;

• For parties involved in North Sea oil disputes arising out of Farm-In Agreements and out of Capacity Reservation and Transportation agreements;

• For the claimant in a dispute arising out of the sale of a Nigerian oil field;

• For the defendants in LCIA arbitral proceedings relating to allegedly off-specification coal;

• In a dispute arising out of the purchase of a company owning a large portfolio of carbon credits;

• In an LCIA arbitration arising out of the late delivery of a quantity of coal;

• For the claimant in a dispute over the ownership of a platinum mine;

• In a dispute arising out of the delivery of Kazakh rapeseed;

• In a dispute arising out of a contract for the delivery of fuel oil.

For examples of his cases, see the “Reported Cases” section below.

Fionn has acted in numerous civil fraud matters and is recommended by both Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500 as a leading silk for Civil Fraud.

He is often consulted in the early, investigatory stages of fraud cases, and has experience of obtaining and resisting freezing injunctions (domestic and worldwide, both pre- and post-judgment) and search orders. He also has experience of dealing with forensic IT and document examination expert evidence.

Recent work in this field includes the following:

• Acting for Neil Gerrard in the in the Azima litigation, the Al Sadeq / Quzmar / Stokoe Partnership litigation and the Mikadze litigation;

• Acting for the sellers of a company bringing allegations of deceit against the purchasers and seeking damages of €270 million;

• Acting for a pharmaceutical company bringing allegations of deceit and conspiracy against one of its counterparties in relation to the claiming of rebates;

• Acting for the purchasers of a manufacturing company alleging deceit on the part of the sellers;

• Appearing for the Defendants in a bribery / conspiracy case said to have led to the collapse of a FTSE 250 listed company and giving rise to a claim of c. $1.5 billion;

• Acting for an oil trading company in a $350 million fraud case involving freezing injunctions, proprietary injunctions and issues of jurisdiction;

• Acting for Glencore at first instance ([2015] EWHC 666 (Comm)) and in the Court of Appeal ([2016] EWCA Civ 778 and [2017 EWCA Civ 195) in Petrom v Glencore;

• Acting for the defendant in a claim alleging fraud and corruption in an Eastern European oil trading business;

• Acting for Bayern in its claims arising out of the bribery of one its board members in connection with the sale of its interest in Formula 1;

• He appeared for the Claimants in the Fiona Trust litigation ([2010] EWHC 3199 (Comm); [2011] EWHC 664 (Comm); [2011] EWHC 715 (Comm) [2011]; EWHC 1312 (Comm), a case raising wide-ranging allegations of bribery, conspiracy and corrupt practice;

• Acted for the claimant in a $200 million Nigerian case in which allegations of bribery and corruption were raised;

• Acted for a defendant in a case in which allegations of bribery and corruption were made by the claimant against one of its employees and various of its suppliers;

• Advised in relation to allegations of fraud and mismanagement in a very substantial family-owned business;

• Acted for insurers in a case arising out of a substantial mortgage fraud;

• Advised a utility company in relation to industry-wide fraud, with potential losses estimated to be in the tens of millions of pounds;

• Acted in a Commercial Court claim arising out of a large insurance fraud, raising allegations of breach of authority, breach of fiduciary duty, conspiracy and dishonest assistance and involving numerous freezing injunctions and search orders;

• Advised a major supermarket in relation to a fraud perpetrated by certain of its employees in conjunction with one of its suppliers;

• Acted in a case to order for the preservation of documents and evidence in a claim against a fraudulent employee.

For examples of his cases, see the “Reported Cases” section below.

Fionn is recommended as a leading silk in Professional Negligence by the Legal 500.

Fionn has advised on cases involving allegations of negligence on the part of insurance brokers, accountants, auditors, solicitors, valuers, financial advisers and liquidators. In recent years, he has:

• Acted for one of the auditors of Carillion in the disciplinary hearings brought by the FRC alleging dishonest misleading of an Audit Quality Review Team;

• Acted for administrative receivers accused of breaches of equitable duty;

• Acted for accountants alleged to have provided negligent tax advice;

• Acted for the claimant bank in a series of over-valuation claims against surveyors;

• Acted for solicitors facing allegations of negligent conduct (and regulatory/disciplinary proceedings) in connection with a takeover;

• Acted for liquidators facing allegations of negligence in their conduct of a liquidation;

• Advised financial advisers accused by a client of having given negligent advice;

• Acted for an insured in a negligence claim against insurance brokers;

• Acted for auditors facing allegations of negligence in their audits of various public sector/education sector entities;

• Acted against solicitors in relation to the provision of allegedly negligent advice in the context of a ship purchase;

• Acted for accountants in relation to allegations of negligent advice on the tax treatment of tips.

For examples of his cases, see the “Reported Cases” section below.

Fionn is recommended as a leading silk in Shipping & Commodities by Chambers Global, Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500.

Fionn has an extensive commodities and international trade practice, both in litigation and in arbitration. He appeared in Standard Chartered Bank v Dorchester LNG (2) Limited (the “Erin Schulte”) in both the Commercial Court and the Court of Appeal – which is now the leading authority on a number of issues relating to bills of lading and letters of credit. Current or recent work includes:

• Acting for a Swiss oil trader in a SIAC claim arising out of an alleged failure to deliver;

• Acting for an oil trader in a claim for late delivery following a grounding in the Suez Canal;

• Acting for an oil company in a substantial claim for contamination;

• Acting for a Swiss oil trader in a claim arising out of the delivery of an off-spec cargo and consequent contamination of other cargoes;

• Acting for a Singaporean oil trader in a dispute arising out of the supply of various cargoes of Naphtha;

• Acting for Glencore in a dispute relating to the supply of crude oil;

• Acting for a Swiss company in a $70 million arbitration relating to the supply of aluminium and prepayment obligations incurred in connection with that supply;

• Acting for a Swiss company in a Commercial Court dispute arising out of a contract for the sale and purchase of 4 cargoes of crude oil;

• Advising a Brazilian company in a dispute under a long-term contract for the delivery of pellet feed.

He also has experience of disputes under, and cases up to the Commercial Court arising out of, various different arbitral rules, including ICC, LCIA, GAFTA and FOSFA.

He has also acted in a large number of “dry” shipping cases, arising in the Admiralty Court, the Commercial Court and in arbitration (including, amongst others LCIA and LMAA arbitrations).He acted for the claimant Russian state-owned shipping companies in the Fiona Trust litigation, and for the successful Charterers in Gard Shipping AS v Clearlake Shipping Pte Ltd (the “Zaliv Baikal”) [2017] EWHC 1091 (Comm); [2017] 2 All ER (Comm) 179; [2017] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 38; [2017] 1 CLC 951. Other recent work includes the following:

• Acting for owners in a claim for misdelivery under a bill of lading;

• Acting in an LCIA arbitration arising out of the arrest of a vessel;

• Advising charterers in respect of a claim arising from a substantial fire on a vessel;

• Advising Indian companies in connection with a dispute arising under a long- term contract of affreightment;

• Advising cargo interests in connection with a general average claim;

• Advising in relation to a dispute arising out of a ship sale purchase agreement;

• A dispute arising out of a contract for the disposal of decommissioned naval vessels.

He has been involved in numerous disputes raising issues such as short delivery, off-spec delivery, seaworthiness, force majeure, the construction of charterparties and the like.

For examples of his cases, see the “Reported Cases” section below.

Fionn is recommended as a leading silk for Insurance & Reinsurance by the Legal 500.

Over the years, Fionn has advised on and appeared in a wide range of insurance and reinsurance disputes, both in the High Court and in arbitration. Representative experience includes the following:

• Acting for a captive reinsurer in a Bermuda Form arbitration;

• Acting for a policy holder in claims against it insurer and its insurance broker arising out of the acting for Equitas in a claim brought against it as statutory assignee of the original reinsuring Lloyds syndicates;

• Advising in relation to a claim against insurers and insurance brokers arising out of the fire which destroyed Weston-super-Mare’s Grand Pier;

• Acting for insurers in a Commercial Court claim arising under the Third Parties (Rights Against Insurers) Act 1930;

• Advising insurers in relation to substantial claims arising out of a large mortgage fraud;

• A dispute in relation to broker’s liability for premium;

• Acting in a series of connected reinsurance arbitrations in Bermuda on behalf of a captive insurer arising out of fraudulent tax schemes;

• Acting for the reinsurer in an ARIAS arbitration raising avoidance issues; acting for insurers in respect of a substantial claim arising under a binding authority;

• Acting in a series of arbitrations arising out of a reinsurance spiral; and, BP v Aon [2006] EWHC 424 (Comm) which concerned the establishment of a duty of care on the part of sub- brokers.

• Ras Al Khaimah v Azima [2023] EWHC 2108 (Ch)
• Ras Al Khaimah v Azima [2023] EWCA Civ 507
• Alta Trading UK Ltd (formerly Arcadia Petroleum Ltd) v Bosworth & others [2023] EWHC 1913 (Comm)
• Yieldpoint Stabe Value Fund LP v Kimura Commodity Trade Finance Fund Limited [2023] EWHC 1212 (Comm)
• Ras Al Khaimah v Azima [2023] EWHC 693 (Ch)
• Al Sadeq & ors v Dechert, Neil Gerrard & ors [2023] EWHC 184 (KB)
• Ras Al Khaimah v Azima [2022] EWHC 2980 (Ch)
• Alta Trading UK Ltd (formerly Arcadia Petroleum Ltd) v Bosworth & others [2022] EWHC 2810 (Comm)
• Ras Al Khaimah v Azima [2022] EWHC 2727 (Ch)
• Executive Counsel of the Financial Reporting Council v KPMG LLP & others (Tribunal report of 27 September 2022)
• Alta Trading UK Ltd (formerly Arcadia Petroleum Ltd) v Bosworth & others [2021] EWCA Civ 687
• Alta Trading UK Ltd (formerly Arcadia Petroleum Ltd) v Bosworth & others [2021] EWHC 1126 (Comm)
• Lombard North Central Plc v Airbus Helicopters SA [2020] EWHC 3819 (Comm)
• Alta Trading UK Ltd (formerly Arcadia Petroleum Ltd) v Bosworth & others [2020] EWHC 2757 (Comm)
• Blue Power Group Sarl v Eni Norge AS [2020] EWHC 634 (Ch)
• Minera Las Bambas SA v Glencore Queensland Ltd [2020] EWHC 108 (Comm)
• Blue Power Group Sarl v Eni Norge AS [2019] EWHC 3369 (Ch)
• Ohpen Operations UK Ltd v Invesco Fund Managers Ltd [2019] EWHC 2504 (TCC)
• Ohpen Operations UK Ltd v Invesco Fund Managers Ltd [2019] EWHC 2246 (TCC)
• McAfee Ireland Ltd v DSG Retail Ltd [2019] 8 WLUK 10 (Comm Ct)
• Minera Las Bambas SA v Glencore Queensland [2019] EWCA Civ 972
• Bosworth v Arcadia Petroleum Ltd (C-603/17) [2020] ECR 349
• Blue Power Group Sarl v Eni Norge AS [2018] EWHC 3588 (Ch)
• Minera Las Bambas SA & Anor v Glencore Queensland Ltd & Ors [2018] EWHC 1658 (Comm)
• Blue Power Group SARL & Ors v Eni Norge SA & Ors [2018] EWHC 2212 (Ch)
• Minera Las Bambas SA & Anor v Glencore Queensland Lts & Ors [2018] EWHC 286 (Comm)
• Minera Las Bambas SA & Anor v Glencore Queensland Lts & Ors [2018] EWHC 735 & 737 (Comm)
• OMV Petrom SA v Glencore International AG [2017] EWCA Civ 195; [2017] 1 WLR 3465; [2018] 1 All ER 703; [2018] 1 All ER (Comm) 210; [2017] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 93
• Bayerische Landesbank Anstal Des Offentlichen Rechts v Constantin Medien AG [2017] EWHC 131 (Comm)
• Gard Shipping AS v Clearlake Shipping Pte Ltd [2017] EWHC 1091 (Comm); [2017] 2 All ER (Comm) 179; [2017] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 38; [2017] 1 CLC 951
• Arcadia Petroleum Ltd & Ors v Bosworth & Ors [2017] EWHC 3160 (Comm)
• Minera Las Bambas SA & Anor v Glencore Queensland Lts & Ors [2017] EWHC 3704 (Comm)
• NCC Skills Ltd v Ascentis [2016] EWHC 2006 (QB)
• Arcadia Petroleum Ltd & Ors v Bosworth & Ors [2016] EWHC 2527-2579 (Comm)
• Eminent Energy Ltd v Krassik OU [2016] EWHC 2585 (Comm)
• Ahmad v Bank of Scotland & Ors [2016] EWCA Civ 602
• OMV Petrom SA v Glencore International AG [2016] EWCA Civ 778; [2017] 3 All ER 157; [2017] 2 All ER (Comm) 409; [2016] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 432
• Arcadia Petroleum Ltd & Ors v Bosworth & Ors [2016] EWCA Civ 818; [2016] CP Rep 48; [2016] CLC 387
• OMV Petrom SA v Glencore International AG [2015] EWHC 666 (Comm)
• Arcadia Petroleum Ltd & Ors v Bosworth & Ors [2015] EWHC 1030 (Comm); [2015] EWHC 3700 (Comm)
• Standard Chartered Bank v Dorchester LNG (2) Limited [2014] EWCA Civ 1382
• Energy Venture Partners Ltd v Malabu Oil and Gas Ltd [2014] EWCA Civ 1295
• OMV Petrom SA v Glencore International AG [2014] EWHC 242 (Comm); [2014] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 308
• Franklin Management SrL v Central Eastern European Real Estate Shreholdings BV [2014] EWHC 4127 (Comm)
• Ahmad v Bank of Scotland & Ors [2014] EWHC 4611 (Ch)
• United Petroleum (UK) LLP v ESCO Energy SA [2014] EWHC 3085 (Comm)
• Insurance Company of the State of Pennsylvania v Equitas Insurance Limited [2013] EWHC 3713 (Comm); [2014] Lloyd’s Rep IR 195
• Mortgage Agency Services Number One Ltd v Edward Symmons LLP [2013] EWCA Civ 1590
• Energy Venture Partners Ltd v Malabu Oil and Gas Ltd [2013] EWHC 2118 (Comm) (and [2014] EWHC 663 (Comm) and [2014] EWCA Civ 537)
• Standard Chartered Bank v Dorchester LNG (2) Limited [2013] EWHC 808 (Comm)
• Cherney v Deripaska [2012] EWHC 1781 (Comm)
• Fiona Trust v Privalov and others ([2010] EWHC 3199 (Comm); [2011] EWHC 664 (Comm); [2011] EWHC 715 (Comm) [2011]; EWHC 1312 (Comm)
• A v B [2010] EWHC 3302 (Comm); [2011] Bus. L.R. 1020; [2011] 2 All E.R. (Comm) 935; [2011] 1
• Lloyd's Rep. 363; [2010] 2 C.L.C. 944
• William Hill Organization Ltd v Playtech Software Ltd [2011] EWHC 836 (Comm)
• BSkyB v EDS [2010] EWHC 86 (TCC)
• Talaris (Sweden) AB v Network Controls International Ltd [2008] EWHC 2930 (TCC)
• BP plc v Aon Ltd and another [2006] EWHC 424 (Comm), [2006] 1 All ER (Comm) 789, [2006] Lloyd's Rep IR 577
• BP plc v Aon Ltd [2005] EWHC 2554 (Comm); [2006] 1 Lloyd's Rep 549
• Marjorie Ilma Knox v John Vere Evelyn Dean and Others [2005] UKPC 25; [2005] B.C.C. 884
• Roche v UK (ECtHR) [2005] 20 BHRC 99, The Times, October 27, 2005
• Elmsbourne Security Ltd v Manticore Holdings Ltd [2005] EWHC 1315 (Ch); [2005] LLR 1295
• Roche v Secretary of State for Defence [2004] EWHC 2344 (Admin), [2004] All ER (D) 98 (Oct)
• T-Mobile v Bluebottle and Virgin Mobile [2003] EWHC 379 (Comm)
• American International Speciality lines Insurance v Abbott Laboratories [2002] EWHC 2714 (Comm), [2003] 1 Lloyd's Rep 267, [2004] Lloyd's Rep IR 815

• ‘The Knights of the Bath: dubbing to knighthood in Lancastrian and Yorkist England’ in P.Coss and M.H.Keen (eds.), Heraldry, Patronage and Social Display in Late Medieval England (Boydell & Brewer, 2002)
• Butterworths’ Banking Law Guide (contributor)

BA (Hons) History (1998) (First Class); M Phil History (1999) (First Class, top in year); CPE/Diploma in Law (2000); Bar Vocational Course (2001); MA (Oxon) (2002).

Awards and scholarships:

• Balliol/Oxford: Fraser Scholar, James Gay History Prize, Jenkins Award, Coolidge Pathfinder Atlantic Crossing Award
• St John’s/Cambridge: University Medieval History Prize (Wood-Legh Prize); McMahon Law Studentship
• Inner Temple: Major CPE Scholarship (1999-2000); Princess Royal Scholarship (2000-2001)

Fionn speaks French and is a qualified PADI diving instructor.

• "Fionn Pilbrow has the combination of a deep understanding of the law and an ability to present a case in a commercially attractive way." "Fionn Pilbrow strikes like a lightening bolt. He identifies one single crack in a case that will destroy the other side." "An extremely polished advocate."  (Chambers & Partners 2024, Commercial Dispute Resolution)
• "Fionn Pilbrow is super responsive and really on top of procedural rules." "He is an absolute pleasure to work with. He's measured, calm and reliable." "He has a way about him, the way he presents, that is endearing and believable. He gets the judges on his side." (Chambers & Partners 2024, Energy & Natural Resources)
• "Fionn is an extremely eloquent, attractive advocate." "Fionn is very bright and a good advocate." (Chambers & Partners 2024, Fraud: Civil)
• "Fionn is a joy to work with. He is committed, talented and responsive." "He is very commercial and gives very practical advice." (Chambers & Partners 2024, Shipping & Commodities)
• "Fionn is something else intellectually and he marries it with an easy and client-friendly style." "Fionn is fantastic on his feet; an extremely clear advocate. I think he really understands the judges and what they need from him." "He is so clear and precise." (Chambers & Partners 2024, Banking & Finance)
• "He marries brightness with an easy and client-friendly style."  (Chambers & Partners 2024, International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance)
• "Fionn is a fantastic oral advocate, extremely sharp and highly persuasive, and he has the skill of breaking down complex issues and arguments and presenting them clearly." (Legal 500 2024, Commodities; Energy)
• "Very experienced barrister at the top of his game. His written work and oral advocacy are incisive and extremely effective. He uses his knowledge of civil procedure to supplant a clear litigation strategy which gets results. A real pleasure to work with." (Legal 500 2024, Professional Negligence)
• "Fionn is a strong barrister who is always trying to push for more for clients. He is not afraid to explore options." (Chambers & Partners 2023, Shipping & Commodoties)
• "He has a compelling written and oral advocacy style, and always has an eye on the commercial pressure points."  (Chambers & Partners 2023, International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance)
• "Fionn is superb. His written and oral advocacy is compelling." "He always has an eye to the commerciality of the dispute." "He is an extremely able advocate with a huge amount of experience." "Fionn is very reliable and a real pleasure to work with." (Chambers & Partners 2023, Fraud: Civil)
• "Fionn Pilbrow is very reliable and a real pleasure to work with." "A shrewd and intelligent lawyer, who is an excellent advocate." (Chambers & Partners 2023, Energy & Natural Resources)
• "A very persuasive and really effective advocate." "He produces compelling written and oral advocacy and always has an eye on the commerciality of the dispute." (Chambers & Partners 2023, Commercial Dispute Resolution)
• "Fionn Pilbrow KC is incredibly bright and able to distil complex work into easy to digest matters." (Chambers & Partners 2023, Banking & Finance)
• "Now a real leader in terms of having the confidence, stamina and client manner to take on the biggest and most complex cases, he is quick, fluent and with an eye to what is likely to appeal to the Tribunal." (Legal 500 2023, Commodities)
• "Fionn is an extremely intelligent and articulate barrister who is a master of his brief and an authoritative and compelling presence in court. Enviably talented." (Legal 500 2023, Professional Negligence)
• "A charismatic performer, in and out of court, he has an elegant and expressive oral style with very sound judgment." (Legal 500 2023, Energy)
• "An excellent all-round barrister and advocate; very able and extremely user friendly." (Legal 500 2023, Insurance & Reinsurance)
• "He is incredibly thorough, very involved and really understands every single tiny detail on a case. He has a monumental ability to absorb information and he is a really good advocate." "He is very willing to explain his logic and is exceptionally user-friendly. He writes clearly and is not shy of doing hard work." (Chambers & Partners 2022, Banking & Finance)
• "He is a good advocate and is good not just on the commercial side, but also at getting on top of engineering aspects of cases too." "He is excellent on the law and regularly appears in high-profile energy cases." (Chambers & Partners 2022, Energy & Natural Resources)
• "Fionn is razor-like and very straight-talking. He is extremely precise and an effective operator." (Chambers & Partners 2022, Fraud: Civil)
• "He is exceptionally user-friendly and a very impressive silk." "A very good advocate." (Chambers & Partners 2022, International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance)
• "He is nice to work with, very thorough and able to get to important points quickly." "He is excellent." "Fionn is very well regarded. He is extremely quick, very user-friendly and knows the subject very well." (Chambers & Partners 2022, Shipping & Commodities)
• "Extremely bright and a good team player. Excellent on his feet, he's a rising star of the Commercial Bar." (Chambers & Partners 2022, Commercial Dispute Resolution)
• "Confident, articulate and very bright, he has extensive knowledge of the law in this area. The man you want when you’re in a pickle." (Legal 500 2022, Commodities)
• "Fionn is a terrific advocate, an orator of the first class, and he is a pleasure to watch and learn from." (Legal 500 2022, Energy)
• "Fionn is razor-sharp, easy to get along with, and he fights hard but is wholly fair – a joy to see him in action. It has always been clear to me that Fionn commands the respect of the highest profile practitioners at the Bar – he’s a star." (Legal 500 2022, Insurance & Reinsurance)
• "Fionn is an extremely intelligent and articulate barrister who is a master of his brief and an authoritative and compelling presence in court. Enviably talented." (Legal 500 2022, Professional Negligence)
• "Extremely bright and a good team player." "He is skilled at cutting through the opponent's tactics." (Chambers & Partners 2021, Commercial Dispute Resolution)
• "A very confident and polished advocate with a big future." (Chambers & Partners 2021, International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance)
• "He is responsive, very easy to work with and very good at blue-sky thinking." "One of the best young silks around." "He is impressive and effective." (Chambers & Partners 2021, Fraud: Civil)
• "He's very user-friendly and as an oral advocate he's very persuasive on his feet. He is excellent at getting the equities of the situation across to the judge and skilled at cutting through opponents' tactics."  "Very tenacious with a good eye for detail." (Chambers & Partners 2021, Energy & Natural Resources)
• "Fionn is a very hard-working and highly experienced advocate, as well as easy to work with." (Chambers & Partners 2021, Banking & Finance)
• "Absolutely first rate; he has a meticulous eye for detail, is super-smart and creative and is an articulate and extremely persuasive advocate." (Legal 500 2021, Civil Fraud)
• "Excellent judgement and a thoroughly pleasant individual to work with." (Legal 500 2021, Banking & Finance)
• "Extremely bright and very user friendly silk, he quickly gets to grips with complex issues and delivers cogent and clear advice." (Legal 500 2021, Commercial Litigation)
• "Leagues ahead of his contemporaries, he is the opponent everyone dreads, with an unparalleled eye for detail and for the case-winning point. (Legal 500 2021, Commodities)
• "One of the rising stars among the young silks, he engages the court’s attention with charm and understated persuasion." (Legal 500 2021, Energy)
• "Very bright, with the ability to win the confidence of clients, solicitors and the court. He is also commercially astute, as well as being intellectually gifted and grounded in common sense. The best type of barrister – superb to work with." (Legal 500 2021, Insurance & Reinsurance)
• "A strong advocate, polished with tribunal and clients alike. He is very well-regarded and brings into arbitration his expertise from extensive heavyweight Commercial Court disputes. He is a persuasive advocate, able to find that argument that sums up the case in a neat and attractive way. He is also feared as a cross-examiner, with a calm and forensic approach that leaves witnesses unwittingly giving the answers they were never supposed to give." (Legal 500 2021, International Arbitration: Counsel)
• "He is an accomplished professional negligence silk." (Legal 500 2021, Professional Negligence)
• "Proficient new silk with expertise in handling complex financial matters. He frequently acts for international organisations and in cases concerning offshore jurisdictions. Pilbrow has effectively established a niche in matters concerning the Takeover Code." "Accessible and highly commercial." "Fionn is excellent to deal with, as he is personable, has good client skills and is very good at technically complex cases."  (Chambers & Partners 2020, Banking & Finance)
• "He's extremely quick on his feet, and a hugely persuasive advocate who combines intellect with charm." "A very good orator, he puts the judge at ease and gets on well with the client." (Chambers & Partners UK & Global 2020, Commercial Dispute Resolution)
• "A familiar and highly esteemed presence at the Energy Bar, he regularly handles high-value disputes concerning joint-venture terms, mining licences and product quality, among others. He is particularly noted for his expertise in matters involving detailed technical evidence. Pilbrow has considerable experience acting in high-value fraud cases for energy industry clients. His experience covers arbitrations in the ICC, UNCITRAL and the LCIA, as well as cases before the Commercial Court, the Technology and Construction Court and the Administrative Court." "He is very quick and analytical." "He is very impressive due to the quality of his legal analysis." "He is very clever at cutting through to what matters and has good judgement."  (Chambers & Partners UK & Global 2020, Energy & Natural Resources)
• "An in-demand practitioner with a reputation for taking tough domestic and international fraud cases to trial. He acts for both claimants and defendants." "Extremely bright, a good team player and excellent on his feet." "Renowned for his smooth and effective advocacy." (Chambers & Partners 2020, Fraud: Civil)
• "He's a class act." "One of the stars of the future." (Chambers & Partners 2020, Insurance)
• "Extremely accomplished advocate." "Very responsive, very good draftsman and can work under pressure." (Chambers & Partners 2020, International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance)
• "He is fiercely bright." (Chambers & Partners 2020, Professional Negligence)
• "Enthusiastic and engaging, and produced analysis and written work of the highest quality." (Legal 500 2020, Banking & Finance)
• "One of the rising stars of the commercial Bar, he will make a very successful transition to silk." (Legal 500 2020, Commercial Litigation)
• "He has an open mind, drafts very well and is an excellent lawyer." (Legal 500 2020, Commodities)
• "One of the rising stars of the commercial Bar, he has a delightful manner and excellent judgment." (Legal 500 2020, Energy)
• "Liked by solicitors, fellow barristers and judges, because of a delightful manner and his excellent judgement." (Legal 500 2020, Fraud: Civil)
• "He is a brilliant lawyer." (Legal 500 2020, Insurance and Reinsurance)
• "Very user friendly, a pleasure to deal with, he drafts very well and is an excellent lawyer. " (Legal 500 2020, International Arbitration: Counsel)
• "In court, he is urbane, calm and incisive." (Legal 500 2020, Professional Negligence)
• "Very personable and has a great way of putting clients at ease. He is very good with judges, and he takes them along with him." "Fionn is a very dangerous opponent, who is obviously talented." (Chambers & Partners 2019, Banking & Finance)
• "He's extremely easy to work with, he understands clients' commercial drivers as well as the law, and he is incredibly good on his feet." "He's very user-friendly and all over the details in a case." (Chambers & Partners UK & Global 2019, Commercial Dispute Resolution)
• "Extremely easy to work with, and a lawyer who understands clients' commercial drivers as well as the law. He is incredibly good on his feet in hearings." "He's really good with judges and highly tenacious; he fights for his points." (Chambers & Partners UK & Global 2019, Energy & Natural Resources)
• "A very astute and able junior." "Clever, personable and highly responsive. He thinks issues through from every angle and is a pleasure to work with." (Chambers & Partners 2019, Fraud: Civil)
• "He is very confident and gives you great reassurance." "Really bright." (Chambers & Partners 2019, Insurance)
• "He has a great reputation." "Clever, personable and highly responsive." (Chambers & Partners UK & Global 2019, International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance)
• "He is a real star in the making." "He had the judge's ear when I saw him in action." (Chambers & Partners 2019, Professional Negligence)
• "Exceptionally precise and very thoughtful about his advice. Very bright and innovative." (Chambers Global 2019, Arbitration (International) – The English Bar – Global-wide)
• "He simplifies every case and presents it in a compelling way through his written and oral advocacy." "He gets to grips with the most complex cases and fully understands everything." (Chambers Global 2019, Dispute Resolution: Commercial – UK)
• "A delight to work with – he has very good judgment and puts himself out to get the job done." "He came in at an advanced stage of a horrible, numerically technical case, got on top of it and performed very well on the drafting." (Chambers Global 2019: Energy & Natural Resources – UK)
• "Great at stepping in on short notice to help with difficult situations, one of my go-to barristers." (The Legal 500 2018-19, Banking & Finance)
• "Very accessible and responsive, and passionate about what he does." (The Legal 500 2018-19, Commercial Litigation)
• "One of the stars in a star-studded set, he simplifies every case and could be backed against most silks." (The Legal 500 2018-19, Commodities)
• "One of the stars in a star-studded set; presents every case compellingly in his written and oral advocacy." (The Legal 500 2018-19, Energy)
• "A delight to work with, his written work is excellent; he works extremely well under pressure." (The Legal 500 2018-19, Fraud: Civil)
• "First class, hardworking, responsive and is really committed to his cases." (The Legal 500 2018-19, Insurance and Reinsurance)
• "Incredibly bright, user friendly, and clearly should be a junior silk." (The Legal 500 2018-19, International Arbitration: Counsel)
• "His advocacy is vigorous and compelling." (The Legal 500 2018-19, Professional Negligence)
• "Exceptionally precise and very thoughtful, he considers all the options and makes sure you understand all the implications. He is also bright, innovative and very good with clients." (Chambers & Partners 2018, Banking & Finance)
• "He simplifies every case and presents it in a compelling way through his written and oral advocacy." "He gets to grips with the most complex cases and fully understands everything." (Chambers & Partners 2018, Commercial Dispute Resolution)
• "A delight to work with - he has very good judgement and puts himself out to get the job done." "He came in at an advanced stage of a horrible, numerically technical case, got on top of it and performed very well on the drafting." (Chambers & Partners 2018, Energy & Natural Resources)
• "Very bright and very easy to work with." "A confident and engaging advocate." (Chambers & Partners 2018, Fraud: Civil)
• "An intellectually sound lawyer capable of putting a case forward very clearly." "He acts as a calming influence and is able to absorb a lot of information." (Chambers & Partners 2018, Insurance)
• "Exceptionally precise and very thoughtful about his advice. Very bright and innovative." (Chambers & Partners 2018, International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance)
• "He is a rare combination of an exceptional intellect and warm humour, which makes him stand out for both clients and judges." (Chambers & Partners 2018, Professional Negligence)
• "Good at building rapport with the judge." (The Legal 500 2017, Banking & Finance)
• "A clever lawyer, talented advocate and “blue-sky” thinker." (The Legal 500 2017, Commercial Litigation)
• "First class, hardworking and committed to cases; one of the best juniors." (The Legal 500 2017, Commodities)
• "Really committed and capable of producing excellent work under pressure." (The Legal 500 2017, Energy)
• "First-class and capable of producing excellent work under pressure." (The Legal 500 2017, Fraud: Civil)
• "A reliable counsel and tenacious advocate." (The Legal 500 2017, Insurance and Reinsurance)
• "A leading junior, who is very hardworking and produces excellent work." (The Legal 500 2017, International Arbitration: Counsel)
• "Meticulous and very hardworking." (The Legal 500 2017, Professional Negligence)
• "Fionn Pilbrow has been described by clients as a "brilliant junior who is taking the Bar by storm" with his broad disputes practice." (Who's Who Legal - UK Bar: Banking & Finance 2017)
• "He's very tenacious and a pleasure to work with." (Chambers & Partners 2017, International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance)
• "Incredibly bright and an absolute pleasure to work with." (Chambers & Partners 2017, Insurance)
• "Fionn is personable and enjoyable to work with. He is very responsive and easily contactable." "His advice is clear and logical." "Judges listen to him. He has the court's attention and that's important." (Chambers & Partners 2017, Fraud: Civil)
• "He's intellectually astute, bright, charming and very good on his feet." "A great black letter lawyer who is hugely impressive in his ability to put forward something in a concise manner which gets to the heart of the case." (Chambers & Partners 2017, Energy & Natural Resources)
• "His analysis and drafting are excellent, and he is hugely popular with solicitors since he is easy to work with." "Very flexible and amazingly able to turn around work quickly." (Chambers & Partners 2017, Banking & Finance)
• "He is really excellent as his advice is clear and logical, and his advocacy is persuasive." "He is a quite brilliant advocate who judges absolutely love." (Chambers & Partners 2017, Commercial Dispute Resolution)
• "Very solid, reliable and thorough." (The Legal 500 2016, Banking & Finance)
• "Really excellent – his advice is clear and logical, and his advocacy is persuasive." (The Legal 500 2016, Commercial Litigation)
• "A strong junior able to lead in complex and high-value cases." (The Legal 500 2016, Commodities)
• "His strengths are his raw intelligence, “blue-sky” thinking and personality." (The Legal 500 2016, Energy)
• "Exceptional – a first-class mind with first-class judgement." (The Legal 500 2016, Fraud: Civil)
• "A very strong and relaxed advocate." (The Legal 500 2016, Insurance and Reinsurance)
• "He has very strong technical and communication skills." (The Legal 500 2016, International Arbitration: Counsel)
• "An obvious star of the future." (The Legal 500 2016, Professional Negligence)
• "A delight to work with as he's very positive and totally unstuffy. He is bright and can turn around incredibly long technical pleadings overnight." "A great guy to work with - he's an excellent advocate who has the ear of the judges." (Chambers & Partners 2016, Dispute Resolution)
• "He takes a pragmatic approach to arguments. He rolls his sleeves up, gets involved and doesn't expect everything to arrive on a silver platter." (Chambers & Partners 2016, Energy & Natural Resources)
• “Fionn Pilbrow is a “real gem of the younger generation” and a “very talented litigator” who has been seen on numerous banking and finance disputes" (Who's Who Legal UK Bar 2015, Banking)
• "He's a very good lawyer and a good draftsman. He works well in a team, and is a very strong performer." "He's approachable, user-friendly and thorough." (Chambers & Partners 2015, Banking & Finance)
• “An active junior who attracts a range of high-end instructions, and has particular experience in energy and natural resources disputes. Instructing solicitors consider him to be "very good on his feet," and he often acts as sole advocate.” (Chambers & Partners 2015, Commercial Dispute Resolution)
• "His advice is clear and logical." "Incisive and commercial in his approach, he's a force for the future." (Chambers & Partners 2015, Commercial Dispute Resolution)
• "Very user-friendly and accessible, he's a delight to work with. He really rolls his sleeves up when necessary and produces brilliant work under pressure." (Chambers & Partners 2015, Energy & Natural Resources)
• "A star of the future. He has a huge capacity to get things done and is brilliant on technical matters." "His advice is clear and logical." (Chambers & Partners 2015, Fraud: Civil)
• "He turns things around very quickly and is good at getting into the detail." (Chambers & Partners 2015, International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance)
• “Tackles a diverse practice that includes some very high-value insurance work, much of which is international in nature. He is widely held to be an outstanding all-round commercial junior.” (Chambers & Partners 2015, Insurance)
• "A first-rate junior with both a strong analytical mind and the ability to grasp the commercial realities of a case." (Chambers & Partners 2015, Insurance)
• “Very able, responsive, hardworking and a good team player.” (The Legal 500 2014, Banking & Finance)
• “Fun to work with and increasingly a go-to junior.” (The Legal 500 2014, International Arbitration: Counsel)
• “Very user friendly, enthusiastic and responsive, also excellent at drafting.” (The Legal 500 2014, Commercial Litigation)
• “He has a sharp legal mind, and thinks outside the box.” (The Legal 500 2014, Energy)
• “A pleasure to work with.” (The Legal 500 2014, Fraud:Civil)
• “A strong, analytical mind.” (The Legal 500 2014, Insurance and Reinsurance)
• “Very user friendly, enthusiastic and responsive.” (The Legal 500 2014, Professional Negligence)
• “An outstanding junior with a delightful court manner and incisive analysis of legal and strategic problems.” (The Legal 500 2014, Commodities)
• “Receives strong approval from peers and instructing solicitors alike.” (Chambers & Partners 2014, Chambers Global 2014, Commercial Dispute Resolution)
• "A star of the junior Commercial Bar. He is very good on his feet." (Chambers & Partners 2014, Chambers Global 2014, Commercial Dispute Resolution)
• "He has a huge capacity to get things done and is brilliant on technical matters."  "Very good with the clients and extremely bright." (Chambers & Partners 2014, Fraud:Civil)
• “Pilbrow's impressive caseload in the last year pays tribute to his ever-increasing reputation in the commercial arbitration market. His practice spans a range of shipping, insurance, banking and trade disputes.” (Chambers & Partners 2014, International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance)
• "He is absolutely outstanding and incredibly highly thought of." (Chambers & Partners 2014, International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance)
• “Fionn Pilbrow is ‘undoubtedly a star of the future’, who ‘wins the trust of the court by virtue of his good judgement and charming advocacy’.” (The Legal 500 2013, Commercial Litigation)
• “Fionn Pilbrow is ‘undoubtedly a star of the future’” (The Legal 500 2013, Energy)
• “Among the juniors, Fionn Pilbrow is ‘an up-and-coming star, with an excellent drafting style’.” (The Legal 500 2013, International Arbitration)
• “Fionn Pilbrow, who is ‘fantastic to deal with’, and ‘impresses clients’” (The Legal 500 2013, Insurance)
• “Fionn Pilbrow receives plaudits for being “very suave and incredibly good with clients." He recently represented Michael Cherney in his USD4.5 billion claim against Oleg Deripaska concerning a dispute resulting from their ostensible partnership in a Russian aluminium company” (Chambers Global 2013, Energy & Natural Resources UK)
• "New entry Fionn Pilbrow "has it all." Solicitors note that he is "very smart, highly responsive and very personable," as well as user-friendly " (Chambers & Partners 2013, Banking & Finance)
• "Fionn Pilbrow is highly regarded by instructing solicitors for the dedicated approach he takes to cases, and handles a broad array of commercial matters. His recent work draws on his expertise in diverse sectors including shipping, insurance and energy, and he has appeared in LCIA, LMAA and UNCITRAL proceedings." (Chambers & Partners 2013, International Arbitration: General Commercial and Insurance)
• ""Up-and-coming" junior Fionn Pilbrow has a rising profile in fraud work and is "very good, very diligent and really sharp." He has been acting in the USD4.5 billion dispute between Cherney and Deripaska, and continues to be involved in a number of matters following on from the landmark Fiona Trust litigation." (Chambers & Partners 2013, Fraud: Civil)
• "Also popular, Fionn Pilbrow receives plaudits for being "very suave and incredibly good with clients." He recently represented Michael Cherney in his USD4.5 billion claim against Oleg Deripaska concerning a dispute resulting from their ostensible partnership in a Russian aluminium company." (Chambers & Partners 2013, Energy & Natural Resources)
• ""Cerebral" junior Fionn Pilbrow "works extremely hard, is highly capable and turns work around amazingly fast." "Calm under pressure," he demonstrates "good judgment on when to make a point and knows how best to make it."" (Chambers & Partners 2013, Commercial Dispute Resolution)
• "Stablemate Fionn Pilbrow is said to be "charmingly tenacious - people don't realise until they take a step back after his performance in court that they have been well and truly stuffed." His recent efforts include acting for Michael Cherney in his multibillion-dollar claim against Oleg Deripaska." (Chambers UK 2012, Commercial Dispute Resolution)
• "Others at the set to impress include Fionn Pilbrow, who is developing a fine reputation for his work on complex cross-jurisdictional energy disputes. A recent example of his work is Too Abi Groupe v Nordic Bulk, a matter involving a USD1.75 million contract for the sale of Kazakh rapeseed." (Chambers UK 2012, Energy & Natural Resources)
• "Fionn Pilbrow has come to greater market attention lately as a result of his recent efforts in the huge Fiona Trust litigation. "He is everything you would expect a barrister to be, and is an exceptional performer given his comparatively recent call." " (Chambers UK 2012, Fraud: Civil)
• "Fionn Pilbrow has also developed a broad and thriving commercial practice, and has impressed in trials such as BSkyB v EDS and the Fiona Trust litigation. Sources say he "works extremely hard and will be a real star in the future." " (Commercial Dispute Resolution, Chambers & Partners 2011)
•  “...the ‘fantastic’ Fionn Pilbrow [is] also recommended.” (Legal 500 2012, Fraud:Civil)
• “Standout juniors include ...  the ‘fantastic’ Fionn Pilbrow ...” (Legal 500 2012, Professional negligence)