Jakob practises across the whole range of Chambers’ core areas, with many of his matters having an international element. Jakob is regularly instructed at all stages of proceedings, providing advice, settling pleadings and appearing at interlocutory hearings and trials, both led and as sole counsel.
Jakob’s recent work includes a USD 35 million ICC arbitration relating to the breach of a mezzanine loan facility in which he appeared as sole counsel. The award obtained in favour of his clients was challenged under section 67 and Jakob was led by Philippa Hopkins KC of Essex Court in defending the challenge in the Commercial Court (the challenge was discontinued before a final hearing took place). He also recently appeared in a 4-day LMAA arbitration, led by David Lewis KC of Twenty Essex, in a USD 4 million dispute concerning failure to give contractual redelivery notices at the end of a long-term charterparty for an LNG carrier.
Jakob was a judicial assistant in the Commercial Court, where he sat with Mrs Justice Cockerill, Mr Justice Butcher and Mr Justice Jacobs, assisting, among other matters, on The London Steam-Ship Mutual Insurance Association Limited v The Kingdom of Spain (The Prestige) [2021] EWHC 1247 (Comm), which concerned a challenge to the registration of a USD 1 billion judgment of the Spanish court against the Club. Jakob also did a secondment at the London office of an international shipping and commodities firm, where he gained valuable insight into the day-to-day work of a firm and how counsel can most productively become a part of the team for a particular matter.
His written work has been praised as “succinct” and “superbly analytical”; his legal research has been described as “especially impressive” and his advocacy has been noted as being “very much at the top end of the range”. Recent client feedback includes the following: “Jakob was very much on top of the brief and his advocacy was excellent”; “I was very impressed with Jakob. His drafting was spot on, as was his advice on the claim and his tactical comments” and “I have been very impressed with [Jakob’s] work over a number of matters.”
Jakob came to the Bar after working as an academic philosopher for a few years, completing his PhD and teaching at Brown University after studies at University College, Oxford and in Berlin.
Outside his work, Jakob keeps trying to become a proficient pianist, alas, with no great success.
Commercial Dispute Resolution
Jakob has a broad commercial practice, including banking, insurance and international trade disputes. Recent cases include the following:
- Acting as sole counsel in a USD 35 million ICC arbitration relating to the breach of a mezzanine loan facility. Instructed to defend a section 67 application to set aside the award; led by Philippa Hopkins KC of Essex Court.
- Appearing in a USD 90 million LCIA arbitration relating to the breach of a loan agreement; led by a partner in the New York office of instructing solicitors.
- Advising a Swiss trading house in a USD 100 million dispute concerning repudiation of a set of crude oil sale contracts on the basis of US sanctions.
- Acting for a major oil company in Commercial Court proceedings relating to a conspiracy to deprive the company of ultra-low-sulphur diesel oil worth in excess of USD 23 million; led by Bobby Friedman of Wilberforce. Acting in related contempt of court proceedings brought against directors of two of the defendant companies; also led by Bobby Friedman of Wilberforce.
- Advising a contractor in respect of termination of a contract for the supply of a generator set in the context of a larger engineering/construction project.
- Advising a major container shipping line on whether agreeing to extended liability terms amounts to the provision of insurance.
- Acting for a garage in a dispute concerning the restoration of a classic car.
International Arbitration
Jakob has appeared in arbitrations under ICC, LCIA and LMAA rules as well as being instructed in arbitration claims in the Commercial Court. Recent cases include the following:
- Acting as sole counsel in a USD 35 million ICC arbitration relating to the breach of a mezzanine loan facility. Instructed to defend a section 67 application to set aside the award; led by Philippa Hopkins KC of Essex Court.
- Appearing in a USD 90 million LCIA arbitration relating to the breach of a loan agreement; led by a partner in the New York office of instructing solicitors.
- Acting in an LMAA arbitration against an international underwriter in a USD 23 million coverage dispute concerning the interpretation of a misappropriation clause. Drafting a successful section 44 application in support of the arbitration; led by Sarah Martin of 7KBW.
- Acting for owners in a USD 4 million LMAA arbitration concerning charterers’ failure to give contractual redelivery notices; led by David Lewis KC of Twenty Essex.
Commodities & International Trade
Jakob has a thriving commodities and international trade practice with particular expertise in oil and gas. Recent cases include the following:
- Advising a Swiss trading house in a USD 100 million dispute concerning repudiation of a set of crude oil sale contracts on the basis of US sanctions.
- Advising a Swiss trading house on whether a right to terminate an LNG sale and purchase agreement had arisen on the basis of a material adverse change clause.
- Advising a Swiss trading house on claims relating to substantial unpaid bunker invoices.
- Acting for a major oil company in Commercial Court proceedings relating to a conspiracy to deprive the company of ultra-low-sulphur diesel oil worth in excess of USD 23 million; led by Bobby Friedman of Wilberforce. Acting in related contempt of court proceedings brought against directors of two of the defendant companies; also led by Bobby Friedman of Wilberforce.
Shipping
Jakob has extensive experience in shipping and maritime disputes. Recent cases include the following:
- Acting for owners in a USD 4 million LMAA arbitration concerning charterers’ failure to give contractual redelivery notices; led by David Lewis KC of Twenty Essex.
- Advising a major container shipping line on whether agreeing to extended liability terms amounts to the provision of insurance.
- Advising charterers on whether owners were responsible for making a vessel cold-ironing compatible where ports require this for the vessel to call.
- Acting for charterers in an off-hire claim relating to a missed berthing slot on account of breakdown of machinery; led by James Leabeater KC of 4 Pump Court.
- Acting for charterers in a dispute concerning losses arising out of the vessel encountering freezing spray and failing to take adequate mitigating actions.
- Acting for the seller of a yacht in a dispute concerning alleged defects discovered after delivery.
- Advising charterers on general average liability following a grounding of the vessel.
- Advising a carrier on a claim for container detention and demurrage against a freight forwarder under its standard terms of business.
- Acting for a marina in a dispute concerning berthing charges.
- Acting in numerous charterparty disputes concerning off-hire, hull cleaning, charges for armed guards, off-spec bunkers and knock-for-knock provisions.