Quadrant Chambers is pleased to announce that Lionel Persey KC is joining Arbitrators at 10 Fleet Street effective from 1 April 2025, where he will be concentrating on his appointments as Arbitrator. 

Lionel is a Deputy High Court Judge (Commercial Court and QBD) and sits as an arbitrator in commercial, energy, and shipping disputes. During his career as an arbitrator, he has been appointed in nearly 400 arbitral references, as sole arbitrator, party-appointed arbitrator, and chair.  These include ICC, LCIA, LMAA, Uncitral, SIAC, DIAC, SCMA, HKIC and AAA arbitrations.  He is ranked in Band 1 by Chambers and Partners in International Arbitration: Arbitrators and Legal 500 have noted Lionel as "one of the best presiding arbitrators in the field."

Salvage and wreck removal have formed a large part of Lionel’s maritime practice, and he has conducted more than 250 salvage arbitrations as counsel. Since his appointment as an LOF arbitrator in 2009, he has been appointed sole arbitrator in nearly 70 salvage arbitrations, covering a wide range of salvage services.

Lionel’s career as counsel spans over 42 years. He was called to the Bar in 1981 and appointed Silk in 1997. His reputation in energy, international arbitration, and shipping is formidable and he was known as a ‘dangerous cross-examiner’ of technical experts for his ‘deadly combination of authority and experience’. He has represented the UK Government in several maritime matters, acting for the Royal Navy, the UK Coastguard, the Ministry of Defence and appearing before a wide range of Tribunals, including the European Court of Justice. He has also chaired two Merchant Shipping Act public enquiries.

Quadrant would like to take this opportunity to thank Lionel for his friendship, and his positive and lasting contribution to Quadrant Chambers, particularly during his tenure as joint Head of Chambers between 2006-2012. We wish him every success in this next chapter. 

Please contact Arbitration & Fees Clerk Sanel Sonmezani on +44 (0)20 7583 4444 for any appointment or administrative queries.

Arbitrators at 10 Fleet Street is a separate arbitrator wing set up by Quadrant Chambers. Full-time arbitrators include Sir David Steel, Sir Nigel Teare, Jeremy Russell KC, David Steward, and Richard Lionberger. Additionally, a number of members of Quadrant Chambers regularly accept appointments as international commercial arbitrators.

Visit https://arb10fs.com/