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 is ranked as a "Rising Star" in Commodities by Legal 500.
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. Jakob is also frequently led in substantial hearings involving complex technical issues. He is currently instructed to appear in a USD 35 million 10-day arbitration concerning damages arising out of a fire onboard a container vessel; led by John Russell KC. He is also instructed to appear in a USD 60 million dispute in a set of four related arbitrations, concerning four different vessels, where it is alleged, among other things, that bareboat charterers fraudulently sought to obtain title to the vessels; led by James Turner KC.
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 commodities and shipping 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.
What the directories say
- "Jakob is a conscientious, committed and clever barrister who produces exceedingly high-quality work at speed." (Legal 500, 2025)
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.
- 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.
- Acting for a metals trader in a dispute arising out of hedging losses incurred during the nickel price spike in 2022.
- Acting for owners in a set of four related arbitrations, concerning four different vessels, where it is alleged, among other things, that charterers fraudulently sought to obtain title to the vessels. There are ancillary court proceedings in numerous foreign jurisdictions. Owners seek damages in excess of USD 60 million as well as delivery up of two vessels. Led by James Turner KC.
- Acting for an insured in a USD 23 million coverage dispute concerning the interpretation of a misappropriation clause; led by Nicholas Craig KC of 3VB.
- Advising a contractor in respect of termination of a contract for the supply of a generator set in the context of a large engineering/construction project.
- Advising a major container shipping line on whether agreeing to extended liability terms amounts to the provision of insurance under English law.
- 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.
- 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 for an insured in a USD 23 million coverage dispute concerning the interpretation of a misappropriation clause; led by Nicholas Craig KC of 3VB. Drafting a successful section 44 application for disclosure of document by a third party outside the jurisdiction in support of the arbitration; led by Sarah Martin of 7KBW.
- Acting for the technical managers of a vessel in two linked arbitrations that have, to date, given rise to a section 67 and a section 24 challenge; led by Stewart Buckingham KC.
- Acting for owners in a set of four related arbitrations, concerning four different vessels, where it is alleged, among other things, that charterers fraudulently sought to obtain title to the vessels. There are ancillary court proceedings in numerous foreign jurisdictions. Owners seek damages in excess of USD 60 million as well as delivery up of two vessels. Led by James Turner KC.
- Instructed in defending a section 67 challenge to an arbitration award.
- 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.
- Acting for the buyers in a USD 5.5 million LMAA arbitration concerning a ship sale dispute. The case involved extensive metallurgy and marine engineering expert evidence. Led by Michael Davey KC.
- Acting for owners in a USD 35 million dispute arising out of a fire onboard a container vessel caused by an undeclared shipment of lithium-ion batteries that self-ignited; led by John Russell KC.
Insurance
Jakob practises across both marine and non-marine insurance law. Recent cases include the following:
- Acting for an insured in a USD 23 million coverage dispute concerning the interpretation of a misappropriation clause; led by Nicholas Craig KC of 3VB.
- Advising a major container shipping line on whether agreeing to extended liability terms amounts to the provision of insurance under English law.
- Advising on the scope of a “left unattended” provision of a goods in transit policy.
- Advising on the scope of a combined marine insurance policy, including considering whether property damage at a boatyard falls within the subsequent damage “carve back” and whether a “reasonable care” condition in the policy amounts to a condition precedent to liability and the applicability of Section 11 of the Insurance Act 2015.”
Commodities & International Trade
Jakob has a thriving commodities and international trade practice with particular expertise in oil and gas. He is ranked as a "Rising Star" in Commodities by Legal 500. 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.
- Acting for a metals trader in a dispute arising out of hedging losses incurred during the nickel price spike in 2022.
- Acting for owners of a cargo of naphtha said to be damaged by the carrier during transport with losses amounting to USD 1.5 million; led by Michael Davey KC.
Shipping
Jakob has extensive experience in shipping and maritime disputes. Recent cases include the following:
- Acting for owners in a USD 35 million dispute arising out of a fire onboard a container vessel caused by an undeclared shipment of lithium-ion batteries that self-ignited; led by John Russell KC.
- Acting for owners in a set of four related arbitrations, concerning four different vessels, where it is alleged, among other things, that charterers fraudulently sought to obtain title to the vessels. There are ancillary court proceedings in numerous foreign jurisdictions. Owners seek damages in excess of USD 60 million as well as delivery up of two vessels. Led by James Turner KC.
- 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.
- Acting for the buyers in a USD 5.5 million LMAA arbitration concerning a ship sale dispute. The case involved extensive metallurgy and marine engineering expert evidence. Led by Michael Davey KC.
- Advising a major container shipping line on whether agreeing to extended liability terms amounts to the provision of insurance.
- Acting for the technical managers of a vessel under a ship management agreement dispute; led by Stewart Buckingham KC.
- Acting for owners of a cargo of naphtha said to be damaged by the carrier during transport with losses amounting to USD 1.5 million; led by Michael Davey KC.
- Acting for owners as sole counsel in a USD 1.3 million general average dispute arising out of a breakdown of the vessel’s main engine inside a high risk area.
- Acting for charterers in a dispute concerning the effective date of hire payment where owners’ bank delayed crediting sums transferred to owners’ bank account.
- Acting for charterers in an off-spec bunker dispute where substantial damage to the vessel’s engine is alleged. The case involves extensive chemistry and marine engineering evidence.
- 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.