Speaker details

Biography

Christopher Harris KC is an accomplished advocate with a leading practice in court and arbitration domestically and internationally across a range of disciplines and industry sectors. He is ranked by the directories as a leading silk across five areas of practice: banking and finance; commercial litigation, energy and natural resources, international arbitration; and public international law. Clients repeatedly highlight his “fearless” and “extraordinarily compelling” advocacy, his “top of the line strategic advice”, combined with being “fantastic with instructing solicitors, but also with the client. He understands the political, financial and personal pressures that they are under, and they completely trust him.” Described as “mesmerising on his feet”, Christopher’s “considerable presence in courtrooms and hearings” and skill in witness handling (“one of the best cross-examiners at the Bar”) have led to his instruction as lead advocate in many high-value and business-critical disputes. Widely acknowledged for many years as one of the pre-eminent arbitration practitioners at the English Bar and “the standout leader in investment treaty arbitration”, Christopher has been involved in many of the most complex arbitration matters to come before the English courts and international arbitral tribunals. In November 2024, Christopher was named International Arbitration Silk of the Year by Chambers & Partners. He is one of the handful of practitioners ranked as a Global Elite Thought Leader by Lexology. In addition to his vast experience in commercial arbitration matters, Christopher has appeared as counsel in around 30 investment treaty arbitrations. His standing in the market is reflected in his appointment as the UK member of the ICC International Court of Arbitration for a second term and his designation by HM Government to the ICSID Panels of Arbitrators and Conciliators. Christopher’s international litigation practice includes multiple appearances at first instance and on appeal in the DIFC courts and the Virgin Islands, as well as the Cayman Islands. Christopher is also admitted in Switzerland.