Thomas Raphael has been a tenant at 20 Essex Street since November 2000. His fields of expertise include general commercial law, shipping, transport, commodities, insurance and re-insurance, financial services, competition, and private international law. He frequently acts in commercial arbitrations.

He studied law at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, where he received the Slaughter and May Prize for the top First in law in the university. He also has a degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from Magdalen College, Oxford.

Before joining Chambers, he worked for the European Commission and at the Law Commission, and taught Equity at SOAS and European law at Jesus College, Cambridge. Chambers and Partners (2007) recommend him for Shipping and Commodities, and observe that he is a “standout junior” who “impresses commentators with his advocacy skills”. He is recommended for Commercial Litigation and Shipping by The Legal 500 (2006).

Recent major cases include:

HIH Casualty and General Insurance Ltd v Axa Corporate Solutions [2002] Lloyds Rep IR 237 – a film finance reinsurance dispute.

P&O Nedlloyd Limited and another v M&M Militzer & Munch International Holding [2003] 1 Lloyds Rep 503 – the trial of a claim for mis-delivery of cargo.

Russell Grant v Scott Equipment Company [2005] All ER (D) 345 (CA) – an appeal in a case concerning the sale of machinery and quantum.

CNA Insurance Co. Ltd v Office Depot International (UK) Ltd [2005] Lloyds Rep IR 658 – an application for an anti-suit injunction to restrain proceedings before the courts of Florida.

Ulisses Shipping Corporation v Fal Shipping Co. Ltd [2006] Lloyds Rep Plus 99 – a claim by the owners of a vessel against her charterers after she was confiscated by the UAE authorities.

Tramtrack Croydon Limited v London Bus Services Ltd [2007] All ER (D) 14 and London Bus Services Ltd v Tramtrack Croydon Limited [2006] EWCA Civ 1743 (CA) - two actions for declaratory relief about the interpretation of the 99-year PFI for the Croydon Tramlink.

Front Carriers Limited v Atlantic & Orient Shipping Corp (The “Double Happiness”) [2007] All ER (D) 137 – a claim for a declaration that an arbitration tribunal had jurisdiction.

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