Sean Snook

BA (Comb Hons)

Areas of expertise

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Sean Snook was called to the Bar in 2000 and has been in practice at 20 Essex Street since 2001. He advises on and represents clients in a broad range of commercial and private international law disputes. He has appeared regularly in the High Court (particularly the Commercial Court) and before a variety of commercial tribunals (including the ICC, LCIA and RSA). In addition to trial work he has extensive experience in interim proceedings, in particular obtaining freezing orders and anti-suit injunctions. He has also assisted in mediations.

Specialisations: 

  • Shipping (charterparty, bill of lading, general average, shipbuilding and ship sale and purchase disputes);
  • Carriage of goods by road;
  • International trade, commodities and sale of goods;
  • Conflicts of laws;
  • Banking (futures and derivatives, export credit guarantees, indemnities and letters of credit);
  • Company law;
  • Insurance (marine insurance and P & I cover) and reinsurance; and
  • Professional negligence

Principal Cases: 

RSA arbitration number 298 - with Andrew Baker Q.C. for the sellers in a quality/condition claim arising out of the sale of Brazilian sugar.

Arbitration No. 96/1998 of the Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce - with Nicholas Strauss Q.C., Duncan Matthews Q.C. and junior counsel-for the purchasing company in its claim arising out of pensions mis-selling and related matters.

FT Everard & Sons Limited v. BP Marine Limited - with Christopher Hancock Q.C. for the shipowner in a claim for damage to the vessel's engine systems.

LCIA No. 3434 - with Iain Milligan Q.C. for a leading Wall Street investment bank in a claim involving allegations of professional negligence.

ICC No. 12238/DK - for the Finnish-German consortium in a project financing dispute concerning the development of a thermal power station project in Russia.

Kwacoli Shipping Ltd. v. Delta Exports Pte Ltd - for the cargo sellers in a bill of lading claim also giving rise to issues of fraud, jurisdiction and the legality of an LOI.

Hiscox v. Ghiolman - insurance - jurisdiction -application of Council Regulation no. 44/2001

Mastrogiorgis B SA v. Gulf Import & Export Co./Gulf Import & Export Co. (LLC) - for the shipowners in the securing of an anti-suit injunction.

Stocznia v. Latreefers - with Angus Glennie Q.C. for the purchasers in a shipbuilding claim.

Surzur v. Koros & Others - for one of the parties defending a claim of tortious conspiracy arising out of a ship sale and purchase agreement.

Esso Petroleum Co. Ltd. v. Addison & Others [2003] EWHC 1730 [2003] All ER (D) 253 - With Murray Pickering Q.C. for the licensees in their dispute with Esso over the terms of their licence agreements, obligations arising under the "Tiger Token" promotions and volume of fuel deliveries.

Wolman v. Weller - for the owner of shares in a claim for breach of contract and/or trust.

Allantone Supplies Ltd. v. J. Boston & Sons - for the company in an insolvency related claim.

Visual Imperative v. Carlton - Chancery Division-for the defendant company in a copyright claim.

LASCO v. Universal Metal Trading Ltd - construction of arbitration agreement.

BGT Trading Ltd. v. Edgar - breach of contract.

Education and Career: 

Sean Snook studied at Exeter University (History & Politics) and London Guildhall University where he was awarded the Diploma in Law with Distinction (first place).

Previously he worked at Morgan Grenfell & Co. Limited (the investment banking division of Deutsche Bank A.G.) where he was an Associate Director specialising in project and export finance, syndicated loan finance and corporate and debt restructuring.

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