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Chris is a partner specialising in international arbitration.

Chris has acted as counsel and advocate in ad hoc and institutional arbitrations in a number of jurisdictions and under various governing laws. He has broad experience of advising on international disputes, particularly in the energy, life sciences and mining sectors. He was appointed as Queen's Counsel (now King's Counsel) in March 2022.

Chris is Co-Head of our Pharmaceuticals sector team. 

Accolades

Chris Parker KC 'commands the respect and attention of the room' International Arbitration Legal 500 UK 2023

Listed as a Leading Individual for International Arbitration by Legal 500 UK 2023

Chris is a recommended lawyer for arbitration Who’s Who Legal Arbitration: 2021

“…Chis Parker bring[s] a wealth of talent to the team” Legal 500 UK 2020 – International Arbitration

Chris is a recommended lawyer for Life Sciences and Healthcare Legal 500 UK 2021

Legal 500 UK 2019 comments that Chris is a recommended lawyer for International Arbitration and Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology

Who's Who Legal Arbitration: Future Leaders 2018 describes Chris as 'a calm and effective presence'

Who's Who Legal Arbitration: Future Leaders 2019 notes that Chris Parker is 'a sophisticated and polished advocate' who sources would highly recommend for his “superb work” in both institutional and ad hoc proceedings. According to one peer, 'His cross-examination skills are otherworldly'

Named Rising Star at The American Lawyer's Transatlantic Legal Awards 2016

Recognised by Chambers & Partners as a Foreign Expert Based in UK for USA – International Arbitration and Foreign Expert for USA for UK – Dispute Resolution.

Background

Chris joined Herbert Smith's international arbitration group in London on qualification, having previously graduated from Cambridge University with a triple first in law. He has since spent time in the firm's arbitration teams in Shanghai and New York, returning to London from New York in 2015.

Experience & expertise

Selected matters

  • an international pharmaceutical company in securing a favourable award in an ICC arbitration in Singapore with over US$0.5 billion in dispute concerning a co-promotion agreement
  • a US energy major in arbitration proceedings under the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules relating to a post M&A dispute concerning an offshore oil field in the North Sea
  • a biotechnology company in an arbitration relating to one of the leading Covid-19 vaccines
  • the owner of a LNG terminal in an ICC arbitration concerning a long term gas supply agreement relating to an offshore African field
  • Mylan Laboratories in its significant victory in a SIAC arbitration commenced by Phosphagenics in Singapore arising from licensing and research agreements, in which Phosphagenics claimed damages of over US$ 300 million