After three decades in private practice longstanding Ince & Co litigation partner Denys Hickey has re-joined the Bar with a move to Thirty Nine Essex Street Chambers, just weeks after the leading set hired Shell’s former head of legal, Peter Rees QC.
Hickey, a specialist in oil and gas and commodity trading work, started his career as a barrister and was called to the Bar in 1975, requalifying as a solicitor and joining Ince & Co in the late 70s.
He completed a three-year stint in the firm’s Singapore office to head its energy & offshore group for the Asia Pacific region in 2010 before returning to London in 2013.
At 39 Essex Street Hickey’s role will involve practising as counsel, arbitrator and mediator. He will also operate between the set’s offices in London, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur, when it officially launches there later this year. The move will constitute the first UK barristers chambers to establish a presence in Malaysia, where it will focus on domestic and international arbitration.
Hickey’s arrival follows the set’s hire in March of former legal director of Royal Dutch Shell Peter Rees QC.
Chief executive and director of clerking, David Barnes, said: ‘We are thrilled that Denys will be joining Thirty Nine Essex Street. He is extremely well regarded in his field and his wealth of experience as counsel and arbitrator will be a fantastic offering for our clients both in the UK and particularly in Asia, where his knowledge and understanding of the market will be invaluable.’
Hickey added: ‘I am delighted to be joining Thirty Nine Essex Street, and look forward to help develop the arbitration and mediation practice. I am particularly looking forward to continuing my practice in Asia, and hope to contribute to the continued growth of both arbitration and mediation in the region.’
Sarah.downey@legalease.co.uk