Selborne Chambers is delighted to announce that Thomas Williams KC has joined as a member with immediate effect, adding further strength and depth to Chambers’ expertise in Arbitration; Commercial Litigation; Fraud; Company and Partnership; Professional Negligence; and Restructuring and Insolvency. The senior clerking team are Paul Bunting (+44 (0)20 7420 9502) and Darren Madle (+44 (0)20 7420 9504).
About Thomas Williams KC
Thomas specialises in commercial and chancery litigation and international arbitration. He is an experienced advocate before courts and arbitral tribunals, appearing frequently in the High Court and the Court of Appeal. He has acted as lead counsel in arbitrations governed by the major institutional rules, as well as in ad hoc arbitrations under the Arbitration Act 1996.
His practice spans multiple practice areas including complex commercial, corporate, insolvency and regulatory disputes, often with an international dimension. Thomas has considerable experience in the enforcement of judgments and arbitral awards and frequently works alongside lawyers in other jurisdictions. He has significant experience before the Qatar International Court (at both first instance and on appeal) and the Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Tribunal. His arbitration practice focuses on complex commercial and construction disputes.
Recognised in Chambers & Partners Global Guide, Thomas also sits regularly as an arbitrator and is a member of the arbitrator panels of numerous leading international institutions. In addition, he has acted as an expert determiner in the context of a major construction project in Qatar. He also accepts appointments as a mediator. From 2017 to 2023, Thomas served as a member of the Disciplinary Panel of the Bar Tribunals and Adjudication Service. In January 2025, he was appointed Chair of the Employment & Discrimination Tribunal in Guernsey for a three-year term.
Thomas remains a member of Kings Chambers, Manchester.
“There is no other barrister I’m aware of who understands Qatari rules and authorities better than him. He’s a very very safe pair of hands.” Chambers Global, 2026
“He writes superbly. His ability to research difficult pieces of law is unparalleled. His pleadings are technically accurate and wonderful to read”. Chambers Global, 2025
“Thomas is a hugely experienced and capable advocate, and has an impressive understanding of regional law and practice, having worked in Qatar for a number of years. He stands out on technical legal points, meticulously researching case law and principles”. The Legal 500, 2025
The 2022 and 2023 editions of Legal 500 and Chambers Global describe him as a “fantastic lawyer” who is “very fast in grasping the points presented to him”, with “the ability to put forward arguments succinctly and persuasively”, and that he is “a warm and dynamic character” with “really good soft skills”.
Contact: thomas.williams@selbornechambers.co.uk
Ian Clarke KC, Head of Selborne Chambers, says:
“I have worked with Thomas as an opponent and as a junior for over 20 years; I am absolutely delighted that I will now be working with him as a colleague and a member of Selborne Chambers”
Thomas Williams KC adds:
“I am thrilled to be joining Selborne Chambers. I have known Ian Clarke KC for many years, and I look forward to working with him and other colleagues. Selborne Chambers continues to be a leader in the commercial chancery field, both domestically and internationally, and has an increasing profile in international arbitration. It is the perfect fit for my practice.”
For more information about Selborne Chambers visit www.selbornechambers.co.uk
Our clerks’ room is open between 8.30am – 6.30pm
Outside of these hours and in cases of an urgency, please contact Paul Bunting on +44 (0) 7971 843023 or Darren Madle on +44 (0) 7769 714399.
