Elizabeth assists clients in the energy and natural resources and commodities sectors with dispute resolution and transactional matters. She has extensive experience in the international trade and transportation of a wide range of commodities, including biofuels, coal, metals, iron ore, LNG, crude oil, and oil products.
Experience
Representative matters
Representative matters
Represented Vitol in its successful claim against JE Energy Ltd in the Commercial Court. The case arose from the disputed termination of a FOB crude sale contract, and involved issues relating to the interpretation of a “laycan” clause in a FOB contract, termination and late opening of a letter of credit. [2022] EWHC 2494 (Comm)
Represented Quadra in its successful insurance claim in the English High Court and Court of Appeal following the misappropriation of commodities following the Agroinvest Group “fraud” and bankruptcy. [2023] EWCA Civ 432
Represented a commodities financier in an LCIA arbitration arising from fraudulent conduct of a counterparty to a trade finance facility. Successfully obtained a worldwide freezing order from the English High Court in support of that arbitration.
Represented Vitol in its successful claim against JE Energy Ltd in the Commercial Court. The case arose from the disputed termination of a FOB crude sale contract, and involved issues relating to the interpretation of a “laycan” clause in a FOB contract, termination and late opening of a letter of credit. [2022] EWHC 2494 (Comm)
Represented Quadra in its successful insurance claim in the English High Court and Court of Appeal following the misappropriation of commodities following the Agroinvest Group “fraud” and bankruptcy. [2023] EWCA Civ 432
Represented a commodities financier in an LCIA arbitration arising from fraudulent conduct of a counterparty to a trade finance facility. Successfully obtained a worldwide freezing order from the English High Court in support of that arbitration.
Represented a commodities trader in a successful claim in SIAC arbitration arising from a long term coal sale contract. The case involved various issues connected to quality, letters of credit and termination.
Represented a financial institution in defending an English High Court action in connection with commodities market research, trading and investment arrangements.
Advised in connection with a multibillion dollar mining dispute and LCIA arbitration.
Representing an oil major in an ongoing LCIA arbitration arising from a joint venture dispute. Successfully opposed an application in the English High Court for an anti-suit injunction in connection with that joint venture.
Representing a commodities trader in an ongoing LCIA arbitration arising from a long term coal sale contract terminated due to force majeure.
Representing a commodities trader in an ongoing LCIA arbitration arising from the alleged repudiation of a long term contract for the sale of Russian-origin coal following imposition of sanctions.
Representing a commodities trader in an ongoing LCIA arbitration concerning the trader’s claim under a trade credit insurance policy, in connection with a number of repo trades.
Representing a commodities trader in an ongoing SIAC arbitration relating to a gold concentrate contract.
Representing a commodities trader in an ongoing SIAC arbitration arising out of a long term coal sale contract.
Obtaining a worldwide freezing order and related contempt and committal orders in the English High Court.
Drafting numerous sets of GTCs for the sale of commodities, including base metals (LME and non-LME), precious metals, iron ore, coal, sulphur, oil and oil products.
Leading due diligence exercises for clients storing hydrocarbons and metals in various locations worldwide.
Advising global banks on repo transactions involving the sale and purchase of various commodities, ranging from oil and metals to sugar, biofuels and lithium hydroxide.
Advising a trade finance provider on flash title transactions, again involving various commodities.
Drafting and negotiating base and precious metals leasing, tolling and processing agreements for mining companies and metals traders.
Drafting agreements for the supply of condensates, and negotiating a condensates storage contract for a national oil company.
Conducting due diligence on joint operating agreements and concession agreements relating to offshore oil projects.
Amongst other biofuels experience, advising a power plant regarding the termination and then the renegotiation of a feedstock agreement for the sale of biomass.
Advising on offtake agreements as part of a structured transaction for a greenfield mining project.
Advising on intra-group commodities offtake contracts between mine owning entities and marketing entities for iron ore, coal and metals concentrates.
Advising on intra-group crude oil sale agreements and refined products sale agreements between upstream oil producing/refining entities and marketing entities.
Drafting general terms and conditions for a national oil company covering crude oil and oil products.
Drafting standardised general terms and conditions for a global mining company covering the sale of coal, iron ore, platinum, nickel and copper.
Drafting a suite of standard contract terms for the trading of crude oil and oil products) for use by one of the world’s largest commodities traders.
Preparing numerous tender documents, offtake agreements and long term sale contracts for the sale of ethylene, benzene, toluene and other aromatics.
Recognitions
- Ranked in Chambers UK 2026 for Commodities: Physicals
- Ranked as Up and Coming in Chambers UK for UK-wide Commodities: Physicals, 2025
- Selected through peer review for inclusion in The Best Lawyers™ in the United Kingdom for International Trade Law, 2024-2025
Credentials
Education
Education
- BPP Law School, 2007, LPC
- BPP Law School, 2006, Graduate Diploma in Law
- London School of Economics, 2005, BSc, Economics, (Hons)
Professional admissions & qualifications
Professional admissions & qualifications
- England and Wales
- Solicitor Advocate (All Higher Courts)
