Joshua Crow
Barrister
Call 2016
Josh has a broad commercial practice across the full range of Chambers’ work. Josh has particular expertise in fraud, energy and financial services disputes, and has a significant arbitration practice alongside his court work. Josh’s work has been increasingly recognised in the legal directories as his practice has developed.
Recent notable instructions have included:
- Virgin Aviation TM Limited and Virgin Enterprises Limited v Alaska Airlines Inc
For Virgin, (with Daniel Toledano KC, instructed by Slaughter and May) in post-merger proceedings concerning the interpretation of a trademark licensing agreement. - Diesel Emissions (NOx) Litigation
Acting for Hyundai and Kia in the largest substantial group litigation proceedings ever launched. There are several major hearings listed, including October-December 2025 and March 2025. - R (Linear Investments) v Financial Ombudsman Service
Acting for Linear in the Court of Appeal, led by Sonia Tolaney KC, in relation to challenges to decisions of the Financial Ombudsman Service concerning professional investment products. - Bourlakova v Bourlakov & Others
Acting for the Kazakovs in one of the largest and most complex disputes presently in the Chancery Division. The proceedings have led to a number of reported decisions and are scheduled for a 16-week trial during 2027. - Arbitration Proceedings
Over the past 5 years Josh has been instructed in three arbitrations valued at more than $1 billion under SIAC and LCIA rules, as well as multiple other arbitral proceedings. Josh is listed in both Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners for his arbitration work. - Tactus Holdings Limited v Jordan [2025] 1 WLR 1602
Acting for the Defendants (together with Alex Polley KC, instructed by Freeths) in commercial court fraud and breach of warranty proceedings relating to the sale of a technology retail business.
Josh has a wealth of advocacy experience, appearing in his own right before the High Court and County Courts and in arbitral proceedings.
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Examples of Recent Cases
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Arbitration
- SIAC Arbitration
Instructed with Laurence Rabinowitz KC, Nicholas Sloboda and others in a multi-billion dollar oil and gas dispute regarding alleged fraud and breach of warranty under an SPA. - LCIA Arbitration
Instructed with Mark Howard KC and Conall Patton KC in arbitration proceedings claiming in excess of $1 billion relating to several of London’s most famous hotels. - LCIA Arbitration
Instructed with Charles Graham KC in a claim valued in excess of $1 billion in relation to the exploitation of petroleum resources in Kurdistan. - LCIA Arbitrations
Instructed with James MacDonald KC in two separate arbitrations under the LCIA rules, one in relation to petroleum interests in the UK, another relating to commodity supply agreements. - LCIA Arbitration
Instructed with James Willan KC in a major claim between European steel producers in relation to the sale of a steel business. The claim concerned allegations of manipulation of the European steel markets, amongst other things.
- SIAC Arbitration
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Commercial Litigation
- Bourlakova v Bourlakov & Others
Acting for the Kazakovs in one of the largest and most complex disputes presently in the Chancery Division. The proceedings have led to a number of reported decisions, and are scheduled for a 16 week trial during 2027. - Virgin Aviation TM Limited and Virgin Enterprises Limited v Alaska Airlines Inc
For Virgin, (with Daniel Toledano KC, instructed by Slaughter and May) in post-merger proceedings concerning the interpretation of a trade mark licensing agreement. - Diesel Emissions (NOx) Litigation
Acting for Hyundai and Kia in the largest substantial group litigation proceedings ever launched. There are several major hearings listed, including October-December 2025 and March 2025. - R (Linear Investments) v Financial Ombudsman Service
Acting for Linear in the Court of Appeal, led by Sonia Tolaney KC, in relation to challenges to decisions of the Financial Ombudsman Service concerning professional investment products. - Tactus Holdings Limited v Jordan [2025] 1 WLR 1602
Acting for the Defendants (together with Alex Polley KC, instructed by Freeths) in commercial court fraud and breach of warranty proceedings relating to the sale of a technology retail business. - Mabec Nottingham Limited v Cavell
Josh is instructed for Mr Cavell defending substantial claims for breach of directors duties in relation to a major construction project. - Manek & Ors v IIFL Wealth (UK) Limited & Others (CL-2017-000625)
For the claimants in substantial claims in fraud relating to the sale of an Indian payments company. - Tugushev v Orlov & Ors
For Magnus Roth (with Daniel Toledano QC, Emma Jones and Emily Wood), defendant and part 20 claimant in claims of unlawful conspiracy and misappropriation in the context of a bitter dispute between Russian billionaires over interests in an international fishing business owned and operated worldwide by the Norebo Group of companies. - The ECU Group v HSBC
For HSBC (with Sonia Tolaney QC and latterly, Ken MacLean QC and Sandy Phipps), defending claims by a currency trading alleging dishonest currency rate manipulation by ‘front running’ currency transactions, and for significant damages. HSBC succeeded at trial and all claims were dismissed. Josh acted as sole counsel in relation to a subsequent application for costs against ECU’s funder.
- Bourlakova v Bourlakov & Others
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Jurisdiction and Conflict of Laws
- Actegy v Distec International Limited
Instructed as sole counsel in a jurisdiction dispute between an English company and a Belgian company. Successfully challenged the jurisdiction of the High Court on behalf of the Belgian company. - Lindner v Wax
Instructed with Jeffrey Onions QC in a claim by a company against its former director, in which jurisdiction was disputed. The issues included the validity of service and the application of the Brussels I Recast Regulation. - Planport GmbH v Alysons Design Studio Limited
Instructed to advise on the jurisdiction of the English court in a dispute between a Swiss and an English company. - Sabbagh v Khoury
Assisted (during pupillage) Laurence Rabinowitz QC, Simon Colton QC, and others in a $600m claim in conspiracy concerning the shares in the Consolidated Contractors group, a major Lebanese construction group. Assisted in the 4-day Court of Appeal hearing arising from the jurisdiction challenge, where the Court decided issues as to the interpretation of Article 6(1) of the Brussels Regulation and the applicability and scope of an arbitration clause. Joshua was later instructed, led by Tony Peto QC, in seeking an interim anti-suit injunction following the Court of Appeal’s judgment. - Sinosure v Emerald
Assisted (during pupillage) Jamie Goldsmith in relation to a jurisdiction challenge in a claim against a Nigerian company relating to the operation of oil and gas fields in Nigeria.
- Actegy v Distec International Limited
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Banking and Financial Services
- The ECU Group v HSBC
For HSBC (with Sonia Tolaney QC and latterly, Ken MacLean QC and Sandy Phipps), defending claims by a currency trading alleging dishonest currency rate manipulation by ‘front running’ currency transactions, and for significant damages. HSBC succeeded at trial and all claims were dismissed. Josh acted as sole counsel in relation to a subsequent application for costs against ECU’s funder. - Manek & ors v IIFL Wealth (UK) Limited & others (CL-2017-000625)
For the claimants in substantial claims in fraud relating to the sale of an Indian payments company. - R (Linear Investments) v Financial Ombudsman Service
Acting for Linear in the Court of Appeal, led by Sonia Tolaney KC, in relation to challenges to decisions of the Financial Ombudsman Service concerning professional investment products.
- The ECU Group v HSBC
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Energy and Natural Resources
- SIAC Arbitration
Instructed with Laurence Rabinowitz KC, Nicholas Sloboda and others in a multi-billion dollar oil and gas dispute regarding alleged fraud and breach of warranty under an SPA. - LCIA Arbitration
Instructed with Charles Graham KC in a claim valued in excess of $1 billion in relation to the exploitation of petroleum resources in Kurdistan. - LCIA Arbitrations
Instructed with James MacDonald KC in an arbitration under the LCIA rules in relation to petroleum interests in the UK. - LCIA Arbitration
Instructed with James Willan KC in a major claim between European steel producers in relation to the sale of a steel business. The claim concerned allegations of manipulation of the European steel markets, amongst other things.
- SIAC Arbitration
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Civil Fraud
- Bourlakova v Bourlakov & Others
Acting for the Kazakovs in one of the largest and most complex disputes presently in the Chancery Division. The proceedings have led to a number of reported decisions and are scheduled for a 16-week trial during 2027. - Diesel Emissions (NOx) Litigation
Acting for Hyundai and Kia in the largest substantial group litigation proceedings ever launched. There are several major hearings listed, including October-December 2025 and March 2025. - Tactus Holdings Limited v Jordan [2025] 1 WLR 1602
Acting for the Defendants (together with Alex Polley KC, instructed by Freeths) in commercial court fraud and breach of warranty proceedings relating to the sale of a technology retail business. - Mabec Nottingham Limited v Cavell
Josh is instructed for Mr Cavell defending substantial claims for breach of directors’ duties in relation to a major construction project. - Manek & Ors v IIFL Wealth (UK) Limited & Others (CL-2017-000625)
For the claimants in substantial claims in fraud relating to the sale of an Indian payments company. - Tugushev v Orlov & Ors
For Magnus Roth (with Daniel Toledano QC, Emma Jones and Emily Wood), defendant and part 20 claimant in claims of unlawful conspiracy and misappropriation in the context of a bitter dispute between Russian billionaires over interests in an international fishing business owned and operated worldwide by the Norebo Group of companies. - The ECU Group v HSBC
For HSBC (with Sonia Tolaney QC and latterly, Ken MacLean QC and Sandy Phipps), defending claims by a currency trading alleging dishonest currency rate manipulation by ‘front running’ currency transactions, and for significant damages. HSBC succeeded at trial and all claims were dismissed. Josh acted as sole counsel in relation to a subsequent application for costs against ECU’s funder.
- Bourlakova v Bourlakov & Others
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What the Directories Say
Chambers & Partners 2025 (Commercial Dispute Resolution) "Joshua is diligent and increasingly savvy on questions of strategy." "Joshua has had a lot of big commercial trials and can just turn his hand to anything. He's wise beyond his years and has great judgement." "Josh is a pleasure to work with. He is on top of all the details and his drafting is always excellent."
Chambers & Partners 2025 (International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance) "Joshua is excellent to work with on all facets of a case." "Joshua Crow is a very robust, user-friendly and confident junior. He is willing to roll up his sleeves and take a view." "Joshua always gives a considered answer to the questions put before him and he's good at strategy."
Legal 500 2025 (Commercial Litigation) “Excellent intellect, commercial sense and good on his feet.”
Legal 500 2025 (Fraud: Civil) “Very good drafting skills, excellent oral advocacy. Very good at breaking down the expert evidence on complex areas into manageable chunks. User friendly.”
Legal 500 2025 (International Arbitration: Counsel) "Very good drafting skills, excellent oral advocacy. Very good at breaking down the expert evidence on complex areas into manageable chunks. User friendly."
Chambers & Partners 2024 (Commercial Dispute Resolution) "Josh is a very responsive, user-friendly barrister, who gives practical and considered advice. He is excellent on his feet." "Joshua Crow is very good at capturing the key points in a case and discussing the major legal issues." "Joshua is very persistent and always has one more idea up his sleeve which he can pull out to solve a tricky problem."
Legal 500 2024 (Fraud: Civil) ‘Works incredibly hard and is incredibly bright. He is also pragmatic and strategically aware, far more than is ordinarily the case for someone of his call.‘
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Education
- City Law School: BPTC (Outstanding) [2015-2016]
- City University London: GDL (Distinction) [2014-2015]
- University of Oxford: BA (Philosophy, Politics and Economics) (First Class Honours) [2011-2014]
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Academic Achievments
- Duke of Edinburgh Entrance Award, Inner Temple [2015]
- Major Scholarship, Inner Temple [2015]
- Telders International Law Moot, Inner Temple Team (National Final) [2015]
- City GDL Internal Moot (Semi-Final) [2014/2015]
- GDL Exhibition, Inner Temple [2014]
- Future Lawyer Excellence Award, City University [2014]
- Maitland Advocacy Competition (Penultimate Round) [2014]
- Academic Scholarship, New College, Oxford [2012]
- Burden-Griffiths Award for Prelims Results [2012]