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Emile Yusupoff is a junior barrister practising in commercial litigation and international arbitration. Emile accepts instructions in contentious and advisory matters, as a junior and as sole counsel. His main practice area is shipping and international trade law, but he has broad experience in commercial and chancery disputes.
Since joining 36 Stone in October 2020, Emile has been instructed in shipping matters involving fisheries; pipeline construction; war risks and sanctions clauses; navigation rights; bunker disputes; and cargo claims. He has also worked on various contractual, company and property disputes, as well as matters involving pipeline construction; professional negligence; cryptocurrency fraud; art law; and insolvency.
Before qualifying as a barrister, Emile completed pupillage at a leading commercial chambers, worked as a paralegal, and spent the summer of 2018 at the US firm Critelli Law as Middle Temple’s Anglo-American Exchange Scholar.
Key cases & testimonials
Acted for the claimant/respondent in resisting an application to set aside default judgment in a banking dispute which involved allegations of dishonesty against a background of previous fraudulent conduct.
Acted for the defendants in contempt/committal proceedings, where they had breached a court order containing a penal notice. Avoided any sentence for defendants by reaching agreement with the claimants, and satisfying the court, that all breaches of the order had been remedied and that the defendants would undertake to cooperate with the claimants and the court going ahead.
Part of the team working on an ongoing 8-figure international arbitration regarding disputes over long-term COAs.
Part of the legal team for the “Blue Visby Solution”, an innovative maritime decarbonisation project utilising new technology and multi-lateral contracts.
Secured leave to appeal an arbitration award concerning the Inter-Club Agreement on two grounds under section 69 of the Arbitration Act 1996 (matter settled before appeal heard).
For a very junior barrister, Emile has a striking maturity and approaches things a confidence and authority which are beyond his years.Legal 500
Emile combines rare qualities amongst juniors: a fine mind, commercial acumen, user-friendliness and responsiveness. He's one of the best of his generation.Shipping partner in international commercial law firm
Emile is a bright, articulate, and hard-working lawyer. Client-friendly, analytical, and professional, he is a capable and committed advocate on paper and in personClaire Stewart, Director, Bridge Law Solicitors
A bright and hard-working Junior with a talent for mastering the detail quickly.Partner in international arbitration and maritime law firm
Areas of expertise
Emile has experience of a wide range of commercial litigation and arbitration, both domestic and international.
Emile’s cases have included:
Acting for the claimant/respondent in resisting an application to set aside default judgment in a banking dispute which involved allegations of dishonesty against a background of previous fraudulent conduct.
An Abu Dhabi seated arbitration concerning a pipeline construction dispute.
Professional negligence claims against accountants and solicitors.
A dispute over whether a sale of goods contract was validly terminated for breach of an exclusivity provision.
A claim for rectification of a hire agreement for mistake.
A dispute over an agreement for services relating to a fashion auction.
Acting for Amazon in several disputes with sellers on their marketplace.
An insolvency matter, involving a debt pursued against a director and a company.
An intellectual property dispute.
Various company director disputes.
Various claims for defective building works
The core of Emile’s practice is shipping and international trade work. He is regularly instructed in disputes and in an advisory capacity. He has been involved in a range of charterparty and cargo disputes, as well as other maritime matters. Outside of contentious work, he is assisting with the development of the “Blue Visby Solution”, an innovative maritime decarbonisation project utilising new technology and multi-lateral contracts, he was part of the editorial team of Volume 3 of Atkin’s Court Forms, and has spoken at international conferences on maritime law.
Emile’s cases have included:
Part of the respondent team on a nine-figure arbitral dispute concerning four linked COAs. The case raised issues including on mistake and rectification, contractual construction, illegality, and jurisdiction
Successfully seeking leave to appeal under s.69 of the Arbitration Act 1996 in respect of an award regarding a dispute under the Inter-Club Agreement.
A dispute concerning a vessel refusing to call at a Venezuelan port due to war risks and sanctions.
Acting for the Defendant in an ongoing personal injury claim regarding an accident on a sailing boat.
A dispute concerning whether a FOB contract was validly terminated for breach of a sanctions clause.
An advice to a local authority regarding navigation rights on a river.
An advice regarding a naval architect’s employment contract and restrictive covenants therein.
An advice concerning whether a port was rendered unsafe by extreme weather conditions that caused extensive damage to a vessel.
An insurance dispute concerning the wreckage of a barge.
Various charterparty disputes arising from: conditions precedent; quarantines; vessel repairs following re-delivery; cargo damaging vessels; off-spec bunkers; wrongful arrest; off-hire clauses; demurrage claims; and bunker adjustment factor claims.
Various cargo claims arising from shortage, delay, and damage.
Advising in relation to a time bar issue and potential remedies under section 12 of the Arbitration Act 1996.
Emile has worked on matters involving civil fraud and asset tracing. These include a crypto-currency case, where Emile successfully applied for a freezing injunction, and a multijurisdictional dispute concerning the conversion of oil, where Emile advised on issues including forum non conveniens and the corporate veil.
Emile has worked on a range of property and chancery disputes, in court and in mediation, involving matters including conversion claims, service charge disputes, probate disputes, and rights of way.
Further information
2017/19: BPP (BPTC – VC; LLM PLP – Distinction)
2016: University of Law (GDL – Distinction)
2015: University of Edinburgh (MA Hons Philosophy & Politics – First; James Hutchison Stirling Prize 2013; pre-honours outside course in Economics – 2:1)
2011: Manchester Grammar School
COMBAR
Russian (elementary proficiency)
French (elementary proficiency)