Jo is recommended by Chambers & Partners UK and Legal 500 as a leading junior in the field of commercial dispute resolution.

“Joanne is a very effective barrister, with excellent instincts and a great ability to identify the heart of an issue quickly. She remains calm under pressure and is an asset to any team.” (Legal 500 2023 – Commercial Litigation)

"Bright, practical and very clever, she manages clients well." "A rising star." (Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2023 – Commercial Dispute Resolution)

"Clear and robust in her views, which she can always back up when challenged. She is always prepared to argue her position and does so graciously and intelligently." (Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2022 – Commercial Dispute Resolution)

"She is extremely user-friendly, really commercial, and invariably calm at all times. Her drafting is excellent, precise and to the point." (Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2021 – Commercial Dispute Resolution)

Recent cases include:

• Federal Republic of Nigeria v P&ID: acting for Nigeria in applying to set aside one of the “world’s largest lawsuits” – a London arbitration award worth US$10 billion – on grounds of fraud (with Mark Howard KC).
• Bates and Ors v Post Office Ltd: acting for Post Office Ltd in group litigation involving claims by approximately 500 sub-post masters and sub-post mistresses for breach of contract (on the basis that their contracts were wrongly terminated) and harassment, and a counterclaim in fraud (with Helen Davies KC). One of The Lawyer’s “Top 20 Cases” of 2018.
• Al Sadik v Clyde & Co and Others (with Charles Hollander KC): acting for the barrister defendants in a high value professional negligence claim concerning offshore proceedings in relation to a share purchase agreement.
• Rowe v Ingenious Media: acting for the Ingenious Media defendants in relation to the Chancery Division group litigation arising out of the highly publicised film finance investment schemes (with Tim Lord KC and Simon Birt KC).  One of The Lawyer’s “Top 20 Cases” of 2018 and 2022.
• Project Angel Bidco Limited (In Administration) v Various Insurers (with Simon Salzedo KC): acting for the insured in a claim under a buyer-side warranty and indemnity insurance policy concerning the breach of warranties relating to bribery and corruption.
• Nokia Technologies v Oneplus Technology [2022] EWCA Civ 947: acting for Nokia in an appeal involving a jurisdiction challenge in relation to patent injunction proceedings and determination of a FRAND licence (with Nick Saunders KC).
• Phillip Evans v Barclays Bank plc and others, a claim against six banks for follow-on damages in relation to cartels in the FX (foreign exchange) market (with Aidan Robertson KC and Victoria Wakefield KC).  One of The Lawyer’s “Top 20 Cases” of 2020.
• An ARIAS reinsurance arbitration in relation to claims arising out of COVID-19 (with Harry Matovu KC).
• A US$70+ million LCIA arbitration in relation to payment under an alleged guarantee (with Simon Salzedo KC).
• Huntsman International LLC v SWIS Distribution Ltd: acting for Huntsman International LLC in a claim for injunctive relief and damages arising out of a distribution relationship (with Vernon Flynn KC).
• Covalis Capital v Banco BTG Pactual SA: a claim for performance fees and account of profits in relation to investment asset management services (with Anneliese Day KC).
• Northern and Western Insurance Company Ltd v BSG Valentine: a claim for audit negligence and deceit arising out of the fraudulent collapse of NWIC (with Simon Salzedo KC).
• TOTSA Total Oil Trading SA v Zenrock Commodities Trading, Natixis SA and HSBC: acting for Total in two Commercial Court claims arising out of fraudulent claims on letters of credit (with Richard Lord KC).
• SICL v JP Morgan and Awal Bank: a high value claim relating to discharge of a swingline facility and ownership of trust assets following the collapse of the Saad Group (with Tim Lord KC and Stephen Midwinter KC).
• RentSmart Ltd v The Carphone Warehouse Ltd: acting for the Carphone Warehouse in a £20 million claim for breach of contract (with Fionn Pilbrow KC).
• Gerald Metals v Timis: a $90 million claim for alleged breaches of contract, fraud and conspiracy in relation to an iron ore mine in Sierra Leone and oil assets in Senegal (with Mark Howard KC).
• Signia Wealth v Dauriac [2018] EWHC 1040 (Ch): high-profile investment management company dispute regarding exit provisions and share value which settled after the grant of permission to appeal (with Thomas Plewman KC and Sarah Ford KC).
• Petrosaudi Oil Services (Venezuela) Ltd v Novo Banco SA and PDVSA [2017] EWCA Civ 9: acting for Petrosaudi in an expedited Commercial Court trial and subsequent Court of Appeal hearings in relation to a dispute concerning demands for $129 million under a letter of credit (with Jonathan Gaisman KC and Michael Bools KC).
• Associated British Ports v Tata Steel UK Ltd [2017] EWHC 694 (Ch) – dispute concerning the validity of an arbitration agreement in a 25 year licence for use of the jetty at Port Talbot Tidal Harbour.
• A US$300+ million UNCITRAL arbitration against a major national oil company in a dispute under a drilling services contract (with Michael Bools KC).
• A US$50+ million ICC arbitration under a drilling services agreement (with Richard Lord KC).
• Cattles Limited v PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP (Commercial Court): acting for the defendant in a £1.6 billion claim for auditor negligence (with Mark Hapgood KC and Thomas Plewman KC).  One of The Lawyer's “Top 20 Cases” of 2015.
• Bonhams v Lawson & Ors (Commercial Court): dispute over the auction and ownership of a very rare £10 million racing Ferrari car, one of the world's most expensive classic cars (with Michael Bools KC).
• Winkler v Shamoon & Ors (Chancery Division): application for a freezing injunction (with Daniel Jowell KC).
• Malhotra v Malhotra [2014] EWHC 113 (Comm): an action on a cross-undertaking raising issues of reflective loss (with Roger Masefield KC).
• An LCIA arbitration concerning credit insurance (with Tom Adam KC).
• An LCIA arbitration relating to floating rate notes allegedly held as security (with Tim Lord KC).
• An ICC arbitration concerning liability under an IT contract, raising issues of capacity and restitution (with Hilary Heilbron KC and David Scannell).
• An ad hoc shipping arbitration under the AA 1996 concerning demurrage and alleged wrongful arrest of a vessel (with Richard Lord KC).
• Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc v Kubber Investments (Commercial Court), an action for an anti-suit injunction and relief pursuant to a loan facility (with Fionn Pilbrow).

A significant part of Jo’s practice involves international commercial arbitration.  Jo has acted in arbitrations under a wide variety of institutional rules (including LCIA, ICC, ARIAS and UNCITRAL arbitrations) as well as in court proceedings arising out of arbitrations.

Recent cases include:

• Federal Republic of Nigeria v P&ID: acting for Nigeria in applying to set aside one of the “world’s largest lawsuits” – a London arbitration award worth US$10 billion – on grounds of fraud (with Mark Howard KC).
• An ARIAS reinsurance arbitration in relation to claims arising out of COVID-19 (with Harry Matovu KC).
• A US$70+ million LCIA arbitration in relation to payment under an alleged guarantee (with Simon Salzedo KC).
• A US$300+ million UNCITRAL arbitration against a major national oil company in a dispute under a drilling services contract (with Michael Bools KC).
• A US$50+ million ICC arbitration under a drilling services agreement (with Richard Lord KC).
• An LCIA arbitration concerning credit insurance (with Tom Adam KC).
• An LCIA arbitration relating to floating rate notes allegedly held as security (with Tim Lord KC).
• An ICC arbitration concerning liability under an IT contract, raising issues of capacity and restitution (with Hilary Heilbron KC and David Scannell).
• An ad hoc shipping arbitration under the AA 1996 concerning demurrage and alleged wrongful arrest of a vessel (with Richard Lord KC).
• Associated British Ports v Tata Steel UK Ltd [2017] EWHC 694 (Ch) – dispute concerning the validity of an arbitration agreement in a 25 year licence for use of the jetty at Port Talbot Tidal Harbour.

Jo is recommended by Legal 500 as a leading junior in Civil Fraud.

• Federal Republic of Nigeria v P&ID: acting for Nigeria in applying to set aside one of the “world’s largest lawsuits” – a London arbitration award worth US$10 billion – on grounds of fraud (with Mark Howard KC).
• Bates and Ors v Post Office Ltd: acting for Post Office Ltd in group litigation involving claims by approximately 500 sub-post masters and sub-post mistresses for breach of contract (on the basis that their contracts were wrongly terminated) and harassment, and a counterclaim in fraud (with Helen Davies KC). One of The Lawyer’s “Top 20 Cases” of 2018.
• Rowe v Ingenious Media: acting for the Ingenious Media defendants in relation to the Chancery Division group litigation arising out of the highly publicised film finance investment schemes (with Tim Lord KC and Simon Birt KC).  One of The Lawyer’s “Top 20 Cases” of 2018 and 2022.
• Northern and Western Insurance Company Ltd v BSG Valentine: a claim for audit negligence and deceit arising out of the fraudulent collapse of NWIC (with Simon Salzedo KC).
• TOTSA Total Oil Trading SA v Zenrock Commodities Trading, Natixis SA and HSBC: acting for Total in two Commercial Court claims arising out of fraudulent claims on letters of credit (with Richard Lord KC).
• Gerald Metals v Timis: a $90 million claim for alleged breaches of contract, fraud and conspiracy in relation to an iron ore mine in Sierra Leone and oil assets in Senegal (with Mark Howard KC).
• Petrosaudi Oil Services (Venezuela) Ltd v Novo Banco SA and PDVSA [2017] EWCA Civ 9: acting for Petrosaudi in an expedited Commercial Court trial and subsequent Court of Appeal hearings in relation to a dispute concerning allegedly fraudulent demands for $129 million under a letter of credit (with Jonathan Gaisman KC and Michael Bools KC).
• SAAD Investments Company Limited v JP Morgan International Bank Ltd and Awal Bank BSC: acting for Awal Bank in a dispute relating to liabilities under a $75 million facility with JP Morgan, and ownership of trust assets worth approximately $200 million (with Tim Lord KC and Stephen Midwinter KC).  This case arose from the collapse of the Saad Group following a major fraud.

Jo is recommended by Legal 500 as a leading junior in Energy.

• Federal Republic of Nigeria v P&ID: acting for Nigeria in applying to set aside one of the “world’s largest lawsuits” – a London arbitration award worth US$10 billion in relation to a gas processing agreement – on grounds of fraud (with Mark Howard KC).
• TOTSA Total Oil Trading SA v Zenrock Commodities Trading, Natixis SA and HSBC: acting for Total in two Commercial Court claims arising out of fraudulent claims on letters of credit (with Richard Lord KC).
• Gerald Metals v Timis: a $90 million claim for alleged breaches of contract, fraud and conspiracy in relation to an iron ore mine in Sierra Leone and oil assets in Senegal (with Mark Howard KC).
• Petrosaudi Oil Services (Venezuela) Ltd v Novo Banco SA and PDVSA [2017] EWCA Civ 9: acting for Petrosaudi in an expedited Commercial Court trial and subsequent Court of Appeal hearings in relation to a dispute concerning demands for $129 million under a letter of credit (with Jonathan Gaisman KC and Michael Bools KC).
• Associated British Ports v Tata Steel UK Ltd [2017] EWHC 694 (Ch) – dispute concerning the validity of an arbitration agreement in a 25 year licence for use of the jetty at Port Talbot Tidal Harbour.
• An LCIA arbitration in relation to blockages in the Forties oil pipeline.
• A US$300+ million UNCITRAL arbitration against a major national oil company in a dispute under a drilling services contract (with Michael Bools KC).
• A US$50+ million ICC arbitration under a drilling services agreement (with Richard Lord KC).

• Covalis Capital v Banco BTG Pactual SA: a claim for performance fees and account of profits in relation to investment asset management services (with Anneliese Day KC).
• Rowe v Ingenious Media: acting for the Ingenious Media defendants in relation to the Chancery Division group litigation arising out of the highly publicised film finance investment schemes (with Tim Lord KC and Simon Birt KC).  One of The Lawyer’s “Top 20 Cases” of 2018 and 2022.
• SICL v JP Morgan and Awal Bank, a high value claim relating to discharge of a swingline facility and ownership of trust assets following the collapse of the Saad Group (with Tim Lord KC and Stephen Midwinter KC).
• Signia Wealth v Dauriac [2018] EWHC 1040 (Ch): high-profile investment management company dispute regarding exit provisions and share value which settled after the grant of permission to appeal (with Thomas Plewman KC and Sarah Ford KC).

Jo advises and acts regularly in insurance and reinsurance disputes, including numerous disputes arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Recent cases include:

• Project Angel Bidco Limited (In Administration) v Various Insurers (with Simon Salzedo KC): acting for the insured in a claim under a buyer-side warranty and indemnity insurance policy concerning the breach of warranties relating to bribery and corruption
• An ARIAS reinsurance arbitration in relation to claims arising out of COVID-19 (with Harry Matovu KC).
• An ad hoc arbitration regarding ATE insurance (with Stephen Midwinter KC).
• A $20 million LCIA arbitration concerning credit insurance (with Tom Adam KC)

Employment

2013 - present   Tenant, Brick Court Chambers

2012 - 2013       Pupil, Brick Court Chambers

2011 - 2012       Teaching Fellow in Law, University College London

2011 - 2012       Visiting Tutor in Contract Law, King's College London

2010    Summer Associate, Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, New York

2009 - 2010    Supervisor in Law, University of Cambridge

Professional Memberships

COMBAR

Education

2011 - 2012       BPTC, Kaplan Law School (Outstanding)

2010 - 2011       LLM, Harvard Law School

2009 - 2010       LLM, University of Cambridge (Starred First, 1st in year)

2006 - 2009       BA (Hons) Law, University of Cambridge (Double First)

Scholarships and Prizes

Baron Dr Ver Heyden de Lancey Prize, Middle Temple

Certificate of Honour, Middle Temple

Marina Catovsky Advocacy Scholarship, Kaplan Law School

Queen Mother Scholarship, Middle Temple

Dean's Scholar, Harvard Law School

BRD Clarke Prize for Best Performance in the LLM, University of Cambridge

AHRC Studentship, University of Cambridge

Rebecca Flower Squire Scholarship, University of Cambridge

Rosemary Murray Scholarship, University of Cambridge

Winner of the USA Universities Debating Championships

Finalist, Willem C Vis International Arbitration Moot (representing Harvard Law School)

Trade Mark Law and the Threat to Free Speech [2012] IPQ 289

L'Oreal v Bellure: Important Questions for Trade Mark Law 41 IIC 485 (2010)

Further Doubt in the Law of Mistake 6 CSLR 308 (2010)

"Jo is a go-to junior for us. She is very hard-working, is all over the detail and is good at managing a busy silk. She engages really well." (Chambers & Partners 2025)

"She's unbelievably clever." (Chambers & Partners 2025)

"A magnificent junior in any kind of commercial case – totally reliable and thorough in everything she does." (Chambers & Partners 2025)

"She is very impressive, very balanced, and someone who gives good advice." (Chambers & Partners 2025)

"Joanne is a star in the making. She is clear in her thinking and her written advocacy is very good." (Chambers & Partners 2025)

"Joanne is a go-to junior for us. She is very hard-working and all over the detail." (Chambers & Partners 2025)

"Joanne Box is measured and very direct." (Chambers & Partners 2025)

"Joanne Box is really good with clients and you can completely rely on her intellectual ability." (Chambers & Partners 2025)

"Joanne is good at overall strategy and dealing with complex factual settings." (Chambers & Partners 2025)

"She is excellent at drawing out the issues and approaching matters in reasonable, pragmatic way."  (Legal 500 2025)

"Calm under pressure and utterly unflappable, able to cut to the chase and argue difficult points with simplicity and cohesion. An excellent addition to any team." (Legal 500 2025)

"Really unflappable, with great judgement and with the ability to cut to the heart of every issue, Joanne is a dream addition to every legal team." (Legal 500 2025)

"She is a star civil fraud barrister. Very intelligent, methodical and has very sound judgement."  (Legal 500 2025)

"Joanne is a pleasure to work with.  She is extremely hard working, and her written work is excellent."  (Legal 500 2025)

"Joanne Box is spectacularly blunt about what needs to be delivered, but in a charming fashion. She is super bright." (Chambers & Partners 2024)

"She takes on cases that are horrifically complex, and she's always, always well prepared." (Chambers & Partners 2024)

"Joanne Box is very commercially minded and very client-friendly." (Chambers & Partners 2024)

"She is really hard-working and manages to crunch through the detail and produce analysis in an effective way." (Chambers & Partners 2024)

"Jo is a brilliant junior. She gets stuck in, understands the client's commercial aims, and provides relevant and thoughtful contributions." (Chambers & Partners 2024)

"Very smart and conscientious. Really gets into the detail of the case and assimilates information very quickly. Very hardworking, team player and a pleasure to work with. Absolute go-to junior for big and complex cases." (Legal 500 2024)

"Joanne’s oral advocacy is well prepared and persuasive." (Legal 500 2024)

"A very effective barrister with excellent instincts, Jo is decisive and cuts to the heart of the matter." (Legal 500 2024)

"Joanne is a very effective barrister, with excellent instincts and a great ability to identify the heart of an issue quickly. She remains calm under pressure and is an asset to any team." (Legal 500 2024)

"She is efficient, intelligent and very commercially minded." (Legal 500 2024)

"Bright, practical and very clever, she manages clients well." "A rising star." (Chambers & Partners 2023)

"Joanne is very smart and proactive; she has a good understanding of what group litigation is all about and the commercial fundamentals that drive cases." "Her documents are clear, comprehensive, well reasoned and well argued." (Chambers & Partners 2023)

"Simply brilliant. She is fiercely intelligent, diligent and gets the job done." (Legal 500 2023)

"Jo should not be underestimated, she is fiercely intelligent and a great advocate." (Legal 500 2023)

"Great client skills. Hard worker with real intellect and strategically astute. Good team player and an asset to any serious legal team." (Legal 500 2023)

"Clear and robust in her views, which she can always back up when challenged. She is always prepared to argue her position and does so graciously and intelligently." (Chambers & Partners 2022)

"Jo is a dream to work with – super-smart, practical and persuasive." (Legal 500 2022)

"A rising star of the Bar. Super bright, excellent drafting and a natural instinct for exploiting weaknesses in the other side’s case." (Legal 500 2022)

"Excellent, proactive and great to work with." (Chambers & Partners 2021)

"She is extremely user-friendly, really commercial, and invariably calm at all times. Her drafting is excellent, precise and to the point." (Chambers & Partners 2021)

"She is a marvel, superlative on all counts – she has a great grasp of details and is destined for the top." Legal 500 2021