Christopher Harris KC
Partner
Christopher Harris is an English-qualified King’s Counsel and partner in the Zurich and London offices of Gibson Dunn. He is Global Co-Chair of the International Arbitration Practice Group and the Judgment and Award Enforcement Practice Group, and a member of the Litigation Practice Group and the Geopolitical Strategy and International Law Practice Group. He is admitted to practice in England & Wales, Switzerland, and the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (BVI).
Christopher has a distinguished reputation as a trial and appellate advocate in court and arbitration, with a track record of significant cases over more than 20 years in practice across a range of disciplines and industry sectors. His arbitration practice (for which he is Band 1 ranked by Chambers UK) spans both commercial and investment treaty matters, having served as counsel in approximately 30 investment treaty arbitrations alone. Christopher also maintains a renowned practice in enforcement matters having successfully enforced and defended enforcement of dozens of arbitral awards and judgments over many years. He has been involved in many of the seminal cases to come before the courts relating to enforcement, especially where states are concerned, most recently leading for the investors on the question of whether states have immunity in relation to the enforcement of ICSID awards where he succeeded at first instance and before the Court of Appeal, with the Supreme Court hearing set for December 2025. Alongside his active counsel practice, Christopher accepts a select number of appointments as arbitrator and has been appointed in over 50 arbitrations, including proceedings under ICSID, ICSID annulment committees, LCIA, ICC, SIAC, SCC, FAI, LMAA, and ad hoc rules.
In recognition of his work, Christopher was named International Arbitration Silk of the Year by Chambers & Partners in 2024 and is shortlisted as International Arbitration Silk of the Year by Legal 500 for 2025 (having previously won both awards as junior counsel). He has been recognized as a Global Elite Thought Leader by WWL for several years. Christopher is ranked as a leading silk in five practice areas: banking and finance, commercial litigation, energy and natural resources, international arbitration, and public international law, where clients describe him as “fearless” and “extraordinarily compelling” as an advocate, while offering “top of the line strategic advice.” He is also praised as “understand[ing] the political, financial and personal pressures that [clients] are under, and they completely trust him.” He is also noted as: “mesmerising on his feet” with a “considerable presence in courtrooms and hearings” and is widely regarded as “one of the best cross-examiners at the Bar.” These attributes have made him a go-to lead advocate in numerous high-value and business-critical disputes for sophisticated clients.
His prominence in the arbitration and international law fields is further underscored by his reappointment as the UK Member of the ICC International Court of Arbitration for a second term and his designation by HM Government to the ICSID Panels of Arbitrators and Conciliators.
Christopher’s international litigation work includes appearances at both trial and appellate levels in the British Virgin Islands, and the Cayman Islands.
Prior to joining Gibson Dunn, Christopher was a King’s Counsel at a leading set of barristers’ chambers in London.
Capabilities
Credentials
Education:
- University of St. Gallen (HSG) - 2005 Dr. iur.
- Leiden University - 2000 Master of Laws (LL.M.)
- University of Bristol - 1999 Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.)
Admissions:
- Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (BVI)
- England & Wales - Barrister
- Switzerland - Obergericht des Kantons Zürich
- United Arab Emirates - DIFC Courts – Part II