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Drew specialises in commercial dispute resolution and is admitted to practise in Russia, the UK (England and the Territory of the Virgin Islands), the United States (California) and Ireland. His practice is focused on three key areas:
International Commercial Arbitration and Litigation. Drew is regularly instructed to act as counsel or arbitrator in commercial disputes, and in particular those involving application of the laws of Russia and other associate or member states of the Commonwealth of Independent States (‘CIS States’) or which otherwise have a close connection to those countries. He has experience in arbitrations conducted under HKIAC, ICC, LCIA, UNCITRAL and ICAC (Russia) rules.
Legal 500 – Leading Junior in International Arbitration
- “It is a huge advantage to have an expert in Russian law that is also UK-qualified and fluent in English.” – 2022
- “As counsel, he has superb instincts and great knowledge of Russian and English law.” – 2021
- ‘‘An extremely smart and astute lawyer on matters of both English and Russian law.’’ – 2019/20
- ‘Highly recommended, particularly for Russia and CIS-related disputes.’ – 2018
- “He brings strong preparation and depth of analysis.’ – 2017
- ‘‘A sharp, quick-thinking, effective advocate, who handles complexity with ease.’’ – 2016
- “An absolutely first-class lawyer who is thorough and meticulous.” – 2015
- “An excellent advocate, whose knowledge of Russian law is unparalleled among non-Russians.” – 2014
Russian and CIS law expert. Drew has over 20 years of specialist experience acting or advising in matters applying the laws of Russia and other CIS States. He regularly acts as an expert advisor or witness in legal proceedings on matters of Russia law and the laws of other CIS States, including most recently in respect of the laws of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Ukraine. Drew is fully fluent in both English and Russian and is equally comfortable working in either language.
Chambers UK – Commercial Dispute Resolution – London (Bar)
- “Extremely approachable, very reactive and highly logical. He is very good on his feet and clear when giving expert testimony”– 2022
- “Very clever and a strong lateral thinker.” “Extremely responsive and helpful, he has a real depth and understanding of the Russian system.” – 2021
- “Very good at giving incisive advice which gets to the point. He’s helpful and user-friendly and he has a great turnaround time.” – 2020
- “One of a very small pool of high-level Russian law experts who acquits himself well in difficult cases.” – 2019
Chambers Global – Dispute Resolution (Experts Based Abroad) – Russia
- “He’s excellent at the mechanics of arbitration” – 2021
- “Having somebody who is a Western-trained lawyer but also with incredible expertise is unique,” a source says, adding: “I don’t have enough good things to say! He’s a unique asset and someone I enjoy working with.” “He can translate the concepts into English law and vice versa. That’s a real advantage to have on your side.” – 2020
- “Sources appreciate his insight and expertise”[…]: “One of a very small pool of high-level Russian law experts who acquits himself well in difficult cases.” – 2019
- “He regularly represents individuals from Russia and the former Soviet Union in London and British Virgin Islands-based litigation.” – 2018
- “[A] well-regarded expert in varied Russia-related disputes.” – 2017
- “Has extensive experience representing clients in high-stakes litigation and international arbitration proceedings concerning Russia and CIS countries.” – 2016
- “He is well known for his long-standing experience in high-profile cross-border litigation and arbitration cases related to Russia.” – 2015
Human Rights / Public International Law. Drew has specialist experience in international human rights protection mechanisms, with a focus on matters originating from Russia and other CIS States. He has been instructed in or advised on dozens of cases before the European Court on Human Rights, and has experience in the successful application of its procedural rules, including obtaining confidentiality and priority orders, as well as interim relief.
“Extremely approachable, very reactive and highly logical.” – Chambers UK and Chambers Global, 2022 – Commercial Dispute Resolution
“Drew is an absolute expert in Russian law. He probably knows more about the area than anyone else in the UK Bar.” “Drew is responsive, razor-sharp, business-oriented and provides concise and practical advice. He has an incredible background for working on CIS-related matters.” “Drew has fantastic language skills. He doesn’t overburden you with details. All his comments are economical but always on point.” – Chambers Global, 2025 – International Arbitration – The English Bar
“Drew is responsive and business-orientated, and provides concise and practical advice that is straight to the point.” – Chambers UK and Chambers Global, 2025 – Commercial Dispute Resolution
“Drew is responsive, razor-sharp, business-oriented and provides concise and practical advice. He has an incredible background for working on CIS-related matters.” “Drew has fantastic language skills. He doesn’t overburden with details. All his comments are economical but always on point.” “Drew is an absolute expert in Russian law. He probably knows more about the area than anyone else in the UK Bar.” – Chambers UK, 2025 – International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance
“Highly responsible. Impressive expertise and knowledge of procedural nuances of international commercial arbitration. Takes care of the client’s practical needs. Flawless choice for a CIS-related matter.” – Legal 500, 2025– Leading Junior in International Arbitration: Counsel
“Drew is an excellent arbitrator. Drew is a wise and impartial arbitrator who is respected by both sides.” – Legal 500, 2025– Leading Junior in International Arbitration: Arbitrator
“Drew Holiner is adept at putting complex foreign law concepts into terms a judge can easily understand.”– Chambers UK, 2024 – Commercial Dispute Resolution
“Solicitors appreciate his technical knowledge, team-work and responsiveness.” – Legal 500, 2024– Leading Junior in International Arbitration: Counsel
“His knowledge and his advocacy are very beneficial to the parties involved in a case.” “He knows how to present, what judges want to hear and which buttons to press.”– Chambers UK and Chambers Global, 2023 – Commercial Dispute Resolution
Legal 500, 2023 – Leading Junior in International Arbitration: Counsel
“Extremely approachable, very reactive and highly logical. He is very good on his feet and clear when giving expert testimony”– Chambers UK and Chambers Global, 2022 – Commercial Dispute Resolution
“It is a huge advantage to have an expert in Russian law that is also UK-qualified and fluent in English. Drew is an excellent expert. He produces clear, concise and convincing expert reports with great efficiency.” – Legal 500, 2022 – Leading Junior in International Arbitration: Counsel
London-based Drew Holiner is a Russian-qualified advocate, a US-qualified lawyer and admitted to the UK Bar. He regularly represents Russian clients in complex cross-border disputes involving Cyprus and UK jurisdictions. He acts as counsel and Russian law expert as well as arbitrator. “He’s excellent at the mechanics of arbitration,” a source says. He is fluent in Russian. Chambers Global 2021 – Dispute Resolution (Expertise Based Abroad) – Russia
“Very clever and a strong lateral thinker.” “Extremely responsive and helpful, he has a real depth and understanding of the Russian system.” – Chambers UK and Chambers Global 2021 – Commercial Dispute Resolution
‘‘As counsel, he has superb instincts and great knowledge of Russian and English law.’’ – Legal 500, 2021 – Leading Junior in International Arbitration: Counsel
“Very good at giving incisive advice which gets to the point. He’s helpful and user-friendly and he has a great turnaround time.” “Drew Holiner is a good resource at the Bar, as he is dual-qualified in English and Russian law.” – Chambers Global 2020 – Dispute Resolution: Commercial – UK
“London-based Drew Holiner is a Russian-qualified advocate, US-qualified lawyer and UK-qualified barrister. “Having somebody who is a Western-trained lawyer but also with incredible expertise is unique,” a source says, adding: “I don’t have enough good things to say! He’s a unique asset and someone I enjoy working with.” Another source adds: “He can translate the concepts into English law and vice versa. That’s a real advantage to have on your side.” He regularly represents Russian clients in LCIA disputes and London-based litigation. Shareholder disputes and financial disputes are areas of experience.” – Chambers Global 2020 – Dispute Resolution (Expertise Based Abroad) – Russia
“Very good at giving incisive advice which gets to the point. He’s helpful and user-friendly and he has a great turnaround time.” “Drew Holiner is a good resource at the Bar, as he is dual-qualified in English and Russian law.” – Chambers UK, 2020 – Commercial Dispute Resolution
‘‘An extremely smart and astute lawyer on matters of both English and Russian law.’’ – Legal 500, 2019/20 – Leading Junior in International Arbitration: Counsel
“UK-qualified barrister Drew Holiner of Monckton Chambers represents Russian clients in London-based arbitration and litigation cases. He regularly acts for shareholders and corporate clients in commercial disputes and corporate conflicts. Sources appreciate his insight and expertise, with one noting: “One of a very small pool of high-level Russian law experts who acquits himself well in difficult cases.”” – Chambers Global 2019 – Dispute Resolution (Expertise Based Abroad) – Russia
“One of a very small pool of high-level Russian law experts who acquits himself well in difficult cases.” – Chambers UK, 2019 – Commercial Dispute Resolution
‘‘Highly recommended, particularly for Russia and CIS-related disputes.’’ – Legal 500, 2018 – Leading Junior in International Arbitration: Counsel
“Drew Holiner of Monckton Chambers is a Russian- and US-qualified lawyer as well as a UK-qualified barrister based in London. He regularly represents individuals from Russia and the former Soviet Union in London and British Virgin Islands-based litigation. He recently represented a former Russian MP in an application to discharge a USD240 million freezing order.” – Chambers Global 2018 – Dispute Resolution (Expertise Based Abroad) – Russia
‘‘He brings strong preparation and depth of analysis.’’ – Legal 500, 2017 – Leading Junior in International Arbitration: Counsel
“Drew Holiner of Monckton Chambers is the only UK-qualified barrister who is also admitted to the Russian Bar, and he is also admitted to practice in the British Virgin Islands. Based in London, he is a well-regarded expert in varied Russia-related disputes. He speaks fluent Russian and represents corporate entities as well as individuals.” – Chambers Global 2017 – Dispute Resolution (Expertise Based Abroad) – Russia
‘‘A sharp, quick-thinking, effective advocate, who handles complexity with ease.’’ – Legal 500, 2016 – Leading Junior in International Arbitration: Counsel
“Has extensive experience representing clients in high-stakes litigation and international arbitration proceedings concerning Russia and CIS countries. He is a member of the Russian Bar Association and is based in London.” – Chambers Global 2016 – Dispute Resolution (Experts Based Abroad) – Russia
“An absolutely first-class lawyer who is thorough and meticulous.“ Legal 500, 2015 – Leading Junior in International Arbitration
“Drew Holiner of Monckton Chambers is an English barrister who is also a member of the Russian Bar. He is well known for his long-standing experience in high-profile cross-border litigation and arbitration cases related to Russia. Highlights include his involvement in proceedings regarding YUKOS assets in a number of jurisdictions.” – Chambers Europe 2015 – Dispute Resolution (Experts Based Abroad) – Russia
‘An excellent advocate, whose knowledge of Russian law is unparalleled among non-Russians.’ – Legal 500 2014 – International Arbitration
“Drew Holiner of Monckton Chambers is a Russian-qualified English barrister with an extensive track record of commercial litigation and arbitration in Russia and the CIS.” – Chambers Global 2014 – Dispute Resolution – Lawyers Based Abroad – Russia
“Drew Holiner of Monckton Chambers is the only English barrister to be a qualified member of the Russian Bar, and he is well known for his work in Russia-related disputes. He has also advised on a large number of cases before the ECHR” – Chambers Global 2013 – Dispute Resolution – Lawyers Based Abroad – Russia
“Drew Holiner of Monckton Chambers continues to be an active presence in the market, and benefits from his qualifications in both Russia and the UK” – Chambers Europe 2012 – Dispute Resolution – Lawyers Based Abroad – Russia
“Drew Holiner of Monckton Chambers is the only barrister in England and Wales to also be admitted to the Russian Bar. He is fluent in both languages and handles a range of public and private international law cases relating to commercial, company, tax, property, human rights, regulatory and public law issues.” – Chambers Global Ranking 2011 – Dispute Resolution: Commercial: UK
“As a dual-qualified practitioner in Russia and the UK, Drew Holiner of Monckton Chambers provides expert advice on Russia-related international disputes, with several sources commending his ability to operate seamlessly between English and Russian in court.” – Chambers Global 2011 – Dispute Resolution: Russia
“Drew Holiner of Monckton Chambers has extensive experience in Russian cases and is known for his long-standing involvement with YUKOS proceedings.” – Chambers Europe 2011 – Dispute Resolution: Russia
Panels and Councils
Professional Memberships
Awards
Drew was given the 2007 St. Petersburg Bar Award for Criminal Defence Achievement for his representation before the ECtHR of a former oil company executive charged with white-collar crimes and suffering from AIDS, having obtained interim orders for his transfer to a civilian hospital and appointment of a bipartisan medical commission.
Drew has lectured at a number of legal training seminars conducted under the auspices of the EU, Council of Europe, FCO, ABA and various NGOs concerning application of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) within domestic legal systems. These have included training of members of the bar, judiciary, government officials and NGOs in both Eastern and Western Europe.
Jurist (Moscow, Russian law), GDL/BVC (London, English law), Russian Law expert, CIS Law expert, FCIArb
Professional qualifications
Barrister (England & Wales; Ireland), Advokat (Russia), Legal Practitioner (British Virgin Islands), Attorney (California, USA)
