She specialises in providing clients with strategic and commercial advice on all aspects of international financial and trade sanctions and export control. With over 25 years in practice and more than a decade advising clients on EU and UK sanctions matters she is a genuine sanctions specialist frequently engaged by clients to assist with high stake and urgent matters.
During the course of her career, she has advised a range of clients across numerous sectors including trade, shipping and transport, insurance, banking and finance, technology, manufacturing, energy, and aviation.
Michelle’s practice focuses on providing guidance on compliance with EU and UK trade and financial sanctions and includes advising on the impact of sanctions on contracts and commercial obligations; drafting and advising on sanctions compliance policies and procedures; drafting and advising on sanctions exclusion clauses and other contractual clauses; advising on sanctions enforcement; conducting internal investigations in relation to suspected sanctions breaches; advising on applications for licences; advising on engagement with UK and EU regulators; advising on reporting obligations in the UK and EU jurisdictions,and responding to government enquiries and investigations.
Michelle also has significant expertise handling complex commercial disputes both in arbitration and litigation. This background in disputes enables her to provide strategic, practical and commercially-focussed guidance to help clients to successfully navigate the increasingly complex web of international sanctions.
Chambers 2026, Sanctions“Michelle provides excellent engagement and support.
Representative matters
- Advised shipowner re: detention of vessel by EU Member State due to alleged ownership of cargo by company owned/controlled by person designated under EU’s Russia sanctions regime.
- Advised ship owner in relation to investigation by United Nations Panel of Experts following detention of vessel for alleged breach of EU’s sanctions against Libya.
- Advised global reinsurer on UK and EU sanctions compliance in the context of various disputes and litigation commenced in the English High Court and elsewhere by aircraft leasing firms against reinsurers over the loss of hundreds of aircraft detained in Russia since its invasion of Ukraine.
- Acted for marine insurer in relation to obtaining licence from the UK’s ECJU to enable payment of environmental protection and wreck removal costs relating to vessel involved in carrying Russian cargo prohibited by UK sanctions.
- Provided expert witness testimony on EU and UK sanctions against Iran in Kidd v Lime Rock Management LLP & Others ([2024] CSOH 28).
- Advised UK-based charity in relation to internal investigation and subsequent voluntary disclosure to OFSI following breach of UK’s sanctions against Syria and securing successful closure of OFSI investigation with no penalty.
Professional
- Admitted to the Hong Kong Bar, April 2002
- Admitted as solicitor, England and Wales, September 1999
Academic
- Hong Kong Overseas Lawyer Qualifications Examinations, 2001
- The College of Law, York, United Kingdom – Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, 1997, cum laude
- Leeds Metropolitan University, Leeds, United Kingdom – Post Graduate Diploma in Law, 1996
- University of Leeds, United Kingdom – Modern Chinese Studies B.A. Hons, 1994
- Association of Certified Sanctions Specialists (ACSS), Board Member ACSS London Chapter
- Member of Maritime Law Association of South Africa
Publications
- EU proposal to ban Russian LNG imports, VBB Alerts, 06/08/2025: co-author
- UK Government strengthens Sanctions measures against Russian energy and gas sectors, VBB Alerts, 28 July 2025: co-author
- The EU’s latest sanctions on Russia: What the 18th package may mean for your business, VBB Alerts, 24 July 2025: co-author
- Forthcoming 16th EU Russia sanctions package: What to expect? VBB Alerts, 14 February 2025: co-author
- EU sanctions against Russia – 13th sanctions package and other updates, VBB Alert, 29 February 2024, co-author
- Key Russian sanctions reporting obligations in the EU, the UK and Switzerland, VBB Alert, 12 December 2023, co-author
Speaking engagements
- AI – A Force for Good or Bad in Sanctions Compliance?, MLASA Conference: AI on the High Seas: Navigating Admiralty with Intelligence, Maritime Law Association of South Africa, Durban, South Africa, 16 August 2025: speaker
- EU Sanctions: Recent Trends and What to Expect in 2025, M&A EU Regulatory Update and Trends in EU Trade and Sanctions, Van Bael & Bellis and Anderson Mori & Tomotsune, Brussels, 11 April 2025: speaker
- EU Subsidiaries & the “Best Efforts” Rule, ACSS London ChapterConnect Event, Association of Certified Sanctions Specialists, London/online, 29 January 2025: speaker and moderator
- The Lloyd’s List Outlook Forum: 2025 and Beyond, The Lloyd’s List Shipping Outlook Forum, Lloyd’s List, London, 5 December 2024: panelist
- Evolving Geopolitical Risk, Sanctions, the “Dark Fleet”, and Deceptive Shipping Practices, MLASA Conference: Sea of Opportunity: Navigating Unchartered Waters, Maritime Law Association of South Africa, Franschhoek, South Africa, 24 August 2024: speaker
- Russian Sanctions: What is the New Normal and What Can We Expect Going Forwards? MLASA Conference BIMCO 15 + 15 webinar, BIMCO, London, 8 November 2023: speaker
News & insights
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