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Our global arbitration team has extensive experience of conducting cases across all sectors on an ad hoc basis or under different institutional rules in all significant forums, both representing clients and also sitting as arbitrators and board members in some of the world’s pre-eminent arbitral centres.
We routinely represent multinational companies, investors, State-owned entities, and States in complex, high value international arbitration and enforcement proceedings around the world - those that cross borders, cultures, jurisdictions, political structures, and treaties.
We also assist with proceedings in local courts to enforce arbitral awards and we regularly obtain and defend against interim remedies, including worldwide freezing injunctions, Chabra injunctions and proprietary injunctions
What is arbitration?
Arbitration is a method of resolving disputes outside of court, where parties agree to be bound by the decision of a neutral arbitrator or panel. It is commonly used in cross-border, commercial, and investor-State disputes.
Our global work highlights
- Representing a European oil and gas production company in ICC arbitration proceedings with US$7 billion in dispute, against another European oil and gas company in relation to a long-term gas contract.
- Acting for a Singaporean developer in SIAC arbitration proceedings for defective works and design against a Hong Kong contractor in relation to a waste to energy power station in Singapore.
- Representing a Central African State in an investment treaty arbitration at the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) in relation to a dispute in the mining sector.
- Representing a global insurer in an LCIA / LMAA claim for damage to cargo tanks of three fleets of vessels following paint works.
- Representing a major US / European chemical company in ad hoc arbitration under the UNCITRAL rules against a joint venture partner in relation to the operation of a major European chemicals plant.
- Acting for claimant in an AAA arbitration seated in New York relating to the repudiatory breach of an aircraft leasing agreement.
- Representing a West African State in defence of claims brought by a Swiss company under a bilateral investment treaty in relation to iron ore mining rights; UNCITRAL arbitration in London.
- Advising on multiple multi-million London Bermuda Form coverage arbitrations relating to the opioid's crisis in the US, for various Bermuda insurers against various insureds.
Resolve your dispute with expert guidance from our arbitration team
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Energy and mining arbitration
Our global energy team has recognised expertise in handling high-value, complex international arbitrations in the energy and mining sectors. Our arbitration experience spans nuclear, natural resources, wind, oil and gas, mining, commodities, water and utilities, and more.
We represent major energy clients worldwide in both commercial and investment arbitration and regularly manage some of the market’s most significant claims for energy insurers and (re)insurers.
- Representing an Eastern European State in an arbitration against an Asian investor with US$ 700m in dispute relating to the largest onshore oilfield in Europe.
- Acting for a West African state in treaty arbitration at the Permanent Court of Arbitration against a Swiss investor, involving a high-value dispute over a mining licence.
- Representing a Pan-African mining services company in ICC arbitration proceedings against a global mining major relating to a dispute at a gold mine in West Africa.
- Representing a US major oil company in ICC mediation proceedings against a Central African state regarding tax issues linked to the application of its concessions.
- Represented an Estonian oil trader in an LCIA arbitration over a multimillion-dollar breach of contracts, involving issues of sanctions and concealment of assets by the debtor.
- Acting in an LCIA arbitration in relation to a claim for debt arising out of a sales contract of oil cargo.
Construction arbitration
Our dedicated construction arbitration specialists have unrivalled experience in high-stakes, technically complex international arbitration matters worldwide.
We represent clients across the construction supply chain - including owners, contractors, architects, engineers, consultants, lenders, and government entities - in both ad hoc and institutional arbitration.
- Representing a leading international main contractor in relation to both up and down-stream claims in ADCCAC arbitration arising out of a mixed-use hotel/residential/retail development in Abu Dhabi.
- Representing a Middle East national oil company and its reinsurers in the pursuit of claims through ICC arbitration in relation to a fire, resulting in a partial shutdown of a petroleum refinery.
- Acting for a UK-based subcontractor in LCIA arbitration proceedings relating to offshore wind farm claims for delay and extensions of time against a Japanese contractor.
- Defending a variations claim regarding the design and construction of pipelines and related structures in Africa under the auspices of the UNCITRAL Rules for US$200 million.
- Representing the main contractor in an ICC arbitration arising from the termination of a civil engineering contract under Omani law as a result of alleged delays to the completion of a water treatment plant.
Marine arbitration
Our market-leading marine team provides specialist arbitration and dispute resolution services across global shipping and trade hubs.
We frequently act in proceedings before the London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA) and the Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration (SCMA). Our clients include shipowners, shipyards, charterers, logistics providers, marine insurers and P&I clubs.
- Acting for charterers in multiple arbitration and court proceedings in London, Singapore, Mauritius, Indonesia and the US in disputes arising from the loading of an Indonesian nickel ore cargo and the vessel’s 15-month detention in Indonesia following the implementation of a government restriction on the export of the cargo.
- Acting in an ICC arbitration in respect of a claim concerning negligent design of a racing yacht which led to the death of a yachtsman.
- Representing cargo insurers of importers of petroleum products seeking an insurance indemnity related to an alleged misappropriation claim in a Paris Maritime Arbitration Chamber (CAMP (Chambre Arbitrale Maritime de Paris)) arbitration.
- Advising in an LCIA dispute with a major Asian state owned energy trading company relating to the failure to deliver shipments of LNG cargo under a long-term LNG supply contract.
- Representing the US Commodities Group in an SIAC arbitration in relation to a sale contract dispute due to a stow collapse during a voyage from India to the US.
International commercial arbitration
We act for leading global companies on a wide range of strategically significant arbitrations.
We can quickly assemble cross-practice teams that work seamlessly to solve our clients’ most complex problems and react to new challenges, wherever and whenever they arise.
- Successfully representing a major pharmaceutical company in an ICC arbitration against an African life sciences company regarding the manufacture and distribution of products.
- Representing an African telecoms company in an LCIA arbitration seated in Cameroon with US$300m at stake against a major African company relating to a shareholder dispute.
- Acting in relation to a shareholder dispute in an ICC arbitration seated in Hong Kong.
- Acting under AAA rules in relation to fees and benefits owed under a consulting agreement relating to the import, modification, and sale of electrified commercial vehicles.
- Advising a US conglomerate and its European subsidiaries on a multi-million-pound dispute and London seated arbitration arising from the supply to it of a defective PVC manufacturing plant in an Eastern European country.
Investment treaty arbitration and political risk
We help our clients navigate complex legal, cultural and political landscapes. We have a broad experience advising clients on investments across the globe and can ensure that investments are structured so as to benefit from the best available protection, such as through investment treaties or by negotiating the right dispute clauses in contractual arrangements.
We routinely represent State-owned entities, States, investors, and multi-national companies on complex, high value international arbitration and enforcement proceedings under bilateral and multilateral investment treaties.
We are also leaders in advising insurers and reinsurers on the adjustment and defence of claims under all types of political risk and credit policies.
- Representing a Central African State in an investment treaty arbitration at ICSID in relation to a dispute in the mining sector.
- Acting for a West African state in treaty arbitration under the UNCITRAL Rules administered by the Permanent Court of Arbitration brought by a Swiss investor, involving a high-value dispute over a mining licence.
- Representing a South American State in an ICSID arbitration brought under a Bilateral Investment Treaty in relation to the alleged expropriation of a fertilizer factory.
- Representing an East European State in ICSID arbitration against a national electricity company in an arbitration brought under the Energy Charter Treaty in relation to the operation of a nuclear power plant.
- Successfully representing a Latin American State in ICSID arbitration relating to the alleged expropriation of a fertilizer plant.
- Representing a central Asian State in UNCITRAL arbitration brought under the Energy Charter Treaty and administered at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in relation to a dispute over a uranium mining licence.
- Representing a South American State in ICSID arbitration relating to the alleged expropriation of a coffee company.
- Representing political violence insurers with respect to claims arising from the destruction of oil storage facilities during the course of civil unrest in South Sudan.
Bermuda Form arbitration
Our formidable team - in London, Bermuda and the United States - have been instructed on Bermuda Form matters since the policy was introduced in 1985 and have acted as counsel for Bermuda insurers in many of the very earliest arbitrations arising from the Form.
Our global presence means we have an extensive understanding of the local and global issues surrounding Bermuda Form arbitration. We explore issues from a different angle, simplifying the complex and operating as an extension of our clients’ business - wherever in the world they operate.
- Advising Bermuda insurers in multiple high-value London Bermuda Form arbitrations arising from the US opioid crisis.
- Acting in arbitration proceedings related to glyphosate and Dicamba herbicides.
- Obtained ex parte anti-suit injunctions in London and coordinated parallel relief in Bermuda against US corporations to enforce London/Bermuda arbitration clauses under multiple CGL policies - resulting in dismissal of US proceedings.
- Representing Bermuda Form insurers in a series of coverage claims involving PFAS-related liabilities.
- Advising on Bermuda Form coverage in a significant bodily injury claim linked to a post-operative medical device.
