International arbitration

In international trade and commerce, arbitration has become near universally accepted as a means of resolving disputes.

Some commentators have suggested that a figure as high as 90% of all international contracts are governed by an arbitration clause. Arbitration has developed a discrete body of rules, procedures and substantive law and calls for a different approach from mediation or commercial litigation. Being successful in arbitration requires intimate knowledge of, and extensive experience with, arbitral rules and the arbitral process – from the filing of the request for arbitration to the registration and enforcement of the award. The differing expectations and demands of parties and arbitrators from across the globe need to be managed, and we are experienced in managing the process and providing representation that meets those differing expectations and demands for the benefit of our clients.

We help clients in arbitration disputes arising from international trade and especially those involved in logistic, commodities, construction and engineering, mining, energy, joint ventures, M&A disputes, banking and finance, telecoms, and the sale and purchase of goods and services. We work with clients from all over the world and wherever the arbitrations are located. We also help clients who need the intervention of national courts in support of arbitration, whether that is the appointment of a tribunal, injunctions in aid of arbitration or the enforcement of an award.

We bring a highly experienced team together to meet whatever needs a client may have.

International arbitration experience

• Acted for a Saudi Arabian client in an ICC arbitration arising from the operation of a telecommunications satellite.

• Advised a professional services firm on an LCIA arbitration arising from the departure of a partner.

• Advised a Cypriot client in a ICSID arbitration against Hungary, under the Energy Charter Treaty.

• Represented a Malawian client in an ICC arbitration seated in London against a Mozambique company.

• Advised a Saudi Arabian client on disputes arising from the construction of a solar power project.

• Acted for a global specialty metal and chemical producer which has the right to exclusive offtake of a minor metal mined at a specific mine in Vietnam.

• Acted for a French company supplying infrastructure for energy storage and distribution in a claim for the breach by a company in the Bahamas of an agreement for the joint operation of Nassau International Airport in failing to give a valid change of control notice.

• Advised a Canadian listed company in an ICC arbitration about the acquisition of 3D seismic data in offshore Guyana.

• Acted for a mobile phone operator in claim for breach of contract against Chinese telecoms company for non-delivery of a web browser for client’s mobile phone application.

• Acted for an oil exploration company in a dispute related to tag-along rights in a joint venture. Respondent threatened to act in breach of the JOA and its implied terms.

• Acting for an Austrian M&E contractor in an ICC arbitration as a mechanical works subcontractor to an Italian main contractor for a plastics factory in Bratislava to defend a claim for delay where the issue had been raised and resolved in an earlier arbitration.