United Kingdom > London > Dispute resolution > International arbitration
Index of tables
International arbitration
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Leading individuals
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- Jay Alexander Baker Botts (UK) LLP
- Nick Archer Slaughter and May
- Richard Bamforth Olswang
- Gordon Bell Reed Smith
- Cyrus Benson Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
- Gautam Bhattacharyya Reed Smith
- Juliet Blanch Weil, Gotshal & Manges
- Stephen Bond Covington & Burling LLP
- Gary Born WilmerHale
- Phillip Capper White & Case LLP
- Philip Clifford Latham & Watkins LLP
- Michael Davison Hogan Lovells International LLP
- Stuart Dutson Eversheds LLP
- Steven Finizio WilmerHale
- Louis Flannery Stephenson Harwood
- Nic Fletcher Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP
- Judith Gill QC Allen & Overy LLP
- David Goldberg White & Case LLP
- Lord Peter Goldsmith QC Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
- Paula Hodges Herbert Smith LLP
- Stephen Jagusch Allen & Overy LLP
- David Kavanagh Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP
- Ronnie King Ashurst LLP
- Rob Lambert Clifford Chance
- Justin Michaelson SJ Berwin LLP
- Wendy Miles WilmerHale
- Karyl Nairn Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP
- Geoff Nicholas Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP
- Constantine Partasides Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP
- Jan Paulsson Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP
- Greg Reid Linklaters LLP
- Deborah Ruff Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP
- Per Runeland SJ Berwin LLP
- Matthew Saunders DLA Piper UK LLP
- Audley Sheppard Clifford Chance
- Christopher Style QC Linklaters LLP
- Joe Tirado Norton Rose LLP
- Matthew Weiniger Herbert Smith LLP
- Ray Werbicki Steptoe & Johnson
- Justin Williams Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld
Allen & Overy LLP is recognised for its English anti-suit injunction work, and was instructed by the ICC itself in a case which has significant implications for the future of London as a leading seat for international arbitration. The practice also acted in an ICSID arbitration against the Republic of Senegal. Judith Gill QC, Stephen Jagusch, Richard Smith and Mark Levy are widely praised.
A ‘cut above the rest’, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP ‘prepares rigorously for hearings’. The team advised MTN in its ICSID arbitration against the government of Yemen, marking the first time a UAE investor filed a claim at ICSID. Department head Constantine Partasides is ‘quick to master complex subjects’; Jan Paulsson joined in London from the Paris office, and ‘adds excellent value’; and Geoff Nicholas is also recommended.
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP’s ‘level of industry knowledge and experience is unparalleled’. The practice represented Vivendi in three parallel arbitrations in relation to the acquisition of a Polish Telecom Company. David Kavanagh is ‘brilliant’, and Patrick Heneghan ‘achieves results’. Bruce Macaulay is ‘a highly competent advocate’, and Karyl Nairn is ‘in a league of her own’.
At WilmerHale, Gary Born’s ‘talent as an advocate is widely acclaimed’. The practice’s experience includes an LCIA arbitration involving a shareholders’ dispute between two telecoms companies. Steven Finizio, Wendy Miles and Franz Schwarz are key contacts.
Clifford Chance has excellent practitioners in Audley Sheppard, Rob Lambert and Alex Panayides. Panayides ‘stands out as clever and knowledgeable; and Sheppard is valued for his ‘technical ability and commercial acumen’. The practice represented a Russian property developer in multimillion-dollar ICC proceedings. Clients praise the team’s ‘exemplary work and ability to draw upon specialists in other fields’.
With an integrated London and Paris offering, Herbert Smith LLP’s ‘expertise is excellent. The team is well rounded and works together very smoothly’. Highlights included securing victory for Stagecoach Group in a contractual dispute arbitration. Paula Hodges is ‘pragmatic and responsive’, and Craig Tevendale is ‘an excellent communicator’. Matthew Weiniger and Graeme Johnston are also strong practitioners. David Brynmor Thomas left for the Bar.
The team at Clyde & Co LLP worked on cases across its core sectors of trade, commodities, energy, natural resources, transport, infrastructure, real estate and insurance, but was also instructed in financial institution related cases. It benefits from the firm’s network of overseas offices, and lateral hires in Shanghai, Singapore, Hong Kong, the Middle East and the US. John Whittaker, Ben Knowles and Michael Swangard are key figures.
Debevoise & Plimpton LLP’s Sophie Lamb was promoted to partner in 2010 while Peter Rees QC left to become Royal Dutch Shell’s legal director. The team acted in a multimillion-dollar arbitration arising out of a failed joint venture. Lord Peter Goldsmith QC, David Rivkin, Mark Friedman and Karolos Seeger are well-respected lawyers.
Hogan Lovells International LLP’s ‘determined and analytical’ practice head Michael Davison and Markus Burgstaller are experienced in advising on maximising investment protection and acting in investment disputes, and Davison has recently been active in telecoms and energy disputes. Simon Nesbitt is ‘very sharp’, and Kieron O’Callaghan is focused on energy, mining, commodities, international trade and natural resources. Clients appreciate the team’s ‘ability to react quickly in a truly international environment’.
Bringing together arbitration expertise across three continents, Linklaters LLP’s recent work includes acting for and against states and state entities, advising on bilateral investment treaty claims, and acting in shareholder disputes and cases within the telecoms and energy sectors. International arbitration head Greg Reid and Christopher Style QC are well respected.
Norton Rose LLP is ‘extremely efficient and quick’, and has seen an increase recently in Singapore and Middle East related work. Team head Joe Tirado ‘gives out-of-the-box solutions to very complex problems’. Steve Abraham is noted for construction and engineering-related disputes.
Stephenson Harwood houses ‘deep levels of expertise’. The practice continued to advise Nigeria’s state-owned oil concern in a case involving the defence in England of an attempt to enforce a Nigerian arbitration award. Louis Flannery is ‘outstanding; he combines strong academic knowledge and understanding of the subject with an excellent, practical grasp of the issues’; and commodities specialist Peter Bennett is ‘very attentive’. Richard Gwynne is noted for cross-border arbitration, and Kamal Shah is experienced in acting for clients in Africa and India.
White & Case LLP’s ‘response times are perfect’. The group is recognised for its construction and energy expertise, while other key matters included disputes arising out of the financial crisis, market movements in materials prices and defaults in derivative transactions. International arbitration head Phillip Capper is ‘top of the class’; Paul Cowan is ‘particularly good’; and Charlie Lightfoot is ‘a rising star’. David Goldberg, who divides his time between London and Moscow, joined from SJ Berwin LLP with two associates.
Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP ‘gives excellent service and shows technical knowledge of the issues’. The team acted in ICC arbitration proceedings against a Turkish contractor active in the Moscow market. Department head Nic Fletcher, Carol Mulcahy, and Michael Polonsky are recommended. Caroline Pope’s move to Abu Dhabi bore fruit in the form of a number of construction and real estate development disputes.
Noted for its European and CEE network, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP ‘consistently delivers sound advice’. The firm has a well-respected energy arbitration practice, and is also known for engineering and insurance work. Guy Pendell is department head, and ‘effective litigator’ Ben Holland, Rupert Choat and Omar Qureshi are also recommended.
Covington & Burling LLP’s London-based team is led by Gaëtan Verhoosel and senior of counsel Stephen Bond, a former ICC International Court of Arbitration secretary general. Bond is ‘an excellent strategist and a consummate advocate’. The practice stands out for its investment treaty work and insurance coverage practice for policyholders.
DLA Piper UK LLP advises several sovereign states and is particularly focused on work for Russian and Ukrainian-related energy businesses, with the Latin America side enhanced by the firm’s Miami office opening. International arbitration head Matthew Saunders, Ioannis Alexopoulos, and project and infrastructure specialist Philip Chong are highly rated, as are Kate Knox and the ‘truly outstanding’ Nick Marsh.
Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP was particularly active in shareholder disputes, including a number of disputes over options, as well as in energy and insurance-related work. Deborah Ruff leads the London group.
Eversheds LLP recruited Neville Byford and associate Zoe Holland from Morgan Lewis, while ‘wonderful case co-ordinator’ and senior associate Andy Moody joined from McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP. The practice acted for one of the largest manufacturers of fertilisers in Eastern Europe in a claim brought under the BIT between Lithuania and the Republic of Serbia. Stuart Dutson ‘makes sure the case is moving towards where the client wants to end up’.
Focused on big-ticket arbitrations, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP counts Yukos International and Telecom Egypt as clients. The team successfully defended a petition to stay a BIT arbitration. Cyrus Benson is recommended.
Latham & Watkins LLP’s Philip Clifford is best known for his work in the oil and gas, energy and construction industries, but also acts in the financial sector. The team represented a Cayman Fund in an LCIA arbitration regarding a major shareholder’s right to redeem its shares.
Able to offer ‘a great deal of expertise’, Reed Smith is noted for its experience in arbitrations under investment treaties and the Energy Charter Treaty. The firm is also focused on developing its Bermuda Form work; and the lateral hire of three partners from Pinsent Masons LLP, including its international arbitration head Gordon Bell, added further depth to the infrastructure and JV disputes practice, particularly in construction and energy. Gautam Bhattacharyya ‘gets involved in the details’, and joint international arbitration chair Belinda Paisley is also recommended.
Shearman & Sterling LLP’s London group grew to three partners with the promotion of Richard Kelly. Key matters included representing Viorel Micula as claimant in an ICSID arbitration against the Republic of Romania under the Sweden-Romania bilateral investment treaty. David Reed has advised in arbitrations involving commercial, construction, oil and gas, investment, engineering, IT and shipping matters. Alex Bevan is a key practitioner.
Simmons & Simmons is known for its energy, infrastructure, construction and financial services expertise, and also acts in multimillion-dollar arbitrations in the life sciences and TMT sectors. A growth area was the Middle East, with the team seeing a proliferation of disputes in both property and energy, and arbitrations across Africa also increased. Simon Morgan and David Sandy are highly rated.
Slaughter and May shows ‘extraordinary dedication to the job, combined with superb technical skills and customer focus’. Key matters included advising a leading European utility group in its successful defence of a $1.4bn damages claim, subject to LCIA arbitration. Department head Nick Archer is recommended.
London and Leeds-based Simon Kamstra leads the group at Addleshaw Goddard LLP, which received new instructions from a number of FTSE 100 clients. Jon Tweedale, Jamie Harrison and Kent Phillips are also recommended, along with new partner Mark Molyneux.
Ashurst LLP’s ‘value-for-money service is excellent’. The practice saw growth in terms of profile, client base and size of instructions, and expanded its Asian practice, especially in Indonesia. Ronnie King’s ‘advice is based on his ample experience’, and Tim Reid is also recommended.
Baker & McKenzie LLP ‘provides excellent service and manages workloads efficiently’. The practice advised in various claims arising from M&A and banking transactions involving Eastern Europe, and Ukraine in particular, and also experienced growth in projects-related arbitrations, particularly oil and gas in the Middle East. Jeremy Winter is recommended, and Edward Poulton is a ‘practical, knowledgeable, stress-free lawyer’. Of counsel and former global international arbitration head David Fraser retired.
Recognised for its energy expertise, Baker Botts (UK) LLP’s recent instructions have included BIT matters and disputes under the Energy Charter Treaty. Jay Alexander transferred to the London office while former London team head Mike Lennon relocated to Houston. Alejandro Escobar became a partner.
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP was counsel to the Russian Federation in three parallel arbitrations in The Hague, the claims totalling more than $50bn and alleging unfair treatment and expropriation in violation of the Energy Charter Treaty. Jonathan Blackman is highly rated.
Fulbright & Jaworski International LLP is praised for ‘timely, sophisticated, and useful advice’. David Howell leads the team, and senior associate James Rogers is ‘fantastically responsive’.
Holman Fenwick Willan LLP’s arbitrations usually stem from the energy, insurance, shipping and commodities sectors. Steven Paull has a particular focus on the upstream and offshore oil and gas industry and infrastructure projects.
Ince & Co, appreciated for its ‘cost-effective advice’, has experience across shipping, insurance, international trade and commodities, energy, construction, engineering and energy matters. Steven Fox’s ‘assistance is tremendously valuable’.
With Ulrich Payne joining from Simmons & Simmons and Ben Sanderson from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP, Kirkland & Ellis International LLP’s London arbitration group grew to six full-time arbitration partners. Chris Colbridge has a ‘good strategic approach’, and Rajinder Bassi and Chiraag Shah are also key contacts.
Mayer Brown International LLP’s construction arbitration practice remains strong. In addition to having transatlantic strengths, the practice works closely with the firm’s Asian offices on mandates for global financial institutions and manufacturing entities. Michael Regan heads the team; Philippa Charles focuses on disputes arising out of cross-border contracts; and Rani Mina was promoted to partner.
Olswang’s ‘advice is promptly given’. The team welcomed Andrew Aglionby from Baker & McKenzie LLP, where he was Asia Pacific international arbitration head, and its international profile should develop further with the firm having recently established offices in Madrid and Paris. Department head Richard Bamforth and Steven Baker are recommended.
Most of Pinsent Masons LLP’s arbitration practice is construction and energy related. Although the number of dedicated partners in London decreased from 15 to 12 in 2010, the team is ‘excellent for legal strategy’ and ‘resolves disputes on a cost-effective basis’. Mark Roe heads the practice, and Jonathan French is ‘responsive, without overlawyering every issue’.
Led by Justin Michaelson, SJ Berwin LLP ‘top-notch lawyers’ are well known for acting in specialist private equity arbitration disputes, and continues to focus on Russia, Central Asia and CEE work, including politically sensitive commercial disputes in Russia. Per Runeland is also a key practitioner, and Mark Hoyle joined as a partner in Dubai. David Goldberg left for White & Case LLP.
Vinson & Elkins RLLP is active beyond its core strengths of energy and infrastructure, and investor-state disputes work, becoming increasingly involved in construction, shipping and shareholder disputes. IDR group head James Loftis and associate Mark Beeley have ‘exceptional expertise’. Construction litigator Nick Henchie joined from Mayer Brown International LLP.
Watson, Farley & Williams LLP secured victory for the Government of Pakistan in the Supreme Court of England, the dispute reportedly only the third recorded case in which English courts refused enforcement of an international arbitration award under the New York Convention since implementation in England 35 years ago. Andrew Savage is ‘an excellent strategist’. Robert Platt joined from Curtis Davis Garrard LLP, and focuses on the shipbuilding, offshore construction and power sectors.
Weil, Gotshal & Manges welcomed former McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP global arbitration head Juliet Blanch, who is ‘an exceptional lawyer’. Highlights included advising the respondent in relation to claims brought by a Cayman-incorporated private equity fund regarding a joint venture investment. Matthew Shankland is recommended.
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld’s London group was established in 2009 when the firm hired Linklaters LLP’s energy disputes head Justin Williams to head the new practice. In 2010 the practice recruited partner Michael Stepek and counsel Matthew Parish from Hogan Lovells International LLP. The team represented VimpelCom in defending ad hoc proceedings in London commenced by its shareholder Telenor, which claims pre-emption rights in relation to shares to be issued by VimpelCom under a $20bn M&A transaction. Williams ‘gives honest advice about how to win an arbitration’.
Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP is an ‘easy-to-work-with firm that acts on its own initiative within specified guidelines’. The firm has arbitration capabilities in Hong Kong/China and Singapore, and its São Paulo office is now fully active. Group head Maurice Kenton has ‘a real ability to lead assistants and to get the very best out of them’. Former international arbitration head Peter Flint left for Wragge & Co LLP.
Bird & Bird’s ‘service is truly outstanding’. The group is known for its expertise in the aviation, communications, energy, IT, life sciences and sport sectors. Jonathan Taylor has an ‘outstanding legal mind’; Max Duthie ‘shows a level of dedication and commitment that is greatly appreciated’; and Sarah Walker and Jane Player are also highly rated.
Davies Arnold Cooper LLP is notable for its experience in construction and engineering arbitrations. The team includes practice head Rowan Planterose, John Goodman, Danny Gowan, and Michael Blackburne, who recently joined the firm from Reynolds Porter Chamberlain LLP.
Most of Fenwick Elliott LLP’s work in the area relates to construction, infrastructure and energy projects. Its Middle East practice expanded, while the CIS region remains an important market for the group. Richard Smellie is a key figure.
K&L Gates’ practice expanded internationally through the opening of new offices, such as in Warsaw through the legacy Hogan & Hartson team. In 2010, the London group was involved in 12 international arbitration matters. Ian Meredith is highly rated.
Lawrence Graham LLP was joined by former Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge UK LLP partner Antony Woodhouse, who specialises in insurance and reinsurance disputes. The team has been active across financial services disputes, Dubai-related construction mandates, energy matters, insurance arbitrations, and Russia-related work. Jean-Pierre Douglas-Henry has ‘excellent strategic qualities’; and David Breslin ‘does a great job of providing both legal and strategic advice’.
Reynolds Porter Chamberlain LLP welcomed Clyde & Co LLP’s former joint head of international arbitration Jonathan Wood; and Clive Thorne, who joined from Arnold & Porter (UK) LLP and is experienced in IT and IP arbitrations. The practice has been active across insurance, reinsurance, construction, IP/IT and international trade matters.
SNR Denton has ‘strength in depth comparable to a Magic Circle firm but has the feel of a friendly boutique practice’. Known for its energy expertise, the team also won instructions relating to shipping, construction, aviation and IT. Liz Tout heads the team; and senior associate Matthew Vinall is ‘an excellent manager of heavy arbitration work’.
Salans welcomed Africa projects expert Ian Sellars from Watson, Farley & Williams LLP. The firm’s traditional geographical areas are the CIS and CEE regions, with real estate and infrastructure projects particular areas of strength, as well as investment treaty cases. George Burn is recommended.
Steptoe & Johnson has a ‘highly knowledgeable practice’, and recently acted for Motorola in a joint venture dispute in ICC arbitration. Ray Werbicki is a key figure. Tom Sprange left for King & Spalding International LLP.