Withers LLP‘s London team is particularly well known for international arbitration work involving Africa, Asia and the Middle East, along with Russia and CIS countries. The practice is co-led by Hussein Haeri KC, who is ’a leading figure in international arbitration’, and Eleni Polycarpou, who regularly takes arbitrator appointments. The group further comprises Russia, Ukraine and CIS disputes expert Tatiana Menshenina, disputes head Peter Wood, and commercial arbitration specialist Roberto Moruzzi. Lesley Timms ‘ caseload frequently contains Italian elements, and public international law expert Geoffrey Cox KC and recently-promoted partner Robert Kovacs are other names to note. Camilla Gambarini and Ruzin Dagli are also key figures.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Brilliant team - absolutely top notch for complex arbitration and arbitration-related court applications.’
‘They field very high-quality teams of lawyers from top to bottom. They also have wide experience of disputes emanating from many different parts of the world, including Russia and the former Soviet Union, the Middle East, and Africa.’
‘An excellent team. Their work is always of very high-quality, and their client engagement is outstanding. They are very strong in investment treaty arbitration, and complex high-value commercial arbitrations.’
‘Hussein Haeri KC is a leading figure in international arbitration. Equally comfortable in investment treaty arbitration and in commercial arbitration, he is a strong advocate who is very strategic.’
‘Eleni Polycarpou is a standout partner - she has excellent judgement and tactical nous and brings the best out of everyone in her teams. She has impressive expertise in arbitration practice and procedure across numerous jurisdictions and uses it to devise very successful strategies.’
- ‘Robert Kovacs has a bright future in arbitration. He is a very intelligent advocate who is good with clients and has a strong legal mind.’
- ‘Roberto Moruzzi is super-easy to work with and gives clients a real sense of reassurance that he has everything under control.’
- ‘Ruzin Dagli is a standout star in the firm, with fantastic people skills and great attention to detail. Thinks out of the box and very hard-working.’
Key clients
- Gruppo Officine Piccini
- Qatar National Bank
- Frazer Solar
- Gesenu
Work highlights
- Representing Qatar National Bank in ICSID arbitration proceedings against the Republic of South Sudan and the Bank of South Sudan, in connection with a failure to repay an approximately $800m loan under a facility agreement.
- Representing Gesenu in ICSID arbitration proceedings against Egypt under the Italy-Egypt bilateral investment treaty.
- Representing Gruppo Officine Piccini in ICSID arbitration proceedings against Cameroon under the Italy-Cameroon bilateral investment treaty, the matter stemming from the expropriation of the Yaoundé stadium construction project.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next generation partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Hussein Haeri KC; Eleni Polycarpou
Other key lawyers
Tatiana Menshenina; Peter Wood; Roberto Moruzzi; Lesley Timms; Geoffrey Cox KC; Robert Kovacs; Camilla Gambarini; Ruzin Dagli; Aniruddha Rajput