ICSID arbitrations and arbitrations under the Energy Charter Treaty constitute key pillars of work for the public international law team at Simmons & Simmons. Basil Woodd-Walker, described by clients as ‘talented and utterly trustworthy’, is a key figure in the team. Woodd-Walker is regularly instructed to advise on sovereign immunity issues as well as investor-state arbitrations. Jonathan Schuman ably assists on bilateral investment treaty claims. Former practice head Stuart Dutson left the firm in June 2025.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The PIL team at Simmons is excellent.’
‘Jonathan Schuman is a delight to work with.’
‘The S&S team is very well established and has great know-how and skill in their ranks.’
‘Basil Woodd-Walker is a superstar, and is a new partner who has already made waves and will go to great heights in this field - talented and utterly trustworthy.’
Key clients
- Kingdom of Spain
- Mauritanian Copper Mines
Work highlights
Representing Mauritanian Copper Mines (a subsidiary of First Quantum Minerals Ltd) in an ICSID arbitration against the Islamic Republic of Mauritania.
Represented Spain in resisting the recognition and enforcement of an ICSID award in excess of EUR 120 million made under the ECT in favour of Infrastructure Services Luxembourg S.à.r.l. and Energia Termosolar B.V. (the “Antin Investors”).
Other key lawyers
Basil Woodd-Walker; Jonathan Schuman