Exclusively focused on public international law, Volterra Fietta represents states, international organisations, and private parties on ICJ cases, maritime boundary issues, and investment treaty arbitrations, including ICSID claims. The practice is also expert in state immunity cases before the English courts, the laws of war and international humanitarian legislation, along with WTO matters, international trade law, international human rights and state responsibility. ‘One of the best public international lawyers of his generation’, Robert Volterra represents governments, international organisations and private clients in an array of public international law and international dispute resolution issues; and Peter Flint acts for states and investors in disputes involving investment treaties and host state investment protection legislation. The practice further showcases Gunjan Sharma, whose ’strategic guidance is clear and comprehensive’; state-to-state disputes expert Ahmed Abdel Hakam, whose investment treaty caseload covers the energy and natural resources sector; and Angela Ha, who is experienced in international human rights, the Law of the Sea, international investment law, sovereign immunities, the laws of war, and land and maritime boundary disputes Florentine Vos, Ben Burnham and Magdalena Kowalczuk Asher are also key team members.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Volterra Fietta is a market-leading firm in international arbitration, particularly public international law disputes.’
‘The firm has real strength and depth of experience, and is well-placed for the most complex and demanding public international law disputes.’
‘Robert Volterra is one of the best public international lawyers of his generation and a leading figure in the UK and globally.’
‘Robert Volterra - very easy to work with, and always ready and prepared to help.’
‘Robert Volterra is a leading figure in the market, and he is joined by a strong team, including Ahmed Abdel-Hakam.’
- ‘Ahmed Abdel-Hakam brings almost two decades of experience at leading law firms to the table, and is hard-working and responsive.’
- ‘Gunjan Sharma's profound insights into civil law, public international law, commercial practices, and multicultural legal frameworks are invaluable. His analyses are precise, and his strategic guidance is clear and comprehensive.’
- ‘Magdalena Kowalczuk Asher is an outstanding associate, who is known for her responsiveness, dependability, and superior legal acumen. Magda's detailed and prompt communications, along with her exceptional research skills, significantly bolster cases.’
Key clients
- United States of America
- Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Kingdom of Bahrain
- Republic of Croatia
- KN-Holding
- Severgroup
- Grenada
- Koch Industries
- Koch Minerals
- Koch Nitrogen International
Work highlights
- Representing a global nuclear energy company in a multibillion-dollar investor-state arbitration against a state, following such state’s decision to terminate a massive nuclear energy project in the country.
- Representing Barbados before climate change advisory proceedings in the International Court of Justice and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, these cases concerning international law issues involving environmental obligations of states.
- Representing the Kingdom of Bahrain in state immunity proceedings (on appeal to the English Court of Appeal), the case concerning the application of the UK’s obligations under treaties and customary international law.
Lawyers
Hall of fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
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
Robert Volterra; Peter Flint; Gunjan Sharma; Ahmed Abdel Hakam
Other key lawyers
Peter Flint; Gunjan Sharma; Ahmed Abdel Hakam; Angela Ha; Florentine Vos; Ben Burnham; Magdalena Kowalczuk Asher