Acting for individuals, sovereign states, and international organisations, Steptoe UK LLP advises on treaty negotiations, investor-state disputes, and ECT claims. Attracting client praise for its ‘excellent command of international investment law’, the group also handles sovereign immunity matters, expertly overseen by practice head Matthew Coleman. Christophe Bondy has extensive experience advising on investment treaty arbitration, while Thomas Innes is another key contact on the investor-state arbitration front; Innes also has experience in ITLOS proceedings.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Excellent command of international investment law.’
‘The partners are accessible and look for a realistic resolution of disputes.’
'Christophe Bondy has a real depth of experience.'
'Former public officials of the highest calibre, who understand and can speak with authority on the particular challenges and vulnerabilities of international legal issues affecting States and State-owned enterprises for advisory as well as litigation work.'
'Christophe Bondy is particularly well-regarded, coming from the highest echelons. That puts him in a very good place to advise on (both for and against) governments on international law issues, and act as an arbitrator.'
'The team is generally very well versed in public international law matters. Thomas Innes, with whom I had the pleasure to work, showed excellent knowledge and proficiency in working on PIL cases.'
Key clients
- The European Union
- Pennyroyal Limited
- Vercara, LLC
- The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
- Koch Supply & Trading, LP (KS&T) and Koch Industries, Inc
- West African Aquaculture Ltd and Others
- Border Timbers
Work highlights
Serving as external counsel to the European Union in the Nord Stream 2 investment treaty claim under the Energy Charter Treaty arising out of the application of European competition rules to the ownership and operation of this multi-billion-dollar pipeline.
Acted as lead counsel to investors in respect of an investment dispute with Tanzania arising from alleged breaches of two bilateral investment treaties.
Acted as lead counsel to a US tech company in an investor-state dispute against Colombia arising from wrongful measures taken by Colombia in relation to Neustar’s investment in the .CO internet domain.
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.
Practice head
Matthew Coleman
Other key lawyers
Christophe Bondy; Thomas Innes