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International arbitration

I have advised on and argued cases on behalf of multinational and State-owned companies in commercial arbitrations under the ICC, LCIA, SCC and DIAC Rules, as well as in ad hoc arbitration under the UNCITRAL Rules.

I have experience of a range of seats in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, and governing laws including those of England, South Africa, UAE (both onshore and DIFC law), Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, Egypt, and Kazakhstan.

Sectors involved in these disputes have included aviation (both services and manufacturing), defence, energy, insurance, industrial gases and chemicals, and private equity, with claims for breach of contract, negligence, breach of M&A warranties, breach of non-compete agreements, claims on guarantees, and JV and shareholder disputes.

My work has been recognised in the following listings:

Below are representative examples of my international work.

    • State-of-the-Art Aviation Parts Manufacturing: Representing a company manufacturing state-of the-art composite aviation components, in eight LCIA arbitrations in London against a European aircraft components supplier.

    • Air Services Contracts:  Representing an airport services company as Claimant in three LCIA arbitrations against a Middle Eastern aviation services partnership and a Middle Eastern airline.

    • Insurance Policy Coverage / Termination: Representing a major Middle Eastern company as Claimant in an ICC arbitration against a Middle Eastern insurance company involving claims and counterclaims worth in excess of USD 250 million.

    • Defence Equipment Joint Venture Dispute: Advising a European defence manufacturer on its defence of claims in an ICC arbitration arising out of a joint venture agreement, with claims in excess of USD 200 million.

    • Defence Services Agency Dispute: Representing the agent of a European defense and construction services group, coordinating litigation/arbitration strategy (both in local courts and in Europe) to protect its interests in an exclusive agency arrangement.

    • Private Equity Shareholder Dispute: Representing a private equity fund in a dispute involving more than USD 80 million in claims against its shareholders related to its exit from an investment in an infrastructure business.

    • Industrial Gas Supply Contracts Dispute: Advising a major international industrial gas supplier in relation to its dispute with an international offtaker over its supply and pricing obligations.

    • Shareholder Dispute: Representing the majority owner of a Middle Eastern design consultancy in a dispute with a former shareholder and director, including breaches of directors’ duties, and non-compete and non-solicitation provisions.

    • Vehicle Distributorship Dispute: Advising the regional distributor of a major Asian car manufacturer on the manufacturer’s failure to honour its supply commitments.

    • Professional Football Player Dispute: Advising a Middle Eastern football club on player regulations and matters arising from its termination of a foreign player’s contract.

    • Investment Treaty Case: Representing the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine as Respondent in an SCC arbitration brought by a Russian State development agency under the Ukraine-Russia bilateral investment treaty. The dispute related to sanctions and other measures allegedly targeting Russian banks in Ukraine after 2014.

    • Major Energy Project: Advising a major international energy company on the availability of BIT protections in relation to its multi-billion dollar investment in Central Asia.

    • New Zealand Investment Treaty Obligations: Advising a major multinational FMCG company on the availability of investment protections under NZ treaties in relation to regulatory measures.