International arbitration

Our specialist commercial disputes team are experts when it comes to international arbitration, an effective method for resolving cross-border issues. With decades of global experience, we capably and efficiently guide and support our clients through the entire arbitration and tribunal process: from drafting and advising on arbitration agreements and forum selection; preliminary and jurisdictional challenges; choice and selection of arbitrators (the team has connections to experts across the globe); and through the entire tribunal process up to and including the final hearing.

We have extensive experience resolving complex disputes through arbitration across various sectors and institutional rules, including high-value commercial disputes, aviation, manufacturing, franchising, shipping, and international commodity trade. We regularly advise on the interplay between the arbitration process—typically governed by established institutions—and English courts, including choice of forum and intervening applications on “arbitration claims” where required.

How we can help

Members of the team have acted for clients in cross-border arbitration proceedings involving parties from a range of countries and a variety of different arbitral institutions and rules, including the following:

• London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA);
• International Chamber of Commerce (ICC);
• London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA);
• International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR);
• Swiss Arbitration Center;
• Hong Kong Maritime Arbitration Group.

As well as representing clients in the substantive arbitration proceedings, our team has experience of:

• applying to the High Court for orders permitting the enforcement of arbitral decisions (known as ‘awards’);
• working with overseas lawyers instructed in connected international court proceedings or arbitration actions; for example, applying to the High Court for a declaration as to which arbitral Tribunal has standing to determine the dispute, where jurisdiction is disputed;
• bringing High Court claims seeking damages resulting from breaches of arbitration clauses and the underlying arbitration agreement; and
• advising clients of the enforceability of arbitration agreements and whether jurisdictional challenges can be filed in opposition to purported Court action; and conversely in issuing claims and Court proceedings where the jurisdiction of a Tribunal or award is in dispute.