Department profile
Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

International Arbitration: Commercial Arbitration

UK Guide 2026 : UK-wide


Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

Rankings

About

Provided by Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

Debevoise has been present in Europe for over 60 years, giving our practice a depth of institutional knowledge and market awareness that few firms can match. Today, the European disputes team includes lawyers who are both civil- and common-law qualified, speak over 35 languages, and are recognized as leaders in their field.

Our European disputes practice is advocacy-led. Our versatile trial lawyers, arbitration specialists and regulatory experts together cover the full range of contentious proceedings: arbitration before every major arbitral institution; arbitration-related court proceedings for interim measures, emergency injunctions, anti-suit relief, award challenge and enforcement; regulatory investigations and national court litigation — all handled seamlessly across jurisdictions. We take matters through every stage, from initial risk assessment through hearing, settlement, or enforcement, providing a continuity and quality of service that is unmatched in the market.

Debevoise partners hold leadership positions in leading arbitral institutions and professional bodies and lead proceedings in English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish. Building on our lockstep, collaborative culture, our team works seamlessly across offices and practice groups to ensure that whatever the scale or complexity of a matter, clients have access to the right combination of skills and experience.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

International Arbitration: Commercial Arbitration - UK-wide

Band 2

Band 2


What the Team is Known For
Debevoise & Plimpton is a well-known name in the market handling high-value commercial arbitrations for energy sector clients, investment funds and other corporate entities, with notable ASEAN expertise. In addition, the firm maintains a strong investment treaty and investor-state arbitration practice, acting on behalf of a number of sovereign states. It advises clients in proceedings under ICC, ICSID, LCIA and UNCITRAL rules, among others. The practitioners also have considerable experience handling claims brought under the Energy Charter Treaty. The London team works closely with the firm's pre-eminent New York office.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Debevoise represented Suomi Power Networks, Supernova and AMF, shareholders in Caruna, Finland's largest electricity distribution company, in an ICSID arbitration against The Republic of Finland under the Energy Charter Treaty.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • They are very responsive, collaborative and creative.

    International Arbitration: Commercial Arbitration respondentUK
  • Debevoise demonstrate outstanding experience in international commercial disputes, client focus and risk appetite in pursuing complex claims in onerous jurisdictions.

    International Arbitration: Commercial Arbitration respondentUK
  • They are very dedicated to the details of all causes, as well as being extremely organised and attentive.

    International Arbitration: Commercial Arbitration respondentUK
  • They are incredibly responsive and good listeners.

    International Arbitration: Commercial Arbitration respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Jeffrey Sullivan
    Band 1Jeffrey Sullivan

    Jeffrey Sullivan

    Jeffrey Sullivan KC is co-chair of Debevoise's arbitration group in Europe. He is particularly known for his expert handling of claims brought under the ECT, which forms part of his extensive investor-state arbitration practice. He demonstrates strength across the energy and infrastructure sectors.
    • Jefferey is extremely clear and sees any issues straight away.

      International Arbitration: Commercial Arbitration respondentUK
    • Jeffrey has an excellent technical skill set.

      International Arbitration: Commercial Arbitration respondentUK
    • Jeff is always available, delivers straightforward practical advice and is great at handling clients.

      International Arbitration: Commercial Arbitration respondentUK
    • Jeffrey is an excellent operator with extensive experience, sensible judgement and measured advice.

      International Arbitration: Commercial Arbitration respondentUK
    • Jeffrey provides excellent support.

      International Arbitration: Commercial Arbitration respondentUK
  • Band 3Patrick Taylor
    Band 3Patrick Taylor

    Patrick Taylor

    Patrick Taylor has a broad arbitration practice with expertise spanning the oil and gas, energy and telecoms sectors. He often acts under LCIA, ICC and ICSID rules and handles disputes seated across the globe.
    • Patrick Taylor is technically excellent, and his cerebral, smooth advocacy style delivers results for his clients.

      International Arbitration: Commercial Arbitration respondentUK
    • Patrick provides strong advice and works cohesively with the Debevoise team to provide clear and consistent advice.

      International Arbitration: Commercial Arbitration respondentUK
    • Patrick is very practical yet provides a wide variety of approaches and options.

      International Arbitration: Commercial Arbitration respondentUK
    • Patrick is extremely engaged and committed to the case, with a broad view of the dossier.

      International Arbitration: Commercial Arbitration respondentUK
    • Patrick is very clever and savvy.

      International Arbitration: Commercial Arbitration respondentUK
  • Band 4Samantha Rowe
    Band 4Samantha Rowe

    Samantha Rowe

    Samantha Rowe boasts an impressive client list, which includes sovereign states and renowned international organisations such as those in the oil and gas sector. She regularly handles disputes under ICC, ICSID and UNCITRAL rules.
    • Samantha is extremely engaged and committed to the case.

      International Arbitration: Commercial Arbitration respondentUK
    • Samantha is always strategic and provides high-quality advice.

      International Arbitration: Commercial Arbitration respondentUK
    • Samantha knows her area of law inside out, and we like to work with her. She is technically brilliant.

      International Arbitration: Commercial Arbitration respondentUK
  • Band 6Conway Blake
    Band 6Conway Blake

    Conway Blake

    Conway Blake regularly advises and acts for clients in both investor-state and commercial disputes, as well as in challenges to arbitral awards.

    • Conway is an accomplished, brilliant young partner.

      International Arbitration: Commercial Arbitration respondentUK
    • He is very strategic and achieves a good result for the clients.

      International Arbitration: Commercial Arbitration respondentUK

Ranked Individuals at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP (4)

UK-wide

Members

Provided by Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP has rankings in the following guides

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