International Arbitration

What the team is known for

Renowned international arbitration practice with significant experience representing clients in the energy, telecommunications, media and natural resources sectors, as well as handling matters for financial service clients. Handles arbitral proceedings under a range of institutional rules, such as those of the LCIA, ICSID and UNCITRAL. Also adept at representing sovereign states and investors in investment treaty cases arising out of the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Europe. Demonstrates significant expertise in the Energy Charter Treaty and BITs.

Strengths

An interviewee reports: "The team is a well-oiled machine. It works seamlessly in its preparation and is hugely impressive in an adversarial context."

Another source adds: "The Skadden team is absolutely excellent - they are a real team of stars and they work really hard."

"They are some of the best lawyers that I have come across in a long while," states another source.

Work highlights

Represented Anardarko Petroleum in an LCIA arbitration concerning offshore oil interests in China and related tax law matters.

Lead counsel for Vodafone in a USD5.6 billion BIT dispute with India arising from the client's acquisition of an offshore company that indirectly owned the assets of Hutchison Whampoa.

Notable practitioners

Bruce Macaulay is recognised for his longstanding commercial expertise, which includes recent experience in arbitrations under LCIA rules. His practice also includes investor-state disputes.
"He is the calm voice and the voice of reason. He's a great man to be running your legal strategy and is a team player." "He effectively sees the important points and focuses on them."

Daniel Gal is particularly noted for his work in the telecoms sector, handling high-value arbitrations under LCIA rules. He also has notable experience handling disputes that relate to US bankruptcy proceedings.
"He is a superb advocate and a terrific tactician." "He is an absolute pleasure to work with and a creative and fast thinker."

David Herlihy has a strong practice representing investors and sovereign states in high-value and often novel investment treaty claims. He demonstrates notable strength in ICSID disputes and has experience acting for European and Middle Eastern entities.
"He is the real deal. He's a fantastic advocate, extremely clever and a very good trial lawyer."

David Kavanagh QC has broad international capabilities, acting for clients across jurisdictions such as China and India in complex commercial disputes often governed by LCIA and ICC rules. He is particularly experienced in issues arising from the interplay of foreign legislation.
"David Kavanagh has huge amounts of gravitas. He is very impressive and very strategically savvy." "A brilliant lawyer, a terrific strategic thinker and quick to grasp complex issues."

Karyl Nairn QC has a stellar reputation for her commercial arbitration practice. She acts in high-value disputes seated across the world, including Istanbul and the BVI. She also comes highly recommended for her investor-state practice and often accepts appointments as arbitrator.
"She is poised and really gains the trust of the tribunal." "She is outstanding - commercially astute and fantastic with clients." "I think Karyl is absolutely outstanding."