International Arbitration | Europe

Three Crowns is a well-regarded arbitration-focused law firm that brings together teams in Paris, London, Singapore and Washington, DC. The firm moves up the rankings this year thanks to its increasing presence in the market. The law firm is recognised for its diverse arbitration practice covering commercial and investment disputes. The team has demonstrable experience with all key arbitration rules, including those of the ICC, UNCITRAL and the LCIA. The lawyers are active in industries such as technology, oil and gas, and aerospace. Three Crowns boasts a growing client base made up of sovereign states, oil majors, construction companies and investment funds.

White & Case's outstanding team is active on substantial and high-profile operations worldwide. The practice has an especially prominent profile in the construction space, often representing construction companies in disputes with suppliers and state or privately-owned employers. The team also earns tremendous praise for its handling of diverse energy sector mandates. The law firm boasts further expertise in cases involving the Middle East, Latin America and jurisdictions in Africa.

Bredin Prat has a well-regarded practice that handles international arbitration mandates for states and companies. The law firm is recognised for its strength in sectors such as construction, oil and gas, and transport. The team has experience on the state side of high-profile BIT and ECT cases. The lawyers advise a diverse range of clients based in Europe, Africa and the Middle East on commercial arbitrations. Bredin Prat has further expertise in post-M&A and shareholders' disputes. The team handles cases under all major arbitral rules.

Clifford Chance moves up the rankings this year and has a respected practice with a history of work for esteemed corporate clients. The law firm is experienced in ICC and ICSID proceedings on behalf of companies active in sectors such as construction, energy and mining. The team advises on the revocation of mining permits, distribution agreement disputes or issues arising under construction contracts. Clifford Chance also has experience in investment arbitration. The lawyers have expertise assisting clients with arbitrations relating to the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

Derains & Gharavi is a highly respected boutique dedicated exclusively to international arbitration and related litigation matters. The law firm balances its practice between investment and commercial operations, and acts in cases across the globe, from Europe and the Middle East to Asia and Africa. The team is especially active in the construction and oil and gas industries. The practice is praised for the numerous prominent arbitrators within its ranks.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in Paris is an important office within the firm's global arbitration and public international law practice. The law firm advises energy clients on disputes relating to supply agreements or infrastructure projects. The team attracts attention for coordination of investor-state and commercial cases with offices in Asia. The lawyers also assist with enforcement proceedings. Freshfields boasts a strong track record of representing sovereign states in ICSID and UNCITRAL cases.

Gaillard Banifatemi Shelbaya Disputes boasts considerable strength across the full range of arbitration matters. The law firm represents corporates, governments and state-owned companies in both commercial and investment arbitrations. The team handles cases under all major arbitration rules as well as advising on set-aside and enforcement proceedings. The lawyers have expertise across the oil and gas, aviation and construction sectors.

King & Spalding houses an experienced team with an established reputation for its expert handling of high-profile energy sector arbitrations. The law firm acts primarily on the claimant side of investor-state disputes, including cases brought under the ECT in relation to renewable energy investments. The lawyers regularly coordinate advice between teams in France and the USA. The practice handles expropriation cases involving Latin American jurisdictions.

Cleary Gottlieb has experience in inter-state ICC arbitrations relating to the supply of oil and gas between jurisdictions. The team assists with the enforcement of awards in France and globally. The lawyers advise clients operating in a range of sectors, such as mining and finance. Cleary Gottlieb also advises on arbitrations relating to breaches of concession contracts.

Gide Loyrette Nouel boasts longstanding expertise in a range of commercial arbitration topics, especially those relating to construction contracts for energy, infrastructure or real estate projects in African, Latin American and European jurisdictions. The law firm often acts for French corporates and state-owned companies in contractual disputes and set-aside proceedings. The lawyers have further experience in expropriation cases and post-M&A disputes.

Hogan Lovells boasts particular expertise in international arbitration pertaining to the energy and telecommunication sectors. The law firm advises on disputes arising under long-term gas supply contracts and licensing agreements. The team has notable involvement in cases that centre on Africa and the Middle East. Hogan Lovells is well versed in representing clients hailing from the manufacturing and TMT sectors.

Jones Day provides international arbitration services to private clients from various sectors, including major oil and gas or telecoms companies. The law firm boasts a multilingual team with experience undertaking commercial proceedings. The lawyers advise on cases relating to construction contracts and shareholders' agreements. Jones Day has notable expertise in cases on behalf of companies operating in the Middle East, Africa or Eastern Europe. The practice displays further ability in handling cases in the telecommunications sector.

Linklaters has a well-regarded group offering services on a wide range of international arbitration matters, including both investor-state disputes and those between private entities. The law firm acts in ICC arbitrations between construction companies and private or state employers in relation to energy and infrastructure projects. The team handles disputes in the banking, mining and TMT sectors. Linklaters regularly acts for or against African sovereign states or state-owned entities.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe boasts a solid arbitration practice that leverages the strong reputations of key individuals to win instructions in high-value cases. The law firm acts for investors in ECT cases against European states. The team handles commercial cases relating to mining, real estate and contractual disputes.

Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier houses an accomplished practice with experience across commercial and investor-state arbitrations. The law firm's clients include French corporates and multinationals operating in the telecommunications and aerospace sectors. The team is frequently called upon to advise on cases involving Asian, African and Middle Eastern jurisdictions.

The Dechert team has particular expertise in BIT cases and ICC arbitrations brought against Latin American states or state-owned companies. The practice boasts a strong presence across Eastern Europe, acting on the state side of investment treaty and construction arbitrations. The law firm advises construction companies on international proceedings relating to projects in the Middle East. The lawyers have further experience in disputes relating to concession contracts and expropriation of investments. The team assists clients with cases in major tribunals such as the ICC, ICSID and UNCITRAL.

DLA Piper is noted for its activity in investor-state arbitration proceedings, acting for both sovereign states and private investors. The law firm assists with commercial cases and the coordination of enforcement measures. The team is adept at handling cases involving African jurisdictions, including both francophone and English-speaking countries. The lawyers have particular expertise in the energy and mining sectors.

Eversheds Sutherland is particularly well recognised for its work in Africa and the Middle East, often handling investor-state proceedings or commercial arbitrations on behalf of defendant states, state-owned companies or private entities. The law firm acts for clients in the oil and gas, TMT and construction sectors. The team is supported by a strong global network, with key supporting offices in London, Tunis and Dubai. Eversheds Sutherland offers additional expertise in public international law.

Eversheds Sutherland is particularly well recognised for its work in Africa and the Middle East, often handling investor-state proceedings or commercial arbitrations on behalf of defendant states, state-owned companies or private entities. The law firm acts for clients in the oil and gas, TMT and construction sectors. The team is supported by a strong global network, with key supporting offices in London, Tunis and Dubai. Eversheds Sutherland offers additional expertise in public international law.

Herbert Smith Freehills has a well-established international arbitration practice covering both commercial and investment arbitrations. The team enjoys the support of a global network of offices. The law firm acts predominantly on the claimant side of investor-state disputes against African governments. The lawyers are experienced in handling a range of commercial arbitration cases, particularly in the oil and gas and construction sectors. The law firm assists with arbitration-related litigation, including set-aside and defence of enforcement proceedings.

Reed Smith is particularly noted for its expertise in construction, energy and transportation arbitration cases. The law firm assists investors with cases under various arbitral rules, including those of the ICC and LCIA. The team is active in cases involving African jurisdictions. The lawyers utilise the firm's strong international network to advise on cross-border cases.

Medici enters the rankings this year and boasts a reputable practice that regularly handles a range of cases under major arbitration rules, including those of the ICC and ICSID. The team specialises in contractual disputes with a client roster active across a range of industries including construction and energy. The law firm also offers further expertise in annulment and enforcement proceedings before French courts.

Squire Patton Boggs is recognised for its advice to states and state-owned companies. The practice is active across a variety of sectors, including construction and oil and gas. The team handles ICSID, UNCITRAL and ICC cases.