Ranking tables

International Arbitration: Investor-State Arbitration | Global

UK

The International Arbitration: Investor-State Arbitration rankings table below has been designed to provide the most in-depth insights and reviews of the top ranked lawyers and law firms. The firms included in our rankings have been recommended by in-house counsel, other third-party experts and private practice lawyers. Our comprehensive research ensures you have all the information needed when looking to purchase legal services across UK.

All Departments profiles

1

Band 1

  1. Three Crowns LLP
    1
    Three Crowns LLP
    International Arbitration: Investor-State Arbitration
    2024 | Band 1 | 2 Years Ranked
    Three Crowns houses an acclaimed international arbitration outfit with an impressive client roster, featuring well-known names from the energy, natural resources, financial services, telecoms and engineering sectors. The firm fields a heavyweight team of arbitration specialists with expertise in both commercial arbitrations and investor-state disputes, acting for clients across Latin America, the Middle East and Africa. The team has extensive experience acting for clients in arbitrations under the rules of the major arbitration institutions, such as ICSID, the LCIA and the ICC. It is well versed in handling BIT claims and disputes brought under the Energy Charter Treaty.
  2. Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP
    International Arbitration: Investor-State Arbitration
    2024 | Band 1
2

Band 2

  1. Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
    2
    Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
    International Arbitration: Investor-State Arbitration
    2024 | Band 2 | 2 Years Ranked
    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.
  2. Freshfields
    2
    Freshfields
    International Arbitration: Investor-State Arbitration
    2024 | Band 2 | 2 Years Ranked
    Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has an experienced team handling commercial arbitrations for well-known multinational companies in the energy, natural resources, financial services, telecoms and pharmaceutical sectors. The firm manages an active caseload of disputes arising around the globe, including high-profile matters involving African, Latin American and Asian companies and states. It is respected for its work advising on investor-state disputes, including those governed by BITs, and for handling commercial disputes involving state-owned entities. The team regularly handles arbitrations involving leading arbitral institutions such as the ICC, the LCIA and UNCITRAL.
  3. Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
    2
    Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
    International Arbitration: Investor-State Arbitration
    2024 | Band 2 | 2 Years Ranked
    Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher regularly acts on significant commercial arbitrations and complex investor-state claims, fielding a strong bench of experienced practitioners in both. The firm attracts a variety of clients in the telecommunications, financial services and energy sectors, as well as governments. The team is experienced in handling a wide range of contentious matters, including disputes arising out of joint ventures, infrastructure projects, insurance agreements and commercial contracts. It regularly handles arbitrations before leading arbitral institutions as well as ad hoc disputes.
  4. King & Spalding International LLP
    2
    King & Spalding International LLP
    International Arbitration: Investor-State Arbitration
    2024 | Band 2 | 2 Years Ranked
    King & Spalding has a substantial international arbitration practice with a global reach, advising parties from South Asia and Europe. It fields a team of experienced advocates, with experience in disputes arising in the energy, shipping, mining and financial services sectors. The team is experienced in handling institutional disputes, including those under ICC, LCIA and AAA rules, as well as ad hoc arbitrations. The firm's notable commercial practice is also bolstered by increasing investor-state expertise.
  5. White & Case LLP
    2
    White & Case LLP
    International Arbitration: Investor-State Arbitration
    2024 | Band 2 | 2 Years Ranked
    White & Case has a well-established international arbitration group with significant expertise in disputes arising from large-scale infrastructure projects around the world. The firm has substantial expertise in arbitrations arising in Eastern Europe, particularly within the energy, insurance and financial services sectors. It handles arbitrations across a number of institutions, including the LCIA, the ICC, SIAC, ICSID and UNCITRAL, and in ad hoc proceedings. The team is experienced in handling every aspect of the process, including advocacy. The practice is particularly recognised in the market for its expertise in construction arbitration, while also being increasingly active in investment treaty claims.
  6. Herbert Smith Freehills
    International Arbitration: Investor-State Arbitration
    2024 | Band 2
  7. Latham & Watkins
    International Arbitration: Investor-State Arbitration
    2024 | Band 2
3

Band 3

  1. A&O Shearman
    3
    A&O Shearman
    International Arbitration: Investor-State Arbitration
    2024 | Band 3 | 2 Years Ranked
    Allen & Overy is highly regarded for its stellar track record in representing sovereign states and corporates in high-value investment treaty disputes. The firm has considerable experience carrying out its own advocacy before courts and tribunals. It is also adept at handling a number of other PIL matters, such as ECT and BIT claims, sovereign immunity concerns and international treaty drafting. The firm's practitioners regularly appear before tribunals under the auspices of UNCITRAL, ICSID and LCIA rules, among others. The team is experienced across a number of industries, acting for clients in the financial services, energy and telecoms sectors.
  2. Arnold & Porter
    3
    Arnold & Porter
    International Arbitration: Investor-State Arbitration
    2024 | Band 3 | 2 Years Ranked
    Arnold & Porter has a distinguished team renowned for advising sovereign states in Europe, Latin America and Asia on investment arbitrations. The firm demonstrates notable experience handling disputes under ICSID and UNCITRAL rules. It is adept at advising on cases that cover a range of sectors, including mining, financial services and construction, among others.
  3. Clifford Chance LLP
    3
    Clifford Chance LLP
    International Arbitration: Investor-State Arbitration
    2024 | Band 3 | 2 Years Ranked
    Clifford Chance has a robust commercial arbitration practice representing blue-chip clients from the financial services sector and the extractive industries. Its strong bench handles a range of institutional arbitrations, including those under the rules of the LCIA, ICC and LMAA, seated across jurisdictions such as Geneva, London, Paris and Dubai. The firm also has a strong investor-state arbitration practice, advising on ICSID and UNCITRAL disputes. It is highly regarded for its counsel and advocacy work, and is particularly adept in handling breach of contract claims.
  4. Fietta LLP
    3
    Fietta LLP
    International Arbitration: Investor-State Arbitration
    2024 | Band 3 | 2 Years Ranked
    Fietta is a boutique firm specialising in investment arbitrations and PIL. It demonstrates expertise in advising both investors and sovereign states on investor-state disputes, especially those governed by investment treaties. The firm is highly adept at acting in ICSID and UNCITRAL proceedings, and houses team members with significant governmental experience.
  5. Jones Day
    3
    Jones Day
    International Arbitration: Investor-State Arbitration
    2024 | Band 3 | 2 Years Ranked
    Jones Day has a robust international arbitration team that is routinely called upon by clients in the energy, hospitality and construction sectors, among others. It is well versed in handling disputes involving the CIS and Middle East. The firm draws strength from its global presence, with offices in the USA, Europe and Asia. The team is adept at providing counsel on ICC, SIAC and LCIA arbitrations, and boasts experience advising on matters involving niche areas such as climate change-related disputes.
  6. Reed Smith LLP
    3
    Reed Smith LLP
    International Arbitration: Investor-State Arbitration
    2024 | Band 3 | 2 Years Ranked
    Reed Smith has a strong international arbitration practice that has a worldwide presence in the energy, construction, mining and telecoms sectors. It has a highly sought-after investor-state practice with an impressive track record in acting for states. The firm is well equipped to handle complex BIT claims and arbitrations under the Energy Charter Treaty. The practice is also increasingly noted for its experience in commercial disputes such as large-scale ICC claims.
  7. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP
    3
    Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP
    International Arbitration: Investor-State Arbitration
    2024 | Band 3 | 2 Years Ranked
    Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom has a 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. The firm handles arbitral proceedings under a range of institutional rules, such as those of the LCIA, ICSID and UNCITRAL. It is also adept at representing sovereign states and investors in investment treaty cases arising out of the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Europe.
  8. Volterra Fietta
    International Arbitration: Investor-State Arbitration
    2024 | Band 3
  9. WilmerHale
    International Arbitration: Investor-State Arbitration
    2024 | Band 3
4

Band 4

  1. Baker Botts UK LLP
    4
    Baker Botts UK LLP
    International Arbitration: Investor-State Arbitration
    2024 | Band 4 | 2 Years Ranked
    Baker Botts is well respected for its strong bench of bilingual and dual-qualified arbitration practitioners. The firm is active across a range of jurisdictions, including those in Europe, the CIS, Latin America and the Middle East. It is experienced in ad hoc and institutional arbitrations, including those under ICC, AAA and LCIA rules, with particular expertise in the construction, energy, natural resources and telecoms sectors. The team also acts for both states and corporations in investment treaty disputes. It is well versed in disputes brought under the Energy Charter Treaty.
  2. Hogan Lovells
    4
    Hogan Lovells
    International Arbitration: Investor-State Arbitration
    2024 | Band 4 | 2 Years Ranked
    Hogan Lovells has a strong bench of dedicated arbitration specialists with particular expertise in the energy sector, as well as African and CIS disputes. It is a well-established arbitration practice attracting instructions from significant entities in the construction, oil and gas, telecommunications and financial services sectors. The firm is also respected for its work in investor-state disputes, in which the team has experience acting for both sovereign states and corporate clients. The team demonstrates particular expertise in the Energy Charter Treaty and has appeared before leading arbitral institutions including the ICC and LCIA.
  3. Linklaters
    4
    Linklaters
    International Arbitration: Investor-State Arbitration
    2024 | Band 4 | 2 Years Ranked
    Linklaters represents sovereign states and multinational corporations in commercial and investment treaty international arbitration. The firm's areas of expertise include matters in the energy, telecommunications and banking industries. It is noted for its impressive in-house advocacy capabilities. The team regularly acts on disputes conducted under the auspices of institutions such as the ICC, the LCIA and HKIAC, and also offers expertise in BIT claims and disputes brought under the Energy Charter Treaty.
  4. Fieldfisher
    International Arbitration: Investor-State Arbitration
    2024 | Band 4
  5. Withers LLP
    International Arbitration: Investor-State Arbitration
    2024 | Band 4