International Arbitration: Investor-State Arbitration | UK

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Latham & Watkins demonstrates extensive experience in disputes with European and Middle Eastern elements. The team is sought after by high-profile clients, including financial institutions, energy companies and telecoms providers. It is also noted for its expertise in arbitral award enforcement matters and for its work in investor-state disputes. The firm is experienced in handling disputes in a range of industries including technology, energy and infrastructure, construction, and mining and minerals. The team represents both governments and commercial entities in arbitrations governed by investment treaties and brought under the Energy Charter Treaty.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Volterra Fietta is a formidable boutique specialising in PIL and investor-state arbitrations. It regularly represents international corporations and sovereign states in oil and gas BIT disputes. The firm also provides advice on treaty interpretation and state responsibility.

WilmerHale has an outstanding international arbitration practice with an enviable track record of handling complex institutional and ad hoc arbitrations. The team has significant experience in the oil and gas, telecoms, financial and technology sectors. Its members appear before tribunals seated across a number of arbitration hubs, including London, Stockholm, Singapore and Paris, often in connection with multimillion and multibillion-dollar disputes. It also has expertise acting for states and corporations in arbitrations concerning investment treaties, including BITs. The firm's practitioners are experienced in acting under the auspices of institutions such as the ICC and LCIA.

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.

Fieldfisher has a highly regarded practice which receives accolades for its international experience. It is renowned for advising on proceedings under ICC, UNCITRAL and LCIA rules. The firm boasts significant experience of handling disputes originating from Eastern Europe. Its clients stem from a range of sectors including financial services and oil and gas. The team has further experience representing sovereign states in disputes.

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.

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.

Withers has a growing reputation in the market for its international arbitration work. The firm is especially recognised for its work in the investor-state space, where it receives significant instructions from states, state-owned entities and companies. The team is also noted for its representation of energy and construction clients in commercial proceedings. Its lawyers are proficient in handling arbitrations under ICSID and UNCITRAL rules.