Public International Law | UK

Clifford Chance is a significant player in the London PIL market, with an impressive client roster of energy and natural resources companies, as well as international organisations. The firm undertakes high-value investor-state disputes, as well as advising on issues of state and diplomatic immunity. It demonstrates strong expertise in the areas of international sanctions regimes and human rights in business. It also advises on intergovernmental agreements, sovereignty issues and maritime jurisdictional disputes.

Debevoise & Plimpton has a strong international team covering a range of PIL issues including investment treaty claims, maritime law, sanctions and international human rights matters. The team is experienced acting for NGOs, governments, companies, prominent individuals and charities. Often conducts advocacy before domestic and foreign courts as well as international arbitral tribunal, and also prepares submissions to the UN and the ECtHR. The firm regularly acts in Energy Charter Treaty and ad hoc arbitrations, as well as those brought under ICSID and UNCITRAL rules.

Fietta is a boutique firm specialising in investment arbitrations and PIL. It has expertise in advising on both sides of sophisticated investor-state disputes, especially those governed by investment treaties. The firm frequently handles matters concerning energy and natural resources, as well as those involving financial institutions. It offers considerable expertise in matters regarding state succession and sovereignty, the Law of the Sea and boundary delimitations.

Volterra Fietta is a well-known PIL boutique handling a wide range of investor-related and inter-state work. The firm advises sovereign states and investors on claims arising under BITs and commercial agreements to which a state is party. It has significant experience advising on disputes concerning the alleged expropriation of industrial and financial assets. The team provides advice on inter-state matters including boundary disputes and the Law of the Sea, as well as advising states on treaty obligations. It also advises on issues of international human rights, including representing parties before the ICJ.

Freshfields is highly regarded for its PIL work in Latin America, the Middle East, Africa and India. The firm is very experienced in advising on inter-state and investor-state disputes, and is often sought after for its expertise in international human rights matters, especially those affecting businesses. It has further expertise in handling boundary disputes and matters concerning the Law of the Sea, and is also known for its pro bono contribution to various NGOs and other human rights organisations. The team has appeared before a range of international courts and tribunals including the ICJ and ECtHR, and offers significant expertise in international disputes concerning the oil and gas and telecoms sectors.

Herbert Smith Freehills is widely respected for its work assisting multinational organisations, states and state-owned entities with the full range of PIL matters. Its work includes state-to-state disputes, advice on the implications of international developments and the law, and significant maritime boundary claims, as well as treaty negotiations. In addition, the firm is particularly well known for its investment treaty expertise, representing states and investors in disputes under the auspices of ICSID and other prominent institutions. The team also provides advice on international sanctions to clients including major energy companies and financial institutions.

A&O Shearman has a strong track record in representing sovereign states and corporates in high-value investment treaty disputes. It has considerable experience carrying out its own advocacy before courts and tribunals. The firm is also adept at handling a number of other PIL matters, such as ECT claims, WTO cases, sovereign immunity concerns, and international treaty drafting and negotiation. The team also advises on international human rights issues.

Latham & Watkins is noted for its solid PIL practice, assisting national and international clients with investment treaty disputes, with the ability to work closely with other offices from its substantial international network. It offers advice on sanctions issues, with niche expertise in the challenging of international sanctions designations, while also able to advise on issues relating to business and human rights and international trade law. The firm is particularly active on matters arising in Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia.

Three Crowns is a specialist arbitration firm with a strong pedigree in PIL matters. The firm fields a bench of highly esteemed practitioners in this area, with experience advising on investor-state disputes arising from expropriation of assets, cancellation of concessions and licences, and the imposition of tax liabilities. It is particularly active representing clients in the extractive industries, as well as the construction sector, and is well versed in handling arbitrations according to ICSID, UNCITRAL and SCC rules.

Arnold & Porter boasts an impressive PIL and investor-state arbitration practice. The team possesses enviable experience representing national governments, NGOs and corporations in Latin American, Europe and the APAC region in high-profile commercial, BIT and international human rights disputes. The firm represents its clients in the ECtHR, in the ICJ and across the full gamut of ICSID proceedings. Sector expertise includes telecoms, natural energy and mining.

Baker Botts has a distinguished team of public international lawyers representing clients in high-profile investment treaty disputes. The firm has particular expertise in the energy and natural resources sphere, and is regularly instructed on claims arising in Latin America, Russia and Europe, as well as the Middle East and Africa. It also provides wider advice on PIL issues, including international sanctions and issues of sovereign immunity.

Cooley demonstrates a breadth of expertise in the PIL arena, including state-to-state disputes concerning land and maritime boundary delimitations. The team also has considerable expertise in the Law of the Sea. The firm's client roster includes governmental bodies, corporate clients and NGOs. Cooley represents a broad roster of international clients, with a particular focus on the Middle East and the Caribbean.

Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle is noted for its expertise in the PIL arena. The firm regularly advises states on inter-state disputes at the ICJ. The firm is well versed in representing clients in sovereignty and territorial disputes, including matters relating to the Law of the Sea.

King & Spalding is active on a broad array of PIL matters including inter-state disputes, investment treaty arbitrations, sovereign immunity issues and international criminal law proceedings. The firm is comfortable acting for governments, private entities, third sector organisations and individuals. Its practitioners regularly advocate for clients in the ECtHR.

Linklaters is a distinguished firm with strong abilities in advising clients on investor-state arbitrations. It regularly acts for both sovereign states and international organisations across the Middle East, Africa and Europe, with strong expertise in the energy and finance spheres. The firm is also able to advise on a broader range of PIL matters such as international trade law, human rights, sanctions and state immunity issues.

WilmerHale has a well-regarded team for investor-state arbitrations as well as international human rights law. The firm has advised on state-to-state boundary disputes, and has further expertise in matters relating to sovereign immunity and the enforcement of foreign judgments. The team represents sovereign states as well as state-owned and private companies, financial institutions and investors.

Withers is active on a broad array of matters concerning PIL, including investor-state and state-to-state disputes along with significant advisory work. The team's expertise includes issues related to international investment law and sanctions as well as the Law of the Sea and rights to statehood. The firm's clients include a number of state governments in addition to international conglomerates and not-for-profit organisations.