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International Arbitration

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Legal 500 2026 International Arbitration testimonial

International arbitration has become the leading method for resolving cross‑border commercial disputes. Chosen for its neutrality, flexibility and global enforceability, it allows parties from different jurisdictions to avoid national courts and instead resolve conflicts before independent arbitrators. These proceedings are governed by well‑established international rules and supported by a global framework that gives awards real, practical authority.

As international trade and investment continue to expand, arbitration offers a trusted mechanism for handling the complex legal and commercial issues that arise between businesses, states and investors. Matters often involve large‑scale projects, high‑value contracts and multi‑jurisdictional transactions, where confidentiality, specialist expertise and procedural efficiency are essential. The process can be tailored to the needs of the parties, from the choice of arbitrators to the governing law and language.

International arbitration also provides a dependable route to enforcement. Thanks to the New York Convention, awards can be recognised and enforced in more than 160 countries, giving parties confidence that outcomes will be respected globally. Whether the dispute concerns energy, construction, finance, technology or investment, arbitration remains a robust and effective forum for resolving international conflicts with speed, certainty and fairness.

Keystone Law’s International Arbitration lawyers are experts in their fields and have vast expertise of representing clients in arbitration across a range of sectors, including shipping, sport, aviation, energy, and media.

We are trusted to resolve disputes quickly and efficiently. Our team advises on all aspects of international, commercial and investment treaty arbitration, and have the experience and knowledge of the rules at various international arbitral institutions.

From high-net-worth individuals to state entities and large corporates across a range of industries, our arbitration team is relied upon to get the best outcome for the client. We advise clients on disputes spanning multiple jurisdictions and are enlisted for our advice whether it be before the ICC, LCIA, DIFC, or the HKIAC.

Our international arbitrators are members of our top tier dispute resolution team, commended in leading legal directory The Legal 500 for its “strong reputation”. They are accredited by leading organisations including the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR), ADR Net, and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArB).

Should you find yourself in arbitration proceedings before the ICC, you will require expert advice and guidance. Our ADR specialists have extensive experience successfully navigating the ICC Rules of Arbitration and will ensure you are best represented during the arbitral process.

Experience

  • Acted for a pay-TV platform in ICC Paris arbitration proceedings relating to the sale and licensing of pay-TV rights and sports content for 22 countries in the Middle East and North Africa region with a value of US$1.6 billion.
  • Acted for a large Japanese contractor in an ICC arbitration in relation to the construction of a significant road in East Africa concerning claims in the region of US$160m. The issues included non- and late-payment of IPCs, extensions of time, delay and disruption, termination, performance security and quantum.
  • Acted for one of the world’s largest steel producers on a pricing dispute involving Switzerland-seated ICC arbitration proceedings and freezing order proceedings concerning more than US$400m of assets (first time ordered by an Australian Federal Court in support of foreign arbitration proceedings).
  • Acted for a European government defending enforcement proceedings and pursuing the setting aside of ICC Awards in various jurisdictions in relation to a military sales dispute.
  • Acted on an ICC arbitration relating to the construction of chemical plants in the Middle East.
  • Advised on an ICC Arbitration chaired by Alan Redfern (London, New York law) for Amadeus IT Group regarding IT infrastructure and distribution agreement with major global airline with claims exceeding €100m.
  • Acted for a large Japanese contractor in an ICC arbitration in relation to the construction of a significant road in East Africa concerning claims in the region of US$160m.
  • Acted on a $100m ICC arbitration relating to the design and construction of chemical plants in the Middle East.
  • Represented the claimant in ICC Dubai arbitration proceedings, the subject matter of which was a dispute between shareholders in a space and satellite risk insurance intermediary company relating to the manipulation of its accounting policies to reduce the earn-out payable to the claimant, with a value of USD 15 million.
  • Acted in an ICC arbitration in Amsterdam and London which lasted two and a half years and which involved complex antitrust issues, resulting in an $82 million recovery for a Disney and Sony subsidiary.
  • Advised a Nigerian oil company in ICC Arbitration proceedings concerning a claim for over US$300 million in connection with the purchase of an oil mining licence.
  • Acted for a major German civil engineering contractor in an ICC arbitration in Paris concerning an irrigation project in Libya.

Team

Our arbitration experts have successfully represented clients before the LCIA in disputes concerning a broad range of issues, including marine, technology, fraud, and oil. Whatever sector your dispute concerns, our lawyers work closely with specialist colleagues across the firm to provide you with the best possible legal advice before and during LCIA proceedings.

Experience

  • Acted for a French champagne producer in an LCIA arbitration against a national distributor.
  • Acted for a Central Asian country in a multimillion-dollar investment dispute in an LCIA arbitration.
  • Advised a foreign investor in LCIA arbitration proceedings in relation to recovering its investment in a start-up venture which had been misappropriated by the promoter counterparty in India.
  • Acted for a South African contractor in two LCIA arbitrations in relation to the construction and maintenance of a significant railway in Sierra Leone.
  • Acted for the respondent in DIFC-LCIA arbitration proceedings for specific performance of a whole-business sale and purchase agreement.
  • Advised on a $1 billion LCIA arbitration JOA dispute relating to non-payment of cash calls and potential forfeiture of interests in a number of Algerian oil and gas fields. Settled on confidential terms.
  • Advised owners in a high-value LCIA arbitration against charterers concerning the carriage of asphalt cargoes from Venezuela.
  • Advised a joint venture company between a subsidiary of a Nigerian oil company and a company registered in Singapore in an LCIA arbitration with regard to a fraud dispute relating to a multimillion-pound purchase of oil rigs.
  • Acted for the claimant in DIFC-LCIA arbitration proceedings in a shareholder dispute relating to a space and satellite risk insurance intermediary company.
  • Represented a company against whom DIFC-LCIA arbitration proceedings had been brought for specific performance of a sale and purchase agreement relating to their business with a value of USD 35 million.
  • Acted successfully for a Slovenian oil and gas company in a London-seated LCIA arbitration claim against a Croatian company for damages over $32 million arising out of a contract for the supply of petrol-related products.
  • Acted for international steel company in an LCIA arbitration in London in relation to an agency agreement with a third party for commission payable.
  • Acted for a leading technology and innovation company in response to proceedings issued in the London Court of International Arbitration for damages in the region of £500 million in which the claimant terminated the contract for alleged breaches of the contract.

Team

Since its inception in 2020, our team of lawyers have led proceedings and guided clients successfully in claims before the DIFC Arbitration Division. With our international arbitration team’s experience, you will receive legal advice and support that is practical and commercially focussed.

Experience

  • Represented a company against whom DIFC-LCIA arbitration proceedings had been brought for specific performance of a sale and purchase agreement relating to their business with a value of USD 35 million.
  • Advised the claimant in DIFC court proceedings relating to the defaults under a single-currency loan facility provided by the claimant.
  • Acted for the claimant in DIFC-LCIA arbitration proceedings in a shareholder dispute relating to a space and satellite risk insurance intermediary company.
  • Represented National Bonds Corporation in the DIFC Courts in proceedings relating to the non-payment of financing provided by NBC to a borrower for the purchase of certain property interests located in the DIFC.
  • Acted for the respondent in DIFC-LCIA arbitration proceedings for specific performance of a whole-business sale and purchase agreement.

Team

As a top-rated Shipping & Trade team, we are frequently instructed by companies who want to bring a claim before the LMAA that concerns maritime law. With our years of expertise, you can be assured that your dispute will be handled by an industry expert to achieve the best possible outcome.

Experience

  • Acted for a leading international cargo insurer in LMAA claims brought in the name of its assured for unauthorised deviation and misappropriation of cargoes in China under a contract of affreightment.
  • Acted for UAE and Indian companies in concurrent LMAA arbitrations concerning claims for demurrage and cargo contamination arising out of a charterparty and bills of lading for the delivery of a cargo of phenol.
  • Advised banks on an LMAA arbitration for a dispute arising out of a refund guarantee. The total claims value was approximately USD42 million.
  • Acted for one of Canada’s leading alternative capital providers in a complex ship financing dispute and action to foreclose on two Hong Kong registered ship mortgages.
  • Advised UAE owners and their P&I club in LMAA proceedings (and concurrent proceedings in the High Court against guarantors) following disputes arising from the carriage of coal to Mozambique.
  • Successfully defended owners in an LMAA arbitration concerning enforcement of a Swiss garnishee order by charterers.
  • Advised charterers in high-value LMAA disputes relating to delays in the delivery of coal to ports in China.
  • Advised the seller on an LMAA arbitration commenced by the buyer for refund of the advance payments made by the buyer to the seller on account of the vessel due to non-delivery of the vessel.

Team

Our international arbitration lawyers are often enlisted to advise on matters before the HKIAC and are experienced in achieving successful outcomes for clients in arbitration. Should you need expert guidance on a complex matter, our team can be trusted to give you straightforward advice.

Experience

  • Acted on behalf of shipowners in HKIAC arbitration in connection with unpaid freight under the voyage charters.
  • Advised a shipyard in an HKIAC arbitration in connection with the buyer’s termination of the shipbuilding contract.
  • Advised a retail company on an HKIAC arbitration in connection with a dispute arising out of a joint venture agreement and a financing agreement.
  • Acted on behalf of shipowners in HKIAC arbitration in connection with unpaid freight under the voyage charters.

Team

If you are bringing a dispute before GAFTA and it is subject to English law, you will require the advice of a qualified solicitor in England & Wales. Our dispute resolution experts work closely with colleagues with experience in the sector to ensure all basis of your claim are covered.

Experience

  • Advised a large Singaporean commodity trader in connection with the sale of a consignment of GMO wheat crop that was rejected following tests carried out by South Korean authorities. Dispute subject to English law under GAFTA Rules.
  • Advised a commodities trader on a GAFTA arbitration in connection with a joint venture agreement for the sale and purchase of fertilisers.
  • Acted in a GAFTA arbitration for the UAE subsidiary of a large Indian conglomerate involved in a dispute with a Pakistani company arising out of a contract for the sale of various quantities of rice.
  • Acted for the Singapore trading arm of a US-based large multinational in FOSFA arbitrations concerning the mis-delivery of a cargo of crude palm oil to third parties without production of bills of lading in India.
  • Represented a large US-based agricultural trading company in a FOSFA dispute relating to failures of open letters of credit for cargoes of palm oil shipped from Indonesia.
  • Represented a large US-based agricultural trading company in a GAFTA dispute concerning soybeans sold from CFR Vietnam.
  • Acted for Egyptian buyers of French durum wheat in a GAFTA arbitration concerning rejection of documents tendered under a CIF contract.

Team

Have you found yourself in a dispute regarding international trade and want to commence arbitral proceedings before FOSFA? Our experienced international arbitration lawyers will guide you throughout the process and provide you with advice that is relevant and practical.

Experience

  • Acted for the Singapore trading arm of a US-based large multinational in FOSFA arbitrations concerning the mis-delivery of a cargo of crude palm oil to third parties without production of bills of lading in India.
  • Represented a large US-based agricultural trading company in a FOSFA dispute relating to failures of open letters of credit for cargoes of palm oil shipped from Indonesia.
  • Acted on behalf of a buyer in a FOSFA arbitration commenced by the seller against it for demurrage under the contract of sale of soy beans.
  • Advised commodity traders on numerous FOSFA arbitrations in connection with various claims (including sunflower seeds oil contamination claims, non-performance of soybean futures contracts, unlawful termination of a fish oil sale contract).
  • Acted on behalf of a buyer in a FOSFA arbitration commenced by the seller against it for demurrage under the contract of sale of soybeans.
  • Advised on commodities arbitrations under the FOSFA rules.

Team

If you require advice on arbitral proceedings before the AAA, our dispute resolution lawyers are on hand to support and guide you throughout the process. As experts in arbitration across a broad range of jurisdictions, we can be trusted to manage your case.

Experience

  • Co-lead adviser on a large international fraud case, including an LCIA arbitration, 2 parallel AAA arbitrations and proceedings in support of arbitration in multiple other jurisdictions. The UK team comprised 5 lawyers, 3 QCs and 4 junior barristers and internationally the team comprised about 30 other lawyers in a number of jurisdictions from the US to the Far East.

Team

Bringing a claim before the SIAC will require the advice of an experienced lawyer, and with the expertise of our team of arbitral specialists, you will have the best possible support in your corner throughout the process.

Experience

  • Represented buyers in SIAC arbitration proceedings in relation to the termination of a series of high-value shipbuilding contracts for offshore support vessels, with claim amounts of approximately $130m.
  • Acted for a major Qatari shipowner in a series of SIAC arbitrations relating to the termination of shipbuilding contracts, with claims of approximately $150m.

Team

Please note: The experience list above may include examples of work completed prior to joining Keystone Law.

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