International Arbitration

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 astutely represented during the arbitral process.

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.

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 pragmatic throughout the process.

If you require advice to bring 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 claim.

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.

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.

As a top rated Marine & Shipping 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.

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.

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.

• Acted for a partnership bringing a LCIA arbitration claim against departing partners for breaches of restrictive covenants and fiduciary duties.
• Acted for an international development bank in bringing a multimillion-pound LCIA arbitration recovery claim against a borrower.
• Acted for international steel company in an LCIA arbitration in London in relation to an agency agreement with a third party for commission payable. Claim value: US$20m.
• 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 successfully for a wealthy Kuwaiti family in a claim for over $21 million against Credit Suisse UK Ltd for breach of FSA/FCA rules in selling index-linked notes and a related London-seated LCIA arbitration claim following the litigation.
• Advised a Russian company in an LCIA claim in relation to a Put Option involving the operation of a copper mine.
• Advised an energy company on an LCIA arbitration for a claim for recovery of certain third-party expenses by the buyer from the seller under the share purchase agreement.
• Acted for one of the largest state-owned commodity traders in China an LCIA arbitration commenced by the Claimant Seller against Respondent Buyer for the alleged demurrage arising from a contract of sale of 160,000 mt thermal coal in bulk between the parties.
• Acted for one of the largest metallurgical corporations in China in two LCIA arbitrations commenced by the one of the largest manganese producer in South Africa for damages arising out of the alleged contracts of sale Maganese Ore.
• Acted for the claimant, a UAE company, in a multimillion-dollar dispute in LCIA arbitration arising out of a Licensing Agreement relating to an Internet-based platform for the buying and selling of goods in the mining, metals and other natural resources industries. The claim involved an application pursuant to s. 44 of the Arbitration Act 1996 to the High Court, and subsequently to the Court of Appeal, resulting in a landmark judgment regarding the impact of limitation and exclusion clauses on the ability to obtain injunctive relief.
• Acted for a Central Asian country in a multimillion-dollar investment dispute in an LCIA arbitration.
• Acted for a French champagne producer in an LCIA arbitration against a national distributor.
• Represented investors in claims alleging breach of fiduciary duties and investment agreements across numerous jurisdictions under an LCIA arbitration.
• Acted for an Italian interiors company specialising in high-end fit-outs for luxury superyachts as claimant in a London-seated arbitration under the LCIA rules against a prominent Saudi ship owner arising out of the owner.
• Advised financial institution in several LCIA trade credit insurance arbitrations.
• Advised and represented clients in a large number of commodities disputes arising under contracts with clauses providing for arbitration pursuant to the rules of GAFTA, FOSFA, LMAA, Sugar Association of London, the Nuts Association, the International Cotton Association, the British Coffee Association, the ICC and the LCIA.
• Acted in a LCIA arbitration for sellers of a cargo shipped from Richards Bay Coal Terminal to India under a sale and purchase on SCOTA terms.
• 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 a South African contractor in two LCIA arbitrations in relation to the construction and maintenance of a significant railway in Sierra Leone serving a gold mine. The issues included measurement, variations and delay and disruption.
• 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 the respondent in DIFC-LCIA arbitration proceedings for specific performance of a whole-business sale and purchase agreement.
• Acted for the claimant in DIFC-LCIA arbitration proceedings in a shareholder dispute relating to a space and satellite risk insurance intermediary company.
• Established the DIFC Dispute Resolution Authority. Worked with Government to draft the legislation to create this new Authority. The Authority comprises the DIFC Courts, the DIFC-LCIA Arbitration and Mediation Centre, the DIFC Academy of Law and the DIFC Wills and Probate Registry.
• Acted for owners of a large Russian oil refinery in English LCIA proceedings relating to construction of a polypropylene plant by a US contractor.
• Represented one of the largest metallurgical corporations in north-west China in two LCIA arbitrations regarding claims for damages arising out of the alleged contracts of sale of 30,000 wmt Manganese Ore and sale of 20,000 wmt Manganese Ore respectively. The total value of the claims was approximately USD4 million.
• Represented one of the largest state-owned commodity traders in China in an LCIA arbitration commenced by the claimant seller against respondent buyer for the alleged demurrage arising from a contract of sale of thermal coal in bulk between the parties. The total claims value was approximately USD2 million.
• Acted for a private equity investor in an LCIA arbitration against a portfolio company.
• 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 a South African contractor in two LCIA arbitrations in relation to the construction and maintenance of a significant railway in Sierra Leone. The issues included: measurement, variations, and delay and disruption.
• Acted for a major UK hotel owner and investor. Major dispute involving franchise agreements and performance of large (1,000-bedroom) central London hotels. Dealing with substantial loss of profits claim. LCIA arbitration. High value and complexity including hotel and accounting experts. Multimillion-pound value. Central London location.
• Acted for group of companies in respect of a consultancy agreement dispute, various jurisdictions under LCIA. Claim circa $3.8m.
• Acted for a leading manufacturer of intelligent technology solutions in arbitration disputes (LCIA), an Indian company and its subsidiaries. Claims values $20.6m.
• Co-lead adviser on a large international fraud case, including an LCIA arbitration, two parallel AAA arbitrations and proceedings in support of arbitration in multiple other jurisdictions.
• Acted for a Central Asian country in a multimillion-dollar investment dispute in an LCIA arbitration.
• Represented a company against whom DIFC-LCIA arbitration proceedings had been brought for specific performance of a sale and purchase agreement relating to their business with a value of USD 35 million.
• Represented a company against whom DIFC-LCIA arbitration proceedings had been brought for specific performance of a sale and purchase agreement relating to their business with a value of US$ 35 million.
• 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 US$ 35 million.
• Advised on a $12 million LCIA arbitration against a major listed oil and gas company.
• 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.
• Acted for a listed oil and gas exploration company in an LCIA arbitration pertaining to a failed seismic survey.
• Acted for a leading Saudi Arabian marine services company successfully defending an anti-suit injunction in the Commercial Court and later an LCIA arbitration in relation to a US$20m minority shareholder and unfair prejudice dispute arising under a shareholders’ agreement with a major international shipping line.

• Acted for an international oil prospecting business in defending multimillion-pound ICC arbitration proceedings brought by a supplier and prospective joint venture partner and advised on related restructuring negotiations.
• Acted as English co-counsel for a construction company defending ICC arbitration proceedings and seeking to enforce an ICC Award obtained against the claimant.
• Acted for the majority shareholders of a BVI company in an unfair prejudice dispute in an ICC Arbitration and construction of the arbitration clause in a shareholder agreement which was ultimately decided in our clients’ favour in the Privy Council (Anzen Limited and Others v Hermes One Limited [2016] UKPC 1).
• Advised on the case which became the first-ever English legal precedent for the recovery of third-party litigation funding under the English Arbitration Act 1996. The case involved India’s largest multi-national corporation in connection with the challenge of an ICC Arbitration Award in the High Court.
• Acted on behalf of a buyer in an ICC arbitration for disputes arising from a contract of sale of steels for non-payment of the contract price and the alleged counterclaim of off-spec cargo.
• Acted for the UAE subsidiary of a large Indian conglomerate in a US$1m ICC arbitration arising out of two contracts for the design, engineering, fabrication and supply of the first and second trains of a two-stage desalter package.
• Advised and represented clients in a large number of commodities disputes arising under contracts with clauses providing for arbitration pursuant to the rules of GAFTA, FOSFA, LMAA, Sugar Association of London, the Nuts Association, the International Cotton Association, the British Coffee Association, the ICC and the LCIA.
• 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 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.
• 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 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 leading franchisor in the food and beverage industry in the MENA region in ICC Paris arbitration proceedings against a franchisee, and in subsequent English court proceedings to enforce the arbitration award in its favour.
• Acted for the respondent in ICC London arbitration proceedings in an African oil and gas dispute relating to an offshore drilling contract.
• 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.
• Advised a Middle Eastern government in claims against the incumbent mobile network operators. The claim involved two sets of ICC proceedings and ICSID proceedings.
• Acted on behalf of a commodity trader in an ICC arbitration for disputes arising from a contract of sale of steels for non-payment of the contract price and the alleged counterclaim of off-spec cargo. The total amount of the claims was approximately USD9 million.
• Acted for a bioscience company in an ICC arbitration concerning the conduct of a clinical trial.
• Acted on an ICC arbitration relating to the construction of chemical plants in the Middle East.
• Acted on an ICC arbitration relating to the construction of a power plant in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Advised one of India’s largest multinational corporations in connection with the challenge of an ICC Arbitration Award in the High Court relating to the right to recover third-party litigation funding under the English Arbitration Act 1996. The case is now set as being the first-ever English legal precedent for the recovery of third-party litigation funding under the English Arbitration Act 1996.
• 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-payment and late payment of IPCs, extensions of time, delay and disruption, termination (under the contract and at common law), performance security and quantum (including claims for devaluation, loss of opportunity and financing charges).
• Acted on an arbitration under the ICC rules.
• Party-appointed arbitrator in a dispute over the sale of fertilisers under the ICC Arbitration Rules with seat in London, England.
• Party-appointed arbitrator in a dispute involving the sale of factory equipment for the production of fish feed under the ICC Arbitration Rules with seat in Zurich, Switzerland.
• Appointed as agreed sole arbitrator in a $65 million ICC software licensing dispute.
• Represented the claimant in ICC Dubai arbitration proceedings, the subject matter of which was a dispute between shareholders in a space and satellite risk insurance intermediary company relating to the manipulation of its accounting policies to reduce the earn-out payable to the claimant, with a value of USD 15 million.
• Represented a claimant in an ICC Dubai arbitration, the subject matter of which is a dispute between shareholders in a space and satellite risk insurance intermediary company relating to the manipulation of its accounting policies to reduce the earn-out payable to the claimant, with a value of US$ 15 million.
• Howard has written many articles and spoken in the UK and abroad at many seminars and conferences on legal and structuring issues arising from trade and export finance and has been referenced in International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) publications.
• 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.
• Advised on an ICC arbitration (Bahrain, English law) regarding alleged early life failures of Fuji Electric transformers in a state-run aluminium smelting plant with claims exceeding USD10m.
• Acted for two Chinese contractors in ICC arbitrations in relation to VAT disputes with their respective employers. The main issue was whether or not the contract price was inclusive of VAT.
• 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 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.

• Acted on behalf of the Yard in an LMAA arbitration to defend the Owner’s claim for loss and damage suffered as a result of the alleged structural defects in the newbuilt.
• Advised a seller/builder on an LMAA arbitration commenced by the seller/builder against the buyer’s parent company for payment of the contract price under the payment guarantee provided by the parent company.
• 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.
• Advised the seller’s agent (who procured the refund guarantees to be issued to the buyer by its bank) on an LMAA arbitration commenced by the buyer for refund of the advance payments made by the buyer to the seller due to the buyer’s administration.
• Acted for the UAE subsidiary of an Indian company in a multimillion-dollar LMAA arbitration against Japanese shipowners arising out of the delayed delivery of a cargo of mixed xylene, which included an application by the Defendant pursuant to s. 30 of the Arbitration Act 1996.
• 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.
• Acted for the Claimant disponent owners in an indemnity claim in LMAA arbitration against sub-charterers under an NYPE time charter to recover losses incurred by the vessel.
• Acted for Korean shipowners in a claim by charterers in LMAA arbitration for loss/shortage/wet damage to a cargo of bagged rice under a Continental Grain Voyage Charterparty.
• Acted for numerous ship owners and charterers in dozens of LMAA arbitrations and English High Court actions.
• Acted in two large LMAA arbitration claims where the issues are faulty yachts on purchase. Claims of £4m.
• Advised and represented clients in a large number of commodities disputes arising under contracts with clauses providing for arbitration pursuant to the rules of GAFTA, FOSFA, LMAA, Sugar Association of London, the Nuts Association, the International Cotton Association, the British Coffee Association, the ICC and the LCIA.
• Advised a shipyard on an LMAA arbitration for a dispute arising from a shipbuilding contract for construction of a 3100 TEU Container Vessel and the associated option agreement. The matter involved two vessels, the total value of which were nearly USD70 million.
• Advised a shipowner on two separate LMAA arbitrations commenced by buyers of two vessels under two separate Memoranda of Agreement (“MOA”) for sale of vessels. The main dispute regarding the first MOA was whether the sellers are liable to the buyer for the alleged damages arising from the MOA not coming into effect due to non-fulfilment of condition precedents. The dispute regarding the second MOA was whether any legally binding MOA existed at all. The total value of the claims was approximately USD467 million.
• Advised a PRC state-owned shipbuilding company on an LMAA arbitration commenced by a buyer of four container feeder vessels. The claimant alleged that the shipyard repudiated the shipbuilding contracts and claimed return of the advance payments and damages for approximately £93 million. The shipyard counterclaimed for damages of approximately £1.6 million. The total value of the claims was approximately USD94 million.
• Advised banks on an LMAA arbitration for a dispute arising out of a refund guarantee. The total claims value was approximately USD42 million.
• Advised (including acting on behalf of various parties in LMAA arbitrations) on numerous charterparty disputes including but not limited to cargo claims, hire claims, early redelivery of the vessel under time charters, claims for damage to the vessels, speed and performance claims, demurrage claims, arrest proceedings, claims for disputes arising out of fire on board, claims arising out of piracy-related issues, claims arising out of delivery of cargoes without production of bills of lading, claims arising out of alleged mistakes in the charterparty; ex parte or on notice applications for various court orders, construction of charterparty terms, enforcement of arbitration awards, and claims for recoverable cost.
• Acted on two large LMAA arbitration claims where the issues are faulty yachts on purchase (Claims £4m).
• Acted for numerous shipping clients in LMAA arbitrations against a variety of Romanian Government agencies.
• Acted for a major E&P contractor in several LMAA arbitrations concerning drilling contracts.
• 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 owners and a P&I club in a successful LMAA Arbitration arising from quarantine restrictions at the Port of Mumbai.
• Successfully defended owners in an LMAA arbitration concerning enforcement of a Swiss garnishee order by charterers.
• Acted for Danish owners of offshore supply vessels in a complex SUPPLYTIME 2005 LMAA arbitration.
• 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. The vessels were arrested in Panama and Texas. The lender was also successful in an LMAA arbitration to claim back unpaid bareboat charter hire and associated losses from charterers who had unlawfully repudiated bareboat charters.

• Advised a large Singaporean commodity trader in connection with the sale of a consignment of uncontractual GMO wheat crop that was rejected following tests carried out by South Korean authorities. Dispute subject to English law under GAFTA Rules. The claim is estimated at circa US$2.5m.
• Advised a Hong Kong trader in connection with the aborted sale and purchase of 70,000 metric tons of rice from Argentina to Bangladesh. The dispute is subject to English law, GAFTA procedure and the dispute centres on legal issues re the actual quantum of the loss, if any. The claim is circa US$750,000.
• Advised a commodities trader on a GAFTA arbitration in connection with a joint venture agreement for the sale and purchase of fertilizers.
• 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.
• Advised and represented clients in a large number of commodities disputes arising under contracts with clauses providing for arbitration pursuant to the rules of GAFTA, FOSFA, LMAA, Sugar Association of London, the Nuts Association, the International Cotton Association, the British Coffee Association, the ICC and the LCIA.
• Advised a commodity trader on a GAFTA arbitration in connection with a joint venture agreement for the sale and purchase of fertilizers.
• Acted for Egyptian buyers of French durum wheat in a GAFTA arbitration concerning rejection of documents tendered under a CIF contract.

• Advised commodities traders on many 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 soy beans.
• Advised and represented clients in a large number of commodities disputes arising under contracts with clauses providing for arbitration pursuant to the rules of GAFTA, FOSFA, LMAA, Sugar Association of London, the Nuts Association, the International Cotton Association, the British Coffee Association, the ICC and the LCIA.
• 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.