International arbitration

At Fenwick Elliott, we have a number of specialist partners dedicated to international arbitration who regularly deal with cases involving major construction, infrastructure and energy projects all over the world, often with significant sums of money and tight deadlines at stake.

Our expertise and day-to-day dealings on these major international projects means that we are familiar with the major international contract forms or bespoke contracts derived from those forms. For a number of reasons, including enforceability, the need for confidentiality and the trans border nature of such projects, these contracts typically provide for arbitration as the preferred form of dispute resolution.

If a dispute does arise we are well placed to advise on the most effective course of action – whether or not that is arbitration.

Many international construction contracts call for intermediate forms of dispute resolution based on dispute boards. We regularly represent parties before these boards and many of our partners sit on dispute boards, gaining insights which translate to greater value for our clients.

Whatever the size of the dispute, we have the experience to judge the right approach and the resources to back up that approach. When it is appropriate, we regularly work together with local lawyers and experts across different jurisdictions from both civil and common law systems.

Whether the contract provides for its own ad hoc arbitration or requires that the arbitration is held under specific rules, we are familiar with all the major institutions including:

  • International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
  • International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID)
  • London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA)
  • Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC)
  • Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC)

Finally, we do not forget that sometimes court proceedings are necessary. There are an increasing number of court cases in support of, or challenging agreements to, arbitration. We can advise you on the merits or otherwise of bringing or defending these claims as well as assisting you in choosing the right strategy for enforcing or challenging arbitral awards.

The client, a government authority, sought help over claims brought by a contractor, under the FIDIC Orange book, following a dispute over a new environmental process facility. Fenwick Elliott represented the client during a number of hearings before the DAB.

Fenwick Elliott advised an international energy company on the legal options when its employer threatened to serve an anti-suit injunction which would prevent it from starting a claim in another jurisdiction.

Acting on behalf of a leading international oil and gas contractor in connection with disputes arising during the execution of a USD250 million oil refinery upgrade project, including defending two parallel ICC arbitrations.

Acting on behalf of a major international EPC contractor in connection with disputes arising during the construction of a gas-fired power station and multi-stage flash desalination plant in Kuwait, including ICC arbitration proceedings.

This adroitly developed team has surged into the international dispute resolution arena.
Chambers and Partners UK