Our lawyers specialise in complex, multi-jurisdictional arbitration law.
Based in Central London, our arbitration solicitors have the expertise, resources, and sheer intelligence required to advise and represent individuals and companies involved in arbitration hearings, enforcing arbitration awards, and drafting arbitration agreements.
Our solicitors have conducted UK based and international arbitrations before the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), and numerous other institutions.
We are also experienced in advising and representing clients in ad hoc arbitrations applying the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) rules.
Relevant Work
We are one of the few law firms that have extensive experience in UK, EU, US, and UN sanctions and can advise on drafting arbitration agreements and enforcing awards that are impacted by sanctions.
Commercial Litigation & Arbitration
- Bruno Arboit -v- Kei Kin Hung [2024] EWHC 3399 (Ch) – Acted for the Respondent, a very high-net worth individual from Hong Kong, in the recognition of a Hong Kong bankruptcy of over £1 billion under the Cross-Border Insolvency Regulations 2006. Successfully resisted under Article 21 of the UNCITRAL Model Law on the basis that the Joint Trustees had used material potentially in contempt of court.
- Re Gate Ventures plc [2020] EWHC 709 (Ch) – Acted for various shareholders in obtaining an administration order against a company that had raised over £24.5 million from nearly 3,000 mainly Chinese shareholders. The case attracted significant media attention as the company was chaired by former BBC boss Lord Grade and had provided an unexplained loan of £500,000 to the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson. After successfully obtaining an order for an administrator to be appointed, we investigated claims against the company to trace and recover the misappropriated investments.
- Quaradeghini -v- Mischon De Reya [2020] 4 WLR 34 – Acting for the Claimant in overturning strike out for want of prosecution on appeal.
- Energie Direct Franchising Limited -v- Star Gym [2019] EWHC 2100 – Acted for the Defendant in a franchise dispute, and successfully dismissed Claimant’s claim following a 7 day trial in the High Court.
- Al-Rawas -v- Hassan Khan & Co [2017] EWCA Civ 42 – Acting for the Appellants in co-joined appeals on the meaning of s.35 of the Limitation Act 1980.
- Acting for an ultra high net worth individual in a common law debt claim in excess of £800 million, arising out of a judgment from China
- Acting for an ultra high net worth individual in possession proceedings and interim charging order proceedings relating to the ownership of highly valuable properties in London, with a combined value of c. £80 million.
- Acted for a multi-national European company in civil fraud and asset recovery proceedings arising out of an arbitration award issued in a European arbitration centre. Successfully obtained freezing injunctions, and insolvency and bankruptcy orders in order to trace and recover the Defendants’ assets in Europe, the United Arab Emirates and various offshore jurisdictions, including the British Virgin Islands.
- Acted for a Kazakh quasi-state entity in an UNCITRAL arbitration before the LCIA against one of the world’s largest multilateral development banks.
- Acting for a Kazakh quasi-state entity in an arbitration before the London Maritime Arbitrators’ Association.
- Acting on behalf of a multi-national construction company in an ICC arbitration against Shell Iraq Petroleum.
- Advising a Kazakh quasi-state entity in an action against an Azeri state oil company regarding the delivery of Azeri light crude oil.
- Acting for numerous franchisees in fraudulent misrepresentations claims against the former CEO of UK based franchisor, operating over 100 gyms in the UK, Central Europe and the Middle East. The claims were brought on the basis of fraudulent misrepresentations made to the franchisees regarding the performance and profitability of the franchise business. Successfully pierced the corporate veil by bringing the claims against the former CEO, eventually obtaining judgment and initiating insolvency proceedings to recover assets.
- Acting for a Kazakh quasi-state entity in an UNCITRAL arbitration before the LCIA against one of the largest European development banks. Reduced quantum significantly following trial, and then provided advice on appeal inter alia.
- Acting for a Latvian multi-national company in fraud proceedings arising out of an Arbitration before the German Arbitration Institution (DIS). Successfully applied to have the Award before DIS recognised before the High Court of London, and then applied to enforce the Award. Now proceeding with contempt and insolvency proceedings, including a winding up and bankruptcy order.
- Advising a multi-national corporate, through its UK based director, on an ICC arbitration against Shell plc, arising out of a dispute over JCT construction contracts for projects carried out for Shell plc in Basra, Iraq. A referral was issued to the ICC and the matter resolved through dispute resolution
Our Lawyers
-
+447903733137
-
+4402038755629
Make Your Enquiry
Frequently Asked Questions
What is arbitration?
Commercial litigation is stressful and expensive. Arbitration provides an alternative dispute resolution method that is generally faster, cheaper, and more effective, especially in cross-border disputes.
Parties to a dispute must agree to arbitrate. A neutral third party, known as the Arbitrator, will preside over an arbitration hearing and make a binding decision which, thanks to various international conventions, can be enforced in overseas jurisdictions.
Arbitration in England and Wales is governed by the Arbitration Act 1996.
What is an arbitration agreement?
An arbitration agreement provides not only an agreement between the parties to arbitrate, but also a framework for how the arbitration will be conducted. Details of an agreement, which our team of expert arbitration lawyers will draft for you, can include:
- The law governing the agreement.
- The jurisdiction that determines the procedural law governing the arbitration.
- Whether the arbitration will be institutional, whereby the process is administered by an arbitration body, or ad hoc, where the arbitration is conducted independently.
- The procedural rules that govern how the arbitration is conducted.
- The language in which all arbitration proceedings and documents are communicated.
- How the Arbitrator will be appointed and the expertise they must have.
Our Solicitors will ensure we understand your business and the cultural norms of the market and jurisdiction in which you operate so you can be confident that your arbitration agreement is tailored to reflect the commercial realities of your venture/partnership.
Can your Arbitration Lawyers advise on the New York Convention?
The Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards, commonly known as the New York Convention (NYC), has been signed by over 160 countries (including the UK) and is the main instrument of international arbitration. Countries that have signed the Convention will recognise and enforce awards made in States other than the one in which recognition and enforcement of the award is sought. For example, if an arbitration award is made in the UK, it can be recognised and enforced in Australia. This makes arbitration an extremely effective option for resolving cross-border commercial disputes.
What is the LCIA?
The London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) is one of the world’s leading centres for resolving commercial disputes. Over 80 per cent of arbitrating parties who use the LCIA are international, reflecting the fact that London is the number one place for commercial dispute resolution.
LCIA arbitration is governed by the LCIA Rules 2020 and is administered by the LCIA Secretariat, based at the International Dispute Resolution Centre (IDRC) in London.
Can Eldwick Solicitors help me regarding arbitration matters?
Our experienced team of London based Arbitration Solicitors will:
- Advise and assist with the selection of Arbitrators (in line with the terms of the arbitration agreement).
- Advise on the law governing the arbitration and how this will affect your position.
- Inform you about arbitration costs.
- Gather evidence and witness statements.
- Prepare written submissions that are presented to the Arbitrator.
- Explain the award to you and advise on enforcement options, including the provisions of international conventions.
Why Choose Us?
What differentiates us from other law firms is our focus on niche practice areas and the commitment of our team to getting results. We carefully listen to your objectives and work strategically to meet them. Our Solicitors have a deep understanding of commercial, civil, and arbitration law and are 100% focused on achieving fast, positive outcomes.
To make an appointment with our Arbitration Solicitors, please get in touch with us at mail@eldwicklaw.com or phone our London office at +44 (0) 2039728469.