Africa and the Middle East

Representing Privinvest, a world leader in naval shipbuilding, in a USD 3.1bn high-profile, complex Commercial Court claim (now on appeal to the Court of Appeal) brought by the Republic of Mozambique against Credit Suisse, Privinvest, and others. The claim relates to supply agreements and supporting financial instruments and guarantees entered into by state-owned enterprises dedicated to the development of Mozambique’s offshore Exclusive Economic Zone and supporting international investment into its oil and gas reserves. The claim engages allegations of bribery of Mozambican government officials. An appeal on issues of sovereign immunity featured in The Lawyer's Top 10 Appeals of 2024. Following judgment against Privinvest (though in which most of Mozambique's allegations failed), Privinvest obtained permission to appeal on numerous grounds, including on whether a fair trial was possible in light of established disclosure breaches by Mozambique. The appeal is listed to be heard by the Court of Appeal in June 2026.

Representing a country in the MENA region in an ICSID dispute with the total claim value in excess of USD 5bn in relation to an investment into the operation of a telecoms company in Algeria.

Representing a natural gas seller in a series of CRCICA arbitrations in Cairo and Madrid commenced by the buyer and owner of a liquefaction plant and arising out of a tolling agreement and a related long-term gas supply agreement with the total value of claims exceeding USD 4bn.

Representing two international construction contractors who were respondents in a USD 3.7bn ICC arbitration in London initiated by a Middle Eastern State-owned company. The dispute concerned the development of a world-class medical facility in the Middle East.

Representing a country in the MENA region in a USD 2.6bn ad hoc arbitration involving issues of full protection and security, expropriation and fair and equitable treatment in the context of the Arab Spring events and concerning an investment into local infrastructure (eg. water supply, roads) in remote regions.

Representing an oil and gas company from the MENA region in a s.67 and s.68 of the Arbitration Act 1996 challenge of a liability award rendered against it in an ad hoc arbitration against an oil and gas company from the same region where the value of claims was in excess of USD 2bn.

Representing a North American heavy equipment supplier and contractor in a USD 2bn dispute under the Rules of Arbitration Foundation of South Africa (AFSA) against a national energy company arising out of two major electricity infrastructure projects and involving issues of delays, disruption and defects.

Representing a South African multinational mobile telecommunications company in a USD 1bn ICC dispute with its JV consortium partners arising out of a tender for a mobile licence in a Middle Eastern state.

Representing a group of North American and European investors in a USD 1bn+ dispute against an African country under a multilateral investment treaty in relation to legal restrictions, economic measures, and fines targeting multi-billion USD investments in the financial and retail sector.

Representing a global logistics company in a number of ICC arbitration and mediation proceedings, Lebanese arbitration proceedings, as well as a number of court and regulatory proceedings in various jurisdictions, in relation to multiple shareholder and finance disputes with a total value in excess of USD 1bn.

Representing a leading logistics company in a USD 1bn ICSID arbitration against a country in the MENA region in connection with the expropriation of its investment in the telecommunications sector.

Acting for a MENA State in defending a USD 600m UNICTRAL arbitration brought by a leading Middle Eastern mobile operator arising out of a tender process for a private GSM licence and a change in the local legislation. The dispute involved issues of indirect expropriation and violation of FET standards.

Representing a MENA State in defending a USD 500mn claim brought by a UAE construction company in ad hoc/UNCITRAL arbitration under the Organisation of the Islamic Conference Agreement relating to the termination of its investment in the host State and involving issues of expropriation and fair and equitable treatment.

Representing a Middle Eastern fund as the Respondent in a USD 500m ICC arbitration dispute seated in Paris commenced by a leading football club. This dispute arose from a sports sponsorship agreement.

Representing a MENA State in defending a USD 500m claim brought by a UAE construction company in ad hoc/UNCITRAL arbitration under the Organisation of the Islamic Conference Agreement relating to the termination of its investment in the host State, and involving issues of expropriation and fair and equitable treatment

Representing one of the world's largest mining companies in a USD 500m investment treaty UNCITRAL claim against Liberia relating to a lucrative iron ore mining project and involving issues of expropriations and allegations of conspiracy between the state and another mining conglomerate.

Representing a global conglomerate engaged in the procurement and export of agricultural commodities with operations across Africa, in relation to a USD 400m investment treaty arbitration against an East African State and involving allegations of expropriation of the investor’s goods and other malfeasances.

Representing a global conglomerate engaged in the procurement and export of agricultural commodities with operations across Africa, in relation to a USD 400m investment treaty arbitration against an East African State and involving allegations of expropriation of the investor’s goods and other malfeasances.

Representing a North African telecoms company against the same North African country in enforcement proceedings of an investment treaty award in its favour with the total value of the award in excess of USD 200m. The issues at the enforcement stage included the ability to enforce against State assets, and whether assets of state-owned entities can be enforced against.

Representing an international logistics company in a USD 150mn ICC dispute against the Port Authority of an African State arising out of a concession agreement related to the management and operation of a container terminal and involving contractual exclusivity provisions.

Representing a country in the MENA region against a company from the same region in resisting the enforcement of an ICSID award for the total value in excess of USD 100mn on the basis of state immunity issues.

Representing a major Asian NOC against a Sub-Saharan entity in a USD 100m SCAI dispute arising out of a cooperation agreement concerning upstream and downstream projects in Algeria which involved issues of contract validity, contractual performance and corruption.

Representing an African telecom infrastructure company in USD 50mn ICC dispute with an African telecom provide arising out of an infrastructure license agreement and involving issues relating to mobile tower installation requirements and license payments.

Representing a London-based publicly listed mining company in relation to a USD 25m investment treaty dispute against a Sub-Saharan African country relating to adverse retroactive tax measures.

Representing a MENA State in defending a USD 20m ICC claim brought by a Turkish construction company relating to non-payment of government’s debts under a settlement agreement relating to multiple public works projects, and involving issues of denial of justice and expropriation.

Representing an international oil major in a USD 20m LCIA dispute against an African beneficiary of indemnities under the SPA for the sale of a downstream fuel distribution and sales business in a Sub-Saharan African country. The dispute concerned the scope of indemnities and CPs for enforcement of indemnities.

Representing a Middle East drilling contractor against subsidiaries of a large Asian oilfield services company in a USD 18m SIAC dispute concerning the hiring of offshore oil rigs for the purpose of drilling oil wells in Iranian waters. The case involved issues of the scope of the arbitration agreement and interpretation of contractual payment clauses.

Representing a French logistics company in ICC arbitration proceedings in connection with a multi-million USD claim arising under a tax indemnity relating to services provided to a North American mining company in West Africa.

Representing an African subsidiary of an English listed company in a multi-million USD London seat ad hoc arbitration against an African supplier arising out of an agreement for the supply of chemical products required for the operation of a gold mine in Africa.

Advising a global insurance company in relation to a EUR 10m coverage dispute between a leading energy company, the insured, and its customers in the Middle East in relation to the supply and installation of photovoltaic panels. Parallel actions against the panels' manufacturers in Asia.

Representing an oil & gas company in a significant dispute arising out of the poor performance under a contract for the drilling of an oil well in Africa.

Advising a Middle Eastern investment company that owns a luxury hotel labelled palace (The Savoy) in London on making a significant PDBI (Property Damage and Business Interruption) claim following the London Bridge terrorist attacks in London in 2017.