International Arbitration

A growing proportion of our work comes from projects or disputes which originate outside the UK and which are often dealt with by way of international arbitration. Members of Keating Chambers are recognised as leaders in the field, both as counsel and arbitrators, and, with a number of international members (who are permanently based in either Australia, Hong Kong or Singapore) our expertise extends worldwide.

Our reputation in respect of overseas work is reflected in the breadth of international clients and projects in which Keating Chambers have been involved. Our international arbitration experience predominantly involves large scale construction and infrastructure projects, energy and power plants and shipbuilding disputes.

Our barristers act in high value arbitrations for clients all over the world, including Abu Dhabi, Australia, Brazil, Dubai, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, Norway, Qatar, South Korea, Russia, Singapore, Oman, South Africa, South America, the Caribbean, and the USA. Their experience brings a familiarity of both procedural and substantive law in numerous jurisdictions, and of the rules and procedures particular to the various institutions.

In addition to our full-time arbitrators, senior members of Chambers are often appointed as arbitrators by many of the world’s leading appointing bodies, such as the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) and other overseas centres including Dubai (DIAC), Hong Kong (HKIAC), Malaysia (KLRAC) and Singapore (SIAC). They are also appointed directly by parties to arbitrations under ICSID and UNCITRAL rules. Please contact our designated ADR clerk, Oliver Goldsmith, for more details.

Investment Treaty Arbitration

Typically around 7% of ICSID arbitrations are construction-related, and 13-17% are energy-related. Today, the investment treaty framework is undergoing significant change. So too is investment arbitration, ranging from host nations’ withdrawals from the Washington Convention to new treaty clauses which seek to alter the scope of investor protection, recent treaty terminations, and current efforts to replace investment tribunals with investment courts.

Members of Keating Chambers have been involved in investment arbitration disputes as counsel and expert witness. They have advised on, negotiated and drafted investment treaties, and also advised on investment arbitration rules. We are therefore uniquely able to combine our strengths in construction and energy disputes and in international arbitration with expertise in investment arbitration.