John McMillan
Call: 2012
Email: jmcmillan@keatingchambers.com
Tel: +44 (0)20 7544 2600
John McMillan is a “talented barrister” who is “really analytical” (Chambers and Partners, 2022). Clients say that he “has real star quality,” is able to “process large volumes of information at light speed,” and is “very strong on his feet” (Legal 500, 2022).
He specialises in commercial arbitration and litigation, with a focus on the construction, engineering, energy, and technology sectors.
He has particular expertise in international commercial arbitration. He has advised on or acted in arbitrations under the ICC, LCIA, SIAC, UNCITRAL, SCC, NAI and ICSID rules, involving common-law, civil-law and international-law issues. John frequently speaks and publishes on topics related to international arbitration, and was the assistant editor of the Journal of International Arbitration for several years. He is ranked by both Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500 in the field of international arbitration.
John acts in construction and engineering disputes domestically and internationally. Recent work has included:
- acting as sole counsel in multi-million pound High Court litigation regarding the construction of an automotive manufacturing facility in East Asia;
- acting for an Australian contractor in a billion dollar arbitration concerning near-shore marine works at a gas processing facility;
- acting for a design and build contractor in linked High Court and adjudication proceedings relating to cladding works at a high-rise building in London; and
- acting in a series of high value FIDIC Dispute Board hearings regarding the construction of two power stations in Africa.
John also handles general commercial disputes, including recently:
- acting as sole counsel in a USD 20 million arbitration regarding the sale of a number of aircraft;
- representing an oil company in a number of disputes arising from a JOA for an offshore oil concession;
- acting in multiple post-M&A disputes in East Asia; and
- advising a Hong Kong property development company on a complex, multi-jurisdictional loan transaction.
Having studied Chinese at Oxford University, John speaks and reads Chinese. He has acted in disputes for and against Chinese clients, in which he has been required to review Chinese-language documents.
His international work has included disputes in China, Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore, Australia, Germany, Ghana, Angola, South Africa, Uruguay, Brazil, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, India and Pakistan, among other jurisdictions.
Construction & Engineering disputes have always been central to John’s practice. Recent highlights include:
- Representing the claimants in $180m arbitration relating to the construction of an underground metro station
- Representing the claimant in a series of high-value FIDIC Dispute Board hearings relating to the construction of two power stations in Africa
- Acting as sole counsel in High Court litigation regarding the construction of an automotive manufacturing facility in East Asia
- Acting in a number of High Court and adjudication proceedings relating to cladding works on high-rise buildings in the UK
- Representing a State in relation to a $200 million dispute arising from the construction of a major road, involving several FIDIC Dispute Board proceedings and a SIAC arbitration
- Representing South American clients in an $85 million ICC arbitration relating to the construction of a biofuels facility in South America
- Representing a European contractor in two ICC arbitrations (one against the employer and one against a subcontractor) relating to the construction of an industrial facility in South America
- Representing a global oilfield services company in an ICC arbitration relating to the drilling of oil wells in the Middle East
- Acting for a major international contractor in an adjudication relating to delays to a multi-use development in London
- Acting for a multinational engineering firm in relation to the design of a number of hospitals in the Middle East
- Representing a cladding subcontractor in relation to a series of adjudications regarding the redevelopment of a railway station
- Acting for a sports surface contractor in an adjudication relating to alleged defects to an artificial sports surface
John has experience of the FIDIC, NEC, JCT and LOGIC forms.
John has wide experience of energy & natural resources disputes, especially in the oil and gas sector. Recent highlights include:
- Representing an Australian contractor in a billion dollar arbitration concerning near-shore marine works at a gas processing facility
- Representing an oil and gas exploration company in a $60 million ICC arbitration arising from a joint operating agreement for an offshore oil concession in West Africa
- Representing a global oilfield services company in an ICC arbitration relating to the drilling of oil wells in the Middle East
- Advising on enforcement of an arbitral award relating to a multi-billion dollar dispute arising from the development of gas fields in Northern Iraq
- Advising on rights of pre-emption in a joint operating agreement
- Representing South American clients in an ICC arbitration relating to the construction of a biofuels facility in South America
John has advised on or acted in arbitrations under the ICC, LCIA, SIAC, UNCITRAL, ICC, NAI and ICSID rules, involving common-law, civil-law and international-law issues. Recent highlights include:
- Representing an airline in a $20 million LCIA arbitration relating to the purchase of a number of aircraft
- Representing an Australian contractor in a billion dollar arbitration concerning near-shore marine works at a gas processing facility
- Representing a Chinese company in a $1 billion ICC arbitration arising from purchase of a company in another East Asian jurisdiction
- Representing a leading European manufacturing company in a multi-billion dollar ICC arbitration relating to disputes with a major Japanese manufacturer
- Representing a financial institution in a $200 million LCIA arbitration relating to the alleged negligent valuation of complex assets
- Representing an American healthcare company in a $150 million ICC arbitration relating to an agreement to develop a pharmaceutical facility in the Middle East
- Acting as secretary to the tribunal in an ICC arbitration relating to disputes between a State and a European engineering company
John has also advised on investor-State arbitrations, including:
- Advising on a jurisdictional dispute arising from an arbitration under the Energy Charter Treaty
- Advising a State entity on its international-law obligations arising from an investor-State arbitral award
- Advising on an ICSID arbitration claim
Further examples of John’s arbitration experience can be found under Construction & Engineering and Energy & Natural Resources.
John has wide experience of commercial disputes and frequently advises on post-M&A, joint venture and sale of goods disputes. Recent highlights include:
- Advising a Hong Kong property development company on a complex, multi-jurisdictional loan transaction
- Advising an American technology company in relation to a $1 billion post-M&A dispute with a Chinese technology company
- Advising an American food and beverage company in relation to a $200 million post- M&A dispute with Chinese investors
- Advising a European aviation company on disputes arising from an engine maintenance contract
- Advising an American pharmaceutical company on a patent licensing dispute with a British company
- Advising a joint venture in West Africa on a sale of goods dispute with a vendor
Further examples of John experience of commercial disputes can be found under Construction & Engineering, Energy & Natural Resources, and International Arbitration.
John also has experience of professional negligence disputes. He has acted in:
- High Court litigation regarding the hydraulic modelling for river diversion works
- An ICC arbitration relating to the design of a biofuels facility
- An LCIA arbitration relating to the valuation of complex assets
- Linked High Court and adjudication proceedings relating to cladding on a high-rise block in London
| Case | Date |
|---|---|
| URS Corp Ltd v BDW Trading Ltd | 23 February 2023 |
