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Public international law
Our established team has advised on some of the highest profile and most complex arbitration matters globally and is highly regarded in the field.
We cover the full spectrum of international law work, ranging from advice on State-State disputes before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and issues of international law that arise before national courts to acting as counsel for parties in Investor-State disputes administered by the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).Whether you’re looking for advice on international investment law, land and maritime boundary disputes, the law of the sea, sovereign and diplomatic immunity, international sanctions, trade law (including WTO rules), international environmental law, human rights disputes (including before U.N. committees), international humanitarian law, the law of international organisations or enforcement – we can help.
Experience advising both investors and States
We have an established investor-state arbitration practice with numerous investment treaty arbitration cases, representing both international investors and sovereign states.
Our dedicated team works with clients around the world to resolve investor-State disputes under all the major arbitration rules, as well as ad hoc arbitrations across a wide range of sectors including, but not limited to, energy, natural resources, infrastructure, manufacturing, technology, construction and finance.
We have an experienced practice advising Governments on drafting investment treaties and investment legislation, a rare focus in private practice in the field of public international law.
International support to suit your needs
Made up of more than 20 lawyers worldwide, our team is spread across London, New York, Milan, Geneva, Singapore, Hong Kong and the British Virgin Islands. Our members are fluent in numerous languages, including French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Arabic, Chinese, Hindi and Turkish and are qualified in both common and civil law jurisdictions, with extensive experience working in international organisations and emerging markets. We act as strategic advisors, conducting our own oral advocacy in public international law and human rights matters. These key factors contribute to the strength of our practice.
We are able to advise a variety of clients, namely Governments, multinational corporations, international organisations, non-governmental organisations and individuals, in the context of sensitive disputes involving different regions of the world, including in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, CIS countries, Europe, Russia and Latin America.
An outstanding practice
Clients have praised our team’s ‘deep technical knowledge’ and ‘impressive ability to assess and navigate complex legal and factual situations’, whilst also acknowledging our ‘responsiveness and professionalism’ as being ‘of a very high order’ and appreciating our ‘excellent customer focus’.Members of the public international law team have also been commended for blending ‘strategic thinking with excellent client management skills’ and are known for their ‘practical and creative strategies’.
Track record
Advising a government client
Conducting an extensive project for a government client advising them on international investment law issues and drafting an innovative model bilateral investment treaty.
Advising a Caribbean government
Advising a Caribbean Government on a range of international investment law issues.
Advising a German investor
Advising a German investor in an ICSID investment treaty arbitration claim in relation to discrimination measures taken by an African State.
Advising a government in the Middle East
Advising a government in the Middle East on its investment treaty program.
Advising an Italian client
Advising an Italian client in a dispute over an investment in the energy sector and ICSID investment treaty arbitration claim against a European state. Our client is seeking damages for breach of fair and equitable treatment, expropriation and other treaty standards.
Representing a Mauritian energy company
Representing a Mauritian energy company as counsel and advocates in an investment treaty arbitration against Pakistan under the UNCITRAL arbitration rules.
UK-based services company
We advised a UK-based services company on sanctions at the UK, EU and US levels.
International environmental law
Advising a State in a potential State-to-State dispute in relation to international environmental law issues
Discrimination issues
Advising a State in relation to discrimination issues arising under a human right treaty
Law of international organizations
Advising a State on the law of international organizations and accession to an international organisation
Recognition
Our team
Hussein Haeri KC
Partner | London
Sir Geoffrey Cox KC
Consultant Global Counsel | London
Sherlin Tung
Registered Foreign Lawyer (New York) - Withers Hong Kong, Partner - Withersworldwide | Hong Kong
Sherlin Tung
Registered Foreign Lawyer (New York) - Withers Hong Kong, Partner - Withersworldwide | Hong Kong
Litigation and arbitration
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Shaun Leong
Partner | Singapore
Robert Kovacs
Partner | London
Aniruddha Rajput
Consultant, Public International Law and International Arbitration | London
Aniruddha Rajput
Consultant, Public International Law and International Arbitration | London
Litigation & Arbitration
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Chenthil Kumarasingam
Partner | Singapore
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