Wilberforce is the go-to set for tricky cases that sit at the interface between different areas of law.

Chambers & Partners 2024

International arbitration

Our barristers routinely appear as counsel in international arbitrations covering all areas of Chambers’ practice including disputes relating to commercial contracts, joint ventures and partnerships, trusts, companies, property and projects.

Our members are familiar with the rules of the major arbitration forums including LCIA, ICC, UNCITRAL, SCC, SIAC, WIPO and ICSID. They are particularly well placed to argue cases in offshore jurisdictions, such as the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Cyprus. Other jurisdictions in which recent arbitrations have taken place include Russia, Ukraine, India, the US, Hong Kong, Singapore and the Middle East.

Our barristers often appear in national courts in matters relating to arbitration proceedings, for example, to seek anti-suit injunctions or interim remedies in support of arbitration, or to appeal or challenge awards.

Notable cases

Represented the petitioner in the FamilyMart Privy Council case which decided how to define and identify the “matters” which give rise to stay of legal proceedings in favour of arbitration (in England under Section 9 Arbitration Act 1996)

A multibillion-dollar arbitration arising out of a long term gas supply agreement.

Arbitration relating to Chinese commodity fraud. The claim gave rise to a number of issues of English law (ambit of warranty of quiet possession and status of warehouse receipts as documents of title) as well as Chinese law.

A breach of contract arbitration relating to a joint venture for the exploration and development of an oil and gas field in the Middle East.

Dispute between joint venturers concerns ownership of shares. The claimant commenced DIFC/LCIA arbitration and proceedings in the DIFC courts to obtain an injunction in aid of the arbitration.

A claim for substantial sums due under a long-term project agreement under which the applicant provided clinical services to the population of the Turks and Caicos.

LCIA arbitration acting for the claimant bank seeking to recover US$400 million from a defaulting debtor and its guarantors.

Arbitral proceedings in Dubai, and DIFC court proceedings in aid of the arbitration, in a dispute between joint venturers, with an alleged value of US$180 million.

LCIA arbitration for an ‘app’ development company, which was in dispute with a major telecoms manufacturer over breach of an installation contract.

DIFC-LCIA arbitration case to defend a building contractor against a US$10 million claim brought by a sub-contractor. We also helped the contractor oppose an application in the DIFC court for a freezing injunction in aid of these arbitral proceedings.

English arbitration law before the Cypriot court in an application for a worldwide freezing injunction against a Cypriot entity in support of LCIA arbitration proceedings.

Major European spare parts company defend a multi-million pound ICC arbitration claim for breach of warranty following sale of the business.

Major ICC construction arbitration in Saudi Arabia.

Hedge fund involved in complex derivative trading in a LCIA arbitration following a dispute between partners.

Insights View all thought leadership

News
Wilberforce shortlisted for Chambers of the Year at The Lawyer Awards 2024
We are delighted to announce that Wilberforce Chambers has been shortlisted at this year’s The Lawyer Awards for Chambers of the Year! Winners will be announced on Tuesday 18th June at London’s JW Marriott Grosvenor House Hotel. We are incredibly... Read more
Friday 12 April 2024
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Articles
A Nigerian tragedy: how to set aside a US$11 billion arbitral award
John Grocott-Barrett and Ernest Leung have written an article for TL4’s FIRE Starters magazine on ‘A Nigerian tragedy: how to set aside a US$11 billion arbitral award’, where they analyse Federal Republic of Nigeria v Process and Industrial Developments Limited.... Read more
By John Grocott-Barrett | Ernest Leung
Monday 4 March 2024
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Articles
English anti-suit injunctions in aid of arbitration agreements with a foreign seat
Article by Stuart Isaacs KC and Daniel Petrides, 22nd February 2024 To read or download this article as a PDF, please click here. The recent Court of Appeal decision in Unicredit Bank GmbH v RusChemAlliance LLC [2024] EWCA Civ 64... Read more
By Stuart Isaacs KC | Daniel Petrides
Thursday 22 February 2024
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News
Leading junior James Man joins Wilberforce Chambers
Wilberforce is delighted to announce that James Man has joined Chambers. James’s established reputation and experience in commercial and trusts disputes adds to the existing pool of talent in our core specialist areas and supports our litigation and arbitration practices... Read more
Wednesday 31 January 2024
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Upcoming events View all events

External Conferences
London International Disputes Week 2024
Thursday 6th June 2024
London
Speakers:
Joanne Wicks KC
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View all events

Past events View all past events

External Conferences
CIArb EAB Evening Talk: “What No Longer Matters In Light of the ‘FamilyMart / Mozambique’ Cases”
Thursday 30th November 2023 | 7pm
Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKAC), 38/F Two Exchange Square, 8 Connaught Place, Central, Hong Kong.
Free (CIArb Members), HKD 200 (Non-CIArb Members)
Speakers:
Thomas Lowe KC
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External Conferences
The Great Parliamentary Debate with Asserson Law Offices at Tel-Aviv Arbitration Week
28th February 2023
28th Floor, Square Tower, Azrieli Center, Derech Menachem Begin Tel Aviv-Yafo
Speakers:
Alan Gourgey KC
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External Conferences
CIArb Annual Conference – Panel Discussion
Friday 5 November 2021 | 10.30pm - 12.30pm
Ibadan, Nigeria | Online,
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External Conferences
BVI Arbitration Week: The arbitration of international trust disputes
Tuesday 2 November 2021 | 11am - 1pm
Online, YouTube
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View all past events

Related Barristers

Barristers: KCs

Barristers: Juniors

International arbitration

Notable cases

Represented the petitioner in the FamilyMart Privy Council case which decided how to define and identify the “matters” which give rise to stay of legal proceedings in favour of arbitration (in England under Section 9 Arbitration Act 1996)

A multibillion-dollar arbitration arising out of a long term gas supply agreement.

Arbitration relating to Chinese commodity fraud. The claim gave rise to a number of issues of English law (ambit of warranty of quiet possession and status of warehouse receipts as documents of title) as well as Chinese law.

A breach of contract arbitration relating to a joint venture for the exploration and development of an oil and gas field in the Middle East.

Dispute between joint venturers concerns ownership of shares. The claimant commenced DIFC/­LCIA arbitration and proceedings in the DIFC courts to obtain an injunction in aid of the arbitration.

A claim for substantial sums due under a long-term project agreement under which the applicant provided clinical services to the population of the Turks and Caicos.

LCIA arbitration acting for the claimant bank seeking to recover US$400 million from a defaulting debtor and its guarantors.

Arbitral proceedings in Dubai, and DIFC court proceedings in aid of the arbitration, in a dispute between joint venturers, with an alleged value of US$180 million.

LCIA arbitration for an ‘app’ development company, which was in dispute with a major telecoms manufacturer over breach of an installation contract.

DIFC-LCIA arbitration case to defend a building contractor against a US$10 million claim brought by a sub-contractor. We also helped the contractor oppose an application in the DIFC court for a freezing injunction in aid of these arbitral proceedings.

English arbitration law before the Cypriot court in an application for a worldwide freezing injunction against a Cypriot entity in support of LCIA arbitration proceedings.

Major European spare parts company defend a multi-million pound ICC arbitration claim for breach of warranty following sale of the business.

Major ICC construction arbitration in Saudi Arabia.

Hedge fund involved in complex derivative trading in a LCIA arbitration following a dispute between partners.

Insights View all thought leadership

Wilberforce shortlisted for Chambers of the Year at The Lawyer Awards 2024

A Nigerian tragedy: how to set aside a US$11 billion arbitral award

English anti-suit injunctions in aid of arbitration agreements with a foreign seat

Leading junior James Man joins Wilberforce Chambers

Upcoming events View all events

London International Disputes Week 2024

Past events View all past events

CIArb EAB Evening Talk: “What No Longer Matters In Light of the ‘FamilyMart / Mozambique’ Cases”

The Great Parliamentary Debate with Asserson Law Offices at Tel-Aviv Arbitration Week

CIArb Annual Conference – Panel Discussion

BVI Arbitration Week: The arbitration of international trust disputes

Dispute between joint venturers concerns ownership of shares. The claimant commenced DIFC/LCIA arbitration and proceedings in the DIFC courts to obtain an injunction in aid of the arbitration.