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
Four wins for Wilberforce at Chambers UK Bar Awards 2023
We are absolutely delighted to have picked up four awards at last night’s Chambers UK Bar Awards! We are proud to announce that Wilberforce Chambers won the highly coveted ‘Set of the Year‘ award, as well as ‘Chancery Set of... Read more
Friday 1 December 2023
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Recent Cases
Supreme Court and Privy Council simultaneously deliver important judgments on arbitration stays
Commercial disputes, International / offshore, International arbitration
Thomas Lowe KC
Monday 25 September 2023
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Articles
The Separability Principle: the Newcastle Express Case
To read or download this article as a PDF, please click here. Ever since the House of Lords decision in Fiona Trust & Holding Corporation v Privalov [2007] UKHL 40, the principle of the separability of arbitration agreements has been... Read more
By Stuart Isaacs KC | Elizabeth Houghton
Monday 10 July 2023
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Articles
Mittal v Westbridge: Singapore Court of Appeal charts a novel course for pre-award arbitrability
To read or download this article as a PDF, please click here. Arbitrability is a hot topic in international commercial arbitration. There is a developing body of recent case-law, of which the most interesting and important is perhaps the decision... Read more
By Stuart Isaacs KC | Jia Wei Lee
Tuesday 9 May 2023
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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

Four wins for Wilberforce at Chambers UK Bar Awards 2023

Supreme Court and Privy Council simultaneously deliver important judgments on arbitration stays

The Separability Principle: the Newcastle Express Case

Mittal v Westbridge: Singapore Court of Appeal charts a novel course for pre-award arbitrability

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.