International Arbitration

International arbitration — in addition to cross-border litigation, mediation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), and international government investigations — is one of the four underpinnings of Chadbourne’s International Dispute Resolution (IDR) practice. As an overarching principle, we advise our clients on anticipatory planning, such as drafting appropriate arbitration clauses. Proactive dispute resolution starts at the contracting stage. Our lawyers are committed to strategically resolve conflicts in an efficient, creative and cost-effective manner for the client.

Experience with all major institutions and rules

We represent clients in both commercial and investor-state arbitration. In the commercial arena, our proceedings are often administered by global institutions such as

• the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
• the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR) of the American Arbitration Association (AAA)
• the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA)
• the International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution (CPR)

We also handle many cases in regional arbitration centers around the world, such as

• the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC)
• the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC)
• the Centro de Arbitraje de México (CAM)
• the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC)
• the German Institution of Arbitration (DIS)

Where sovereigns are involved, many of the disputes we handle are under the auspices of

• the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), including its Additional Facility Rules
• the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT)
• the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) or similar instruments
• the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and the World Trade Organization (WTO)

We also handle ad hoc proceedings, often governed by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Rules. Our pre-claim advice frequently consists of analyzing complex jurisdictional and substantive legal issues involving some of the more than 2,500 bi- and multilateral investment treaties (BITs) in place today.

Our internationally acclaimed insurance and reinsurance group has developed its own dispute resolution practice, covering all areas of insurance and reinsurance law, including trade, political and credit risks. These proceedings are often ad hoc arbitrations, handled by our specialists out of our London, NY and Washington, D.C. offices.

Many Chadbourne lawyers are also recognized as leading arbitrators, gaining invaluable insights which they use when acting as counsel.

Market Recognition

Industry publications such as Chambers, Global Arbitration Review, Legal 500, and PLC regularly recognize our international arbitration group as one of the leading practices in the world. In addition, on an individual basis, many of our arbitration specialists are honored as preeminent practitioners in their respective regional markets, such as Europe, Latin America, Russia/CIS, Middle East and the USA.

Global Arbitration Review has included Chadbourne in its coveted GAR 30 list -- indicating that our international arbitration practice is ranked among the thirty leading practices in the world.

Chambers Global (2010) ranks Chadbourne in the following categories:

• Global: Arbitration (International)
• Middle East
• Poland (also ranked in Chambers Europe)
• Russia (also ranked in Chambers Europe)
• United Arab Emirates

Chambers Global also lists the following Chadbourne arbitration specialists as "The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business (2010)":

• Oliver J. Armas
• Luis Enrique Graham
• Daniel J. Greenwald III
• Sylwester Pieckowski
• Mikhail A. Rozenberg  

Chambers Latin America (2010) ranks Chadbourne's International Arbitration Practice in the following areas:

• Latin America-wide: International Arbitration
• Mexico: International Trade/WTO

Chambers Latin America (2010) also lists the following Chadbourne arbitration specialists as "Latin America's Leading Lawyers for Business (2010)":

• Oliver J. Armas
• Luis Enrique Graham
• Thomas N. Pieper
• Ignacio Suarez Anzorena  

Chambers UK (2010) lists the following Chadbourne arbitration specialist as "UK Leading Lawyers for Business (2010)":

• Melanie Willems

Chambers USA (2010) ranks Chadbourne in the following category:

•  National & International Arbitration

Chambers USA (2010) also lists the following Chadbourne arbitration specialists as "U.S. Leading Lawyers for Business (2010)":

• Oliver J. Armas

International Approach

Our arbitration specialists practice law in many jurisdictions across the international landscape, in addition to their home office locations, and are closely familiar with common, civil and international law principles and their application in an international arbitral setting.

As a sign of our global scope, many Chadbourne lawyers speak several foreign languages and, therefore, can often provide a cultural bridge to better assist clients in various international matters. Indeed, we have speaking capability in over 40 languages. Many of our arbitration specialists are also trained in more than one jurisdiction.

Through our worldwide offices, we are well positioned to meet the needs of our clients wherever they operate. Chadbourne has represented clients in international disputes in more than 80 countries on six continents.

Industry Experience

Our arbitration experience encompasses a wide range of industry sectors. Specifically, we have a strong international energy practice with a major presence in renewable areas such as wind, solar, geothermal, biomass and biofuels, and substantial experience in traditional oil and gas industries, electric and gas utilities, natural gas pipelines and LNG. In the construction area, Chadbourne lawyers have handled all types of construction claims involving owners, developers, contractors, subcontractors, construction managers, suppliers and manufacturers. Our experience includes a wide range of cases from breach of contract claims, including delay damages, to major construction related personal injury matters, as well as, Dispute Resolution Boards (DRBs). We have also taken on disputes relating to environmental regulations and requirements and represent our clients in energy-related investor-state disputes. 

We also have significant experience in handling arbitrations involving industries such as Communications, Media and Technology; Food and Beverage; Mining and Metals; and Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices.

Representative Experience