London Practices — International Dispute Resolution

Orrick's international dispute resolution lawyers in London provide legal advice on and representation in commercial disputes for multinational companies and major institutions, particularly in the banking, construction, financial services, energy, insurance, oil and gas, telecommunications and transport fields. Our practice includes representation of clients before the English courts and in arbitrations under the auspices of all major international arbitration institutions, including the ICC and the LCIA, under UNCITRAL rules and under bilateral investment treaties. We also advise clients in relation to other dispute resolution methods, such as mediation.

We counsel clients on the drafting and enforcement of choice of law and choice of forum clauses and on effective risk management procedures. We also represent clients in judicial proceedings ancillary to international arbitrations, such as applications for discovery or interim relief in aid of foreign arbitrations and proceedings for the recognition and enforcement of international arbitral awards.

Commercial Litigation

We handle complex commercial litigation matters for clients before the English courts including applications for injunctive relief and freezing orders as well as enforcement proceedings. We also coordinate freezing injunctions in multiple jurisdictions.

Representative matters handled by Orrick's dispute resolution lawyers in London include:

• A $250 million oil trading claim between a major chemicals corporation and a state-owned entity in the Commercial Court.
• A bond trading dispute between a major construction company and bondholders including investing banks, for $250 million in the Commercial Court.
• A major international bank in a landmark Court of Appeal case concerning scope of worldwide freezing order obtained in support of a US claim in excess of $100 million. International Arbitration

The International Arbitration Group offers clients from around the world a wide range of mechanisms to resolve disputes outside the courts, including arbitration, mediation, conciliation and minitrials. With approximately 50 international arbitration lawyers located throughout Orrick's global network, including London, Moscow, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, New York and Paris, Orrick has the resources and ability to handle arbitration matters regardless of the venue. Our highly skilled arbitration practitioners and our global network of offices on three continents enable us effectively to serve clients throughout the world in international arbitration matters.

We have represented multinational clients in arbitrations under UNCITRAL rules and under the rules of the major international arbitral institutions, including, among others:

• International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID)
• International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
• London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA)
• London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA)

Representative arbitrations include:

• An ICC arbitration regarding a $250 million construction claim surrounding an oil terminal in the Baltic States.
• An LCIA arbitration between major US and Spanish utilities regarding a $30 million dispute over a lucrative coal supply contract and derivatives trading.
• A $500 million dispute before the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce regarding the validity of numerous reinsurance contracts.
• An LCIA arbitration between an Eastern European ship building company and a Greek ship management company over liability to pay a joint venture loan.