International Arbitration: Investor-State Arbitration
UK Guide 2025 : UK-wide
Band 3
Email address
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+44 20 3088 0000Chambers Review
A&O Shearman is highly regarded for its stellar track record in representing sovereign states and corporates in high-value investment treaty disputes. The firm has considerable experience carrying out its own advocacy before courts and tribunals. It is also adept at handling a number of other PIL matters, such as ECT and BIT claims, sovereign immunity concerns and international treaty drafting. The firm's practitioners regularly appear before tribunals under the auspices of UNCITRAL, ICSID and LCIA rules, among others. The team is experienced across a number of industries, acting for clients in the financial services, energy and telecoms sectors.
Work Highlights
- A&O Shearman defended the Kingdom of Cambodia in an investment treaty arbitration brought by two Chinese nationals for alleged breach of substantive protections under the ASEAN-China Agreement, concerning the termination of telecommunication licences. The damages sought are over USD250m.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"A&O Shearman is really quick to grasp the commercial realities of the situation and to advise on appropriate strategies."
"The teamwork was wonderful. Their service was excellent, and their feedback was fast and efficient."
"The team is very good. The quality of the team extends from the partners at the top to the most junior associate. They are clever and personable."
"I am very impressed with their skill and ability. They have a very sophisticated team-working system and can produce the best outcomes."
"A&O Shearman is really quick to grasp the commercial realities of the situation and to advise on appropriate strategies."
"The teamwork was wonderful. Their service was excellent, and their feedback was fast and efficient."
"The team is very good. The quality of the team extends from the partners at the top to the most junior associate. They are clever and personable."
"I am very impressed with their skill and ability. They have a very sophisticated team-working system and can produce the best outcomes."
Notable Practitioners
Mark Levy KC is a well-known arbitration specialist with a notable depth of expertise in the oil and gas sector. He often acts in arbitrations under LCIA rules and in disputes that involve complex political and foreign law issues.
"Mark Levy is a top quality lawyer who is an excellent team leader."
Mark is excellent. He is a delight to work with.
David Herlihy has a strong practice representing investors and sovereign states in high-value and often novel investment treaty claims. He demonstrates notable strength in ICSID disputes and has experience acting for European and Middle Eastern entities.
"David Herlihy provides contributions both as a trusted advisor, strategist and technical draftsman."
"He's excellent and has a great way of understanding complex issues and making them commercially understandable for the lay person. We rate him highly."
James Freeman has a wide-ranging arbitration practice, acting for major clients in the oil and gas, financial services and telecoms sectors in a range of LCIA, UNCITRAL and ICC proceedings.
"James is very cerebral and has very good legal instincts."
"James is very smart, he quickly grasps the gist of things. He provides excellent advice and is very experienced in energy arbitrations. He is a real benefit and it is a pleasure to work with him."
"James is a skillful advocate in complex arbitration matters."
Matthew Hodgson has wide-ranging experience in investment treaty arbitrations. He regularly represents both states and claimants in proceedings under ICSID and UNCITRAL rules. He has particular expertise in handling disputes stemming from joint ventures and energy projects.
"Matthew is a calm and competent hand on the tiller who inspires confidence in achieving good outcomes."
"He has excellent skills in understanding all the broader issues and the minutiae of a case, and can fight to achieve extraordinary results."
"Matthew is excellent. He takes lots of care and effort in his representation. He grasps complex issues with ease and presents them in such a simple and easy to understand manner."
"Matthew has a very strong reputation for his work in Asia."
"He is an excellent lead counsel, and his advocacy skill was very strong at the hearing."
Ranked Lawyers at
A&O Shearman
UK-wide