International Arbitration: Commercial Arbitration
UK Guide 2025 : UK-wide
Band 5
Contact number
(020) 7065 6000About
Provided by Vinson & Elkins LLP
V&E’s London arbitration team remains proud of our energy sector roots, developed on the back of our firm’s decade-long accolade as the “World’s Leading Energy Firm”. But, after significant but careful expansion over the last six years, now, we are much more. Please note the South Stream matter below, on behalf of Saipem, as an example of our recent high-profile work.
We lead on multiple arbitrations and DAB proceedings and several related court proceedings for one of the largest construction disputes in the world right now – the Panama Canal Expansion project. We lead on Iraq’s dispute in arbitration with Turkey over the KRG’s use of the Iraq-Turkey Pipeline to circumvent Iraq’s control of exports and in the litigation in the US courts over the KRG’s attempts to import that oil into the US. We successfully established that Indonesia had illegally brought a criminal prosecution against investors in the banking sector. We are suing Costa Rica in relation to an aborted tourism project. In addition to construction and international law, we are insurance. Through 10 arbitrations against an entire tower of reinsurers, we have collected (not merely won) hundreds of millions of dollars for our client, Teva Pharmaceuticals of Israel. We are intellectual property. We have won – and enforced – rights of franchise holders in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. We are global – in arbitrations and courts from Asia to the Americas.
Chambers Review
Vinson & Elkins fields a strong international arbitration practice out of its London office. The team is highly adept at handling commercial arbitrations, regularly arising out of the energy and construction sectors. The firm also takes instructions on behalf of sovereign states and significant corporate entities based across Latin America, Africa and the Middle East.
Work Highlights
- Vinson & Elkins is representing the Republic of Iraq and the Ministry of Oil of the Republic of Iraq in two ICC arbitrations against the Republic of Turkey.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The team supported us through the whole process with their knowledge and expertise in international commercial arbitration."
"We were very impressed with their knowledge and skillsets as well as their inclusive and approachable manner."
"Vinson & Elkins is compact, efficient and cost effective. They provide a really good service."
"The team supported us through the whole process with their knowledge and expertise in international commercial arbitration."
"We were very impressed with their knowledge and skillsets as well as their inclusive and approachable manner."
"Vinson & Elkins is compact, efficient and cost effective. They provide a really good service."
Notable Practitioners
Louise Woods has a broad practice that covers both investment treaty and commercial arbitration. Her impressive client list includes organisations from a wide spectrum of industries, although she has notable strength in advising clients from the energy sector.
"Louise is an outstanding lawyer with in-depth knowledge about arbitration. She has done an outstanding job for us."
"Louise is excellent, on top of the detail, and very client focused."
"Louise has been very pragmatic in her approach. She has helped us very well in formulating our strategies."
"Louise is very good. She knows how to deal with the other side and also the arbitration panel. Her advice is strong at a strategic and tactical level."
James Barratt is a partner in Fried Frank's Litigation team. He has represented his clients, including multinational corporations, institutional investors and governments, in arbitrations spanning a variety of jurisdictions and rules. He has particular expertise in restructuring.
"James is very commercial. He is dedicated and responsive. You know you are in safe hands with James and he always does what is best for the client."
"James is a brilliant lawyer. He is very experienced and he knows a lot about international arbitration."
"James is very experienced and a very good lawyer."
Ranked Lawyers at
Vinson & Elkins LLP
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