Investor-State Arbitration in Europe

As part of Debevoise’s European arbitration and international disputes capabilities, the team includes the world’s foremost investor-state arbitration practice. It is regularly engaged on cases involving state-to-state and billion dollar investor state claims, where its experience in public international law provides it with a significant advantage.

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Contacts

Lord Goldsmith QC

Patrick Taylor

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A real powerhouse. Not only do they handle a significant volume of work in this field but they are thought leaders, they can handle complex matters better than almost anyone else and they're hard to beat.

—Chambers Global, 2019

Recognition

Ranked in the top tier for Investor-State Arbitration and Public International Law.

“Very obviously stands out as being one of the best. They understand how to do things internationally and create a team that works well together.”

“They bring an incredible strategic perspective and see around corners.”

“They are undoubtedly an exceptional firm and have such strength in depth.”

—Chambers UK, 2019

Lord Goldsmith, QC, Wendy Miles, Tony Dymond, Patrick Taylor and Samantha Rowe included in The Legal 500 International Arbitration Powerlist.

Ranked as a leading law firm for International Arbitration.

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is “absolutely top rate; the work is of exceptionally high level, with great research, superb drafting skills and quick response times.”

—The Legal 500 UK, 2018

Debevoise named in top band for International Arbitration – Global-wide, Public International Law Global-wide and Dispute Resolution Global-wide by Chambers Global, 2019.

This is an exceptional firm […] one of the top three best arbitration firms in the world.

They provide top-notch analysis and their ability to bring in their expertise in both public and private international law is invaluable. They gave us an incredible amount of time and attention and the highest-quality legal advice.

Thought Leadership

General Court of the European Union Annuls European Commission Decision on State Aid

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The firm’s investor-state arbitration experience stretches back four decades. It remains a highly specialized area of the law, in which Debevoise’s partners are some of the world’s most highly regarded lawyers. Members of the group have regularly lectured on investor-state arbitration and related public international law topics.Lawyers on the firm’s European team act as counsel in investor-state arbitrations both for and against sovereign states. The team includes former advisers to government, giving it a valuable insight into the state issues in play. The practice includes Lord (Peter) Goldsmith QC, who served as the UK’s Attorney General and who also serves as Co-Chair of the ICC’s Task Force on arbitration involving states or state entities; as well as lawyers who have worked in the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. This background gives the team unrivaled understanding in how governments operate.In addition, Debevoise’s lawyers have particular experience in quantum/damages modeling, which is a key component of the scale of the firm’s success. Built on this experience, the team regularly wins the biggest awards for private investors against foreign governments. Debevoise has won three of the largest arbitration awards for breaches of bilateral investment treaties that have ever been ordered. These include two for Occidental Petroleum in the amounts of $1.8 billion ($2.3 billion including interest) and $120 million, and another CME in the amount of $350 million.The team is recognized by leading legal directory Chambers & Partners, which ranks the firm in the top band for global public international law work, quoting sources as saying “they always produce impeccable work.” The Lawyer magazine also named London partner Sophie Lamb to its “Hot 100” list, stating that she is much “sought-after for arbitrations brought by foreign investors against states.”Working both independently and in conjunction with Debevoise’s investor-state arbitration lawyers in New York, Moscow, and Hong Kong, the firm’s European team advises clients on disputes arising in jurisdictions around the world. Chambers & Partners cites client sources commenting that “the firm interacts seamlessly between the various geographies.”