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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Related Capabilities

Contacts

Lord Goldsmith QC

Patrick Taylor

Announcement

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Thought Leadership

Recognition

Winner in the “International Arbitration Practice that Impressed” category

—GAR Awards, 2020

Ranked as a leading law firm for Investor-State Arbitration and Public International Law.

“An outstanding firm that focuses on delivering excellence to clients.”

The lawyers are “thoughtful and mindful of the business objectives of the client,” and possess a “perfect combination of excellent legal skill and pragmatism.”

“They are head and shoulders the finest advocacy firm.”

“[An] outstanding, champion team of lawyers."

—Chambers UK, 2020-2021

Lord Goldsmith, QC, 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 is a household name in international arbitration for good reason —they bring value, expertise, and class.”

The Debevoise international arbitration team in London knows few equals. It is, by far, one of the most experienced teams in international investment and commercial arbitration.”

—The Legal 500 UK, 2021

Debevoise named in top band for International Arbitration – Global-wide and Public International Law Global-wide. Also ranked as a leading firm for Dispute Resolution Global-wide by Chambers Global (2021).

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.

“The Debevoise team is superb …Coordination is entirely seamless and the different jurisdictions are used to the team’s advantage.”

“Debevoise excels at handling global disputes. They have talented lawyers who speak many languages and understand cultural norms and sensitivities.”

“It is really an all star team. As a client, they would be my number one call, each individual is a star. It really is something to see them in action.”

—Chambers Global, 2020-2021

Learn More

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.”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.”