The set offers expertise in all relevant areas and can assist with the most complex, multi-faceted disputes.

Chambers & Partners 2025

International arbitration

Our barristers routinely appear as counsel in international arbitrations covering all areas of Chambers’ practice including disputes relating to commercial contracts, joint ventures and partnerships, trusts, companies, property and projects.

Our members are familiar with the rules of the major arbitration forums including LCIA, ICC, UNCITRAL, SCC, SIAC, WIPO and ICSID. They are particularly well placed to argue cases in offshore jurisdictions, such as the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Cyprus. Other jurisdictions in which recent arbitrations have taken place include Russia, Ukraine, India, the US, Hong Kong, Singapore and the Middle East.

Our barristers often appear in national courts in matters relating to arbitration proceedings, for example, to seek anti-suit injunctions or interim remedies in support of arbitration, or to appeal or challenge awards.

Notable cases

Represented the petitioner in the FamilyMart Privy Council case which decided how to define and identify the “matters” which give rise to stay of legal proceedings in favour of arbitration (in England under Section 9 Arbitration Act 1996)

A multibillion-dollar arbitration arising out of a long term gas supply agreement.

Arbitration relating to Chinese commodity fraud. The claim gave rise to a number of issues of English law (ambit of warranty of quiet possession and status of warehouse receipts as documents of title) as well as Chinese law.

A breach of contract arbitration relating to a joint venture for the exploration and development of an oil and gas field in the Middle East.

Dispute between joint venturers concerns ownership of shares. The claimant commenced DIFC/LCIA arbitration and proceedings in the DIFC courts to obtain an injunction in aid of the arbitration.

A claim for substantial sums due under a long-term project agreement under which the applicant provided clinical services to the population of the Turks and Caicos.

LCIA arbitration acting for the claimant bank seeking to recover US$400 million from a defaulting debtor and its guarantors.

Arbitral proceedings in Dubai, and DIFC court proceedings in aid of the arbitration, in a dispute between joint venturers, with an alleged value of US$180 million.

LCIA arbitration for an ‘app’ development company, which was in dispute with a major telecoms manufacturer over breach of an installation contract.

DIFC-LCIA arbitration case to defend a building contractor against a US$10 million claim brought by a sub-contractor. We also helped the contractor oppose an application in the DIFC court for a freezing injunction in aid of these arbitral proceedings.

English arbitration law before the Cypriot court in an application for a worldwide freezing injunction against a Cypriot entity in support of LCIA arbitration proceedings.

Major European spare parts company defend a multi-million pound ICC arbitration claim for breach of warranty following sale of the business.

Major ICC construction arbitration in Saudi Arabia.

Hedge fund involved in complex derivative trading in a LCIA arbitration following a dispute between partners.

Insights View all thought leadership

News
Thomas Robinson to be appointed King’s Counsel
Wilberforce Chambers is delighted to announce that Thomas Robinson is to be appointed King’s Counsel. Tom, called to the bar in 2003, has a stellar commercial chancery practice with particular emphasis on pensions, insolvency and corporate matters including directors’ duties... Read more
Friday 24 January 2025
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Articles
Sian v Halimedia: Insolvency vs Arbitration – Article by Ernest Leung cited in recent Privy Council decision
In Sian Participation Corp v Halimedia International Ltd [2024] UKPC 16, Lords Briggs and Hamblen considered the issue of whether insolvency proceedings should be stayed where the underlying debt was covered by an arbitration agreement. In an appeal from the BVI,... Read more
By Ernest Leung
Friday 21 June 2024
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News
Wilberforce shortlisted for Chambers of the Year at The Lawyer Awards 2024
We are delighted to announce that Wilberforce Chambers has been shortlisted at this year’s The Lawyer Awards for Chambers of the Year! Winners will be announced on Tuesday 18th June at London’s JW Marriott Grosvenor House Hotel. We are incredibly... Read more
Friday 12 April 2024
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Articles
A Nigerian tragedy: how to set aside a US$11 billion arbitral award
John Grocott-Barrett and Ernest Leung have written an article for TL4’s FIRE Starters magazine on ‘A Nigerian tragedy: how to set aside a US$11 billion arbitral award’, where they analyse Federal Republic of Nigeria v Process and Industrial Developments Limited.... Read more
By John Grocott-Barrett | Ernest Leung
Monday 4 March 2024
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Related Barristers

Barristers: KCs

Barristers: Juniors

International arbitration

Notable cases

Represented the petitioner in the FamilyMart Privy Council case which decided how to define and identify the “matters” which give rise to stay of legal proceedings in favour of arbitration (in England under Section 9 Arbitration Act 1996)

A multibillion-dollar arbitration arising out of a long term gas supply agreement.

Arbitration relating to Chinese commodity fraud. The claim gave rise to a number of issues of English law (ambit of warranty of quiet possession and status of warehouse receipts as documents of title) as well as Chinese law.

A breach of contract arbitration relating to a joint venture for the exploration and development of an oil and gas field in the Middle East.

Dispute between joint venturers concerns ownership of shares. The claimant commenced DIFC/­LCIA arbitration and proceedings in the DIFC courts to obtain an injunction in aid of the arbitration.

A claim for substantial sums due under a long-term project agreement under which the applicant provided clinical services to the population of the Turks and Caicos.

LCIA arbitration acting for the claimant bank seeking to recover US$400 million from a defaulting debtor and its guarantors.

Arbitral proceedings in Dubai, and DIFC court proceedings in aid of the arbitration, in a dispute between joint venturers, with an alleged value of US$180 million.

LCIA arbitration for an ‘app’ development company, which was in dispute with a major telecoms manufacturer over breach of an installation contract.

DIFC-LCIA arbitration case to defend a building contractor against a US$10 million claim brought by a sub-contractor. We also helped the contractor oppose an application in the DIFC court for a freezing injunction in aid of these arbitral proceedings.

English arbitration law before the Cypriot court in an application for a worldwide freezing injunction against a Cypriot entity in support of LCIA arbitration proceedings.

Major European spare parts company defend a multi-million pound ICC arbitration claim for breach of warranty following sale of the business.

Major ICC construction arbitration in Saudi Arabia.

Hedge fund involved in complex derivative trading in a LCIA arbitration following a dispute between partners.

Insights View all thought leadership

Thomas Robinson to be appointed King’s Counsel

Sian v Halimedia: Insolvency vs Arbitration – Article by Ernest Leung cited in recent Privy Council decision

Wilberforce shortlisted for Chambers of the Year at The Lawyer Awards 2024

A Nigerian tragedy: how to set aside a US$11 billion arbitral award

Dispute between joint venturers concerns ownership of shares. The claimant commenced DIFC/LCIA arbitration and proceedings in the DIFC courts to obtain an injunction in aid of the arbitration.