International dispute resolution update

Firm’s international arbitration practice ranked 9th in the world

We have again been recognized as one of the world's most successful firms for international arbitration, with the firm ranked 9th in Global Arbitration Review’s prestigious GAR 30.

Noting our firm has achieved “its highest ever finish,” Global Arbitration Review attributed this to the firm’s “success in winning big work” and observed that its position is “well above many of the firms it routinely pitches against.” According to Global Arbitration Review, the firm has the second-largest case portfolio in the world by value of claims, totaling US$250 billion.

The GAR 30 ranks firms primarily on the number of arbitral hearings conducted over a two-year period, the value at stake in those hearings and the number of hours billed to arbitration. It also considers activities that reflect a strong reputation, such as arbitrator appointments received by firm members and for a strong performance in GAR’s sister publications, Lexology Index: Arbitration, a guide to the leading practitioners in the field as selected by their peers.

Read our press release.

Victory for Latvia in Energy Charter Treaty arbitration

We secured a victory for our long-standing client, the Republic of Latvia, in an Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) arbitration brought by Swiss company RSE Holdings AG. The case, administered under UN Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Rules at the Permanent Court of Arbitration, concerned regulatory changes to Latvia’s electricity cogeneration tariffs.

The tribunal upheld Latvia’s denial of benefits defense under Article 17(1) of the ECT, dismissed all of RSE’s claims as inadmissible and awarded Latvia full legal costs. Significantly, the tribunal ruled that the denial of benefits clause applies retrospectively – a notable departure from prior ECT decisions. The award sets an important precedent for future denial of benefits defenses, and adds to the debate on double-hatting in investment arbitration. The client is extremely pleased with the early dismissal of all claims.

The team included José Feris, Dr. Eveli Lume, Rostislav Pekař and Mailis Meier-Lutterodt.

Stephen Anway to Join Board of Trustees of Foundation for International Arbitration Advocacy

Congratulations to Stephen Anway, who will become a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation for International Arbitration Advocacy (“FIAA”). FIAA’s main purposes are to provide specialized training in advocacy skills and techniques for international arbitration, and to provide a useful forum for arbitrators, counsel and academics to analyze and develop advocacy and dispute resolution skills and techniques for international arbitration.

Stephen will join a prestigious group of leading arbitration practitioners representing jurisdictions worldwide and major arbitral institutions to help accomplish these goals.

Legal 500 United States

Legal 500 United States ranked our dispute resolution and international arbitration practice area in its most recent guide. It has also recognized Stephen Anway as a leading lawyer and Carlos Guzmán Plascencia as a leading associate.

Read our press release.

Legal 500 UK

Commercial Arbitration

Legal 500 UK has ranked our UK IDR practice for Commercial Arbitration, stating:

• "Squire Patton Boggs‘ London practice comprises commodities and energy sector dispute experts (including upstream oil and gas conflicts). London and Cleveland-based George von Mehren (Senior Partner) and Maximilian Rockall (Partner, Singapore and London) are energy industry specialists; and Peter Crossley (Partner, London) acts in disputes before a range of arbitral bodies. The practice further includes Naomi Briercliffe (Partner, London), whose experience includes energy, mining, infrastructure, aviation, Technology, Media and Telecom (TMT) and private equity mandates; ‘model international arbitration lawyer’, Michael Davar (Partner, London); and Tim Flamank (Director, London), who acts in both commercial and investment treaty disputes. Miles Robinson, noted for his expertise in product liability matters, recently joined the firm."

• Next Generation Partners – Naomi Briercliffe and Michael Davar

• Practice head – George von Mehren, Maximilian Rockall and Peter Crossley

• Other key lawyers – Tim Flamank, Michelle Glassman Bock, Christopher Swart, Katie Pritchard, Bahar Charyyeva, Marija Šćekić, John Rollason and Miles Robinson

Public International Law (PIL)

Legal 500 UK also ranked our UK PIL practice for the first time, stating:

• "The 'incredibly responsive and transparent' team at Squire Patton Boggs has a busy practice advising on investment treaty arbitrations, sovereign immunity issues and the enforcement of awards. George von Mehren (Senior Partner, London, Cleveland and Astana) co-chairs the firm’s global international dispute resolution group, while Maximilian Rockall (Partner, Singapore and London) and Peter Crossley (Partner, London) co-head the London IDR offering. The “excellent” Naomi Briercliffe (Partner, London) focuses her practice on investor-state arbitration and general PIL issues, advising international organizations and sovereign states on International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinions, the Law of the Sea issues and space law matters."

• Next Generation Partner – Naomi Briercliffe

• Practice head – George von Mehren,Maximilian Rockall, Peter Crossley

• Other key lawyers – Tim Flamank