Recent Events
- Article in Kluwer Arbitration Blog on enforcement of ICSID awards in the UK
Article in Kluwer Arbitration Blog on enforcement of ICSID awards in the UK: On 12 August 2023, Laura Rees-Evans published an article in the Kluwer Arbitration Blog on the recent judgment of the English High Court in Infrastructure Services v. Spain. The judgment is one of the most important developments of the past year in relation to the enforcement of intra-EU investment awards. The article is available here.
- 2023 Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Litigators guide
2023 Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Litigators guide: Stephen Fietta, Jiries Saadeh, Ashique Rahman and Laura Rees-Evans have all been recognised as leading global litigators by Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Global Litigators guide. All four were also recognised in Lawdragon’s initial global guide in 2021.
- Human Rights and Sustainable Development Conference:
Human Rights and Sustainable Development Conference: On 14 July 2023, Oonagh Sands discussed “Sustainable Development and Protecting Marine Biological Diversity in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction” in a panel addressing the interaction between human rights and sustainable development. The conference was organised by the Centre for Global Economic and Environmental Opportunity, University of Central Florida and the Centre for International Law and Human Rights, Lancaster University Law School. The programme is available here.
- Institut de Droit International/Institute of International Law
Institut de Droit International/Institute of International Law: Fietta LLP sponsored the 150th anniversary session of the Insititut. The event was held in Angers, France between 27 August and 2 September 2023 and opened by President Emmanuel Macron. Stephen Fietta KC spoke at a colloquium addressing strategic litigation, environmental protection and interim measures.
- International Arbitration Colloquium 2023 (Sabah, Malaysia)
International Arbitration Colloquium 2023 (Sabah, Malaysia): On 4 July 2023, Stephen Fietta KC spoke about the prospects for recognition and enforcement under the 1958 New York Convention of a purported $15 billion arbitral award rendered against Malaysia, following recent decisions in favour of Malaysia in challenge proceedings in the Paris and Hague Courts of Appeal.
- ICSID Review Case Comment
ICSID Review Case Comment: On 13 June 2023, the ICSID Review published as an “advance article” a Case Comment co-authored by Laura Rees-Evans on the UK Supreme Court’s judgment in ‘Maduro Board’ of the Central Bank of Venezuela v. ‘Guaidó Board’ of the Central Bank of Venezuela. To access the article (with subscription), click here.
- Climate change litigation
Climate change litigation: In May 2023, Oonagh Sands was quoted in Sustainable Views, a publication of the Financial Times, on climate change litigation and the proposed crime of “ecocide”. To access the article via subscription, click here.
- Article in the Austrian Yearbook on International Arbitration
Article in the Austrian Yearbook on International Arbitration: In June 2023, Oonagh Sands authored a report summarising “Recent Treaties and Reform Proposals on the Standing and Rights of Shareholders and Companies in Investment Treaty Arbitration” in the Austrian Yearbook on International Arbitration 2023. To access article, click here.
- World Arbitration Update 2023 – the ECT and investment treaties in Europe: On 24 May 2023, Laura Rees-Evans will speak about the UK perspective on European developments regarding the ECT and intra-EU bilateral investment treaties, on a World Arbitration Update (WAU) 2023 panel entitled “The ECT, Investment Treaties in Europe, and International Arbitration Awards Unfavorable to European States: Demystifying the Conundrum of International, Regional European, and Domestic Law”. For more information on the WAU 2023 programme, click here; and to register for Laura’s panel, click here.
World Arbitration Update 2023 – the ECT and investment treaties in Europe: On 24 May 2023, Laura Rees-Evans spoke about the UK perspective on European developments regarding the ECT and intra-EU bilateral investment treaties, on a World Arbitration Update (WAU) 2023 panel entitled “The ECT, Investment Treaties in Europe, and International Arbitration Awards Unfavourable to European States: Demystifying the Conundrum of International, Regional European, and Domestic Law”. For more information on the WAU 2023 programme, click here.
- First Among Equals: On 3 April 2023, Ashique Rahman co-hosted a hybrid seminar “First among equals”. Ashique participated in debating the case for mediation, litigation and arbitration in resolving large commercial disputes.
First Among Equals: On 3 April 2023, Ashique Rahman co-hosted a hybrid seminar “First among equals”. Ashique participated in debating the case for mediation, litigation and arbitration in resolving large commercial disputes.
- Lecture at the Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies at the University of Leiden: On 27 March 2023, Jiries Saadeh guest-lectured at the University of Leiden in The Netherlands on the future of investment-treaty arbitration and upcoming challenges and opportunities.
Lecture at the Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies at the University of Leiden: On 27 March 2023, Jiries Saadeh guest-lectured at the University of Leiden in The Netherlands on the future of investment-treaty arbitration and upcoming challenges and opportunities.
- Lecture at Centre for International Law & Human Rights, University of Lancaster: On 8 March 2023, Oonagh Sands guest-lectured at the University of Lancaster on the new UNCLOS Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction.
Lecture at Centre for International Law & Human Rights, University of Lancaster: On 8 March 2023, Oonagh Sands guest-lectured at the University of Lancaster on the new UNCLOS Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction.
- Global Market Leaders: Chambers Global 2023 has recognised Fietta LLP as a global market leader in public international law and international arbitration, highlighting its “good mix of long-standing experienced practitioners and young highly motivated lawyers.” Stephen Fietta KC is ranked as a global top-tier practitioner in public international law, and Jiries Saadeh is newly-ranked as an up-and-coming global market leader in public international law. The Chambers Global firm profile can be viewed here.
Global Market Leaders: Chambers Global 2023 has recognised Fietta LLP as a global market leader in public international law and international arbitration, highlighting its “good mix of long-standing experienced practitioners and young highly motivated lawyers.” Stephen Fietta KC is ranked as a global top-tier practitioner in public international law, and Jiries Saadeh is newly-ranked as an up-and-coming global market leader in public international law. The Chambers Global firm profile can be viewed here.
- Chambers Global 2023: Chambers Global 2023 has ranked Jiries Saadeh as an up-and-coming global market leader in public international law for the first time, with clients describing him as “exceptional”. Jiries’ Chambers Global profile can be viewed here.
Chambers Global 2023: Chambers Global 2023 has ranked Jiries Saadeh as an up-and-coming global market leader in public international law for the first time, with clients describing him as “exceptional”. Jiries’ Chambers Global profile can be viewed here.
- Thought Leaders conference on Sovereign & States Disputes and Enforcement: On 25 January 2022, Jiries Saadeh will be speaking on developments in ICSID, ECT and bilateral / multilateral investment and commercial arbitration involving sovereigns. The full schedule is available here.
Thought Leaders conference on Sovereign & States Disputes and Enforcement: On 25 January 2023, Jiries Saadeh spoke on developments in ICSID, ECT and bilateral / multilateral investment and commercial arbitration involving sovereigns. The full schedule is available here.
- German Arbitration Institute discussion of the new ICSID Arbitration Rules: On 12 January 2023, Stephen Fietta KC participated in an online seminar hosted by the German Arbitration Institute (DIS) to discuss recent changes to the ICSID Arbitration Rules and their potential implications for future ICSID arbitration
German Arbitration Institute discussion of the new ICSID Arbitration Rules: On 12 January 2023, Stephen Fietta KC participated in an online seminar hosted by the German Arbitration Institute (DIS) to discuss recent changes to the ICSID Arbitration Rules and their potential implications for future ICSID arbitration.
- SOAS Legal Careers Carousel: On 7 December 2022, Miglena Angelova and Abdullah Tariq attended the 2022 Legal Careers Carousel at SOAS, University of London where they advised students on careers in public international law and investment arbitration.
SOAS Legal Careers Carousel: On 7 December 2022, Miglena Angelova and Abdullah Tariq attended the 2022 Legal Careers Carousel at SOAS, University of London where they advised students on careers in public international law and investment arbitration.
- Wilton Park conference: Human Rights Law at Sea: On 5-6 December 2022, Laura Rees-Evans spoke at Wilton Park’s conference on “Human Rights Law at Sea”. The overarching aim of this conference was to explore and articulate the role of human rights law at sea and to reflect on how practical barriers to their effective application might best be addressed. Further information about the conference can be found here.
Wilton Park conference: Human Rights Law at Sea: On 5-6 December 2022, Laura Rees-Evans spoke at Wilton Park’s conference on “Human Rights Law at Sea”. The overarching aim of this conference was to explore and articulate the role of human rights law at sea and to reflect on how practical barriers to their effective application might best be addressed. Further information about the conference can be found here.
- Public International Law Webinar: On 16 November 2022, Oonagh Sands participated in a panel discussion titled “The Public International Law Year in Review”, which analysed recent developments in international law.
Public International Law Webinar: On 16 November 2022, Oonagh Sands participated in a panel discussion titled “The Public International Law Year in Review”, which analysed recent developments in international law.
- Chapter on Investor State Arbitration in the UK: Jiries Saadeh and Miglena Angelova contributed a chapter on “Investor State Arbitration Laws and Regulations UK”, published in the International Comparative Legal Guide – Investor-State Arbitration 2023. To read the full chapter, click here.
Chapter on Investor State Arbitration in the UK: Jiries Saadeh and Miglena Angelova contributed a chapter on “Investor State Arbitration Laws and Regulations UK”, published in the International Comparative Legal Guide – Investor-State Arbitration 2023. To read the full chapter, click here.
- 2022 Public International Law Webinar Series: On Wednesday 9 November, Ashique Rahman and Chris Tan moderated an instalment of the 2022 public international law webinar series. Mr Jeffrey Sullivan KC, Mr Christopher Harris KC and Ms Gisèle Stephens-Chu addressed circumstances which preclude wrongfulness in investor-State arbitration.
2022 Public International Law Webinar Series: On Wednesday 9 November, Ashique Rahman and Chris Tan moderated an instalment of the 2022 public international law webinar series. Mr Jeffrey Sullivan KC, Mr Christopher Harris KC and Ms Gisèle Stephens-Chu addressed circumstances which preclude wrongfulness in investor-State arbitration.
- 2022 Public International Law Webinar Series: On Monday 7 November 2022, Fietta participated in a webinar in which senior State lawyers explored the importance of “interagency cooperation and collaboration” when States make decisions and participate on the international stage. The program is available here.
2022 Public International Law Webinar Series: On Monday 7 November 2022, Fietta participated in a webinar in which senior State lawyers explored the importance of “interagency cooperation and collaboration” when States make decisions and participate on the international stage. The program is available here.
- Top-Tier and Star Individual PIL Rankings in Chambers UK 2023: Chambers UK has once again ranked Fietta LLP as a top-tier public international law firm in its 2023 Directory. It notes that the firm “has expertise in advising on both sides of sophisticated investor-state disputes” and “offers considerable expertise in matters regarding state succession and sovereignty, the Law of the Sea and boundary delimitations”. Stephen Fietta KC is recognised as a star individual in PIL (a new tier above Band 1) and Laura Rees-Evans is ranked as an associate to watch.
Top-Tier and Star Individual PIL Rankings in Chambers UK 2023: Chambers UK has once again ranked Fietta LLP as a top-tier public international law firm in its 2023 Directory. It notes that the firm “has expertise in advising on both sides of sophisticated investor-state disputes” and “offers considerable expertise in matters regarding state succession and sovereignty, the Law of the Sea and boundary delimitations”. Stephen Fietta KC is recognised as a star individual in PIL (a new tier above Band 1) and Laura Rees-Evans is ranked as an associate to watch.
- Public International Law Webinar: On 3 November 2022, Stephen Fietta KC participated in a panel discussion on the topic of proportionality in international law. The webinar outlined the origins and roles of proportionality in international human rights law, the law of the sea and international investment law. For more information, please click here.
Public International Law Webinar: On 3 November 2022, Stephen Fietta KC participated in a panel discussion on the topic of proportionality in international law. The webinar outlined the origins and roles of proportionality in international human rights law, the law of the sea and international investment law. For more information, please click here.
- Lecture on Climate Change and Investment Treaty Arbitration: On 24 October 2022, Oonagh Sands delivered a lecture on Climate Change and Investment Treaty Arbitration at Pepperdine University’s London campus.
Lecture on Climate Change and Investment Treaty Arbitration: On 24 October 2022, Oonagh Sands delivered a lecture on Climate Change and Investment Treaty Arbitration at Pepperdine University’s London campus.
- Article on the ECtHR’s judgment in BTS v. Slovakia: On 12 October 2022, Kluwer Arbitration Blog has published an article by Laura Rees-Evans and Gordon Nardell KC entitled “The Role of the ECtHR in the Protection of International Arbitral Awards: Insights from BTS Holding v Slovakia”. The Kluwer article follows on from their Arbitration International article analysing the compatibility of the agreement terminating intra-EU BITs with investors’ fundamental rights, published in 2021. The Kluwer article is available here. The Arbitration International article is available here.
Article on the ECtHR’s judgment in BTS v. Slovakia: On 12 October 2022, Kluwer Arbitration Blog has published an article by Laura Rees-Evans and Gordon Nardell KC entitled “The Role of the ECtHR in the Protection of International Arbitral Awards: Insights from BTS Holding v Slovakia”. The Kluwer article follows on from their Arbitration International article analysing the compatibility of the agreement terminating intra-EU BITs with investors’ fundamental rights, published in 2021. The Kluwer article is available here. The Arbitration International article is available here.
- Public International Law Webinar: On 12 October 2022, Ashique Rahman attended the Public International Law Webinar Series for 2022. The keynote was followed by a series of weekly webinars on “a state lawyer’s perspective on interagency coordination and cooperation”, “fact and expert witness evidence in international dispute resolution”, “the role of proportionality in international law” “circumstances precluding wrongfulness in investor-State arbitration” and “the public international law year in review”.
Public International Law Webinar: On 12 October 2022, Ashique Rahman attended the Public International Law Webinar Series for 2022. The keynote was followed by a series of weekly webinars on “a state lawyer’s perspective on interagency coordination and cooperation”, “fact and expert witness evidence in international dispute resolution”, “the role of proportionality in international law” “circumstances precluding wrongfulness in investor-State arbitration” and “the public international law year in review”.
- Recognition in The Legal 500 UK: In September 2022, the Legal 500 UK 2023 has again ranked Fietta LLP as a top-tier public international law firm, with a “remarkable knowledge of PIL” and “the strongest PIL boutique in London”. Stephen Fietta KC is recognised as a member of the public international law “Hall of Fame”, while Jiries Saadeh, Ashique Rahman, Oonagh Sands and Laura Rees-Evans all receive individual recognition as leading lawyers in our field. See Fietta’s Legal 500 Profile.
Recognition in The Legal 500 UK: In September 2022, the Legal 500 UK 2023 has again ranked Fietta LLP as a top-tier public international law firm, with a “remarkable knowledge of PIL” and “the strongest PIL boutique in London”. Stephen Fietta KC is recognised as a member of the public international law “Hall of Fame”, while Jiries Saadeh, Ashique Rahman, Oonagh Sands and Laura Rees-Evans all receive individual recognition as leading lawyers in our field. See Fietta’s Legal 500 Profile.