Recent Firm News

• 8 January 2020 – Ashique Rahman and Miglena Angelova published an article in GAR on “Corruption and standards of proof in investment arbitration”. The article is available here.

  8 January 2020 – Ashique Rahman and Miglena Angelova published an article in GAR on “Corruption and standards of proof in investment arbitration”.   The article is available here.

• December 2019 – Who’s Who Legal 2020 has again recognised Stephen Fietta as among the world’s leading international arbitration practitioners, identifying him as a “Thought Leader” and a “Recommended Global Leader”. Ashique Rahman has been recognised again as a “Future Leader” in the field.

  December 2019 – Who’s Who Legal 2020  has again recognised  Stephen Fietta QC as among the world’s leading international arbitration practitioners, identifying him as a “Thought Leader” and a “Recommended Global Leader”.  Ashique Rahman has been recognised again as a “Future Leader” in the field.

• December 2019 – Stephen Fietta QC has contributed a chapter on arbitral jurisdiction under the ICSID Convention in the new textbook ‘The ICSID Convention, Regulations and Rules – A practical Commentary‘, published by Edward Elgar. The textbook can be purchased here

  December 2019 – Stephen Fietta QC has contributed a chapter on arbitral jurisdiction under the ICSID Convention in the new textbook ‘The ICSID Convention, Regulations and Rules – A practical Commentary‘, published by Edward Elgar. The textbook can be purchased here.

   

   

• 3 December 2019 – Stephen Fietta QC and Laura Rees-Evans attended the European Commission’s 2nd Stakeholder Workshop on intra-EU investment. The event allowed the Commission and Member States to update the investor community on recent developments and provided investors with an opportunity to provide critical feedback on the future of ISDS in Europe ahead of the anticipated termination of most intra-EU BITs.

  3 December 2019 – Stephen Fietta QC and Laura Rees-Evans attended the European Commission’s 2^nd Stakeholder Workshop on intra-EU investment.  The event allowed the Commission and Member States to update the investor community on recent developments and provided investors with an opportunity to provide critical feedback on the future of ISDS in Europe ahead of the anticipated termination of most intra-EU BITs.

• Stephen Fietta, alongside Aniruddha Rajput of the International Law Commission, has delivered a Lexis Nexis webinar titled, ‘The World Bank: ICSID – settlement of investment disputes (2019)’. The webinar addresses the ICSID Convention and Arbitration Rules, recent developments in intra-EU investor-State dispute settlement and areas of potential reform. For further details about the webinar and how to access it, please click here.

  Stephen Fietta QC, alongside Aniruddha Rajput of the International Law Commission, has delivered a Lexis Nexis webinar titled, ‘The World Bank: ICSID – settlement of investment disputes (2019)’. The webinar addresses the ICSID Convention and Arbitration Rules, recent developments in intra-EU investor-State dispute settlement and areas of potential reform. For further details about the webinar and how to access it, please click here.

• 5 November 2019 – Laura Rees-Evans spoke at Young ITA’s conference on “Investment Arbitration and the Environment – Emerging Themes”, hosted by Latham & Watkins in London.  For further information, see here.

  5 November 2019 – Laura Rees-Evans spoke at Young ITA’s conference on “Investment Arbitration and the Environment – Emerging Themes”, hosted by Latham & Watkins in London.  For further information, see here.

• 4 November 2019 – Oonagh Sands will be speaking on “Paths in International Law” at an event organised by European Law Students’ Association (ELSA) at the University of Westminster.

  4 November 2019 – Oonagh Sands spoke on “Paths in International Law” at an event organised by the European Law Students’ Association (ELSA) at the University of Westminster.

• October 2019 – Chambers UK 2020 has ranked Fietta LLP as one of the UK’s leading public international law and investor-state arbitration practices. Clients describe us as an ‘exceptional firm’ and value our ‘conscientiousness, effectiveness, attention to detail, and willingness to go the extra mile’. Stephen Fietta QC continues to be ranked as a leading practitioner in public international law and investment arbitration. Clients describe him as an ‘intellectual powerhouse’ ‘hugely knowledgeable and very tactically astute’ and admire his ‘constant stream of top-class instructions’.

  October 2019 – Chambers UK 2020 has ranked Fietta LLP as one of the UK’s leading public international law and investor-state arbitration practices. Clients describe us as an ‘exceptional firm’ and value our ‘conscientiousness, effectiveness, attention to detail, and willingness to go the extra mile’. Stephen Fietta QC continues to be ranked as a leading practitioner in public international law and investment arbitration. Clients describe him as an ‘intellectual powerhouse’ ‘hugely knowledgeable and very tactically astute’ and admire his ‘constant stream of top-class instructions’.

• September 2019 – The Legal 500 UK 2020 has ranked Fietta LLP as a top-tier firm in its public international law category. Sources comment that ‘Fietta is now undoubtedly the leading boutique in London in international arbitration and public international law’, with ‘talent from top to bottom’ and that ‘no other boutique in London comes close’. Stephen Fietta QC is ranked among the leading public international law practitioners with clients identifying him as ‘one of the best experts on public international law’, ‘very smart’ with ‘an outstanding reputation’. Jiries Saadeh is described as ‘among the best three of his generation’, ‘definitely a name to note’ and ‘simply fantastic’. Counsel Ashique Rahman is described as ‘excellent’ and named as ‘rising star’ alongside Oonagh Sands. Laura Rees-Evans also receives individual recommendation.

  September 2019 – The Legal 500 UK 2020 has ranked Fietta LLP as a top-tier firm in its public international law category. Sources comment that ‘Fietta is now undoubtedly the leading boutique in London in international arbitration and public international law’, with ‘talent from top to bottom’ and that ‘no other boutique in London comes close’. Stephen Fietta QC is ranked among the leading public international law practitioners with clients identifying him as ‘one of the best experts on public international law’, ‘very smart’ with ‘an outstanding reputation’.  Jiries Saadeh is described as ‘among the best three of his generation’, ‘definitely a name to note’ and ‘simply fantastic’. Counsel Ashique Rahman is described as ‘excellent’ and named as a ‘rising star’ alongside Oonagh Sands. Laura Rees-Evans also receives individual recommendation.

• 3-4 October 2019 – The London Conference on International Law will take place at the Barbican Centre in London. Fietta LLP is one of the sponsors of the event. For further information, see here.

  3-4 October 2019 – The London Conference on International Law took place at the Barbican Centre in London. Fietta LLP was one of the sponsors of the event. For further information, see here.

• 15 August 2019 – Laura Rees-Evans gave an interview to LexisPSL on the current status of the UK’s preparations for Brexit as regards the international agreements in which it participates by virtue of its membership of the EU, and the implications for UK legal practitioners. The article is available here and here.

  15 August 2019 – Laura Rees-Evans gave an interview to LexisPSL on the current status of the UK’s preparations for Brexit as regards the international agreements in which it participates by virtue of its membership of the EU, and the implications for UK legal practitioners.  The article is available here and here.

• 2 July 2019 – Oonagh Sands has been interviewed by LexisPSL in relation to an ICSID annulment committee’s decision on dismissal of claims with prejudice in RSM Production Corporation v. Saint Lucia.

  2 July 2019 – Oonagh Sands has been interviewed by LexisPSL in relation to an ICSID annulment committee’s decision on dismissal of claims with prejudice in RSM Production Corporation v. Saint Lucia.

• Stephen Fietta will be speaking at the 5th Annual GAR Live Energy Disputes Conference on 2nd July 2019 about the implications of the CJEU’s Achmea judgment and the Firm’s recent success in defending a challenge against an intra-EU BIT award. For further information, see here.

  2 July 2019 – Stephen Fietta spoke at the 5^th Annual GAR Live Energy Disputes Conference about the implications of the CJEU’s Achmea judgment and the Firm’s recent success in defending a challenge against an intra-EU BIT award.  For further information, see here.

• Stephen Fietta is once again peer-selected for inclusion in the eighth Edition of The Best Lawyers in the United Kingdom for his expertise in Public International Law.

  11 June 2019 – Stephen Fietta is once again peer-selected for inclusion in the eighth Edition of The Best Lawyers in the United Kingdom for his expertise in Public International Law.

• 29 May 2019 – BIICL’s latest public international law anthology, “British Contributions to International Law 1915-2015” has been published. Laura Rees-Evans contributed a comment on Bin Cheng’s “General Principles of Law as Applied by International Courts and Tribunals, 1953”.

  29 May 2019 – BIICL’s latest public international law anthology, British Contributions to International Law 1915-2015, has been published.  Laura Rees-Evans contributed a comment on Bin Cheng’s General Principles of Law as Applied by International Courts and Tribunals, 1953.

• 24 April 2019 – Stephen Fietta co-authored an article entitled Why the Swedish court decision in PL Holdings is consistent with Achmea. The article comments on the Swedish Court of Appeal’s recent dismissal of a challenge against an intra-EU BITs award won by Fietta LLP. The article is available here

  24 April 2019 – Stephen Fietta co-authored an article entitled Why the Swedish court decision in PL Holdings is consistent with Achmea.  The article comments on the Swedish Court of Appeal’s recent dismissal of a challenge against an intra-EU BITs award won by Fietta LLP.  The article is available here.

• 5 April 2019 – Fietta LLP has once more been recognised by GAR 100 as one of the world’s leading international arbitration practices. For further information, see here. (Hyperlink to https://globalarbitrationreview.com/benchmarking/gar-100-12th-edition/1180031/fietta)

  5 April 2019 – Fietta LLP has once more been recognised by GAR 100 as one of the world’s leading international arbitration practices.  For further information, see here.

• 1 April 2019 – Laura Rees-Evans returns to Fietta LLP today after a six-month secondment to the Foreign & Commonwealth Office.  During that time, Laura has been advising the British Government on a variety of public international law issues arising out of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.

  1 April 2019 – Laura Rees-Evans returns to Fietta LLP today after a six-month secondment to the Foreign & Commonwealth Office.  During that time, Laura has been advising the British Government on a variety of public international law issues arising out of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.

• Chambers Global (2019) has for the first time ranked Fietta LLP among the top global public international law practices. Stephen Fietta is again ranked among the world’s leading public international law practitioners. Chambers Review: https://chambers.com/profile

  Chambers Global (2019) has for the first time ranked Fietta LLP among the top global public international law practices. Stephen Fietta is again ranked among the world’s leading public international law practitioners. Chambers Review: https://chambers.com/profile

• 22 February 2019- Ashique Rahman spoke at the 7th Annual Conference on International Law, hosted by the Sydney Centre for International Law

  22 February 2019 – Ashique Rahman spoke at the 7^th Annual Conference on International Law, hosted by the Sydney Centre for International Law. For further information, see here.

• 10 January 2019 – We are pleased to announce that Stephen Fietta has been appointed as Queen’s Counsel (QC). The appointment was made by The Queen, on the recommendation of the Lord Chancellor.

  10 January 2019 – We are pleased to announce that Stephen Fietta has been appointed as Queen’s Counsel (QC).  The appointment was made by The Queen, on the recommendation of the Lord Chancellor.

• December 2018 – Fietta LLP was shortlisted by the Legal 500 in two categories for its 2019 awards:

  December 2018 – Fietta LLP was shortlisted by the Legal 500 in two categories for its 2019 awards: Dispute Resolution: Specialist Firm (as the only shortlisted public international law firm) and Dispute Resolution: Individual (Stephen Fietta, as the only shortlisted public international law specialist).  The Legal 500 Awards recognise “capable, expert practitioners and firms operating at the top of their game”.  The Legal 500 states that selection for its 2019 shortlists was based on 70,000 interviews.

•  Stephen Fietta will speak about Shareholders Rights in Investment Arbitration at the ICAL’s 15th Anniversary Conference at Stockholm University.

  7 November 2018 – Stephen Fietta spoke about Shareholder’s Rights in Investment Arbitration at the ICAL’s 15th Anniversary Conference at Stockholm University.

• 5 November 2018 –  The Legal 500 UK 2018 and Chambers UK 2019 both continue to rank Fietta as one of the UK’s leading public international law and investment arbitration practices

  5 November 2018 –  The Legal 500 UK 2018 and Chambers UK 2019 continue to rank Fietta as one of the UK’s leading public international law and investment arbitration practices, with the firm moving up in the Chambers PIL rankings.  According to clients, the firm is made up of ‘a stellar group of lawyers’, who are ‘very smart folks’, ‘extremely knowledgeable on public international law’ and ‘very good on depth of resources, analysis and responsiveness’.

  Stephen Fietta has again been recognised as a leading public international law individual with sources identifying him as ‘a world-leading PIL practitioner and an unflappable advocate’ who is ‘meticulous, thorough and thoughtful’. Jiries Saadeh has again been recognised as a member of the “Next Generation” in the field.  For further information, see Chambers and Legal 500 .

• Fietta LLP and Matrix Chambers will host a panel discussion themed “UNCLOS and modern challenges in the Law of the Sea”.  We are honoured that Judge Heidar of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea will participate, alongside Stephen Fietta, Alison Macdonald QC and Oonagh Sands.  Philippe Sands QC will open the discussion.

  1 November 2018 – Fietta LLP and Matrix Chambers hosted a panel discussion themed “UNCLOS and modern challenges in the Law of the Sea”.  We are honoured that Judge Tomas Heidar of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea participated, alongside Stephen Fietta, Alison Macdonald QC and Oonagh Sands.  Philippe Sands QC opened the discussion.

• 23 October 2018 – Zsofia Young will moderate a panel discussion on “The ICSID Secretariat’s Proposals for Rule Amendments: Transparency and Special Procedures” presented by Young ITA. For further information, see here.

  23 October 2018 – Zsofia Young moderated a panel discussion on “The ICSID Secretariat’s Proposals for Rule Amendments: Transparency and Special Procedures” presented by Young ITA. For further information, see here.

• Laura Rees-Evans will be lecturing on case management and evidence as part of the Nippon-ITLOS training programme 2018-2019.  The programme is organised by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea with the financial support of the Nippon Foundation.”

  10-11 October 2018 – Laura Rees-Evans lectured on case management and evidence as part of the Nippon-ITLOS training programme 2018-2019.  The programme is organised by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea with the financial support of the Nippon Foundation.

• Oonagh Sands participated in a debate concerning property rights in extracted resources in outer space at the University of Nebraska College of Law’s 11th Annual Washington DC Space Law Conference, themed “Intersections of Commercial and National Security Space”.  The event was held at the National Press Club, Washington DC, and was co-sponsored by the American Society of International Law and the International Law Association (American Branch). 

  21 September 2018 – Oonagh Sands participated in a debate concerning property rights in extracted resources in outer space at the University of Nebraska College of Law’s 11th Annual Washington DC Space Law Conference, themed “Intersections of Commercial and National Security Space”.  The event was held at the National Press Club, Washington DC, and was co-sponsored by the American Society of International Law and the International Law Association (American Branch).

• Stephen Fietta will be speaking about oil and gas operations in disputed maritime areas at the AIPN (Association of International Petroleum Negotiators) Conference in Lisbon

  18 September 2018 – Stephen Fietta spoke about oil and gas operations in disputed maritime areas at the AIPN (Association of International Petroleum Negotiators) Conference in Lisbon.

• Stephen Fietta has been selected for inclusion in the Legal 500 Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame highlights individuals who are at the pinnacle of the profession and recognised by their clients for continued excellence.

  24 July 2018 – Stephen Fietta has been selected for inclusion in the Legal 500 Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame highlights individuals who are at the pinnacle of the profession and recognised by their clients for continued excellence.

• Stephen Fietta has been peer-selected for inclusion in the Seventh Edition of The Best Lawyers in the United Kingdom for his expertise in Public International Law

  14 June 2018 – Stephen Fietta has been peer-selected for inclusion in the Seventh Edition of The Best Lawyers in the United Kingdom for his expertise in Public International Law.

• Oonagh Sands will be speaking about the relationship between national and international law at the American Bar Association’s 2018 Forum on Air & Space Law, Washington DC.

  7 June 2018 – Oonagh Sands spoke about the relationship between national and international law at the American Bar Association’s 2018 Forum on Air & Space Law, Washington DC.

• Stephen Fietta attended a meeting to discuss the South China Sea at the Boao Forum for Asia 2018 in Hainan, China. The theme of the meeting, which was attended by senior delegates from across China, South-East Asia and beyond, was “21st Century Maritime Silk Road & Economic Cooperation of the Greater South China Sea Region”.

  11 April 2018 – Stephen Fietta attended a meeting to discuss the South China Sea at the Boao Forum for Asia 2018 in Hainan, China.  The theme of the meeting, which was attended by senior delegates from across China, South-East Asia and beyond, was “21st Century Maritime Silk Road & Economic Cooperation of the Greater South China Sea Region”.

• Fietta has again been recognised by GAR 100

  5 April 2018 – Fietta has again been recognised by GAR 100 as one of the world’s leading international arbitration practices. For further information, see here.

• The Chambers Global 2018 Directory has once again ranked Stephen Fietta among the world’s leading public international law practitioners and Sarah Macrory as one of the world’s “Up and Coming” specialists in business and human rights law.

  15 February 2018 – The Chambers Global 2018 Directory has again ranked Stephen Fietta among the world’s leading public international law practitioners and Sarah Macrory as one of the world’s “Up and Coming” specialists in business and human rights law.

• – Sarah Macrory was a judge at world’s first and only moot court competition on Business and Human Rights.  For more information, see here.

  11 February 2018 – Sarah Macrory was a judge at world’s first and only moot court competition on Business and Human Rights.  For more information, see here.

• Stephen Fietta will participate on a panel discussing human rights, the environment and arbitration at the 3rd EFILA Annual Conference 

  5 February 2018 – Stephen Fietta participated on a panel discussing human rights, the environment and arbitration at the 3rd EFILA Annual Conference

• Who’s Who Legal 2018  has again recognised  Stephen Fietta  as among the world’s leading international arbitration experts, identifying him as a “Thought Leader”.  Ashique Rahman has been recognised as a “Future Leader” in the field.  The recognition follows independent research with clients and peers.

  31 January 2018 – Who’s Who Legal 2018  has again recognised  Stephen Fietta  as among the world’s leading international arbitration experts, identifying him as a “Thought Leader“.  Ashique Rahman has been recognised as a “Future Leader” in the field.  The recognition follows independent research with clients and peers.

• Legal Business International Arbitration Summit

  30 November 2017 – Stephen Fietta and Jiries Saadeh spoke at the Legal Business International Arbitration Summit.  For further details of the event, see here.

• Chambers UK 2018

  1 November 2017 – Chambers UK 2018 has ranked Fietta as one of the UK’s leading firms in public international law and investor-State arbitration.  It has also ranked Stephen Fietta as a ‘Band 1’ practitioner in both areas.  Chambers quotes sources as saying that the firm comprises “an exceptional bunch of individuals” with “an amazing grasp of the details” and is “a real joy to work with”.  For further information, see here.

• New Approaches to the South China Sea Conflicts

  19-20 October 2017 – Stephen Fietta spoke at a conference on “New Approaches to the South China Sea Conflicts” at St Antony’s College, Oxford.  For further details of the event, see here.

• The Legal 500 UK 2017

  11 October 2017 – The Legal 500 UK 2017 Directory has ranked us as one of the UK’s leading public international law practices.  It describes Fietta as a “very strong firm for PIL work”, with “real depth of quality”.  The Directory has again ranked Stephen Fietta as a leading public international law individual and identified Jiries Saadeh as a member of the “Next Generation” in the field.  It has also recognised our international arbitration practice.  For further information, see here.

• China Heilongjiang International Economic & Technical Cooperative Corp v Mongolia

  11 October 2017 – Ashique Rahman has been interviewed by LexisPSL in relation to the award rendered in China Heilongjiang International Economic & Technical Cooperative Corp v Mongolia.  

• Investment Treaties: A debate over sovereignty, trade, development and human rights

  11 October 2017 – Stephen Fietta spoke at an event co-hosted by Chatham House and Doughty Street Chambers on “Investment Treaties: A debate over sovereignty, trade, development and human rights”

• International Investment Law & the Law of Armed Conflict

  5-6 October 2017 – Laura Rees-Evans spoke at a Colloquium on “International Investment Law & the Law of Armed Conflict” at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.  For further details of the event, see here.

• Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP

  11 September 2017 – Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP hosted YPILG‘s first event in Asia at their offices in Singapore.  The event took the format of a debate on the topic “This house believes that a permanent investment court is required to address legitimate concerns with the present ISDS regime”.  The debate was introduced by Paul Tan and moderated by Stephen Fietta and Daniel Seah.

• International Investment Disputes

  16 August 2017 – Jiries Saadeh will be co-teaching a  course on International Investment Disputes  at Pepperdine University School of Law (London campus), alongside Lucas Bastin of Essex Court Chambers.

• LexisPSL interview

  24 July 2017 – Ashique Rahman has been interviewed by LexisPSL on  recent developments in investment treaty arbitration.

• World’s first and only moot court competition on business and human rights

  12 June 2017 – Sarah Macrory has been appointed to the drafting committee of the  world’s first and only moot court competition on business and human rights.

• Maritime Boundary Delimitation

  26-28 June 2017 – Stephen Fietta presented at an IBRU  Workshop on “Maritime Boundary Delimitation”  for boundary negotiators and litigators in Kensington, London.

• The Chambers Global 2017 Directory

  16 March 2017 – The Chambers Global 2017 Directory has once again ranked Stephen Fietta among the world’s leading public international law practitioners.  It has also identified Sarah Macrory as one of the world’s “Up and Coming” specialists in business and human rights law.

• The future of investment treaty arbitration

  13 March 2017 – Jiries Saadeh spoke at a conference in Paris, organised by Sciences Po,  on  “The future of investment treaty arbitration”.

• GAR 100

  10 March 2017 – Fietta has been recognised by GAR 100 as one of the world’s leading international arbitration practices.  For further information,  see here.

• Juridical Persons and the Requirements of the ICSID Convention

  9 February 2017 – Ashique Rahman has co-authored a chapter on “Juridical Persons and the Requirements of the ICSID Convention” in  “ICSID Convention after 50 years – Unsettled Issues”  (edited by Dr Crina Baltag).

• Public International Law Counsel to the United Kingdom

  6 February 2017 – The Attorney General has appointed Stephen Fietta to the “A Panel” of Public International Law Counsel to the United Kingdom, for a period of five years.

• Public international law in 2016 and beyond – key developments of the past year and expectations for the future

  31 January 2017 – Stephen Fietta spoke at a YPILG event at Essex Court Chambers on “Public international law in 2016 and beyond – key developments of the past year and expectations for the future”.  For further details, please click  here  and scroll down to “News and Events”.

• The Future of Arbitration

  23 January 2017 – Stephen Fietta addressed the Bar Society of King’s College London on “The Future of Arbitration”. For more details of the event, click here.

• Careers in Public International Law

  18 January 2017 – Jiries Saadeh spoke at a BIICL event on  “Careers in Public International Law”.

For 2016 events click here