Biography
George is a Senior Associate at Signature Litigation with experience in commercial and investment disputes, both in arbitration and in the courts of England and Wales, primarily within the construction, energy, trade & commodities, insurance and technology sectors.
George has acted as counsel in numerous proceedings before the High Court of Justice, as well as international arbitrations under the rules of the major arbitral institutions (including UNCITRAL, LCIA and ICSID). George is qualified as a Solicitor Advocate and therefore has rights of audience in the senior higher courts in England and Wales.
Prior to joining Signature, he was an Associate in Clyde & Co’s International Arbitration Group. He has also served as outside counsel to the Legal Transition Team of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, with a focus on blockchain and smart contracts in the renewable energy sector. Whilst there, George co-authored a report with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development exploring the application of Blockchain and Smart Contracts in emerging energy markets.
George is a member of ICC Young Arbitrators Forum, LCIA Young International Arbitration Group, Young International Council for Commercial Arbitration, and Silicon Valley Arbitration and Mediation Center Young Professionals. He has authored articles on topics relating to international and investment arbitration, as well as the interplay between law and emerging technologies.
He is fluent in Greek, German and English.
Experience
Commercial disputes
- Acting for a multinational automotive manufacturer on diesel emissions litigation in the High Court of England & Wales in the context of allegations of fraud and deceiving consumers under EU legislation and UK law.
- Advising senior management of a Thai renewable energy company on litigation in the High Court of England & Wales in the context of allegations of fraud and conspiracy in relation to various transfers of shares.
- Advising senior management of a tech company in relation to investor and shareholder issues arising from the potential withdrawal of an investor, potential investor liability and related reputational / media management issues.
- Acting for a construction engineering company in proceedings in the Technology and Construction Court in respect of a £150m claim arising from the design and construction of a fluidised bed gasification plant in Hull.
- Acting for a multinational energy company in proceedings in the Technology and Construction Court in respect of property damage and business interruption claims of over $15m arising from the failure of an oil refinery in Stanlow.
Investment Disputes
- Acting for an Australian listed mining company in ICSID annulment proceedings against the Republic of The Gambia in respect of a successful award for AUD$31m in relation to the termination of a mining concession (ICSID Case No. ARB/09/19).
- Advising investors in multiple proceedings before the ECtHR and in investment treaty arbitration under UNCITRAL rules against an Eastern European state in respect of a €500m damages claim arising from the termination of licenses.
- Advising investors on the effect of termination of intra-EU BITs in the context of treaty planning and protection. Assisting in business development and external learning functions on aspects of international investment law.
Insurance / Reinsurance
- Acting for reinsurers in respect of business interruption, property damage, and delay in start-up claims resulting from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
- Advising reinsurers in JAMS mediation proceedings in respect of an insurance coverage claim worth $1.4b arising from a dam failure in Brazil.
- Advising reinsurers in LCIA arbitration proceedings in respect of claims for insurance cover arising from the construction of a hydroelectric dam in Brazil.
- Advising reinsurers in respect of errors and omissions claims and data security breaches in the technology, media and healthcare sectors in North America.
Latest news

@SignatureLitLLP
We are pleased to announce that Ela Barda has been promoted to Counsel - many congratulations, Ela! Read more here: bit.ly/3XMqd7A #Litigation #CommercialLitigation pic.twitter.com/JxZLKh1qN2