International Arbitration

Our expertise in international arbitration has been recognised in legal directories:

The Legal 500 UK 2021

Specialist dispute resolution firm Signature Litigation LLP focuses on complex, high-value and frequently cross-border cases. The ‘cohesive, agile, close-knit, hardworking team’ is particularly active in the energy, financial services, telecoms and technology sectors. Group head Ioannis Alexopoulos is experienced in cases involving Greece, the Balkans, Russia and Central Asia, the Middle East, Brazil and sub-Saharan Africa; and Josh Wong is an expert in security, asset tracing and enforcement actions involving multiple jurisdictions. Daniel Spendlove and counsel Neil Newing provide further support.

The Legal 500 UK 2020

“Signature Litigation LLP’s ‘tactical and strategic vision is unparalleled, and the practice has a great range of partners and associates’. It fields specialist arbitration lawyers who are experienced in high-value, complex international arbitrations. Natalia Chumak has a particular focus on CIS-related matters; Ioannis Alexopoulos is well known for joint venture and shareholder disputes, business break-ups and fraud and banking disputes; and Josh Wong is recommended for security, asset tracing and enforcement actions that involve multiple jurisdictions. Counsel Neil Newing and senior associate Nick Storrs are also key advisers.”

The Legal 500 UK 2019

“Signature Litigation LLP ‘has a strong and experienced arbitration team‘. The practice has substantial experience acting for clients in high-value, complex international arbitrations; and is particularly noted for disputes work involving Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan. The key contacts are Natalia Chumak, Ioannis Alexopoulos, Adam Rooney and Josh Wong. Counsel Neil Newing, who joined from Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP, and senior associate Nick Storrs are also highly regarded.”

Our depth of experience and conflict free platform means we are well-placed to provide expert representation and advocacy in complex international matters.

We are able to advise on all stages of the arbitral process including: drafting of arbitration agreements; choice of law and jurisdiction; conducting the arbitral proceedings including acting as advocates before arbitral tribunals; enforcement of arbitral awards; and connected court matters such as anti-suit injunctions, freezing orders and other emergency measures. Our team is also experienced in investment treaty arbitration under the ICSID, ICC and UNCITRAL Rules.

We regularly act in arbitration matters for corporate clients and high net-worth individuals in the construction, energy, financial services, insurance, manufacturing, telecoms and technology sectors. Our recent experience includes acting for claimants and respondents in claims under the following rules:

• London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA)
• International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
• United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL)
• Swiss Chamber of Commerce Rules of International Arbitration (SCIA)
• Arbitral Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce (SCC)
• Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC)
• Dubai International Finance Centre-London Court of International Arbitration (DIFC-LCIA)
• Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC)
• China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC)

We have a team of highly experienced experts in international arbitration with in depth knowledge of all areas of arbitration law and practice as well as its interplay with national courts.

In London the practice is led by Ioannis Alexopoulos has comprehensive experience in international arbitration across a broad range of sectors. The Legal 500 UK recognises Ioannis for having “great experience, clear thinking and iron logic”.

Flore Poloni heads Signature’s Paris practice. She acts as arbitrator and counsel in matters relating in particular to the defence, chemicals, new technologies and automotive industries. She regularly acts in shareholder or post-acquisition and agreement termination disputes. Ranked in Who’s Who Legal Arbitration – Future Leaders, Flore is described as a “very dynamic and multi-skilled lawyer” whom peers highlight as “definitely a future leader”, and she is recognised as “a go-to person for arbitration in France”. The Legal 500 EMEA Guide recognises Flore as a ‘Recommended Lawyer’ for dispute resolution France and she has been recognised as a ‘Rising Star’ lawyer for international arbitration. Flore is praised for her “extensive expertise in international arbitration” and has been described as “extremely capable”.

Natalia Chumak is ranked in Chambers and Partners for her work in the field of international arbitration. Natalia has also been recommended in The Legal 500 UK Guide for international arbitration.

Josh Wong is ranked in Chambers Global as a ‘Foreign Expert Based in UK’ for his Chinese dispute resolution, arbitration expertise, and as a ‘Foreign Expert for China’ for UK dispute resolution. He is also regarded as a ‘Recommended Lawyer’ in The Legal 500 UK 2021 for his international arbitration expertise.

Daniel Spendlove has extensive experience acting for clients in arbitral proceedings, particularly in disputes relating to the oil and gas, mining and natural resources sectors.

Neil Newing has extensive experience as counsel in both international commercial arbitration and investment treaty arbitration. Neil has been recognised in The Legal 500 UK Guide as a key contact for international arbitration and public international law, and is co-author of the leading international arbitration textbook, “International Arbitration: A Practical Guide”.