International Arbitration

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

Our practitioners have in depth knowledge of the various different arbitration rules and a wealth of experience.

We are able to advise on all stages of the arbitral process including: drafting of arbitration agreements; choice of law and jurisdiction; conducting 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 automotive, chemicals, construction, defence, logistics, 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)
• International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID)
• 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)

Our Firm-wide international arbitration expertise is consistently praised in the leading legal directories. The Legal 500 notes we focus on “complex, high-value and frequently cross-border cases.” We are praised for being an “excellent international commercial arbitration practice” and a “cohesive, agile, close-knit, hardworking team”. Our practice is further described as “high-powered and nimble” and market commentators note “there a high degree of partner engagement on any matter”. The practice in Paris is also recognised in Le Point’s directory of leading law firms.

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, who has comprehensive experience in international arbitration across a broad range of sectors. Ioannis is recognised in The Legal 500 UK Guide as a ‘Recommended Lawyer’ for international arbitration and is praised as a “an excellent arbitration lawyer, who is smart, efficient and very responsive” and a “brilliant advocate”. The Guide also notes that he “is experienced in cases involving Greece, the Balkans, Russia and Central Asia, the Middle East, Brazil and sub-Saharan Africa”. The Chambers UK and Global Guides both rank Ioannis for his international arbitration expertise, noting he “is very experienced and brings a wealth of knowledge to the field”. Past guides also commend Ioannis as a “highly rated litigator” and noted he “is well known for joint venture and shareholder disputes, business break-ups and fraud and banking disputes“.

Flore Poloni leads 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 2020 Guide ranks Flore as a ‘Recommended Lawyer’ for dispute resolution in France and a ‘Rising Star’ lawyer for International Arbitration, recognising her “extensive expertise in international arbitration” and describing her as “extremely capable”.

Natalia Chumak has over 15 years’ experience in complex and high value international disputes. She has been ranked in Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500 for her work in the field of international arbitration.

Josh Wong is regarded as a ‘Recommended Lawyer’ in The Legal 500 UK for his international arbitration expertise, which describes him as “an expert in security, asset tracing and enforcement actions involving multiple jurisdictions”. He has also been 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.

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. He is a ‘Recommended Lawyer’ in The Legal 500 UK Guide for international arbitration and has been described as “an exceptionally committed, exceptionally hard-working lawyer, with a careful and thorough approach to issues”.

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. The Legal 500 describes him as “outstandingly clever” and “an exceptionally talented lawyer, a strategic thinker and a pleasure to work with.” He is also co-author of the leading international arbitration textbook, “International Arbitration: A Practical Guide”.

Bernhard Maier specialises in commercial and investment treaty arbitration, with a particular focus on the natural resources, technology and life sciences industries. He also represents clients in contentious and non-contentious public international law matters and sits as an arbitrator. Highlights of Bernhard’s practice include successfully acting for a party in a multibillion-dollar ICSID arbitration pertaining to the mining industry and representing a Caribbean state in a high-profile investment treaty claim involving international environmental law. He also recently secured a complete dismissal of a €500m+ LCIA claim brought against a leading publicly listed medical devices manufacturer. Bernhard has acted for claimant and respondent parties in a wide range of investment treaty and commercial arbitration matters (including under the Energy Charter Treaty and ICSID, UNCITRAL, ICC, LCIA, VIAC, DIS and AAA Rules), as well as related cross-border litigation and enforcement issues.