International arbitration
As a world-leading international arbitration practice operating across key jurisdictions and industry sectors, Freshfields offers clients a comprehensive range of services in commercial and treaty arbitration, litigation in support of arbitration, global projects disputes, public international law and alternative dispute resolution.
Our diverse team of over 200 market-leading lawyers in multiple locations conducts arbitrations all over the world, whatever the governing law of the dispute, the language of the arbitration, the applicable arbitration rules, or the subject matter of the dispute. Our involvement is not limited to arbitral proceedings: we advise clients in the full range of matters, from arbitration to post-award proceedings, including annulment proceedings before domestic courts and ICSID annulment panels.
We have decades of experience offering innovative advice and strategies so our clients can succeed in the most challenging disputes around the world. With over 2,800 lawyers and other legal professionals across the firm, experienced in the key legal disciplines, we can quickly assemble cross-practice teams that work seamlessly to solve our clients’ most complex problems and react to new challenges, wherever and whenever they arise.
In addition to breaking new ground in international arbitration and setting key new precedents for whole industry sectors and geographies, we are thought leaders in new and emerging areas of international arbitration. For example, we play a significant role in the development of the Pledge for Equal Representation in Arbitration and the Pledge for Equal Representation of Expert Witnesses. We also play an active role in the Campaign for Greener Arbitrations, an initiative to reduce the carbon footprint of the arbitration community.
Recent client successes
Securing one of the largest awards in ICSID history on behalf of Crystallex against Venezuela.
The Tribunal unanimously awarded Crystallex $1.2bn in damages in connection with Venezuela’s expropriation of the Las Cristinas gold mine.
Securing a landmark win for BBVA in an ICSID Additional Facility arbitration against Bolivia.
Successfully secured a ground-breaking award in excess of $100m for financial group BBVA in a dispute arising out of government measures nationalising the pension fund administration service provided by BBVA’s Bolivian subsidiary.
Advising East Mediterranean Gas and its foreign shareholders in four parallel arbitrations under ICSID, UNCITRAL, ICC, and CRCICA against Egypt and its gas companies.
The dispute concerned a project to construct a submarine gas pipeline to export gas to Israel as part of the 1979 Camp David Accords. The gas export deal was terminated by the Egyptian side in the wake of the Arab Spring, leading to the contract and treaty claims. Awards of $1bn and $288m followed, as well as a monumental settlement that will transform the gas market in the East Mediterranean basin.
Representing RWE Transgas in a groundbreaking $4bn gas price review and a $700m take-or-pay dispute resolved by ICC arbitrations under a long-term gas supply agreement with Gazprom.
Awards & Recognitions
Ranked in GAR 30 as one of the world’s leading international arbitration practices by Global Arbitration Review since 2008
Forty-six of the firm’s international arbitration partners, counsel and associates were recognised in Who’s Who Legal Arbitration 2024
Winner of the ALB SE Asia Law International Arbitration Law Firm of the Year in 2023
Winner of the Who’s Who Legal Arbitration Law Firm of the Year (2022-2023).
Winner of the Law360 International Arbitration Practice of the Year Award in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022
Winner of the inaugural GAR Green Award for sustainable behaviour in 2021
Winner of the Chambers Latin America International Arbitration Law Firm of the Year (International Counsel) Award in the years 2017-2023
Winner of the Chambers Middle East UAE Arbitration Law Firm of the Year (2021 & 2022)
Band 1 - International Arbitration:
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- Chambers Global – 2024
- Chambers Germany – Dispute Resolution (incl. Arbitration) - 2022 - 2024
- Chambers USA - 2024
- Chambers Latin America - 2025
Tier 1 – International Arbitration:
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- Legal 500 Latin America 2024
- Legal 500 USA – 2024
Tier 1 – Arbitration:
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- JUVE Handbook – 2022/2023, 2023/2024
Ranked the No. 1 law firm globally for ICSID arbitration cases in Latin America by Latinvex (2020-2022)
Ranked as one of Latin America's top law firms for International Arbitration by Latinvex
"They are extremely talented, very smart and experienced, very thorough in their work, have exceptional commitment and, most importantly, are very kind and excellent human beings."
"The Freshfields team is distinctive in the outstanding legal precision and clarity of its work… and its high success rate."
Freshfields is an “exceptional firm” for international arbitration, whose lawyers “go the extra mile and work extremely hard.”
"They are the top-notch arbitration firm for state-investor cases in the world… and have an incredible team with extraordinary skills."
