7KBW is a leading set in the field of international arbitration (Chambers UK 2020, Legal 500 2020). It “possesses a deep roster of barristers with significant expertise in commercial arbitrations” and “continues to benefit from its impressive international reach” (Chambers UK 2020). Members are regularly instructed as counsel or as arbitrators in very substantial international arbitrations.
As counsel, whether as sole counsel or working in teams, we represent clients who wish to have their disputes resolved privately by a tribunal appointed by the parties, whether domestically, or internationally. We appear in proceedings taking place in London, and in established and emerging arbitral centres globally; in Europe, across the Asia-Pacific region, the Middle East, the Americas, and Africa.
Members have experience acting in ad hoc international arbitrations and are also familiar with the rules and procedures of the major commercial arbitration institutions, including those of the ICC, LCIA, LMAA, AAA, SIAC, SCC, LCIA-DIFC, DIAC, HKIAC, KCAB, KLRCA, ARIAS and ACICA, as well as the UNCITRAL rules.
Our experience covers arbitrations arising from a wide range of sectors spanning international business and commerce, including areas in which we are recognised market leaders, such as insurance and reinsurance, commercial claims, aviation, shipping, commodities, and logistics, as well as energy and natural resources disputes.
Members are also familiar with investor-state dispute settlement, conducted under the International Convention on the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).
We also have considerable experience in applications to the English High Court under the Arbitration Act 1996 in support of international arbitrations with their seat in London – including applications to freeze worldwide assets, to obtain anti-suit injunctions to restrain breaches of arbitration agreements, to preserve evidence and inspect property – as well as applications challenging awards for want of jurisdiction, error of law and procedural irregularity.
The enforcement of arbitration awards is a particular speciality of 7KBW, with members able to assist with enforcement proceedings across the globe, recognising the commercial imperatives to do so.
Members of 7KBW also sit as independent arbitrators in a wide variety of disputes, with 3 members committed to working as arbitrators on a full-time basis and other senior and junior members maintaining substantial practices as arbitrators.
When sitting as arbitrators, our members render awards on a timely basis. Our clerks can ensure confidentiality and are experienced in establishing separation of support whenever we have counsel on one or both sides and arbitrator(s) engaged in the same matter.
Members can act as sole arbitrators. They also act as party-appointed co-arbitrators. Our senior members can chair tribunals and are highly regarded for their work in doing so. Members have worked with all of the leading arbitration institutions and also accept appointments on an ad hoc basis.
Members regularly sit as arbitrators in London, but are also active internationally and have, in recent times, accepted appointments to tribunals sitting in Bermuda, Paris, Geneva and Stockholm in Europe; Dubai in the Middle East; Hong Kong, Singapore, Korea and Kuala Lumpur in Asia; Sydney in Australia; as well as in many less prominent jurisdictions.