International arbitration

Wikborg Rein has a market leading international arbitration practice. We know the process, the institutions and the arbitrators. We successfully combine extensive experience of institutional and ad hoc arbitrations with our specialist sector based industry knowledge.

As one of Norway’s largest and most international law firm, we offer international arbitration services of the highest quality around the world.

Our unique and long-standing presence in various jurisdictions allows us to offer and provide seamless international arbitration services to our clients  through our offices placed in London, Shanghai and Singapore as well as our Norwegian offices in Oslo and Bergen. We also have a presence in Brazil through our law alliance with Vieira Rezende.

Our industry knowledge allows us to act in arbitrations all over the world, including in "foreign" jurisdictions with no connection with our "home" jurisdictions, other than the technical details of the case.  For example, as well as acting in arbitrations seated in the traditional arbitration centres in Europe and Asia, our team has recently acted in arbitrations involving the laws of Brazil, Oman, New Zealand, Ukraine, Turkey and Yemen.  We are equally comfortable in common law and civil code environments.

Energy

We have extensive experience across the energy industry, routinely acting for those involved in both upstream and downstream projects and contracts.

In recent years we have also developed a specialism in relation to the European energy and gas markets. For example, since 2001 we have represented buyers in around 40 gas disputes including adjustments of indices, price and volume as well as transportation disputes. We have also successfully represented and/or advised clients in around 20 arbitrations related to long-term gas sales contracts and transportation contracts, involving amounts in dispute above ten digits USD in some cases. Read more about our Gas Disputes practice.

The majority of our energy related arbitrations have been conducted pursuant to the ICC, LCIA and SCC Rules, but we have also been involved in ad hoc arbitrations under English, German and Norwegian law. 

Shipping and offshore

We have a leading international maritime practice with clients across the full range of the shipping and offshore industries. Our lawyers assist clients with international arbitrations arising from the construction, finance, operation and management of shipping and offshore assets, including ad hoc arbitrations and arbitrations under LMAA, SIAC, LCIA, HKIAC, ICC rules.

We have more than 80 lawyers globally providing dispute resolution services to the shipping and offshore industries, under English, Norwegian and other laws. We have a well-deserved reputation for success and can provide an extensive list of active and previous cases of all sizes. Read more about our Shipping & Offshore practice.   

Construction

Our team of construction specialists advises on all phases of construction projects, both onshore and offshore.  Our knowledge of the commercial dynamics underpinning the construction, engineering and infrastructure sectors, along with our understanding of the relevant technical issues, gives us a genuine edge in the market.

We have extensive experience of industry practices and various standard agreements, such as NF/NTK, NS, FIDIC and Orgalime, as well as EPC contracting generally and act for both employers and contractors. We draw on this experience when we appear as advocates before arbitral tribunals in construction disputes all over the world. Read more about our construction practice.

Competition 

Disputes in the European market are rarely unaffected by European competition law. We have extensive experience in combining our knowledge of various industries and of European competition law to the benefit of our clients. Read more about our competition practice.

Defence

We have extensive experience from the defence industry. Our team has successfully represented clients in major disputes with seats in various parts of Europe. 

Intellectual property

We have successfully represented clients in numerous arbitrations concerning intellectual property and technology. Our highly-qualified and dedicated lawyers have a broad experience and understanding of both the legal and technological areas relating to intellectual property. Read more about our intellectual property practice.

M&A, Corporate matters

Disputes may arise from various forms of business combinations (M&A) as well as under shareholders agreements and arising from attempts to "decouple". We have extensive experience in representing parties in international arbitration in such corporate matters. Read more about our M&A practice. 

Read articles on litigation and arbitration

  • Litigation and Arbitration

    2023

    Stopping assignment to an insurer: Dassault Aviation SA v Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Co Ltd

    How does a non-assignment clause fare against a "mandatory" transfer of rights to an insurer? Dassault vs Mitsui considered what is meant by an "involuntary transfer", and when it can be prohibited by a contractual provision.

  • Litigation and Arbitration, Environmental law

    2023

    Has the forum shop opened for business?

    Here we consider a high profile procedural decision of the English Court of Appeal, which included commentary on the common law doctrine of forum non conveniens: Municipio de Mariana v (1) BHP Group (UK) LTD (2) BHP Group Ltd.

  • Litigation and Arbitration

    2023

    Form of Interim Remedies in English-Seated UNCITRAL arbitrations

    In EGF v HVF and others [2022] EWHC 2470 (Comm), the English Commercial Court dismissed the claimant's procedural challenges pursuant to s.24 (power of the court to remove an arbitrator), 67 (lack of substantive jurisdiction) and 68(2)(b) (exceeding arbitral powers) of the Arbitration Act 1996. We weigh in on the procedural ruling which concerns the remedy of interim payments under the 2010 UNCITRAL Rules.