M&A, JV and Shareholder Arbitration
Allen & Overy’s International Arbitration team represents major international companies in arbitrations arising out of corporate activity.
Our deeply experienced lawyers work closely with the firm’s leading corporate transactions practice to advise on disputes relating to mergers and acquisitions, shareholder agreements, sale and purchase agreements, joint ventures and disputes between shareholders.
These claims often concern the parties’ rights to exercise certain options, breaches of warranties and representations, and the valuation of businesses and their assets. We have extensive experience of working on complex claims concerning the extent of loss suffered, working closely with accountants and other financial experts.
Where parties are involved in ongoing business relationships, such as joint ventures and shareholder disputes, we understand the commercial need to maintain relationships while resolving issues. We are adept at aligning case strategy with business needs, including through the use of amicable means of settlement, such as mediation.
In developing markets, the State may be an essential stakeholder, license provider, business counterparty or joint venture partner. We routinely act for State entities and investors in dispute resolution and understand the issues on both sides.
In addition to acting on disputes, we also advise clients on structuring corporate deals to mitigate risks should a dispute arise.
Our experience includes advising:
- Joint venture partners Reliance Industries Limited and BG Exploration and Production India Limited on a London-seated arbitration against the Government of India (UNCITRAL Rules) arising from two Production Sharing Contracts relating to oil and gas fields off the west coast of India. More than USD5 billion is in dispute.
- A leading State-owned company active in the oil and gas sector, in an ICC arbitration with a foreign joint venture partner in relation to the delay or failure of a USD1.2bn project in a Central American country.
- The subsidiary of a major state-owned entity in a dispute with a leading technology company relating to a joint venture for the distribution of artificial intelligence products. The case was successfully settled.
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News and insights
Publications: 15 February 2024
German arbitration law is to be reformed to current needs and thus intended to be made more attractive overall. To this end, the German Federal Ministry of Justice on 1 February 2024 published a draft…
News: 01 February 2024
Allen & Overy strengthens German arbitration practice with new counsel hire
Allen & Overy is growing its German arbitration group with the addition of arbitration expert Dr Tino Schneider, who will join the firm as counsel on 1 February 2024. Tino has extensive experience in…
Publications: 12 January 2024
Artificial intelligence in arbitration: evidentiary issues and prospects
Martin Magal, Alexander Calthrop and Katrina Limond of Allen & Overy examine how artificial intelligence will change the way in which parties gather, analyse, and present evidence in international…
Publications: 20 December 2023
The implication of the Foreign State Immunity Law on cross-border disputes in the PRC and Hong Kong
The long-standing practice to adopt the principle of absolute foreign state immunity by the People’s Republic of China (the PRC) and Hong Kong is coming to an end as the PRC’s Foreign State Immunity…
Awards
- Band 1, Dispute Resolution, Global-wide, Chambers Global 2022
- International Arbitration Firm of the Year, Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific Awards 2020
- Leading firm (top tier) ranking in the “Leaders League” table for International Arbitration (Spain) 2022
Recognition
Prominent international team which maintains a respected arbitration practice.
Chambers Global 2022, International Arbitration, Global Market Leaders
Allen & Overy is an exceptional magic circle firm with an extensive global presence in key jurisdictions worldwide, housing leading disputes teams across Europe and Asia.
Chambers Global 2022, Dispute Resolution: Multi-Jurisdictional
The team has significant expertise in oil and gas litigation, including price reviews of long-term supply contracts and post-M&A disputes.
Legal 500 UK 2020, International Arbitration
Commentators praise the firm, stating that ‘they undoubtedly have a fantastic practice,’ and describing the arbitration group as a ‘truly global practice.’
Chambers Global 2018, International Arbitration, Global-wide
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International Arbitration Review
Recent developments and emerging trends in international arbitration law and policy