John Laird

Commercial arbitration:

• Representing the Swiss subsidiary of a global manufacturing group against a Russian company under Swiss Arbitration Centre rules;
• Representing the U.K. subsidiary of a Swiss conglomerate against a U.S. company in LCIA arbitration regarding breach of a pharmaceuticals licensing agreement.
• Representing an Egyptian consortium and Kuwaiti supply chain management company in an ICC arbitration brought by a South Korean supplier regarding a port construction subcontract.
• Representing a European company in CIArb arbitration against a South Asian government for breach of contract; defence of related English High Court award challenge proceedings; successful English High Court award enforcement and execution proceedings and related advice on sovereign immunity.
• Representing a South African mineral and mining company in an LCIA arbitration, securing damages of $190 million.
• Advising an American hospitality company in ICC and ICDR arbitrations regarding management disputes at European and Middle Eastern hotels.

Investment arbitration:

• Representing a Canadian pipeline investor in UNCITRAL arbitration against the United States of America under USMCA and NAFTA rules.

• Advising a Government on scope of potential claims under international investment law.

• Representing a Kuwaiti supply chain management company in ICSID arbitration against a Middle Eastern State claiming breaches of a bilateral investment treaty regarding a port construction project.
• Representing a Russian national in UNCITRAL arbitration against a Middle Eastern State claiming breaches of a bilateral investment treaty regarding criminal investigations and trial procedures.
• Advising an international hotel developer as claimant in ICSID arbitration claiming breaches of a bilateral investment treaty.
• Advising a European construction and development consortium as claimant in ICSID arbitration and follow on award annulment proceedings.

English commercial and competition litigation:

• Representing co-defendants in complex multi-party fraud claims in the High Court.
• Representing an airline in a manufacturing dispute with a major aircraft manufacturer in the High Court and Court of Appeal.
• Defending a party to Part 20 High Court proceedings regarding claims arising from anti-competitive behaviour in the air cargo industry.
• Representing a transportation company in the High Court in relation to the repudiation of an operating contract.
• Advising a British public company regarding a cartel follow-on claim in the High Court.
• Advising a group of companies in a cartel follow-on claim in the High Court and Court of Appeal.
• Enforcement and defence of arbitral awards and foreign judgments in the English courts including awards against sovereigns under international instruments such as the Energy Charter Treaty.

International trade advisory:

• Representing parties in Tax Tribunal proceedings regarding application of anti-dumping duties.
• Advising on sanctions impacts on contracts and dispute resolution representation of clients regarding contract performance affected by sanctions.