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Global 100 – 2023

Volterra Fietta have been selected for Firm of the Year – Arbitration – England.  

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46th Session of the International Energy Charter Industry Advisory Panel and Launch of EIRA 2022

On 6 December 2022 Graham Coop (Partner) will speak at the 46th Session of the International Energy Charter Industry Advisory Panel and Launch of EIRA 2022  which will be hosted by the Energy Charter Secretariat in Brussels. The topic of his presentation at the Panel will be “Impact of Climate Change on the World Economy” For

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Law360

Graham Coop (Partner) of Volterra Fietta was recently cited in an article entitled “Investors Left Hanging As Europe Balks At Modernizing ECT”. The article, published on 23 November 2022 by Law360, can be found here.  

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Law360

Graham Coop (Partner) of Volterra Fietta was recently cited in an article entitled “€190M Award Fans Flames Against Investor-State Arbitration”. The article, published on 14 September 2022 by Law360, can be found here.

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UPES Conference 2022 – Security of the Energy Supply – Nothing will be the same

On the 25th November 2022 Graham Coop (Partner), was a keynote speaker at the UPES Conference 2022  which was held at the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Belgrade. The topic of his speech was “The modernised Energy Charter Treaty: Is the better the enemy of the good? For more details about the event, click

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Webinar: Investment protection treaties and the clean energy transition

On 7 September 2022, Volterra Fietta hosted a virtual seminar on “Investment protection treaties and the clean energy transition”. To combat climate change, the transition towards clean and renewable sources of energy remains a leading priority around the world.  This is particularly so at a time when global events have focused attention on energy security

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Volterra Fietta Partner Gunjan Sharma publishes results of a survey of a decade’s worth of investment protection treaties

Gunjan Sharma, Partner at Volterra Fietta, recently contributed a chapter entitled “New Procedural Mechanisms for Investor State Arbitration as Found in 189 Recently Signed Treaties” in the recently-published book “International Arbitration in Times of Economic Nationalism”.  Through a comprehensive survey, the chapter analyses how States throughout the 2010s largely decided to make only immaterial changes to

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Webinar: Arbitration in the Middle East

On 27 July 2022, Volterra Fietta hosted a virtual seminar on “Arbitration in the Middle East – trends, developments and strategies”. Strong judicial and governmental support combined with strategic thinking is transforming the Middle East into a prominent global arbitration centre.  That process is accelerating as several regional hubs rapidly move towards diversifying their economies.

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Webinar: Effectively Pleading Quantum in International Arbitration

On 28 June 2022, Volterra Fietta hosted a virtual seminar on “Effectively Pleading Quantum in International Arbitration”. In an investor-State arbitration, it is vitally important to understand the quantum issues as early possible.  The very first pleadings to a Tribunal should set the stage for the debate on losses.  Unfortunately, many practitioners may not be

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Webinar: Fair and Equitable Deep Seabed Mining – sharing deep seabed mining’s financial and other benefits

On 16 June 2022, Volterra Fietta hosted a virtual seminar on Fair and Equitable Deep Seabed Mining – sharing deep seabed mining’s financial and other benefits. Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (“UNCLOS”) activities in the Area, i.e., the seabed and ocean floor and subsoil thereof beyond the limits of

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Webinar: Dispute Resolution under UNCLOS

  ​On 9 June Volterra Fietta hosted the virtual seminar on “dispute resolution under UNCLOS”. The disputes settlement system under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (“UNCLOS”) is one of the most complex and detailed dispute resolution systems in public international law.  It offers a diverse mix of processes, including both

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Webinar: All at sea?  International law and the predicament of rising sea levels 

  On 26 May, Volterra Fietta hosted the virtual seminar on “All at sea?  International law and the predicament of rising sea levels”. Rising sea levels represents one of the most serious consequences of climate change, in particular for low-lying and small island States.  By 2100, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predicts that global

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Webinar: Latest developments in gas price revision disputes around the world

On 23 May, Volterra Fietta hosted the virtual seminar on “Latest developments in gas contract disputes”. As everyone knows, energy markets are passing through a period of exceptional turmoil.  This is particularly so in the European context, but no part of the world is exempt. Volterra Fietta has been closely following the significant developments in

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Webinar: Maritime boundary delimitation in practice

On 18 May 2022, Volterra Fietta hosted a virtual seminar on “Maritime boundary delimitation in practice”. Maritime boundary delimitation, or the process of dividing maritime areas between sovereign States, is a complex legal and technical process.  It is also one of the most important diplomatic processes relevant in the global economy today.  However, only a

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10th Annual Deep Sea Mining Summit

On 27 April 2022, Angela Ha and Florentine Vos spoke at the 10th Annual Deep Sea Mining Summit, held in London.  The topic of their presentation was “Deep Seabed Mining: What’s next now that Nauru has pulled the trigger?”

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Webinar: Deep seabed mining and sustainability – mining for the green energy transition

On 21 April 2022, Volterra Fietta hosted the virtual seminar on “Deep seabed mining – mining for the green energy transition”. Deep seabed mining is a rapidly developing industry.  It is on the cutting edge of technology and, according to its proponents, has the potential to power the world’s energy transition, in a green and

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UNCLOS Webinar: Claiming the unclaimed: the limits of the continental shelf beyond 200 nm

On 14 April 2022, Volterra Fietta hosted the virtual seminar “Claiming the unclaimed:  the limits of the continental shelf beyond 200 nm”. The continental shelf is the largest maritime area within a State’s national jurisdiction. It is an area of increasing importance, commercially and otherwise. States have sole rights to drilling, fishing and mining on

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Webinar: Post-conflict International Claims Commissions

  The international community has – with perhaps surprising frequency – established post-conflict international claims commissions as a way to de-politicise the settlement of conflict-affected economic and other disputes.  Historically, such claims commissions have included settling claims between: States involved in an armed conflict; States involved in an armed conflict and third States; States involved

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Deep Seabed Mining – Webinar 2: Dispute Resolution in Deep Seabed Mining

 Deep seabed mining is a rapidly developing industry, on the verge of moving from the exploration phase to the exploitation phase.  As with any fast-growing industry, in particular, one involving many different private and public stakeholders, complex regulations, new technologies and large investments, disputes are likely to arise in the deep seabed mining sector.

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Webinar: Artificial Intelligence in Space

 Artificial intelligence (AI) will soon become an essential aspect of all forms of space operations: from satellite services to space journeys involving astronauts. AI holds great potential in relation to numerous other aspects of space operations, including the control and locating of satellite mega-constellations, advanced telecommunications and end-of-life management. This Volterra Fietta webinar addressed

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Webinar: Title to Oil and Gas in Disputed Maritime Areas

2022 marks another anniversary of the opening of signature of the 1982 UNCLOS.  40 years and nearly 170 State parties later, it still forms the basic legal framework for the law of the sea, covering issues from navigation, piracy and maritime boundaries. Volterra Fietta’s second instalment of its seminar series on UCLOS will consider title

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Webinar: Provisional measures at the International Court of Justice

More than 70 years ago, the International Court of Justice published its first order for provisional measures.  Provisional measures aim to protect rights under imminent threat and, as such, play a crucial role in the maintenance of international peace and security.  As the recent orders for provisional measures by the International Court of Justice demonstrate,

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Deep Seabed Mining – Webinar 1: Pulling the trigger – what’s next now Nauru has triggered the two-year countdown for deep seabed mining

This was the first in Volterra Fietta’s four-part virtual seminar series that will explore different aspects of deep seabed mining. This first seminar discussed the effects of Nauru’s request to the International Seabed Authority (“ISA”) to finalise the deep seabed mining code, i.e., the regulations for the exploitation of minerals in the international seabed, by

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ICJ (Armenia v Azerbaijan)

On 16 September 2021, Armenia initiated proceedings against Azerbaijan before the International Court of Justice over violations of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (“CERD”) by Azerbaijani authorities.  On 23 September 2021, Azerbaijan commenced its own proceedings under the same basis, before the Court against Armenia.   Through its

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Webinar: The winter of discontent: surging energy prices in Europe

A new gas crisis is underway in Europe.  Cold weather, a slowdown of domestic gas production and competition for LNG deliveries with Asian markets have engendered a spiral of gas price hikes throughout the last year.  Russia’s Gazprom seems to be either unable or unwilling to be a supplier of last resort to the EU. 

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Webinar: Successes and failures of UNCLOS

 This was the inaugural seminar in Volterra Fietta’s seminar series to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (referred to as UNCLOS).   2022 marks another anniversary of the opening of signature of the 1982 UNCLOS.  40 years and nearly 170 State parties later, it still

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UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement

On 16 December 2021, the United Kingdom signed an historic trade agreement with the Commonwealth of Australia, the first from ‘scratch’ UK trade deal since it left the EU.  The UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement is Australia’s second-largest trade treaty with another country and gives UK firms guaranteed access to bid for an additional £10 billion

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Webinar: Weapons in Space

This was the next part in Volterra Fietta’s continuing virtual seminar series on Space Law.   The possibility that space will be a completely demilitarised zone appears increasingly remote.  While international efforts to continue to prevent the militarisation of space, on the one hand, space continues to be used for a range of military applications –

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Webinar: Resource Nationalism and Other Challenges to the Mining Sector

The mining sector faces constant political challenges at both State and local levels. At this webinar, our experts gave an expert eye over recent arbitration awards.   Our speakers were:   Mr Robert Volterra, Partner at Volterra Fietta and visiting professor of law at University College London.  Mr Volterra advises and represents governments, international organisations

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Nauru triggers two-year countdown for deep seabed mining

On 25 June 2021, the Republic of Nauru (“Nauru”) triggered a two-year countdown for the International Seabed Authority (the “ISA”) to finalise the regulations for the exploitation of minerals in the international seabed.  If ISA does not complete those regulations within two years, deep seabed mining contractors could commence exploitation based on provisionally adopted regulations.

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Latin America and the Caribbean join the space race with the creation of a regional space agency (ALCE)

Somewhat abruptly, the planet entered into a new and rapidly accelerating space race.  Latin America and the Caribbean have decided to join that race.   On 24 July 2021, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Argentina, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Paraguay and Mexico signed a joint declaration containing a draft constitutive convention establishing the Latin

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The Escazú Agreement enters into force

The Regional Agreement on Access to Information, Public Participation and Justice in Environmental Matters in Latin America and the Caribbean, adopted in Escazú, Costa Rica, on 4 March 2018 (the “Escazú Agreement”, the “Agreement”), entered into force on 22 April 2021. The Escazú Agreement is the first treaty focusing on the environment in Latin America

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Space arbitration: Mexico reportedly avoids liability in satellite dispute with Eutelsat

On 15 September 2021, the Mexican Ministry of Economy reported that it had successfully defended a claim brought by satellite giant Eutelsat in an arbitration before the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (“ICSID”).   According to media reports, Eutelsat’s claim related to the obligation Mexico had imposed on SatMex – which Eutelsat purchased

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UK in the market for new trade deals: potential new benefits for States and investors

The United Kingdom (“UK”) is in the market for trade deals, with potential new benefits for a number of States and both inbound and outbound investors.  As of 1 January 2021, following its exit from the European Union (“EU”), EU trade agreements no longer apply to the UK.  It is now in the process of

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BCDR International Arbitration Review

Partner Graham Coop, together with a colleague, published an article in the BCDR International Arbitration Review entitled “Caught Between A Rock and COVID-19: Sharing the Pain of Onerous Oil and Gas Contracts in the Middle East”. The article can be found here.

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Webinar: Space Debris and Sustainability

This was the next part in Volterra Fietta’s virtual seminar series on Space Law.  Further seminars will be hosted in the first quarter of 2022 and will focus on Arms in Space and on Artificial Intelligence in Space.   The growing concerns regarding the protection of the environment are going beyond Earth and reaching outer

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Webinar: Protecting Indian investments in Latin America

Starting in the 21st century, Indian investors began to expand their horizons, flocking the Latin American market in pursuit of attractive economic opportunities.  India now exports more to Central America than to the Central Asian States and more to Brazil and Mexico than to traditional partners, such as Russia, Canada or Egypt.   South-to-South investments

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M&A Today Global Awards 2022

Volterra Fietta has been awarded “Firm of the Year – Arbitration – England” in the M&A Today Global Awards 2022.

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Volterra Fietta, McNair Chambers and Serle Court Chambers Hybrid ‘Hot Topics’ Breakfast Seminar Series 2021 – Part 3 Public International Law

We are are pleased to invite you to this seminar on 6 October 2021 at 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM BST   Join us for the third and final seminar in the Hybrid ‘Hot Topics‘ Seminar Series 2021. This seminar will focus on Public International Law, and will be co-hosted by Khawar Qureshi QC together with Peter Flint of Volterra Fietta.  

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Webinar: Peak oil? Relief from onerous fossil fuel contracts

In recent times, a number of factors have brought a perfect storm to energy markets, particularly in the fossil fuel sector.  Not so many years ago, it was widely believed that increasingly difficult and expensive oil and gas exploration and production would cause prices to rise to the point of limiting consumption and, thereby, economic

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Webinar – Gas hub pricing: is there still a role for oil price indexation in long-term gas sales contracts?

For many years, natural gas – both piped and LNG – was typically sold under long-term contracts with prices regularly adjusted and indexed to market prices of so-called competing forms of energy.  While these competing energy forms have included electricity, coal and even firewood, a substantial component of the long-term gas price indexation has been

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NERA Insights Webinar in partnership with Paris Arbitration Week 2021

Partner Graham Coop has been invited to be a speaker at the NERA Insights Webinar on 21 September, in partnership with Paris Arbitration Week 2021. Graham will join a panel of distinguished speakers who will focus on the topic of Quantum Leap: Diving into the Quantification of Damages.  For more information about this event please

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Commercial Bar Association of Malawi webinar

On 19 August 2021, Tisungane Makato will speak at a webinar on recent developments in international arbitration organised by the Commercial Bar Association of Malawi. The topic of his presentation is “Rethinking the proper law of an arbitration agreement in light of the Enka v Chubb”.

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World leaders call for an international treaty to respond to future pandemics

On 30 March 2021, the leaders of 25 States, the European Union and the World Health Organization published an article endorsing the idea of a treaty to coordinate international responses to pandemics. This proposal will be considered at a special session of the World Health Assembly in November. Since the early days of the COVID-19

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In a closely watched decision, the CJEU rules that cutting-edge hybrid satellite and terrestrial systems can be authorised under EU regulations pursuant to an overarching requirement not to hold back technological progress

On 15 April 2021, the Court of Justice of the European Union (“CJEU”) handed down its highly anticipated decision in Eutelsat SA v. Autorité de régulation des communications électroniques et des postes (“ARCEP”) and Inmarsat Ventures SE (“Inmarsat”).  In what was the main thrust of the decision, the CJEU ruled that telecommunication regulations should not be read in a

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International Energy Agency calls for a ban on all new oil and gas projects and sets other radical new targets in its “Net Zero by 2050” report

On 18 May 2021, the International Energy Agency (“IEA”) set out far-reaching proposals as part of “Net Zero by 2050”, its roadmap for decarbonising the energy sector. The most controversial proposal will likely be a complete halt by 2021 to all new oil and gas projects and coal mines beyond those already committed.  The IEA

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Netherlands launches litigation in German Court to preclude investor-State arbitrations

On 17 May 2021, the Dutch Government announced that it has initiated proceedings before a German Court to determine whether the ICSID claims bought by RWE and Uniper are inadmissible in light of the judgment in Slovak Republic v Achmea BV (“Achmea”). The outcome of the court proceedings initiated by the Dutch Government could be

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Recent developments on climate change litigation

Recent decisions issued by German, Dutch, Australian and Belgian courts regarding climate change have placed energy transition in the spotlight.  The decisions demonstrate future developments in the area of climate change litigation, and in particular, an increase in the frequency of this type of case.   Decision of the German Federal Constitutional Court In a

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Webinar: Gas price drivers and adjustment mechanisms in Europe

This is the second in a three-part series of webinars addressing gas price drivers and adjustment mechanisms in different regions of the world.  The first webinar, on the topic “Gas price drivers and adjustment mechanisms in Asia”, took place on 9 June 2021 and a recording of this webinar is available here https://vimeo.com/561328789.  The third webinar,

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Mona Law 7th Annual Symposium on Law, Governance and Society – Celebrating and Surviving: UWI Law 50 and Beyond

This virtual event will be hosted by the Faculty of Law at The University of the West Indies Mona.  Robert Volterra will be joining a panel of experts, speaking on the topic of Today’s Law of the Sea.  

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Webinar: Gas price drivers and adjustment mechanisms in Asia

This was the first in a three-part series of webinars addressing gas price drivers and adjustment mechanisms in different regions of the world.  The second and third webinars, to be announced shortly, will address gas price drivers and adjustment mechanisms in Europe and the Americas. Energy markets in Asia, and gas markets in particular, have

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Webinar – The African Continental Free Trade Agreement: How does the AfCFTA align with existing African multi-lateral trade agreements?

The speakers for this webinar were: Mr Kalekeni Kaphale SC, Senior Counsel at the Malawian bar and Partner at Kalekeni Kaphale Lawyers in Lilongwe, Malawi. He served as Attorney-General of the Republic of Malawi from 2014 to 2020. He has extensive experience advising and representing clients before Malawian courts and international courts and tribunals on

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Webinar – Is Brexit the saviour of the UK’s EU investment treaties?

The 6 March 2018 judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union in Slovak Republic v. Achmea is widely regarded as casting serious doubts on the compatibility with EU law of investor-State arbitration clauses in intra-EU BITs.  The precise scope of incompatibility, and the status of this decision in public international law, continue

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New investment law in Ukraine

Background On 17 December 2020 the Ukrainian Parliament adopted the draft law No. 3760 On State Support for Investment Projects with Significant Investments in Ukraine (the “Law”), which entered into force on 13 February 2021.[1] The Law is part of a package of draft laws seeking to incentivise high-value foreign investment.[2]   This investment promotion strategy

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African Continental Free Trade Area: A new hope for continental integration

On 21 March 2018, the Agreement Establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area (the “Agreement”) was signed by 44 of the 55 member States of the African Union (the “AU”) at its 10th Extraordinary Summit, thereby creating a pan-African trade bloc.  After ratification by 22 countries, the Agreement entered into force on 30 May 2019.

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Biden administration puts global warming at center of agenda as nations prepare for COP26

On February 19, 2021 the Munich Security Conference (“MSC”), world’s leading forum for debating international security policy, organized a special edition event assembling world decision-makers such as Joe Biden, Angela Merkel, Emmanuel Macron and Boris Johnson to discuss transatlantic cooperation. Traditionally held in February, the MSC had to postpone its yearly held conference due to

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UK Supreme Court issues new decision on parent company liability in Okpabi and others v. Royal Dutch Shell Plc and another

Significant developments continue in the field of human rights and environmental litigation in the UK.  On 12 February 2021, the Supreme Court issued its unanimous judgment in Okpabi and others v. Royal Dutch Shell Plc and another [2021] UKSC 3, declaring that a claim brought by over 40,000 residents of two communities in the Niger

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Multilateral Agreement on Cross-border Paperless Trade in Asia and the Pacific enters into force

On 20 February 2021, the Framework Agreement on Facilitation of Cross-border Paperless Trade in Asia and the Pacific (the “Agreement”) entered into force.  The Agreement, a UN treaty adopted by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (the “UNESCAP”), aims to promote cross-border paperless trade with a view to making

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Webinar – Congestion in Space: Addressing the Limited Availability of Orbital Slots and Space Spectrum

The growing demand for satellites and space activities has contributed to an ever-increasing scramble to obtain rights to the orbital slots and spectrum needed to engage in these activities. Moreover, in today’s highly evolving technological landscape, some suggest that there is a tension between allocating orbital slots and space spectrum to its most efficient use, while

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Webinar – Social Licences and the Termination of Mining Rights

In today’s globalised world, companies face increased scrutiny when seeking to create and maintain business activities.  This is particularly true for companies in the extractive industries such as mining.   Improving the sector’s economic image and creating responsible and profitable ventures has turned into one of the most difficult challenges faced by the mining industry. 

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Virtual Seminar – Technology, minerals and human rights: can cobalt and lithium miners and users achieve compliance?

The urgent and genuine need to tackle climate change, coupled with commitments included in the Paris Agreement and States’ incentives, have bolstered significant investments in renewable projects.  As a knock-on effect, demand for cobalt and lithium has soared.  Those minerals are strategic and critical components for the production of rechargeable batteries used for renewable projects

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SEMINAR POSTPONEMENT

Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, the virtual seminar on “The African Continental Free Trade Agreement: How does the AfCFTA align with existing African multi-lateral trade agreements?“, which was scheduled to take place on 1 April has now been postponed.   The seminar will now take place on 6 May 2021 at 14:00 BST.   All RSVPs for

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Young MUTE-OFF Thursdays

On 25 March 2021, Angela Ha delivered a talk as part of the Young MUTE-OFF Thursdays networking and knowledge exchange series on “International investment law and its interaction with environmental and social issues: how States and tribunals have balanced the scales”.

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Virtual Seminar – The UK and EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regimes

On 7 December 2020, the Council of the EU adopted its first global human rights sanctions regime.  This followed the UK’s introduction of its own autonomous human rights sanctions regime in July 2020. Both regimes constitute significant developments.  They allow the UK and the EU to sanction individuals and entities – including State and non-State

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Virtual Seminar – Resource Nationalism: How International Investment Agreements (IIAs) can assist mining companies in hedging against regulatory risks and state interference

This seminar took place on 17 March at 14:00 (GMT), and featured a Q&A session.   Our speakers were:   Jimena Blanco, Head of Americas at Verisk Maplecroft.  Jimena leads the Americas research team, with regional and thematic experts based in Argentina, Mexico, the US and UK. She is the Americas expert on Brazil and the

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Virtual Seminar – Deep Sea to Deep Space (Part 3): The Future of Arctic Mining

This was the last in a three-part virtual seminar series hosted by Volterra Fietta. The Arctic region offers increasing mining opportunities.  Mining in the Arctic however also has its own unique challenges, risks and legal complications.  This timely seminar examined recent developments and the future of mining in the Arctic from the perspective of the

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Virtual Seminar – Deep Sea to Deep Space (Part 2): The Future of Extraterrestrial Mining

This was the second in a three-part virtual seminar series being hosted by Volterra Fietta throughout January and February.  The third seminar will focus on the extraction of natural resources in the arctic region. Space technology and the space economy are rapidly developing, and therewith the potential to extract resources from space.  Space law has

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Virtual Seminar: Fight or flight – litigation or settlement? How should things be done differently in the post-COVID virtual world?

Ever since there have been disputes and judges, parties have faced the decision whether to fight to the bitter end or to settle on agreed terms.  For each party, this decision involves weighing the values and probabilities of the different possible litigation outcomes, as that party perceives them, and comparing this with the settlement that

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Virtual Seminar – Deep Sea to Deep Space (Part 1): The Future of Deep Sea Mining

This was the first in a three-part virtual seminar series Volterra Fietta are hosting throughout January and February. The second and third seminar will focus on the extraction of natural resources in space and the arctic region.   As the world gears up to start the exploitation of mineral resources from the deep sea, this

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Virtual Seminar: Foreign Investments in Times of Turmoil and Public International Law

States and foreign investors are facing exceptional circumstances that raise a range of issues concerning the scope and application of international investment law protections. Throughout 2020, States have implemented unprecedented measures to respond to the COVID‑19 pandemic.  Shortly before this health emergency, protests had erupted on the streets of cities all around the world.  These

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Virtual Seminar: Greening the Treaty? The road to modernising the Energy Charter Treaty

Is the proposed modernisation of the Energy Charter Treaty heading in the right direction?  This is an open and controversial question.  In a recent speech to the European Parliament, EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson put the ‘greening of the Treaty’ at the heart of the European Commission’s modernisation proposals.  In essence, one of the Commission’s

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Virtual Seminar: Addressing Payments Defaults and Flow of Funds Difficulties during the COVID-19 Crisis

The COVID-19 pandemic has had significant global consequences on all manner of commercial expectations, both small and large.  This includes frustrating expected sales, cash flows and other flow of funds, thereby hindering the ability to make timely payments that were the foundation of significant commercial and industrial relationships.  Many contracting Parties have chosen to address

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Manchester City Successfully Appeals Two-Year European Football Ban

On 13 July 2020, an arbitral tribunal constituted under the Court of Arbitration for Sport, in Lausanne, Switzerland, set aside a prior decision of the Adjudicatory Chamber of the Club Financial Control Body of the Union des Associations Européenes de Football (UEFA) that had banned Manchester City Football Club from participating in European football for

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US Withdraws from the World Health Organisation

On 7 July 2020, the United States notified the United Nations’ Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, of its withdrawal from the World Health Organisation (WHO), effective on 6 July 2021.  The withdrawal was issued unilaterally by the Executive Branch of the United States, after threats by President Trump to withdraw from the organisation based on his

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Nigeria Permitted to Resist Enforcement of Arbitration Award that was Potentially Based on Corruption and Fraud

On 4 September 2020, the High Court of Justice, Queen’s Bench Division (Commercial Court) issued a decision in The Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Process & Industrial Developments Ltd. [2020] EWHC 2379 (Comm).  In the judgment, Sir Ross Cranston granted Nigeria an extension of time to bring challenges under sections 76 and 68(2)(g) of the

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Gambia seeks US document discovery to support claims of genocide by Myanmar

In June 2020, The Gambia obtained the permission of the District Court of the District of Columbia, United States of America, to serve orders for document production and depositions (subpoenas duces tecum and ad testificandum) on Facebook to retrieve now-deleted Facebook posts that allegedly demonstrate the genocidal intent of officials of the Government of Myanmar

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Canada and Netherlands Declare Intention to Intervene in Gambia v. Myanmar Genocide Case

On 2 September 2020, Canada and the Netherlands issued a joint statement indicating their intention to intervene in the matter of the Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (The Gambia v. Myanmar), a case brought by The Gambia against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice, alleging

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Rio Tinto Ousts CEO for Destroying Archaeological Site

In May 2020, Rio Tinto, an Anglo-Australian multinational mining company and the world’s biggest iron ore miner, destroyed two ancient caves in Pilbara, Western Australia.  The decision sparked widespread condemnation from shareholders and the public. The caves in question were the Juukan Gorge rock shelters, which were regarded as one of Australia’s most significant archaeological

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Virtual Seminar: Rebalancing unbalanced contracts in COVID times: how do legal systems approach the challenge?

The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, and the sanitary and other restrictions imposed by governments around the world as a result, have seriously complicated virtually every aspect of modern economic life.  Numerous business activities have become either impossible or uneconomic as a consequence of the fundamentally altered economic situation; some have by contrast become more profitable.  Many

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Virtual Seminar: Recent developments in gas and LNG infrastructure offerings

Energy security and diversity are a topic of daily discussion in our newspapers and public spaces.  Scarcely a day goes by without a major development in relation to the sources of the world’s energy or the effects of its development or consumption.  As recent events in relation to the controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline project

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Virtual Seminar: The Energy Charter Treaty: is it still fit for purpose and how could it be improved?

The Energy Charter Treaty, which was signed in 1994 and entered into force in 1998, is a multilateral treaty with over 50 parties, including the European Union and the vast majority of European and former CIS States, together with Japan, Turkey, Mongolia and other countries around the world.  It covers energy trade, transit, investment protection,

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Virtual Seminar: Protecting Renewable Energies: Investment Treaties and State Regulation of Solar, Wind and Water Energy

Driven by government schemes and the expectation of high returns on investment, renewable energies are clearly on the rise.  Recent studies indicate that wind and solar energies have doubled their share of global electricity generation since the Paris Agreement was signed in 2015.  For the first time, during the first half of 2020, renewables exceeded

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Virtual Seminar: Recent developments in international trade and investment law in Tanzania and Angola and the present status of the negotiations for an investor-State dispute resolution mechanism under the AfCFTA Agreement investment protocol

This seminar addressed three current issues in respect of trade within and into Africa.  We addressed the current legal regime for cross-border investment into Tanzania with particular reference to the Netherlands-Tanzania bilateral investment regime.  Our guest speaker, Claudia Santos Cruz, who joined us from Lisbon, Portugal, talked about the recently ratified Portugal-Angola Agreement for the

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Virtual Seminar: State responsibility for actions taken by States regarding the COVID-19 virus

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused almost every government around the world to enact public health regulations.  Many governments have also cited COVID-19 as the motivation for passing regulatory measures across a broad range of other policy areas.  These have included human rights, trade, refugee, foreign investment, humanitarian law. In addition, in relation to the pandemic,

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Virtual Seminar: Interconnectors, energy security and flexibility services in Europe

By general consensus, the world needs to reduce its fossil fuel consumption and electrification is seen as the key means to achieve this. The European Green Deal aims to strengthen this trend, which will have profound geopolitical, legal and economic consequences. The Western Balkans are the largest potential source of flexible renewable electricity – hydropower

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Virtual Seminar: COVID-19 and international humanitarian law

COVID-19 has exacerbated the already difficult situation in many war-torn countries. Civilians in States weakened by years of conflict or persons who are internally displaced have proven particularly exposed to risk. Border restrictions complicate the delivery of humanitarian relief. The pandemic may even create incentives for an escalation of hostilities. This topical seminar explored these

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Vietnam could be considering legal action over rights in the South China Sea

Vietnam might resort to international arbitration to settle its territorial dispute with China over maritime rights in the South China Sea, reports say.   In November 2019, Vietnam’s deputy foreign minister Le Hoai Trung had already indicated that Vietnam had not ruled out the option of initiating dispute resolution proceedings against China under the United

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Extraordinary measures in extraordinary times: how can States and investors learn from the lessons of the 2008 global financial crisis?

Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic crisis and its economic impact on business more broadly bears certain similarities with the 2008 global financial crisis and the measures taken by States to address its aftermath.  Both the global financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in profound economic disruption, causing major damage to the world’s economy.  In

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Is it time for the creation of a Convention on Pandemic Suppression (COPS)?

By Robert G Volterra and Álvaro Nistal   The COVID-19 pandemic cannot properly be described as unprecedented.  In the 20th century alone, three influenza pandemics caused a total estimate of between 22 to 58 million deaths.  Similarly, several major epidemics have already marked the 21st century.  Old diseases like cholera, plague and yellow fever have

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Virtual Seminar: Disputes under Joint Operating Agreements

Joint Operating Agreements (JOAs) are a cornerstone of all upstream oil and gas investments where more than one investor is involved – which includes the quasi-totality of upstream oil and gas investment opportunities. The JOA, which is essentially a risk allocation model, sets out the fundamental and overarching relationship among the investors from exploration to

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Virtual Seminar: Human rights and ESG diligence in a COVID-19 world

In addition to certain beneficial environmental effects, the COVID-19 pandemic has complicated the processes by which companies can conduct human rights and ESG diligence.  This panel discussed the impacts on human rights and ESG during the pandemic and how the pandemic might impact human rights and ESG diligence in the future. The speakers for this

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Virtual Seminar: Sustainable energy development in Albania: opportunities and investment protection issues

The COVID-19 pandemic and resultant economic recession have significantly dampened activity and appetite for investment in the energy industry, notably in the hydrocarbon sector.  At the same time, while some States have used COVID-19 as a pretext to restrict or even expropriate investments in renewables, others see the situation more positively as an opportunity to

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Virtual Seminar: The future of North American trade and investment under the Canada-Mexico-US Agreement (USMCA or CUSMA)

Canada day, 1 July 2020, marked the entry into force of the revised North American Free Trade Agreement, which is alternately called CUSMA or the USMCA.  This new treaty constitutes a substantial revision of the terms of trade and investment between its three North American partners, Canada, Mexico and the United States.  Our experienced speakers

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Virtual Seminar: Efficient management of energy arbitrations

Energy arbitrations include commercial and investor-State arbitrations in relation to energy assets or energy contracts.  The stakes involved can be very significant, often with macroeconomic consequences for the countries involved.  Energy disputes are also often politically sensitive. Energy disputes frequently involve complex technical issues with which arbitrators may, or may not, be familiar.  A major

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Virtual Seminar: Transboundary Unitisation and Delimitation

Investment in offshore blocks has grown rapidly because of technological advances, new discoveries and the opening up of local markets.  Increasingly, energy companies are looking to develop and explore oil reserves that straddle, or might straddle, maritime borders.  Generally speaking, States have an interest in coordinating the development of shared reserves to maximise economic benefits. 

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Virtual Seminar: Protecting offshore investments in disputed maritime areas

States all around the world have advanced overlapping claims over more than 200 maritime areas.  These disputed areas often contain very significant natural resources.  Recent technological advances have made these resources more accessible to investors.  However, offshore investments in disputed maritime areas still face a number of risks. Investors with rights regarding natural resources in

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Virtual Seminar: Strategies for price readjustment in energy contracts in the time of COVID-19

COVID-19 has brought about dramatic changes to the energy industry, including energy prices and values in all parts of the energy value chain.  Following Volterra Fietta’s highly successful seminar on “COVID-19 and Force Majeure under Oil and Gas Contracts”, this seminar continued to examine the consequences of COVID-19 and the associated economic recession on energy

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Virtual Seminar: Arbitration in sub-Saharan Africa: Challenges and Opportunities

There are many interesting and often challenging aspects to arbitration being undertaken in sub-Saharan Africa and elsewhere arising out of commercial activities in that continent.  In particular, Africa has attracted and continues to attract huge inward investment in sectors including mining, extraction and processing of oil and gas, power generation and transport infrastructure.  Referral to

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Virtual Seminar: Effective Cross-Examination in International Arbitration:  Addressing Procedural, Cultural and Logistical Challenges

Cross-examination is a vital part of any litigator’s toolkit.  An effective cross-examination can win or lose the case for a client.  Cross-examination in international arbitration is subject to its own particular challenges.  Arbitral cross-examination follows its own procedural norms and mores.  Counsel must also be aware of the fact that witnesses, and the members of

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Virtual Seminar: COVID-19 and Force Majeure Under Oil and Gas Contracts

In the first quarter of 2020, several major Chinese and Indian importers of liquefied natural gas (LNG) issued force majeure notices to their LNG suppliers in reaction to the COVID-19 outbreak.  These notices were reportedly prompted by State measures, including sweeping lockdowns, which resulted in a dramatic decrease in domestic demand and logistical constraints at

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Formation of a new Arab-African council signals the deepening of regional cooperation over waterways

On 6 January 2020, the Council of Arab and African States Bordering the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden (the “Council”) was created as a mechanism for improving the security of regional waterways.  This new Arab-African alliance has eight members: Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Jordan and Yemen. The Council’s formation is

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UK Supreme Court allows enforcement of the €300 million Micula award

Introduction On 19 February 2020, the UK Supreme Court (“SC”) unanimously lifted the stay on the enforcement of the Micula v. Romania ICSID award.  This decision is the latest development in the Micula brothers’ extensive attempts to enforce the award in different European jurisdictions.  Romania and the European Commission (the “Commission”) intervened in the case.

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Court of Appeal denies liability of UK mining company for alleged human rights abuses by Sierra Leonean police

On 17 February 2020, the Court of Appeal of England and Wales unanimously dismissed a challenge to the High Court’s decision in the case of Kadie Kalma & Others v. African Minerals Limited, African Mineral (SL) Limited and Tonkolili Iron Ore (SL) Limited [2020] EWCA Civ 144.  The case concerns two instances of police brutality

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The European Court of Justice decides that it lacks jurisdiction to rule in relation to Slovenia’s violation of its obligations of good faith in the maritime boundary arbitration between Slovenia and Croatia and Croatia’s subsequent refusal to implement the tainted arbitral award

On 31 January 2020, the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Justice (the “ECJ”) issued the long-awaited decision in the Slovenia v. Croatia case, declaring that it lacks jurisdiction to rule on the Republic of Slovenia’s action brought against the Republic of Croatia under Article 259 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the

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Canadian courts assert jurisdiction over allegations against Canadian mining company for alleged complicity in modern slavery and human rights abuses in Eritrea

On 28 February 2020, a majority of the Supreme Court of Canada (the “SCC”) ruled in Nevsun Resources Ltd. v. Araya, [2020] SCC 5 that Canadian courts have jurisdiction over modern slavery claims and allegations of human rights abuses abroad by local subsidiaries and sub-contractors of Canadian companies.  The claim alleges that Canadian mining company

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Virtual Seminar: COVID-19 and Creation of a Convention on Pandemic Suppression (COPS)

The COVID-19 pandemic has already had devastating effects on States, populations and the world’s economy.  International organisations, States and individual experts are working tirelessly to contain the wide-ranging consequences of this pandemic.  However, it is not clear whether or how their tireless efforts are being coordinated.  Indeed, there is mounting evidence that a number of

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Virtual Seminar: Foreign Investments, COVID-19 and Public International Law

Recently, States have implemented unprecedented measures to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.  They have imposed a range of measures on their populations, including social distancing, national lockdowns and other restrictions on movement.  They have ordered the temporary closure of non-essential businesses and requisitioned the premises of certain investors to attend vital needs.  Equally, States have

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Volterra Fietta Breakfast Seminar – Expropriation of Satellite Spectrum
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Virtual Seminar: COVID-19 and Public International Law

Governments around the world are taking unprecedented measures in the name of public health regulation, to confront the COVID-19 pandemic.  This State regulation affects actors from all around the world, including other States, international organisations, private entities and individuals.  This conflicting dynamic is presenting challenges to the international rule of law and raising extremely complex

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Turkey-Cyprus Oil and Gas Dispute

In December 2019, Cyprus filed a petition with the International Court of Justice in The Hague to resolve a dispute it has with Turkey concerning certain offshore mineral rights in the Mediterranean Sea.  The content of Cyprus’s ICJ petition has not yet been disclosed, so the exact content of its claim against Turkey is unclear.

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Principles for Responsible Banking

On 22 and 23 September 2019, 130 banks from 49 countries signed the Principles for Responsible Banking.  The Principles were finalised on the side-lines of the annual United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York.  Thirty banks led the development of the Principles.  By way of example, this included:  Barclays, Citibank, BNP Paribas, Arab African

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Latin American Arbitration Practitioners EU Launch Event

On 31 October 2019, Volterra Fietta hosted the Latin American Arbitration Practitioners EU (“LATAP EU”) launch event.  Associates Gunjan Sharma and Ricardo Gerhard welcomed the participants and gave introductory remarks before a distinguished panel of speakers analysed the norm-generating effects of investment treaty arbitration in Latin America. LATAP EU aims to build a network of

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The Legal Business International Arbitration Summit 2019

Robert Volterra was invited to speak on a panel at the International Arbitration Summit on the 11 November 2019.  For more information about the event click here

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King’s College London Transnational Law Institute (TLI) Conference

On 30 September – Professor Robert Volterra spoke on a panel of experts on Arbitration of Maritime Disputes at a TLI Conference co-sponsored by Berkeley Law of California.  The Conference is Stress Testing and the Law of the Sea, Dispute Resolution, Disasters and New Challenges.  For more information on this event, click here.  

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Petroleum Review
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Advocate General Wathelet’s opinion on intra-EU BITs’ compatibility with EU laws: an analysis

Inter-relationship between Intra-EU BITs and EU Laws  

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International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea Prescribes Provisional Measures Requiring Russia to Release Three Ukrainian Naval Vessels

On 25 May 2019, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (“ITLOS”) issued a provisional measures order (the “Provisional Measures Order”) requiring Russia to release three Ukrainian naval vessels and 24 Ukrainian servicemen arrested on 25 November 2018 following an incident in the Kerch Strait (the “Strait”).  During the incident, the Russian coastguard

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South China Sea Competing Maritime Claims: Risks and Rights for Oil and Gas Companies

Introduction On 12 July 2016, an international arbitral tribunal (the “Tribunal”) constituted under Annex VII to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (“UNCLOS”) unanimously ruled in favour of the Philippines and against China in its landmark decision in the South China Sea Arbitration Award of 12 July 2016 (the “Award”) (See

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Argentina’s Presidential Election: A Possible Threat To Foreign Investors

Background On 11 August 2019, the candidates of Frente de Todos, headed by Alberto Fernández and Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, defeated Argentina’s current PresidentMauricio Macri in the primary elections.  It is likely that they will form the next government after the second round of the elections.  Their platform includes a number of measures that would

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Third Circuit Court of Appeals Permits Venezuela’s Creditors to Seize PDVSA’s Interests CITGO

Introduction On 29 July 2019, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals of the United States of America permitted Crystallex International Corporation (“Crystallex”) to seize the shares of the Delaware holding company that owns CITGO in the context of the enforcement of a USD 1.2 billion arbitral award against Venezuela.  CITGO is the US subsidiary of

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Best Lawyers 2020 Edition

Robert Volterra has been included in the Eighth Edition of “The Best Lawyers in the United Kingdom” for his work in Arbitration and Mediation, International Arbitration and Public International Law. For more information please click here  

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Summer School at King’s College

Govert Coppens taught a class at King’s College London on Investor-State Arbitration, on 17 July 2019 as part of the summer school on International Commercial Law.

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Supreme Court rules that Zambians can seek damages from UK company for alleged human rights abuses by Zambian subsidiary

Significant developments continue in the field of human rights-based litigation in the UK.  On 10 April 2019, the Supreme Court issued its judgment in Lungowe and Ors. v. Vedanta Resources Plc and Konkola Copper Mines Plc, declaring  that a claim for negligence and breach of a statutory duty against a Zambian mining company and its

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The General Court of the European Union annuls the European Commission’s Decision on State Aid in the Micula case (Micula v. Romania)

On 18 June 2019, the General Court of the European Union (“GCEU”) handed down its judgment in the case of Micula v. Romania and annulled the 2015 European Commission’s decision that the award rendered by an arbitral tribunal in 2013, obliging Romania to pay €178 million to the investors, constituted illegal State aid under European

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Volterra Fietta and King’s College London (Department of Geography) co-hosted The 2019 London International Boundary Conference

Volterra Fietta and King’s College London (Department of Geography) co-hosted another successful edition of The London International Boundary Conference (“LIBC”). The fourth LIBC took place from 1 to 3 April 2019 at King’s College London.  The Conference was attended by delegates from all over the world and provided a unique and multidisciplinary insight into the

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Volterra Fietta hosts Spring Reception at The Carlton Club

On 8 May 2019, Volterra Fietta hosted its annual Spring Reception at The Carlton Club, St James’s, London.  This prestigious event was attended by Ambassadors and other diplomatic officials from the Embassies and High Commissions of a number of European, Asian and Latin American countries.  Other guests included practising barristers, senior civil servants, academics and

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World Law Forum Conference on Arbitration of Business & Human Rights Disputes

Robert Volterra was selected amongst other distinguished panellists as a speaker at the World Law Forum Conference on Business & Human Rights Arbitration on 22 March 2019. For more details about the conference, please click here

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British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL)

Graham Coop chaired a panel of distinguished speakers at the “Pipelines and International Law” Conference on Thursday 28 February 2019, which was organised and hosted by BIICL. For more information about the event click here

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Lawyer International’s – Legal 100 – 2019

Volterra Fietta was awarded Firm of the Year – Arbitration – England

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Latinvex – Top Law Firms 2019

Volterra Fietta was ranked within ‘Latin America’s top law firms – Arbitration’

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The Legal 500 2019

Volterra Fietta has maintained its top tier ranking in public international law in the latest edition of the Legal 500. The firm also maintained its rankings in international arbitration. Robert Volterra was ranked as a ‘leading individual’, selected for the ‘Hall of Fame’ and the inaugural ‘Arbitration Powerlist’.

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Animal Science Products v. Hebi Welcome Pharmaceutical

The United States Supreme Court rules that federal courts are not required to give conclusive effect to a foreign government’s interpretation of its own domestic law. On 14 June 2018, the United States (“U.S.”) Supreme Court (the “Supreme Court”) unanimously held that, when determining foreign law, U.S. federal courts should give respectful consideration to a

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The UK and Canada are taking steps to regulate the area of business and Human Rights (“BHR”)

Introduction Multinational businesses are facing increasing pressure to stay abreast of the rapidly developing field of business and human rights law in their home States and in the host States where they operate.  The United Kingdom and Canada are taking the lead among home States in adopting new regulatory initiatives in response to concerns about

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AAA & Others v. Unilever PLC and Unilever Tea Kenya Limited [2018] EWCA Civ 1532

The Court of Appeal in England and Wales has dismissed claims that an English domiciled parent company of an international group owed a duty of care in respect of incidents occurring at its subsidiary’s overseas premises. On 4 July 2018, the Court of Appeal handed down its judgment in AAA & Others v. Unilever PLC

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The American Law Institute will publish its Fourth Restatement of the Foreign Relations Law of the United States.

This month, the American Law Institute will publish its Fourth Restatement of the Foreign Relations Law of the United States. The new restatement, compiled by some of the most prominent scholars and practitioners in the field, comes more than thirty years after the last restatement on the subject.  Even before publication, the new restatement is generating some controversy,

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A UN working Group issues draft binding international instrument on Business and Human Rights

In June 2014, the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva adopted a resolution drafted by Ecuador and South Africa to establish an open-ended intergovernmental working group to elaborate an international legally binding instrument on Transnational Corporations and Other Business Enterprises with respect to human rights.  Chaired by Ecuador, the intergovernmental working group (IGWG) has met three

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Upcoming Events

Thursday 20 September Robert Volterra will speak about “Mineral Resources and Maritime Delimitation” at the Korean Maritime Institute annual conference in Seoul, Republic of Korea.   Wednesday 26 September Serle Court Chambers and Volterra Fietta will co-host a seminar on “Damages in International Arbitration:  Recent Events and Key Trends”, at Volterra Fietta’s offices.  To register,

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CETA Investment Court System compatibility with European Union Law: Belgium’s referral to the Court of Justice of the European Union

On 1 September 2017, in the context of its ratification of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between the European Union (“EU”) and Canada (“CETA”), Belgium requested an opinion from the Court of Justice of the European Union (“CJEU”).  Specifically, Belgium inquired about “the compatibility of Chapter 8 (‘Investments’), Section F (‘Resolution of investment disputes

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Gill Hickman – October 2017

In October 2017, Volterra Fietta acquired an additional piece of artwork for the office.  The chosen artist was Gill Hickman and the piece entitled “Planet Earth”. At the end of November, we invited Gill to give a brief talk on her artwork and the inspiration behind it.  This event was attended by our staff and

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Business and Human Rights:  Closer scrutiny of businesses in the United Nations’ General Comment on State Obligations in the Context of Business Activities

On 23 June 2017, the United Nations’ Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (the “Committee”) adopted a new General Comment on State Obligations under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (the “ICESCR”) in the Context of Business Activities (the “General Comment”).  The ICESCR guarantees a range of socio-economic rights, including the

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UNCITRAL Working Group begins consideration of investor-State dispute settlement reform

In July 2017, at its 50th Session, the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (“UNCITRAL”) gave its Working Group III (the “Working Group”) a broad mandate to consider the desirability of reforming investor-State dispute settlement (“ISDS”).  The Working Group’s mandate also extends to the possibility of developing and recommending relevant solutions.  From 27 November

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Lawyer International – Legal 100 – 2018

Volterra Fietta was awarded “Firm of the Year – Arbitration – England” in the Legal 100 2018.

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Chambers & Partners 2018

Volterra Fietta has retained its Band 1 rankings in the latest edition of the Chambers & Partners UK Guide. The firm was ranked in the top bands for Public International Law and Investor-State Arbitration. Robert Volterra was also named as a ‘Star Individual’ in Public International Law, and as a Band 1 practitioner in Investor-State

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International Advisory Experts Awards 2018

Graham Coop was awarded ‘Public International Lawyer of the Year in the UK’ in the International Advisory Experts Awards 2018.

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GAR 100 (11th Edition) 2018

Volterra Fietta has been ranked as one of the 100 leading arbitration firms in the world in the latest edition of the GAR 100.

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Who’s Who Legal Guide 2018

Robert Volterra was named in the Who’s Who Legal 2018 Guide to Arbitration.

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The Legal 500 2017

Volterra Fietta has maintained its top tier ranking in public international law in the latest edition of the Legal 500.  Robert Volterra was ranked as a ‘leading individual’.  The firm also maintained its rankings in international arbitration in London and Latin America.

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ICSID tribunal throws new light on the Status of State-owned Enterprises under the ICSID Convention

State-owned enterprises (SOEs) are, as the name suggests, enterprises that are part or wholly owned by a sovereign State.  In 2017, UNCTAD identified around 1,500 State-owned corporations operating transnationally[1] and found that they had US$ 2 trillion in foreign assets in 2014.[2]   It is therefore likely that such corporations will engage some form of investment

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Dutch Court Convicts Former “Timber Baron” of War Crimes in Liberia

Introduction On 21 April 2017, the Dutch Court of Appeal in ‘s-Hertogenbosch issued a decision convicting Dutch national Mr Guus Kouwenhoven to a 19 year jail sentence for illegal arms trafficking and complicity in war crimes in Liberia and Guinea between 2000 and 2002.  As a shareholder and president-director of two of the largest companies

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Upcoming Events

Friday 6 October Maria Fogdestam-Agius will speak at the Colloquium on International Investment Law & the Law of Armed Conflict. She will present a paper, co-authored with Suzanne Spears, titled “Protection of Investments in War-Torn States: A Practitioner Perspective on War Clauses in Bilateral Investment Treaties”. For more information, and to register, please click here. Thursday

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The United States Announces its Withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement

On 1 June 2017, American President Donald J. Trump announced that the United States will withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement (the “Paris Agreement”). Articles 3 and 4 of the Paris Agreement require its signatories to achieve nationally determined contributions (“NDCs”) aimed at keeping the global temperature rise below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. 

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PCA designates appointing authority in an investment case against Libya under the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Investment Agreement

 On 27 March 2017, the Secretary-General of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (the “PCA”) designated an appointing authority in the investment arbitration between United Arab Emirates-based company DS Construction FZCO and Libya under the Agreement on promotion, protection and guarantee of investments among member States of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (the “OIC Investment

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Volterra Fietta hosts A Level students in partnership with the University of Oxford Pathways to Law Programme as part of the Firm’s contribution to Corporate Social Responsibility

On Wednesday 19 July, Volterra Fietta hosted Year 12 and 13 students at our offices in London. Pathways to Law was founded with the aim of supporting and encouraging academically able students from non-privileged backgrounds interested in pursuing a career in the law. The purpose of the visit was to give participating students an insight into what

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Global 100 – 2017

Firm of the Year – Arbitration – England

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The New 2019 Hague Judgments Convention

Introduction In July 2019, the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments in Civil or Commercial Matters (the “2019 Hague Judgments Convention” or the “Convention”) was finally adopted.  This followed some 27 years of negotiations under the auspices of the Hague Conference on Private International Law.  The Convention is particularly timely given the

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Registration is now open for the London International Boundary Conference 2017

The London International Boundary Conference 2017 will take place on 5-6 June 2017 at King’s College London’s Strand campus, with Technical workshops being held on the mornings of 6-7 June. The event will provide a unique and multidisciplinary insight into the complex world of international boundary and sovereignty disputes. Speakers and panelists will be among

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Upcoming Events

Wednesday 24 May: Volterra Fietta hosts its second Energy Breakfast Seminar on the topic “Europe plots its course in the new international landscape – international and domestic law in conflict?” Tuesday 30 May: Suzanne Spears will participate in a panel discussion at an event, hosted by Volterra Fietta and the University of Notre Dame, entitled “Can foreign investors

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Do Corporations have Duties to those Affected by their Subsidiaries’ Operations Overseas?

On 26 January 2017, the High Court of England and Wales dismissed claims brought by Nigerian claimants against UK-registered Royal Dutch Shell Plc (“Shell”) and its Nigerian-registered subsidiary Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (“SPDC”).  On the same day, in Canada, the Court of Appeal for British Columbia permitted claims brought by Guatemalan claimants

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New Developments in the Dispute between Pey Casado and Chile

The dispute In the last few months, the long-lasting dispute between Mr Pey Casado and the Foundation Presidente Allende (the “Claimants”) and the Republic of Chile (the “Respondent”) has seen numerous developments.  The case concerns the occupation and confiscation of the newspaper El Clarín by the Respondent following General Augusto Pinochet’s coup d’état in 1973

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The Russian Federation creates a new base in the Arctic

The Russian Federation (“Russia”) is one of the Arctic rim-States and possesses a long coastline and islands north of the Arctic Circle.   On 17 April 2017, Russia unveiled its new military base by providing a virtual tour of the base on the website of the Russian Ministry of Defence.   The new base, named Arctic Trefoil

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Robert Volterra spoke at the “Negotiating Brexit” workshop at the University of Oxford

On 17 March 2017 Professor Robert G. Volterra spoke at the ‘Negotiating Brexit’ conference at St. Hugh’s College, University of Oxford. The conference, organised by Professors John Armour and Horst Eidenmüller, brought together leading academics, practitioners and policymakers who are involved in “Negotiating Brexit”.  The focus of the event was the interests at stake for

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Our new Mortimer Street offices

In May 2016, Volterra Fietta relocated its growing practice to premier office space in Fitzrovia. Click the image below for a tour of our new office.

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Lawyer International – Legal 100 – 2017

Firm of the Year – Arbitration – England

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Best Lawyers in the United Kingdom 2018

Robert Volterra was named “Lawyer of the Year” for London in Public International Law.

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Best Lawyers in the United Kingdom 2018

Robert Volterra was selected in a peer-review survey for inclusion in the sixth edition of Best Lawyers in the United Kingdom. Robert was selected by peers in the practice areas of public international law, international arbitration and arbitration and mediation.

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University of Oxford

On 17 March 2017 Robert Volterra spoke at the ‘Negotiating Brexit’ conference at St. Hugh’s College, University of Oxford.  The conference brought together leading academics, practitioners and policymakers who are involved in ‘Negotiating Brexit’.  For more information, please see the event flyer here.

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Negotiating Brexit Conference 2017

On 17 March 2017 Robert Volterra spoke at the ‘Negotiating Brexit’ conference at St. Hugh’s College, University of Oxford.  The conference brought together leading academics, practitioners and policymakers who are involved in ‘Negotiating Brexit’.  For more information, please see the event flyer here.

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Wealth & Finance INTL 2017

Mediator of the Month

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Corporate Vision Magazine 2017

Robert Volterra was named “One to Watch” in UK Legal Sector

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Latinvex Latin America’s Top 100 Lawyers 2017

Robert Volterra was ranked as one of the leading 100 lawyers from international law firms in Latin America.

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