On 18 July 2025, Volterra Fietta hosted a virtual seminar on “A masterclass: Making effective damages submissions in international arbitration”.
Damages is a material aspect of any international arbitration case. However, in-house and external counsel, and often also even experienced arbitrators, can find damages to be an opaque area of legal practice. This virtual seminar served as a masterclass on pleading damages in international arbitration cases. Experienced leading counsel and a highly regarded quantum expert taught the audience the litigation strategies that lead to successful damages outcomes for clients. The leading counsel teaching this course have each obtained successful arbitration awards on damages, for billions of US dollars for claimants to zero-damages results when representing respondents. Drawing from this experience, the professional experts teaching this class shared core insights into how to put forward a strong damages claim or defence, in both the written pleadings and throughout oral arguments.
Topics for the webinar included:
Gunjan Sharma: How to Plead Complex Quantum Issues
Robert Volterra: How to Cross-Examine Quantum Experts
Peter Flint: The effects of “award inflation” in International Arbitration (P&ID v Nigeria)
Peter Maras: Complex quantum calculation for tribunals
Our panel of speakers included:
Gunjan Sharma is a partner at Volterra Fietta. Mr Sharma regularly represents clients in disputes involving billions of dollars. Legal 500 has described Mr Sharma as “noted for his capabilities in a wide array of high-value arbitrations”. In the last five years alone, he has represented clients in disputes involving claims for over USD 30 billion (transboundary unitisation); USD 12 billion (oil and gas); USD 4.5 billion (mining); USD 1.5 billion (satellite communications); among many others. Mr Sharma is described by Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 as a “future star in public international law area for sure” and excelling in the depth of his knowledge and ability to provide superior legal advice”. These legal directories recognise Mr Sharma as an “Up and Coming” and “Next Generation” partner, respectively.
Robert Volterra is widely recognised as one of the foremost practitioners in public international law. He has an exceptional track record advising and representing governments, international organisations, and private clients worldwide on complex issues of quantum in public international law and international dispute resolution. He has acted in some of the largest and most high-profile arbitrations in the world, in which the damages involved are often hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars. He has successfully advised States and investors on quantum issues before the International arbitral tribunals, including ICSID, UNCITRAL and ICC, as well as before the International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration. Mr Volterra has been recognised for many years in the global legal directories as one of the world’s top public international law practitioners with deep expertise in quantum claims. Chambers and Partners describes him as “probably the best PIL lawyer on this planet,” while Legal 500 calls him “the best public international lawyer around.”. His strategic approach to quantum issues make him a trusted adviser for State and investors alike.
Peter Flint is qualified as a solicitor of England and Wales. Peter focuses on international arbitration, cross-border litigation and alternative dispute resolution. He has significant experience representing both investors and States in cases under bilateral investment treaties, the Energy Carter Treaty, multilateral trade agreements and host State investment protection legislation, including proceedings before ICSID, the PCA and other leading tribunals. His arbitration work spans all major rules, including ICC, LCIA, ICSID, SCC, PCA, ECT, COMESA and SADC. Peter’s work covers a wide range of commercial sectors, including mining, oil and gas, energy, rail infrastructure, banking, construction and telecoms. He advises on disputes across Russia and the CIS, the Baltic States, Turkey, the Middle East, South and Central America. the Caribbean, the UK, North America, Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, bringing practical insight and strategic guidance to high-stakes cross-border cases.
Peter Maras is the Managing Director of Reference Consulting and a globally credentialed valuation and quantum expert, holding the Chartered Valuer and Appraise (CVA), Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA), and CFA Charterholder designations. He is a full practicing member of The Academy of Experts at Gray’s Inn, London, and has been involved in approximately 100 valuation and forensic accounting matters. He is regularly instructed in high-value litigation and international commercial arbitrations across Asia-Pacific, often opposing experts from the major global consulting firms. Peter frequently publishes and speaks in international forums and recently completed the Ciarb Diploma in International Commercial Arbitration. His industry experience spans mining, energy, technology / IP. financial services, and infrastructure. His area of expertise is offering expert testimony in disputed situations pertaining to valuation and damages quantification (loss of profits, decline in value, and account of profits). Peter has been involved in shareholder/JV, post-M&A, contract, insurance (business interruption), accounting treatment, price review, and other issues.
For any queries regarding the content of the seminar, please email seminars@volterrafietta.com.
