Published on 15 July 2024 in Client Alerts

Volterra Fietta Partners, Robert G Volterra and Ahmed Abdel-Hakam, spoke at Leiden University’s Conference on Counterclaims in International Law

On 27 June 2024, Volterra Fietta partners Robert G Volterra and Ahmed Abdel-Hakam were invited by Leiden University to speak at the conference on Counterclaims in International Law.  Speakers at the conference covered a wide range of issues arising out of counterclaims, such as: counterclaims and international investment law; counterclaims and the International Court of Justice; and counterclaims as a tool for strategic litigation in international courts and tribunals.

Photo: Robert G Volterra, Ahmed Abdel-Hakam in front of the Old Observatory of Leiden’s University, where the conference was held.

The Volterra Fietta partners shared practical insights on the conduct of litigation for States before international courts and tribunals.  Their presentations were practice-focused and drew on their combined experience of more than 50 years advising States around the world on Public International Law cases in which they were and are counsel.  Robert shared his experiences in creating and implementing practical litigation tactics in State-to-State disputes in which issues of counterclaims and set-off are relevant.  Ahmed shared his experiences in deploying counterclaim and set-off arguments in investment treaty claims brought under the Organisation for the Islamic Conference Investment Agreement.

Volterra Fietta regularly provides seminars and training on litigating international law claims before international courts and tribunals to its State clients and other entities.  The firm’s training covers the full spectrum of international law and dispute resolution issues.

For more information, contact info@volterrafietta.com.

More Client Alerts

| Client Alerts

Audience poll identifies the next topic in Volterra Fietta’sinternational disputes seminar programme

Volterra Fietta recently invited clients, colleagues and members of its wider international network to participate in an interactive audience poll to help shape the firm’s upcoming seminar programme.

Learn more

| Client Alerts

Volterra Fietta’s seminar programme continues apace in the first half of 2026

Volterra Fietta has continued its series of seminars and thought leadership events during the first half of 2026. The programme presents leading experts on different public international law and dispute resolution issues, including the firm’s lawyers, academics, technical and scientific experts, diplomats and other leading practitioners.

Learn more

| Client Alerts

We are delighted to share another instalment in the “Volterra Fietta PIL Commentaries” podcast series

This latest commentary by Ahmed Abdel-Hakam explores the role of valuation in oil and gas arbitration, an area that sits at the intersection of international law, economics, finance, and complex dispute resolution. Valuation is often one of the most significant and technically demanding aspects of disputes involving oil and gas assets. Whether arising in investor-State or

Learn more

| Client Alerts

We are pleased to present the next instalment in the “Volterra Fietta PIL Commentaries” podcast series

Effective Quantum Strategies for Investors in Investment Treaty Arbitrations In this commentary, Robert G Volterra explores the strategic considerations involved in pleading quantum damages in investment treaty arbitrations. Drawing on years of practical experience acting for both investors and States, and as an arbitrator in investor-State disputes, Robert examines how parties approach quantum and the factors

Learn more
View all