Best Lawyers in the United Kingdom for International Arbitration

Gary Born is the chair of the International Arbitration Practice Group. Mr. Born is widely regarded as the world's preeminent authority on international commercial arbitration and international litigation. He has been ranked for more than 20 years as one of the world's leading international arbitration advocates and the leading arbitration practitioner in London.

Deborah Ruff leads Pillsbury’s Arbitration - U.S. & International practice. She has extensive experience in multi-jurisdiction disputes, with a focus on high-value and complex international arbitration in the energy, infrastructure and construction, telecommunications and financial sectors. Deborah conducts international arbitration disputes often over JOAs, the construction of and off-take from refineries and petrochemical plants, as well as rig, energy trading and transport, and c...

Steven Finizio's practice focuses on international dispute resolution. Mr. Finizio also serves as an arbitrator. He has particular experience with energy, financial services, shareholder, joint venture and M&A, and manufacturing issues. He has advised clients regarding disputes under the rules of most of the well-recognized international arbitration institutions and governed by the laws of jurisdictions in Europe, Asia, Africa and the US, as well as under bilateral and regional investment...

Prior to joining Skadden, Mr. Gal led the strategic development of the Middle Eastern litigation practice of another major U.S. law firm. Over the course of the last 20 years, he has represented some of the world’s leading companies in sectors such as telecommunications, banking and finance, infrastructure, energy, construction and technology under a variety of different rules including ICC, ICSID, LCIA, UNCITRAL, AAA and ad hoc arbitrations. He served, until recently, as one of Austral...

Sym Hunt-Brady is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of International Arbitration and Litigation. Sym, who practices law in London, United Kingdom, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sym is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ekaterina Churanova focuses on commercial litigation (in the U.K. and internationally) and arbitration, as well as investment treaty arbitrations involving Commonwealth of Independent States entities and high-profile individuals.

Peter Beaumont is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of International Arbitration and Litigation. Peter, who practices law in London, United Kingdom, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Peter is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kimberley Smith is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of International Arbitration. Kimberley, who practices law in London, United Kingdom, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kimberley is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Claudia Upton is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of International Arbitration. Claudia, who practices law in London, United Kingdom, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Claudia is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Teresa Queirós focuses on complex international commercial disputes across a wide range of jurisdictions, legal issues and sectors (including energy, mining, construction, investment and finance, and consumer goods). Ms. Queirós has successfully represented clients across a broad spectrum of investment treaty disputes, commercial arbitration proceedings under various arbitral institutions, and English High Court litigation (including antitrust follow-on litigation). She also has...

Marija Brackovic is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of International Arbitration and Litigation. Marija, who practices law in London, United Kingdom, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Marija is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Maximilian Szymanski focuses on dispute resolution and has significant experience advising on international arbitration, including public international law. Mr. Szymanski has represented clients from a range of sectors and jurisdictions in international arbitration under LCIA, ICC, UNCITRAL, AAA and ICSID rules, as well as in domestic Nigerian arbitration proceedings, and court actions in England, the United States, India, Turkey and Hong Kong. He frequently collaborates with foreign counsel ...