Stephenson Harwood is well known for its enviable expertise in Africa, Middle East and India-related disputes. The firm is also experienced in Southeast and North Asia matters, and additionally acts in the enforcement of arbitration awards. Working from both London and Dubai, Rovine Chandrasekera acts in a broad range of commercial disputes. Kamal Shah is ‘one of the leading practitioners for Africa arbitration work’, and Jide Adesokan also acts in Africa-related disputes. Charlotte Welsh is another key arbitration department member.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Leaders in the field. Excellent international scope and experience, with careful and sound guidance for parties in cross-border disputes.’

  • ‘The team knows commercial law and the arbitration rules and practice very well. They are pleasant to work with and responsive to queries. There is an easy exchange of communication between them and clients, and this helps with the progress of the work and in achieving client satisfaction.’

  • ‘Rovine Chandrasekera - not only is he cooperative with his clients, but he also has very updated information on the market and always defends clients with creative solutions.’

  • ‘Jide Adesokan is exceptionally good.’

  • ‘Kamal Shah - one of the leading practitioners for Africa arbitration work.’

  • ‘Kamal Shah is a sensitive and clever adviser with a wealth of experience, particularly in the African and Asian markets.’

  • ‘Charlotte Welsh is intelligent, commercial, and has excellent drafting skills.’
  • ‘Daniel Boon has outstanding legal research and drafting skills.’

Key clients

  • IBL Group
  • NNPC
  • Republic of Iraq
  • Sylvia Earle Owner
  • Ocean Odyssey Owner Co
  • Ministry of Electricity, Iraq
  • Sapura Energy
  • Guaranty Trust Bank

Work highlights

  • Assisting an Asian oil and gas company with a sanctions-related dispute against another Asian oil and gas company (with European links).
  • Acting for a major Asian joint venture in an ICC construction arbitration concerning a project in East Africa.
  • Representing the Republic of Iraq, as co-counsel, in an ICSID arbitration brought by Orange under the France-Iraq bilateral investment treaty.

Lawyers

Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Rovine Chandrasekera, Kamal Shah, Jide Adesokan

Other key lawyers

Charlotte Welsh, Charlotte Murphy, Henry Simpson, Daniel Boon, Isabelle Wenger