Stewarts Law LLP houses a dedicated international arbitration practice that covers commercial and investor-state arbitration, along with arbitration-related litigation before the English Courts. The practice is now led by Sherina Petit, following her recent move from Norton Rose Fulbright. Other key names include commercial and investment treaty arbitration specialist Alejandro Garcia, and Daniel Wilmot, who is 'a bright light in the arbitration world'. Senior associate Mark McMahon focuses on Middle East, Americas and Africa-related commercial, energy and construction disputes.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'Clients achieve excellent results with Stewarts. A go-to team for international arbitration.’

  • ‘Alejandro Garcia always provides state-of-the-art advice. He has deep knowledge both of the applicable law and procedural issues.'

  • ‘Alejandro Garcia has outstanding knowledge and understanding of the ins and outs of investment arbitration.’

  • ‘Daniel Wilmot is a top talent, prepared to roll up his sleeves and battle for his client's interests. Calm and collected under pressure, with great lateral thinking.’

  • 'Daniel Wilmot is a bright light in the arbitration world - very smart, very good with clients, and very commercially minded.'

  • 'Mark McMahon is a rising star in international arbitration. He has a superb grasp of the international arbitration field.’

  • 'Sherina Petit is a powerhouse in the international arbitration world, particularly as regards India-related work.’

  • ‘Sherina Petit is exceptional. She gives 110% to her clients and is a fantastic strategist.’

  • ‘The team is very strong. They have the sharpest minds and abilities.'

  • 'The team is always promptly available, and keen to answer and clarify clients' doubts. Furthermore, the commitment to cases is unique. They dedicate as much time as needed to fulfil the results desired.’

Key clients

  • Aiteo Eastern E & P Company
  • Republic of Poland

Work highlights

  • Representing Terence Highlands, a British national and founder of a shipbuilding company, in a large-value investment treaty arbitration against Mexico concerning the illegal seizure of two state-of-the-art vessels.
  • Defended Aiteo Eastern E & P Company against an ICC arbitration, brought by a subsidiary of the Shell Group, which related to a $512m facility that was extended to purchase an oil field interest.
  • Representing the Republic of Poland in setting aside an enforcement order, obtained in proceedings brought before the English Courts to enforce an arbitral award.

Lawyers

Leading associates
Rising stars with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Stewarts Law LLP
Mark specialises in international arbitration and has extensive experience representing clients in complex and high-value disputes in Europe, the Middle East, the Americas and Africa. He is described in the Legal 500 as a “standout” and “a fantastic lawyer… strategic and commercially aware with a real world savviness." Mark is an arbitration specialist, advising in international commercial and investor-state arbitrations. His practice is almost exclusively international and spans industries including construction, engineering and energy. Mark has acted in disputes in multiple jurisdictions and has extensive experience in complex cross-border matters working on cases under all the major arbitration rules including ICC, LCIA, ICSID and UNCITRAL. Mark is active in the international arbitration community, with a growing reputation amongst young practitioners. He is a committee member of the CiArb Young Member’s Group London Branch and is the Delos Guide to Arbitration Places (GAP) reviewer for Ireland. Mark is also a committee member of the Arbitration Ireland Young Practitioners Group and currently acts as an international mentor for the Istanbul Arbitration Centre.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Stewarts Law LLP
Partner, Head of International Arbitration and Head of India Sherina specialises in international commercial arbitration, investor-state arbitration, litigation and alternative dispute resolutions (ADR). In addition to acting as counsel in arbitrations, she also sits as an arbitrator. Sherina is ranked in the Legal Business Arbitration Power List and as a Global Leader in the Who’s Who Legal. Sherina has a wide range of experience in all key aspects of international arbitration, including a focus on India-related disputes. Her global client base spans a broad range of industries, including energy, construction, oil and gas, trade, transport pharmaceuticals, commodities, finance and technology. Sherina has experience of all major arbitral institutions, including the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) and the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC). Sherina has practised across multiple jurisdictions, including as an advocate in India (Mumbai) before qualifying in England and Wales.   Sherina has achieved a number of successes for her clients in both commercial and investment arbitration proceedings in terms of settlement and arbitration awards. Her experience includes acting for: An Indian multinational oil and gas company and its international subsidiary in two oil and gas-related arbitrations against an African state (UNCITRAL, Sudanese law, London seat). A French maritime and transportation company in respect of its challenge in the English courts to an award issued under the India-France BIT in an arbitration seated in London and conducted under the UNCITRAL rules (UNCITRAL, English law, London seat). A US curtain manufacturer against a large Pakistani textile manufacturing company (UNCITRAL, English law, London seat). A national oil and gas company in relation to a decommissioning dispute against a contractor in respect of a drilling campaign offshore West Africa. The dispute involves variation claims exceeding US$80m (LCIA, Angolan law, London seat). An Indian airline in relation to a multi-billion dollar dispute between various shareholders concerning alleged breaches of a shareholders agreement (LCIA, Indian law, New Delhi seat). One of the wealthiest South Asian families in an African jurisdiction involving a dispute over a number of assets the family owns worldwide (LCIA, English law, London seat). A Middle Eastern satellite operator in a dispute with a Canadian telecommunications provider concerning a transponder rights agreement (ICC, English law, London seat). An Indian water manufacturer against a Qatari contractor relating to contracts in relation to two water treatment plants (ICC, Qatari law, London seat). Two multinational banks against an insurance company relating to political risk insurance events in South America (LCIA, English law, London seat). A global company on potential remedies under bilateral investment treaties involving Tanzania in a matter involving several hundred million dollars, including advice on the implications of the Standard Chartered v Tanzania BIT claim. A European infrastructure company in a bilateral investment treaty claim against a former Soviet state for breaches of agreements and fair and equitable treatment provisions relating to changes in local law and investment policy. Sherina has also had numerous successes in high-value litigations before the English High Court. Some high-value, complex disputes in which she has been involved include acting for: A US construction company as defendant in a litigation concerning the construction of one of the world’s largest beverage facilities One of India’s largest conglomerates in a multi-billion dollar litigation against numerous global and Indian banks An Indian owner and operator of a commodities and currencies derivative exchange in a litigation relating to the enforcement actions arising out of a successful award in a London-seated ICC arbitration.
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.

Sherina Petit

Other key lawyers

Alejandro Garcia, Daniel Wilmot, Mark McMahon, Louis Peacock-Young