Benjamin Stafford

Ben advises clients in international arbitration under the rules of various institutions including the ICC and LCIA as well as in commercial litigation in the English courts and in internal investigations.

• Engagements

  • Representing the operator in ICC arbitration proceedings concerning the attempts by a non-operator to block a field development in Africa under a JOA. The engagement included responding to injunctive proceedings before the English Commercial Court and subsequently an ICC tribunal.
    
  • Acting for Swiss and Dutch entities in a US$ 2 billion dispute in relation to a joint venture concerning a construction project in Russia.
  • Representing a high-profile sponsor of a well-known sports team in LCIA arbitration proceedings relating to breaches of the sponsorship agreement by the sports team.
  • Acting for an African free zone development providing full logistic support to deepwater oil and gas operations in LCIA proceedings being pursued by a joint venture partner under contracts involving English and Nigerian law.
  • Acting for the claimant, a listed Scandinavian exploration and production company in a Paris-seated ICC arbitration against a Middle-Eastern state concerning claims in relation to the contractor's cost recovery under a production sharing contract and abusive conduct on the part of the state.
  • Acting for the respondent Chinese company in a high-value SIAC arbitration under Singaporean law, involving sale and purchase and repurchase transactions.
  • Acting for a Japanese subcontractor in a Tokyo-seated ICC arbitration relating to a renewable energy project.
  • Acting in the Commercial Court against accusations that a solicitor engaged in an unlawful conspiracy to avoid a client being liable for a $1.6 billion arbitration award, including the defence of door-step Norwich Pharmacal orders.
  • Representing a manufacture of cutting-edge aircraft seating in a High Court claim against a flag airline carrier.