International arbitration

We are widely recognised for our strengths in the field of construction disputes and our lawyers have many years’ experience in dealing with complex and high-value international arbitrations relating to construction, engineering, infrastructure, power and energy disputes.

International arbitration

Beale & Co is a market leader in international construction arbitration, built on decades of experience advising employers, contractors and consultants on complex, high‑value disputes across the construction, engineering, energy and infrastructure sectors worldwide.

Our lawyers are among the foremost practitioners in international construction arbitration, bringing deep technical understanding, commercial awareness and legal precision to every matter. We operate specialist, experienced senior-led teams focusing from the outset on strategy, cost efficiency and commercial outcomes.

Our international arbitration team is consistently recognised in leading legal directories, including Chambers, Legal 500 and Lexology.

Our approach to international arbitration

We understand that for our clients, arbitration is a commercial decision that demands clear-headed, expert guidance. From the outset, we work closely with clients to understand their objectives, assess the commercial merits and develop the most effective and proportionate strategy to protect their interests.

We set the right strategy from the start and maintain a sharp focus on the key commercial issues that matter most to our clients, refining that strategy as the dispute progresses to maximise financial recovery and deliver successful outcomes.

Partner‑led, specialist teams

Our arbitrations are led by Partners who are hands‑on throughout and thrive on understanding the detail of each case. Our specialist lawyers bring many years of experience in the construction and arbitration industries, providing continuity, efficiency and clear strategic direction on every matter.

Deep construction and infrastructure arbitration expertise

Our team has been immersed in the construction and arbitration industries for many years. We are particularly experienced in arbitrating disputes involving disruption, extensions of time, prolongation, termination, defective design and payment, often arising from technically complex, multi‑jurisdictional projects.

International arbitration capability

We bring extensive experience of resolving major disputes under a wide range of international arbitration rules, including ICC, LCIA, SIAC, HKIAC, DIAC, ADCCAC and UNCITRAL, as well as ad hoc proceedings. We act across jurisdictions and governing laws, with a proven track record in high-value disputes spanning the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia‑Pacific and the Americas.

We are recognised by, and regularly work alongside, the world’s leading technical experts, construction barristers and arbitrators.

Our International arbitration Experience

Gas turbine power station, Bangladesh

Acting for a Japanese contractor in a £10m payment claim in an ICC arbitration arising out of a gas turbine power station in Bangladesh.

Wuhan Project - Mixed use development, China

Advising on a fee claim and subsequent counterclaim in arbitration proceedings in China through the Arbitration Commission and based on the CITEC Arbitration Rules. The counterclaim related to allegations of defects and delay in our client’s conceptual schematic design provided for a mixed used development in China.

Fukang Silk Road Outlet - Retail, leisure and tourist development, China

Advising in relation to a fee claim and subsequent counterclaim in arbitration proceedings in the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission. The counterclaim related to allegations of defects in our client’s architectural services provided for the design and construction of a retail, leisure and tourist development in China.

Construction project, Dominican Republic

Representing a BVI claimant company in an international ICC arbitration regarding a construction project in the Dominican Republic.

Port Said container terminal, Egypt

Acting for an International Civil Engineering Firm in a $550,000 (approx £330,000) claim relating to the construction of a container terminal at Port Said in Egypt. The dispute concerned the design and construction of the fire fighting pipe work system where leaks were spotted due to cracks and breaks in the pipes. Allegations were made against the Civil Engineer for poor design and the Contractor for workmanship defects and poor materials used. We defended the Civil Engineer such that ICC arbitration proceedings were brought only against the Contractor for the workmanship defects.

Highway upgrade project, Ethiopia

Acting for an international contractor in two separate ICC arbitrations in relation to the recovery of VAT under contracts for multiple road projects in Ethiopia (FIDIC Pink Book).

Airport, UAE

Acting in relation to an international arbitration concerning disputes exceeding AED 5bn arising from the construction of an airport concourse and terminal building in the UAE.

Power station, Georgia

Advising on a international ICC arbitration brought by a Netherlands company against a South African company in respect of a feasibility study for a power station in Georgia, with the seat of the arbitration in the UK.

Guernsey Airport, Guernsey

Acting for a consulting engineer in a dispute concerning whether an arbitration clause was incorporated into a multi-million pound appointment for works to Guernsey Airport.

Solar power plant, Honduras

Acting jointly for an international solar power plant developer and contractor, and a substantial international development finance institution, in an ICC arbitration seated in Paris concerning the project financing and establishment of a number of solar PV power plants in Honduras.

Abu Dhabi Plaza, Astana - Hotel & serviced apartments, Kazakhstan

Acting for claimant contractor on large mixed use development where claims in excess of USD 350 million, ADCCAC Rules seated in Abu Dhabi.

Thaba Tseka Road project, Lesotho

Advising in an arbitration in relation to the Thaba Tseka Road, a major transport link in Lesotho which has serious safety issues.

Foundation for Medical Sciences Mater Dei Hospital, Malta

Investigating and bringing a multi-million pound international arbitration against an international contractors and its JV partners arising out of the construction of the new main hospital in Malta – a project that took over 10 years to construct.

International airport, Romania

Advising on various construction projects, sitting as arbitrator on an ICC arbitration regarding a major international airport

Lapichevskaya Mine, Russia

Advising on a dispute regarding allegations of fraud and misrepresentation against a firm of mining consultants regarding a series of reports produced on the resources and reserves in a mine in Russia. A number of claims were issued in the High Court of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Rail Project, Sierra Leone

Advising on arbitration proceedings on a rail project in Siera Leone (ICC).

New-build Hospital, Tanzania

Acting for the Tanzanian branch of a major international owner and operator of hospitals and health care facilities, in a dispute procedure ultimately leading to ICC arbitration seated in London, in relation to substantial defects in the HVAC systems installed in a newly-constructed hospital building that prevented use of the facilities constructed in this building.

Bangkok Airport, Thailand

Providing representation and advising on two sets of multi-party arbitration proceedings concerning the design and construction of Bangkok Airport.

Sports City, Dubai, UAE

Acting for a Saudi-owned developer in relation to a DIAC arbitration in Dubai arising from the construction of Sports City, Dubai.

Super-tall skyscraper, Dubai, UAE

Representing a leading Middle Eastern contractor in DIAC arbitration proceedings in the UAE regarding the construction of a super-tall skyscraper, with amounts in dispute in excess of AED 800m. Disputes concern jurisdiction, delay and valuation of works.

Hydro project, Uganda, Uganda

Advising on dispute board proceedings and an UNCITRAL arbitration in respect of payment disputes on a hydro project in Uganda – value approx £10m (FIDIC Red Book).

Hydroelectric power project, Uganda

Acting for a joint venture of two substantial international contractors engaged by the governments of Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda to construct a run of river hydroelectric power project along the border between these countries, in an ICC arbitration concerning amongst other issues improper administration of the contract and severe delay and disruption to the works.