Stewarts is the UK’s largest disputes-only law firm with over 200 lawyers – more than 90 of whom are partners – across 15 specialist practice areas. We act for corporates, government entities and individuals in complex and high-value disputes in the UK and across the globe. We have experience on both sides of litigation and as counsel and arbitrators across major arbitral institutions such as the ICC, LCIA, SIAC, DIAC, SCC, HKIAC, PCA, and ICSID, and in ad hoc arbitrations.

Clients instruct us when the stakes are high and where genuine disputes experts are needed. We are conflict-free and uniquely placed to advise where other law firms may be conflicted.

A great majority of our work is international. As an independent law firm, we are free to work with our clients’ existing advisers and can also draw on our strategic alliances with leading international law firms. This enables us to work in a global counsel role to coordinate complex multi-jurisdictional matters via a single point of contact.

Our reputation is confirmed by our top rankings in the leading legal directories. We are recognised as a “truly client-focused outfit whose calibre and experience is second to none”.

Our expertise and coverage extend across numerous key sectors and practice areas relevant to the legal landscape in Africa, including:

• • Commercial Litigation
  • Fraud
  • International Arbitration
  • Insolvency and Asset Recovery

The following is a selection of the cases we have worked on:

• Advising Aiteo, one of Africa’s fastest growing energy leaders, in defending a US$ multi-billion ICC arbitration brought by a consortium of lenders and oil & gas supermajor, Shell, in connection with the acquisition of an oil field interest.
• Advising a West African prominent investment company on matters related to its investment connected with acquisitions of various assets, worth billions of US dollars, by an African energy company from supermajors.
• Advising joint liquidators in complex and high-value proceedings to recover assets dissipated by way of fraudulent scheme across various jurisdictions, including Mauritius, Ghana and Guinea.
• Advising a mining company operating in Sierra Leone in relation to LCIA arbitration with a Chinese-owned port operator in connection with the export of minerals via transshipment.
• Advising a corporate in complex and strategically important US$ millions arbitration against an African state related to a public-private partnership in the sugar industry.
• Advising an independent oil & gas company operating offshore Equatorial Guinea in respect of a US$ millions LCIA arbitration dispute relating to offshore drilling.
• Advising a major African state’s prosecution authority on a politically important, high-profile mandate regarding recoveries from alleged embezzlement by a former President.
• Advising a Nigerian engineering consultancy on arbitration claims against a subsidiary of a major Italian engineering firm, in respect of the award of large construction project contracts tendered by an African government.