Expertise

Dan is an arbitration specialist. He represents clients in international commercial and investor-state arbitration and arbitration-related litigation before the English Courts. His practice, experience and client-base are as global as they are diverse.

His experience covers arbitrations proceeding under the major institutional rules and in ad-hoc arrangements. He has advised on disputes governed by a range of applicable laws, subject to various arbitral seats and involving many jurisdictions.

Dan has an equally deep experience of arbitration-related litigation before the English Courts. His recent caseload has involved anti-suit and related injunctive relief, jurisdictional issues, challenges to arbitral awards and issues of enforcement.

Dan is widely recognised as an expert in disputes connected with Africa and the Middle East.  He has a notable practice of representing local companies in dispute with multinational partners and financial institutions. A fluent English and French speaker, Dan’s recent activities have involved Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa, Seychelles, Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea and Botswana and, in the case of the Middle East, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Dan is similarly recognised for his expertise in oil & gas disputes, including construction matters. His sectoral experience includes cases in the technology, infrastructure, healthcare, finance, transport, automotive, mining, power, manufacturing, insurance, shipping, hospitality and consumer retail industries.

Dan accepts arbitrator appointments. He is a regular speaker and author in his areas of practice. He is Adjunct Professor of International Commercial Arbitration at Pepperdine University. Dan also consults in respect of disputes legal technology.

Recognition

Dan is individually ranked in Chambers Global and Chambers UK, Legal 500 and Who’s Who Legal.

Dan is included in The Legal 500 ’s 2023 Powerlist, a curated selection of the leading international arbitration practitioners within the UK.

Dan has received for two years running the “International Arbitration Lawyer of the Year” (United Kingdom) award in the Lawyer Monthly ADR Awards 2023 and 2024.

Experience

A selection of Dan’s experience includes advising:

• a Nigerian oil & gas company in consolidated ICC arbitrations against a group of lenders arising from a US$ billions financing of an onshore oilfield interest
• an Italian international contractor in the energy industry in respect of a section 68 challenge to an UNCITRAL award decided under Algerian law
• a Qatari corporate in LCIA arbitration involving LNG supplies into Ghana
• one of West Africa’s largest energy companies in multiple section 67 challenges and anti-suit injunction proceedings before the English Courts
• a US wellbore construction services provider in LCIA arbitration involving knock-for-knock indemnity claims regarding drilling activities in Kurdistan
• a Nigerian energy company in LCIA arbitration against a Chinese state-owned shipbuilder involving claims related to the purchase of a crude tanker
• a Cayman crypto trading solutions company in ad hoc arbitration against a major crypto lending company involving disputed loans of Ethereum (ETH)
• a European Government resisting English Court proceedings to enforce an arbitration award obtained under an intra-EU bilateral investment treaty
• an Indian multinational pharmaceuticals company in LCIA arbitration against a Chinese pharmaceuticals supplier involving termination and related claims
• a Saudi oilfield services company in ICC arbitration against its JV partner in claims related to disputed territorial rights to seismic exploration activities
• a French transportation group in ICC arbitration against a European Government involving a FIDIC Silverbook railway infrastructure project
• a mining company in respect of LCIA arbitration pursued against a West African Government connected with disputed mining concession licences
• investors in a BIT claim against the Arab Republic of Egypt involving the alleged expropriation of businesses operating in the commodities sector
• a global IT company in major ad hoc arbitration against the UK Government in connection with the NHS Connecting for Health national IT programme

Career

Dan is an alumnus of University College London (UCL). He trained at Pinsent Masons and after many years moved to White & Case’s top-ranked international arbitration practice. In 2019, he joined Stewarts’ International Arbitration team.

Publications and media

Dan is a regular publisher in his areas of practice and interest. He was a contributor to a chapter in The Law and Business of LNG (3rd ed.). Dan regularly speaks at conferences and events, especially ones focussed on arbitration in Africa. Dan has trained Attorneys-General and members of the judiciary in Africa. He is Adjunct Professor of International Commercial Arbitration at Pepperdine University.

Personal

Dan enjoys music, cycling, computing and travelling. He is often found chasing after his mischievous dachshund, Dudley.