Herbert Smith Freehills LLP

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP represents states, international organisations, and major corporations across the gamut of public international law issues, including Law of the Sea, state immunity, state recognition, international trade, and human rights. The sizeable team also represents both investors and states in investor-state disputes, in relation to treaties, investment codes and investment contracts. Co-leading the department, Andrew Cannon‘s experience includes acting in ad hoc and institutional arbitrations across multiple jurisdictions (under the rules of both major arbitral institutions and governing laws); and Christian Leathley, an August 2023 returnee to London from the firm’s New York office, who has longstanding experience in international commercial and investment arbitrations, particularly in relation to Central and South America. The team additionally includes Hannah Ambrose, whose public international law practice covers boundaries, investment treaty claims, state immunity, and international organisations’ immunity; Louise Barber, who is experienced in investment treaty arbitrations, Law of the Sea issues, maritime boundary disputes, treaty interpretation, and international human rights law; and Joel Halliday, who has particular experience in energy and mining-related international arbitrations involving Asia.