Overview
Arbitration is the preferred forum for many cross-border commercial disputes. It offers confidentiality, the ability to appoint decision-makers with sector expertise, and an enforcement regime that allows awards to be recognised in multiple jurisdictions. For corporates, financial institutions and private capital, the way an arbitration is handled has a direct impact on balance sheets, investor confidence and counterpart relationships. Outcomes, however, only have value if they are enforceable.
STA Legal acts for corporates, investors, traders, contractors, financial institutions and private clients in domestic and international arbitrations seated in London and globally. We combine precise procedural execution with clear case theory and disciplined evidence management, ensuring each stage of the process is aligned with your commercial objectives and the practical realities of award recognition and recovery.
What We Handle
Institutional and ad hoc arbitration
- LCIA, ICC and UNCITRAL arbitrations
- GAFTA, FOSFA, LME and other trade and commodities terms
- DIAC, SIAC, HKIAC and other regional institutions
- Ad hoc arbitrations under bespoke clauses
Procedural conduct
- Notices of arbitration, responses and jurisdictional objections
- Statements of case, defences and replies
- Document production, disclosure and e-discovery
- Coordination of factual and expert evidence
- Hearings, submissions and post-hearing work
Interim and urgent relief
- Emergency arbitrator applications and interim measures
- Freezing orders, anti-suit injunctions and security for costs
Award challenges, recognition and enforcement
- Challenges to awards under ss.67–69 Arbitration Act 1996 (jurisdiction, serious irregularity, point of law)
- Recognition and enforcement of awards under the New York Convention and domestic legislation
- Defences to enforcement, including public policy, due process and excess-of-authority arguments
- Enforcement planning based on asset location, debtor structure and recoverability
Our Approach
Every arbitration is shaped around the commercial outcome you need — not just the legal arguments. We start with a clear case theory, build the evidential record from day one and manage procedure tightly so that costs and timetable are predictable.
Where speed matters, we move fast. Where settlement is the better outcome, we know how to create the conditions for it. And we always plan enforcement before the award is sought, not after.
Sector Capability
We integrate arbitral expertise with sector knowledge across:
- International trade and commodities
- Energy, utilities and infrastructure
- Construction and engineering projects
- Shipping, freight and logistics
- Financial products, trade finance and derivatives
- Joint ventures, shareholder and partnership disputes
This combination matters: tribunals respond to advocates who understand the industry as well as the law.
