International Arbitration
Michael has experience of ICC, LCIA and ad hoc (UNCITRAL) arbitral proceedings, involving allegations of breach of complex construction agreements, unlawful termination, delay and quantum.
Selected Cases
- Volpi v Volpi trust arbitration: acted as junior counsel in the quantum phase of a multi‑billion-dollar trust dispute, arising in respect of the assets of a large business empire, comprised principally of Nigerian oil and gas logistics companies. This matter raised issues relating to the use of offshore structures, duty to account, equitable compensation, trust reconstitution, valuation of trust assets and multi-jurisdictional tracing.
- Barclays Bank plc v VEB.RF [2024] EWHC 3088 (Comm): acted as junior counsel for VEB in the context of an LCIA arbitration, concerning Barclays’ liability to pay approximately £147m, following termination of currency swap arrangements, engaging issues of sanctions, payment mechanics and competing jurisdiction clauses.
- ICC arbitration – global construction company: acted in a high‑value infrastructure dispute in the Middle East, involving delay, prolongation and back‑to‑back liability issues between main contractor and a specialist sub‑contractor.
Awards
- William Charnley Prize for the Highest First-class in Law (2016) – Hughes Hall, University of Cambridge
- Astbury Scholarship (2016) – The Honourable Society of Middle Temple
- BPTC Scholarship (2015) – BPP Law School
- Santander Bursary (2015) – Santander Universities
- American Institute of Contractors Highest Exam Award (2010) – AIC
Appointments
- Trustee – Peace Child International (2022-2024)
- Visiting Tutor in Contract Law, Queen Mary University of London (2017-2018; 2023-2024)
News
Qualifications
- MA (Cantab) Law, First-class Honours, University of Cambridge
- BSc Building Construction (equiv. First-class Honours), University of Florida
- BPTC, Very Competent, BPP Law School
Memberships
- Society of Construction Law (UK)
- Technology & Construction Bar Association
- Commercial Bar Association
