Our
public international law practice advises
states, international organisations and
multinational companies on both contentious
and non-contentious issues. This includes
territorial and boundary disputes;
international maritime law; air and water
rights; treaty negotiations and accession to
treaties; state responsibility; sovereign
and diplomatic privilege and immunity;
project-specific international agreements
between host states; foreign corrupt
practices; extra-territorial jurisdiction
for worker safety liability; offshore oil
and gas (and other resources); human rights
(including their relevance in the context of
corporate social responsibility and alien
tort claims); economic sanctions;
expropriations; international environmental
law; bilateral investment treaties; and
sovereign debt questions; state and
diplomatic immunity; privileges and
immunities of international organizations;
treaty obligations; human rights;
international environmental law; law of the
sea; proceedings before specially
constituted claims tribunals; proceedings
before other international courts and
tribunals including the International Court
of Justice.
International law deals with the
relationships between states, or between
persons or entities in different states. It
sub-divides into "public international
law" and "private international
law" (also called conflict of laws).
When used without an adjective,
"international law" generally
refers to "public international
law." Thus, public international law
defined as "is the system of law which
regulates the activities of entities
possessing international personality."
Public international law has assumed greater
importance with the increasing globalisation
of business. We work on international
project finance and major infrastructure
projects, energy projects, international
financing and privatisations, and trade and
customs disputes. Our particular strength
lies in combining public international law
knowledge with wide commercial experience.
International law is extremely relevant to
any corporation or organisation with a
presence in multiple jurisdictions, and to
anyone involved in trans-national trade,
commerce and investment. In a shrinking
world, global and regional cooperation
increases the need for corporations to
understand international law and the impact
of international and extra-territorial
regulation. We advise corporations,
sovereign States and international
organisations on the complex and
far-reaching effects of international law
including economic sanctions; export control
legislation; anti-money laundering,
anti-corruption and anti-terrorism
regulations; alien torts legislation;
bilateral investment treaties and investment
protection; international environmental law
and regulation; international trade law,
including the WTO regime and its provisions;
risk assessments for international projects
and investments.
