International Arbitration

Bird & Bird's International Arbitration Group has consistently featured in The Global Arbitration Review 100, where it has been recognised for having "represented numerous high-profile names and organisations" and for advising in the “sports trial of the century”.

Arbitration is in our DNA. Our standout differentiator is simple – our unparalleled understanding of our clients' businesses and industries. We have sector experts in both your industry and in arbitration, truly understanding your business and commercial drivers, as well as the arbitration processes in general.

Bird & Bird's International Arbitration Group is a cross-border, integrated, multi-disciplinary team with an in-depth knowledge of arbitration as a dispute resolution mechanism and a comprehensive understanding of key industry sectors. Because of our deep understanding of a variety of sectors, we are regularly asked to conduct arbitrations. Our strategically-focused, multilingual, and multicultural team works across continents to help you avoid and resolve disputes in every corner of the globe and across various industry sectors including life sciences, sport, infrastructure, oil and gas, and energy.

The group has a truly international feel, operating throughout all of the major financial and arbitral centres in the world. Our team includes partners and associates based across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific. We have advised and acted for clients on arbitrations in London, New York, Switzerland, Paris, Singapore, Shanghai, The Hague, Madrid, Milan, Stockholm, Santiago, and Warsaw, amongst others, on disputes governed by the laws of New York, England, France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Finland, the Netherlands, Poland, and Singapore.

We have acted on complex and high-value commercial arbitrations around the globe, as well as on investment treaty claims acting on behalf of investors and defending host states.

We have extensive experience under the rules of the world's leading arbitral institutions (ICC, LCIA, AAA/ICDR, CIETAC, ICSID, WIPO, SIAC, SCC, DIS, DIFC-LCIA, HKIAC, AIAC, and Swiss Rules) and in ad hoc arbitrations (including UNCITRAL).

As an international team of experts in international arbitration and foreign investment law, we are able to provide our clients with an appreciation of the laws and procedures in jurisdictions local to the dispute, ensuring access to legal advice as well as representation at all stages of the proceedings. This includes jurisdictional and merit phases, applications relating to protective measures in support of arbitral proceedings, as well as enforcement or annulment of arbitral awards.

Our International Arbitration Group is recommended, and many of our lawyers ranked as leading individuals across our key sectors, in the leading legal directories including The Legal 500, Chambers, Benchmark Litigation and Who's Who Legal. Most recently, Sophie Eyre the head of the International Arbitration Group, was recognised in the Financier Worldwide "2025 Power Player: International Arbitration – Distinguished Advisers" publication, as an outstanding expert with deep expertise in International Arbitration.

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Latest insights

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The English Arbitration Act 2025: Key Changes Coming into Force on 1 August 2025

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UK Joins 2019 Hague Convention: Insights from Simona Peter in CDR Article

2 minutes Jul 22 2025

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International Dispute Resolution team authored key content for Lexology Panoramic: Dispute Resolution 2025

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Accolades

Very skilled and proactive team - knowledge of business practices and very strong in strategy evaluation and comparison."

Legal 500 2025, International Arbitration

A team that is completely hands on and has a very good commercial understanding of clients’ interests.

Legal 500 2025, International Arbitration

Global leader in International Arbitration

Global Arbitration Review 2025

Sophie Eyre - International Arbitration Distinguished Adviser

Financier Worldwide 2025 Power Players

Very responsive and aware of industry issues

Chambers 2025, International Arbitration

Sophie Eyre is unique for her ability to analyse and put in place arguments and robust strategies.

Legal 500 2025, International Arbitration

Puts together the right-sized international team to work seamlessly and efficiently on complex cases.

Legal 500 2025, International Arbitration

Sophie Eyre is smart, savvy, and creative in finding solutions for complicated cross-border matters.

Legal 500 2025