Alexander Uff is a partner in the International Arbitration practice.

He provides advice and representation to corporations, States and State-owned entities in complex international commercial and investment treaty arbitrations. His experience covers a wide range of subject matters and industries, with an emphasis on energy, natural resources and infrastructure-related disputes. He has conducted arbitrations under the ICSID, ICC, LCIA, CRCICA and CAS Rules, as well as ad hoc arbitrations including under the UNCITRAL Rules.

Alexander is recognized as a “future leader” in international arbitration by Who’s Who Legal (2018, 2019, 2020). The 2020 edition reports that he is “‘a name to remember in investment treaty arbitration’ according to peers, who applaud his ‘great commercial sense’”. He is also included on The Legal 500 International Arbitration Powerlist UK.

• Two subsidiaries of a North American mining and metals company in seven LCIA arbitrations in London against a European trading firm. The dispute relates to the performance of various contracts for the sale and purchase of metal concentrates. English law applies.
• A petrochemicals company in connection with a potential investment treaty claim against a Central Asian state.
• A North African consulting company, in relation to claims concerning oil drilling contracts.
• A North African State-owned mining and chemicals company in relation to substantial claims for project delays, associated costs and alleged scope changes relating to the construction of two large scale chemical processing plants. The claims are subject to expert determination in accordance with the ICC administered expertise procedure.
• Alverley Investments Limited and Germen Properties Ltd, Claimants in an ICSID arbitration against Romania (ICSID Case No. ARB/18/30). The dispute related to a multi-billion euro commercial and residential real estate project in northern Bucharest.The claims were brought under the Cyprus-Romania bilateral investment treaty.
• Two international contractors, Respondents in an ICC arbitration in London initiated by a Middle Eastern State-owned company. The dispute concerns the development of a world-class medical facility in the Middle East. The law of the Claimant’s State applies. Over $3.7 billion is at stake.
• A French-German consortium in an ICC arbitration in Stockholm against a Finnish utility company. The dispute arose from an agreement for the construction of a nuclear power plant in Finland. Finnish law governed. Over €6.1 billion was at stake.
• Two African subsidiaries of an international mining and exploration company, Respondent in an ICC arbitration in London initiated by a South African contractor. The dispute related to a mine expansion project in Sub-Saharan Africa. English law applied.
• Two Egyptian State-owned entities in a $6 billion ICC arbitration in Geneva and a $4 billion CRCICA arbitration in Cairo arising out of a long-term gas supply contract relating to the export of Egyptian gas to Israel. English law applied to both arbitrations. More than three quarters of the Claimants’ claims were dismissed for lack of jurisdiction or on the merits.We also represented the Arab Republic of Egypt, as Respondent in two investment arbitrations concerning alleged violations under the Egypt-Poland, Egypt-U.S. and the Egypt-Germany bilateral investment treaties relating to the performance of the same long-term contract for the supply of natural gas. Around $2 billion were claimed in the investment disputes. More than two thirds of the Claimants’ claims were dismissed on jurisdictional grounds and on the merits. Following these decisions, the parties reached a global settlement, under which all claims against our clients were waived without our clients being required to make any payment.
• A major European retail group, Claimant in an ICC arbitration against its Brazilian joint venture partner in a dispute concerning a shareholders’ agreement relating to Brazil’s largest retailer.
• TNK-BP in a dispute with BP regarding TNK-BP’s lost participation in an Arctic exploration project. The amount at stake in the dispute was estimated between $5 and 10 billion.
• A European chemicals company against European subsidiaries of a U.S. chemicals company, in several ICC arbitrations arising out of a joint venture agreement, relating to the use of intellectual property.
• A Middle Eastern development company in an ICC arbitration initiated by a Middle Eastern contractor, concerning a major urban development project.
• A multinational agribusiness company in a dispute with a joint venture partner, relating to delays in the construction of a process plant in Ukraine.

Professional Affiliations

• Member, London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA)
• Member, International Council of Commercial Arbitration (ICCA)
• Member, International Arbitration Institute (IAI)
• Member, Association Suisse de l’Arbitrage (ASA)
• Member, British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL)
• Member, Gray’s Inn

Other

• Alex joined Shearman & Sterling’s International Arbitration Group in Paris in 2007 after practicing in the Paris and New York offices of two major international law firms. He relocated to Shearman & Sterling’s London office in 2013.