Lucas Bastin KC

Professional practice

Lucas is a leading barrister, and has extensive multi-jurisdictional experience, in all forms of international disputes.

In commercial litigation with an international element, Lucas has led large and complex disputes before all levels of English courts, often with related proceedings in other jurisdictions. He has particular experience in arbitration-related court proceedings, and has led some of the largest set aside and enforcement proceedings in the UK. He has also advised on the same in numerous other jurisdictions, and is regularly asked to coordinate strategy (for claimants and defendants) cross multi-jurisdictional set aside/enforcement proceedings. This draws on Lucas’ experience not only in arbitration-related matters, but also in disputes involving asset tracing, service, sovereign immunity and interlocutory relief. His experience in sovereign immunity issues has covered the leading most-recent cases in the UK, including before the Supreme Court.

Lucas has also acted in several dozen commercial arbitrations under all the major arbitral rules, and in all the major seats. Likewise, Lucas has acted in several dozen investment arbitrations, again under all the major arbitral rules. He is one of the most experienced barristers in the world in this area, and has had wide coverage of sectors, including telecommunications, oil and gas, mining, construction, power, entertainment and leisure, information technology, financial services, real estate, aircraft, airline and airport services, media, manufacturing, advertising, taxation, and others. He is a member of the ICISD Panel of Arbitrators and Conciliators, DIAC Arbitrator List, Reserve Panel of Arbitrators at SIAC, and a Fellow of the ACICA.

Lucas has also acted in significant public international law disputes. Further to his experience in investment arbitrations, Lucas has been instructed in disputes before international courts and tribunals, such as the Dispute Settlement Body of the World Trade Organization, the International Court of Justice, the European Court of Human Rights, and the INTERPOL Commission.

Lucas is routinely ranked highly in the legal directories, and his feedback is recorded below, typically highlighting his advocacy, cross-examination, and handling of complexity.

In addition to his counsel practice, Lucas sits as arbitrator. He arranges his arbitrations through Arbitrators at 24 Lincoln’s Inn Fields. Should you wish to make an enquiry, please visit their website by clicking here.

What Others Say

Lucas is consistently ranked as a leading junior in the legal directories, and has been since his first full year of practice. The most recent comments in the legal directories include:

Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2025, Public International Law:

“His exceptional courtroom presence and mastery of the law make him an invaluable asset to any client seeking top-tier representation.”

“Lucas shows unparalleled expertise and dedication in every case.”

“He is an unbelievable talent.”

“Lucas is a peerless performer with clients, in front of tribunals and with his colleagues.”

“Lucas is superb on his feet and has incredibly deep knowledge of his field.”

“He is really good at building rapport with arbitrator, and clients find him easy to work with.”

“Lucas Bastin KC is extremely responsive and an absolute delight to work with.”

“Lucas possesses brilliant attention to detail and absolutely absorbs the facts of the case to use to his advantage.”

“He is a brilliant PIL practitioner with deep academic knowledge of the field.”

“Lucas is outstanding – immensely capable, full of balance and very good on client handling.”

“He is the pre-eminent barrister in investor-state arbitrations.”

Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2025, International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance

“His insight is incredibly valuable.”

“Lucas is unique in the sense that he has all the skills one would want in a silk, but he’s also worked at a law firm, so he knows how best to run cases.”

“He is unquestionably the best at what he does, at his level.”

“Words don’t do Lucas justice.”

“He is calm under fire in hearings and takes his time to consider his answers, which he then presents in a way that is very persuasive.”

“Lucas Bastin is an amazing advocate.”

“Lucas is an encyclopedia of international law.”

Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2025, International Arbitration:

“He is one of the most exciting junior KCs at the moment in the field.”

“If you have him on your team, you have stacked the odds in your favour.”

“He is absolutely at the top of his game.”

“Lucas’s expertise, judgement and commercial input are second to none.”

Legal 500 2025, Public International Law:

‘Lucas is a fantastic and very persuasive advocate. His knowledge of public international law and state immunity is excellent, and he is able to combine his pure public international law knowledge with his practice at the commercial Bar to the advantage of his clients.’

Legal 500 2025, International Arbitration: Counsel

‘Simply the best. Lucas is a class act. Lethal as an advocate. A forensic ability to interrogate and dissect exhibits, witnesses and experts but above all a thoroughly good bloke. Lucas is going places fast. Catch him while you can.’’

Legal 500 UK Bar 2025, Energy:

‘He is an absolute pleasure to work with.’

Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2024, Public International Law:

“He is the pre-eminent barrister in investor-state arbitrations.”

“Lucas is outstanding – immensely capable, full of balance and very good on client handling.”

“He is a brilliant PIL practitioner with deep academic knowledge of the field.”

Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2024, International Arbitration: Counsel:

“Lucas’s expertise, judgement and commercial input are second to none.”

“He is absolutely at the top of his game. If you have him on your team, you have stacked the odds in your favour.”

“He is one of the most exciting junior KCs at the moment in the field.”

Legal 500 2024, Public International Law:

‘Lucas has developed an important practice in investment treaty arbitration, in which he has long practiced and has built up all the right skills and tools. He knows all the cases (he also teaches) and is an excellent advocate. His mastery of quantum issues is another plus that makes him stand out.’

Legal 500 2024, International Arbitration: Counsel

‘He may be a relatively new KC but Lucas is already a leading player in the field – a mover of the market, an innovator and one of the handful of silks of choice for investment arbitrations.’

Legal 500 UK Bar 2024, Energy:

‘Lucas has the full package of knowledge and skills.’

‘He shows good judgement and strategy, is great on his feet, and particularly good on cross-examination.’

Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2023, Public International Law:

“He is a first-class PIL lawyer, and his understanding of English law and how it applies to states is almost unparalleled.”

“Lucas is a public international law star and can always be counted on to develop effective and creative strategies to meet clients’ need. He is also a real pleasure to work with.”

“He is a formidable advocate and brilliant strategist.”

“He is incredible with clients, he is always on top of the legal issues and facts, and he bundles it all together with a charming personality.”

“He got to grips with some spectacularly difficulty material, simplified it and hammered the other side.”

“Lucas is a first-rate barrister who is responsive and hands-on, with great attention to detail and impressive public international lae expertise.”

“He combines an excellent knowledge of investment treaty law with a practical, engaging approach. He is hard-working, insightful and always responsive.”

Who’s Who Legal 2023, International Arbitration:

Respondents celebrate Lucas Bastin KC as “one of the most agile and strategic minds in the game.”

Legal 500 2022, Energy & Natural Resources:

“Highly impressive in action, a QC in waiting, he is excellent with clients and a formidable advocate.”

Legal 500 2022, Public International Law:

“He is the best junior barrister out there – extremely smart, commercially-minded and very good at explaining complex situations in a simple way.”

Legal 500 2022, International Arbitration: Counsel

“He is the best junior barrister out there – extremely smart, commercially-minded and very good at explaining complex situations in a simple way.”

Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2021, Public International Law:

“Great on his feet and brutal in cross-examination.”

“A phenomenal drafter; he is approachable, a team player and has a fantastic mind. His biggest strength is his strategic nous and his ability to work in a large team setting to get the best out of everyone. He’s very gifted in PIL.”

Who’s Who Legal 2021, International Arbitration:

“He is a go-to barrister for complex quantum cases”

“A rising star at the Bar”

“A sharp legal mind and excellent colleague; a great man to have beside you in the trenches”

“Lucas really knows his stuff and is good on his feet”

“A superb advocate with encyclopedic knowledge of investment treaty arbitration”

Legal 500 UK Bar 2021, Energy:

“He is simply outstanding – intelligent, pragmatic and responsive.”

Legal 500 UK Bar 2021, International Arbitration: Counsel:

“He is the best junior barrister out there – extremely smart, commercially-minded and very good at explaining complex situations in a simple way.”

His peers and clients have said he is:

“Undoubtedly one of the leading juniors at the bar in international arbitration” and “the outstanding junior in investment treaty arbitration” – Who’s Who UK Bar 2019
“Extremely dedicated to his work and hard-working. Excellent on public international law jurisdictional issues.” – Chambers UK Bar, 2018; also Chambers Global, 2019
“For someone of his level of call, he is the best – an excellent strategic thinker”, “Simply superb, with vast experience in the field of arbitration” and “Has a brilliant mind, and is commercially astute” – Legal 500, 2018
“Exceptionally bright and diligent” and with “clever strategy and well-prepared arguments” – Who’s Who Future Leaders, 2018
He has “built up a very impressive practice in both public international and commercial arbitration” as “a standout name in the field”, who is “very commercially savvy” and a “top cross-examiner who gives the reassuring impression of having full control of the case and the procedure” – Who’s Who UK Bar and Rising Stars, 2018
“the go-to junior at the London bar for investor state work – I can’t think of anyone smarter or more articulate and eloquent than him” – Who’s Who Arbitration, 2016
“He is a go-to junior for investment treaty arbitration, and has superb drafting and communication skills. He has a background as a solicitor in this area, giving him the ability to step into teams and make a real contribution” – Chambers UK Bar, 2017
“He’s extremely eloquent and very very personable – he does the client-facing stuff at the drop of a hat and combines charm with a powerful brain” – Chambers UK Bar, 2017
“A top cross-examiner and a standout name in the field” he has “a very impressive practice both in public international and commercial arbitration” – Who’s Who UK Bar, 2017
“A superb reputation” and “an extremely calm lawyer who always has full control of the case and the procedure” – Who’s Who Arbitration 2017
“A great junior in public international law and investment treaty arbitration. He has superb drafting and communication skills.” – Chambers UK Bar, 2018
“A valuable asset in any legal team, especially during arbitral proceedings.” – Legal 500, 2017
“He has extensive experience in investment disputes, acting for states and investors.” – Legal 500, 2017
“Clearly destined for great things” – Who’s Who UK Bar, 2016
“One of the rising stars of the junior public international law Bar” – Legal 500, 2016
“extremely talented and very, very intelligent – he’s an extremely effective lawyer” – Chambers UK Bar, 2015
“tremendously talented with extensive knowledge of public international law and investment treaty arbitration” – Legal 500, 2015
“very responsive and he thinks things through logically, with a view to achieving objectives” – Chambers UK Bar, 2015
“a superb all-round lawyer with a deep understanding of public international law” – Legal 500, 2014

Experience

Lucas has wide experience in all form of international disputes, including commercial litigation, commercial arbitration, investment arbitration, and public international law disputes.

Commercial litigation

Lucas has led large and complex disputes before all levels of English courts, including in the Supreme Court. He has particular experience in arbitration-related court proceedings (in which he has been instructed in some of the largest set aside and enforcement proceedings in the UK), e.g.:

Quaid-e-Azam Thermal Power (Private) Ltd v Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Ltd – challenge to an arbitral award under s 68 of the Arbitration Act 1996, with proceedings for challenge to procedure adopted by tribunal
Ras al-Khaimah Investment Authority v India – challenge to an arbitral award under s 67 of the Arbitration Act 1996, with proceedings for substantive challenge to jurisdiction finding of tribunal
The Kingdom of Spain – several different proceedings relating to enforcement of arbitral award under the Arbitration (International Investment Disputes) Act 1966, including appeal to the Supreme Court on issue of adjudicative immunity under the State Immunity Act 1978 on appeal to the Supreme Court in Infrastructure Services Luxembourg S.a.r.l. & Energia Termosolar B.V. v Kingdom of Spain
Czech Republic v Diag Human SE and Josef Stava – challenge to an arbitral award under ss 67/68 of the Arbitration Act 1996, with proceedings for summary dismissal, security for costs, security for the Award, disclosure, permission for expert evidence, bar under s 73, admissibility, and substantive challenges, and several points taken to Court of Appeal
General Dynamics United Kingdom Ltd v State of Libya – application for enforcement of award under s 101 of the Arbitration Act 1996, with proceedings for challenge to service under the State Immunity Act 1978, challenge to recognition order, and enforcement against assets, with issue of service appealed to Supreme Court
Tethyan Copper Company Pty Limited v. Islamic Republic of Pakistan – application for enforcement of award and other interlocutory steps before in the British Virgin Islands, with proceedings for challenge to recognition order, full and frank disclosure, enforcement against assets, and key points taken to Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court
Unión Fenosa Gas, S.A. v Arab Republic of Egypt – application for enforcement of award under s 101 of the Arbitration Act 1996, with proceedings for challenge to service, challenge to recognition order and leapfrog permission to appeal
Hydro S.r.l. and others v Republic of Albania – application for recognition of an arbitral award under the Arbitration (International Investment Disputes) Act 1966
Karkey Karadeniz Elektrik Uretim A.S. v. Islamic Republic of Pakistan – application for enforcement of award under the Arbitration (International Investment Disputes) Act 1966
Viorel Micula v Romania – application for enforcement of award under the Arbitration (International Investment Disputes) Act 1966

Commercial arbitration

Lucas is vastly experienced in international commercial arbitration, having acted under all the major arbitral rules and in all the major seats. He is experienced not only in leading such disputes, but also coordinating a strategy involving commercial arbitration but also involving other disputes in other fora. He has acted across a wide variety of sectors, and across all regions of the world, e.g.:

Central Asian company v Central Asian entity – acting for the company in a contractual arbitration under ICC Rules in relation to the transfer and operation of a power plant (details not public)
Kansanshi Mining Plc v Republic of Zambia, ICSID Case No. ARB/20/17 – acting for the company in a contractual arbitration under ICSID Rules in relation to a dispute arising out of a significant copper mining operation in Zambia
African Petroleum Gambia Limited and APCL Gambia B.V. v. Republic of The Gambia, ICSID Case No. ARB/17/38 and ICSID Case No. ARB/17/39 – acting for the State in two commercial arbitrations under ICSID Rules commenced pursuant to two separate contracts in the oil and gas sector.
Mongolian company v Russian State-owned entity – acting for the Mongolian company in a contractual arbitration under SIAC Rules in relation to a dispute arising out of a large mine in Mongolia (details not public)
New Tel Ltd and Network of The World Ltd v The Republic of South Sudan, 23822/GR/PAR/FJT – acting for the State in a contractual arbitration under ICC Rules in relation to a dispute arising from a telecommunications licence
UK company v Middle Eastern government department – acting for the company in a contractual arbitration under ICC Rules in relation to a construction project in the Middle Eastern country (details not public)
Central American company v Central American country – acting for the company in a contractual arbitration under IACAC Rules in relation to a dispute arising from a concession agreement for a large mine in the country (details not public)
Petrokazakhstan Ventures Inc v Orient Petroleum (Central Asia) Ltd, ICC Case No. 22674/TO – acting for the respondent company in a contractual arbitration under ICC Rules in relation to the operation and management of an oil/gas project in Kazakhstan
Tethyan Copper Company Pty Limited v Province of Balochistan, ICC Case No. 18347/VRO/AGF – acting for the regional government in a contractual arbitration under ICC Rules in relation to the refusal of a mining licence over very large-scale copper and gold deposits at Reko Diq, in Pakistan
Russian company v US company – acting for the Russian company in a contractual arbitration under ICC Rules in relation to a hospitality licensing and branding agreement affected by withdrawal of US company from Russia
Cluff Geothermal Company and Great Rift Drilling v Geothermal Development Company, LCIA Arbitration No. 173647 – acting for the claimant companies in a contractual arbitration under LClA Rules in relation to non-payment of invoices in and withdrawal of licence regarding a geothermal drilling project in Kenya
Symbion Energy Holdings Ltd v Highland Power Ltd, ICC Case No. 24663/TO – acting for the claimant company in a contractual arbitration under ICC Rules in relation to the operation and management of a power plant project in Rwanda
Dutch company v West African company – acting for the respondent company in a contractual arbitration under ICC Rules in relation to alleged breaches of a contract operating in the pensions sector (details not public)
Australian shipbuilding company v English purchaser – acting for the shipbuilding company in a contractual arbitration under ad hoc rules in relation to alleged defects in dynamic vessel design under a shipbuilding contract (details not public)
Ukrainian company v Dutch telecommunication device provider – acting for the Ukrainian company in a contractual arbitration under ICC rules in relation to alleged failure of supply under a contract in the telecommunications sector (details not public)
Shareholder A v Shareholder B – acting for one of the shareholders in a contractual arbitration under LClA Rules in relation to alleged breaches of terms of a shareholders agreement concerning operation and management of a large oil/gas company (details not public)

Investment arbitration

Lucas is also vastly experienced in international investment arbitration. In addition to sitting as arbitrator and being a member of the ICISD Panel of Arbitrators and Conciliators, he is among the most experienced barristers acting as counsel in the world in this field. He has again acted under all the major arbitral rules, in a wide variety of sectors, and across all regions of the world, e.g.:

Eurohold Bulgaria AD and Euroins Insurance Group AD v Romania, ICSID Case No. ARB/24/28 – acting for the Respondent in an arbitration under ICSID Rules in a dispute in relation to the insurance sector
West African Aquaculture Ltd, Kurt Lennart Hansson and Martje Bolt Hansson v Republic of The Gambia (Annulment), ICSID Case No. ARB/18/10 – acting for the Respondent, as Applicant on Annulment, in annulment proceedings regarding an ICSID award in a dispute in relation to the farming sector
Artem Skubenko and others v Republic of North Macedonia, ICSID Case No. ARB/19/9 – acting for the Claimants in an arbitration under ICSID Rules in relation to a dispute regarding revocation of a mining licence
Rome Resources PLC and IM Minerals Limited v Republic of Mozambique, ICSID Case No. ARB/24/4 – acting for the Claimants in an arbitration under ICSID Rules in relation to a dispute regarding transfer of a mining licence in respect of rare earths
Alghanim v Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, ICSID Case No. ARB/13/38 – acting for the Respondent in an arbitration under ICSID Rules in a dispute in relation to allegations of breach arising out of taxation in the telecommunication sector
Alghanim v Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (Annulment), ICSID Case No. ARB/13/38 – acting for the Respondent, as Respondent on Annulment, in annulment proceedings regarding an ICSID award in a dispute in relation to allegations of breach arising out of taxation in the telecommunication sector
A11Y Ltd v Czech Republic, ICSID Case No. UNCT/15/1 – acting for the Claimant in an arbitration under UNCITRAL Rules in relation to a dispute under a bilateral investment treaty in relation to various breaches of the treaty in the technology sector
City-State N.V. et al. v Ukraine, ICSID Case No. ARB/14/9 – acting for the Claimant in an arbitration under ICSID Rules in relation to a dispute under a bilateral investment treaty in the banking sector
Richard N. Westbury, Paul D. Hinks and Symbion Power Tanzania Limited v United Republic of Tanzania, ICSID Case No. ARB/19/17 – acting for the Claimants in an arbitration under ICSID Rules in relation to a dispute regarding termination of a power plant project
APCL Gambia B.V. v. Republic of The Gambia, ICSID Case No. ARB/17/40 – acting for the Respondent in an arbitration under ICSID Rules in relation to a dispute in the oil and gas sector
United Group B.V., Adria Serbia Holdco B.V., and Serbia Broadband–srpske kablovske mreže d.o.o. Beograd v Republic of Serbia, ICSID Case No. ARB/21/5 – acting for the Respondent in an arbitration under ICSID Rules in relation to a dispute in the telecommunications and entertainment sectors
Philip Morris International Inc. and others v Ukraine – acting for the Claimants in an arbitration under ICSID Rules arising out of regulation in the tobacco sector
APG SGA SA and D.O.O. za promet i usluge Alma Quattro Beograd v Republic of Serbia, ICSID Case No. ARB/21/13 – acting for the Respondent in an arbitration under ICSID Rules in relation to a dispute in the advertising and technology sectors
OI European Group v Venezuela (Annulment), ICSID Case No. ARB/11/25 – acting for the Claimant, as Respondent on Annulment, in annulment proceedings in relation to an ICSID award arising out of an expropriation of a large glass container manufacturing plant
OI European Group v Venezuela, ICSID Case No. ARB/11/25 – acting for the Claimant in an arbitration under ICSID Rules arising out of an expropriation of a large glass container manufacturing plant
Gilward Investments B.V. v Ukraine, ICSID Case No. ARB/15/33 – acting for the Claimant in an arbitration under ICSID Rules arising out of alleged breaches in the aviation and airport construction sectors
Sudapet Company Limited v Republic of South Sudan, ICSID Case No. ARB/12/26 – acting for the Claimant in an arbitration under ICSID Rules and the South Sudanese Investment Promotion Act relating to an alleged expropriation
Boonyanit v Malaysia – acting for the Claimant in an arbitration under UNCITRAL Rules pursuant to the multilateral ASEAN Investment Agreement against Malaysia in the property sector
Fábrica de Vidrios Los Andes v Venezuela, ICSID Case No. ARB/12/21 – acting for the Claimant in an arbitration under ICSID Rules arising out of an expropriation of a large glass container manufacturing plant
Tethyan Copper Company Pty Limited v Islamic Republic of Pakistan, ICSID Case No. ARB/12/1 – acting for the Respondent in an arbitration under ICSID Rules in relation to the refusal of a mining licence over very large-scale copper and gold deposits at Reko Diq, in Pakistan
Tethyan Copper Company Pty Limited v Islamic Republic of Pakistan (Annulment), ICSID Case No. ARB/12/1 – acting for the Respondent, As Applicant on Annulment, in annulment proceedings relating to an award in relation to the refusal of a mining licence over very large-scale copper and gold deposits at Reko Diq, in Pakistan
Indorama International Finance Limited v Arab Republic of Egypt, ICSID Case No. ARB/11/32 – acting for the Claimant in an arbitration under ICSID Rules in relation to an investment in the textiles industry
Karmer Marble Tourism Construction Industry and Commerce Limited Liability Company v Georgia, ICSID Case No. ARB/08/19 – acting for the Claimant in an arbitration under ICSID Rules in relation to wrongful State conduct in the construction and hospitality sectors
Hydro S.r.l. and others v Republic of Albania, ICSID Case ARB/15/28 – acting for the Respondent in revision proceedings under ICSID Rules in relation to an ICSID award in light of new information obtained relevant to the award
Ras al-Khaimah Investment Authority v India, ad hoc arbitration under UNCITRAL Rules – acting for the Claimant in a dispute arising from a bauxite mining project
Navodaya Trading DMCC v Gabonese Republic, PCA Case No. 2018-23 – acting for the Claimant in a dispute arising from the termination of a mining licence in Gabon in alleged breach of the OIC Investment Agreement
Zaza Okuashvili v Georgia, SCC Case No. EA 2019/038 – acting for the Claimant in the jurisdiction phase of an arbitration under SCC Rules in relation to a dispute arising in the tobacco and distribution sectors
Diag Human SE and Mr. Josef Stava v Czech Republic, PCA Case No. 2018-20 – acting for the Respondent in an arbitration under UNCITRAL Rules in respect of the issues remitted for reconsideration
Maxis Communications Berhad and Global Communication Services Holdings Limited v Republic of India, PCA Case No. 2021-38 – acting for the Claimants in an arbitration under UNCITRAL Rules in respect of damage done to a large telecommunications project
ICS Inspection and Control Services Limited v Argentine Republic (II), PCA Case No. 2015-12 – acting for the Claimant in an arbitration under UNCITRAL Rules in respect of breaches in respect of a border technology services project
Littop Enterprises Limited, Bridgemont Ventures Limited and Bordo Management Limited v Ukraine, SCC Case No. V 2015/092 – acting for the Claimant in an arbitration under SCC Rules in respect of alleged breaches of the Energy Charter Treaty in the natural gas sector
Omar Bin Sulaiman Abdul Aziz Al Rajhi v Sultanate of Oman, PCA Case No. 2017-32 – acting for the Claimant in an arbitration under UNCITRAL Rules in respect of alleged breaches of the OIC Investment Agreement in the construction sector
Mauritian investor v Asian State – acting for the Claimant in an arbitration under UNCITRAL Rules pursuant to a bilateral investment treaty in the information technology sector (details not public)
UK investors v Asian State – acting for the Claimant in an arbitration under UNCITRAL Rules pursuant to a bilateral investment treaty in the entertainment sector (details not public)
Luxembourg investor v Eastern European State – acting for the Claimant in an arbitration under SCC Rules pursuant to a bilateral investment treaty in the banking sector (details not public)

Public international law disputes

Lucas has acted for and advised governments, international organisations (including not-for-profit), corporations and individuals across a variety of fora on a wide variety of international law issues, including investment protection, State responsibility, State and head of State immunity, treaty interpretation, enforcement of decisions, extradition, WTO law (including live disputes before the Dispute Settlement Body), ECHR law, and EU and UN sanctions.

Acting for the Republic of Albanian in proceedings before the International Court of Justice in Obligations of States in Respect of Climate Change (Request by the United Nations General Assembly for an Advisory Opinion)
Acting for a European State in relation to International Court of Justice proceedings relating to delimitation of a maritime boundary with its neighbour
Acting for the Claimant in an application before the European Court of Human Rights in relation to a breach of Article 3 of the European Convention of Human Rights
Acting for an Asian State in a dispute before a WTO Panel concerning health restrictions on imports of certain agricultural goods
Advising a sub-Saharan African State on the compliance with WTO law of certain investment-related domestic legislation
Advising an amicus curiae in its preparation and presentation of a submission to a WTO Panel in a dispute between several WTO Members in respect of certain tobacco measures
Advising a major international non-governmental organisation on the procedures within the WTO for introducing trade pricing negotiations to the agenda of the relevant WTO Councils and Committees
Heathrow Airport Limited, Global Blue (UK) Limited and WDFG UK Limited v Her Majesty’s Treasury and The Commissioners For Her Majesty’s Revenue And Customs, Case No: CO/3995/2020 – acting for the claimants in High Court and Court of Appeal proceedings on whether WTO law required HM Government to eliminate the system by which VAT paid on goods in the UK prior to a person flying out of the country is rebated at the airport, and VAT is not charged on products bought at the airport by a person flying out of the country
Advising an Asian State on claims to continental shelf entitlements by a provincial government
Advising a major international non-governmental organisation on various issues, including the WTO Customs Valuation Agreement and potential State-State litigation in respect of it, the method of treaty negotiation used in relation to the cluster munitions multilateral treaty, and the international law of women’s rights
Advising numerous companies and individuals on the application of the EU and UN sanctions regimes applied in respect of Russia, Libya, Syria, Iran and other recent sanctions programs
Advising a Middle Eastern State on issues of head of State immunity and extradition obligations
Advising a Middle Eastern State on public international law issues, including the attainment of sovereignty by a self-determination movement in the region, head of State immunity, the means by which issues can be raised in the plenipotentiary forum of the United Nations and Arab League, and the commencement of international proceedings on the basis of alleged breaches of erga omnes obligations
Advising a Middle Eastern government on public international law human rights issues and potential civil claims for torture liability in the United Kingdom and the United States
Advising multi-national companies on issues of State immunity and recognition and enforcement of arbitration awards in the United Kingdom, Asia and the United States
Advising a French company in relation to the institutional law concerning the World Bank’s lending agreements

QUALIFICATIONS AND AWARDS

Lucas graduated Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts, both with first class honours, and with the John George Dalley Prize for first in final year law courses, from the University of Sydney. He graduated Bachelor of Civil Law with Distinction and Doctor of Philosophy from Magdalen College, Oxford. He was world champion in three international mooting competitions: the Jessup International Law Moot, the WTO Moot and the ICRC International Humanitarian Law Moot. He is Adjunct Professor of Public International Law at Pepperdine University and Lecturer at King’s College London in Investment Arbitration.

2022: Silk

2021: Call in The British Virgin Islands

2019: Legal 500 International Arbitration Junior of the Year

2016: DPhil, Magdalen College, University of Oxford

2013: Call in England & Wales

2008: BCL, Distinction, Magdalen College, University of Oxford

2008: Modern Law Review Scholarship, Justice Hely Scholarship and Travelling Scholarship, University of Oxford

2007: Call in New South Wales

2006: LLB, First Class Honours, University of Sydney

2006: John George Dalley Prize (highest ranked student in final LLB year), University of Sydney

2006: Jessup Moot World Champion (Best Finalist Oralist)

2006: ICRC International Humanitarian Law Moot World Champion