Professional practice

C&P 2024Leading Silk Legal 500 2024

Lucas is a King’s Counsel at Essex Court Chambers with extensive experience in all forms of international disputes.  He has worked in very large and complex commercial litigation, typically involving numerous jurisdictions (in several of which he appears directly).  In the UK, for instance, he has acted in matters before all levels of English courts, including before the Supreme Court.  He is also admitted in Australia, and is registered before the Singapore International Commercial Court.  He has also advised in litigation before the courts of Sweden, France, the US, Switzerland, Malaysia, Kenya and Ukraine.

Lucas is vastly experienced in international arbitrations.  He has acted in several dozen international commercial arbitrations, often with very large claims in the 10 or 11 figures in issue. His experience covers all the major rules, including ICC, UNCITRAL, LCIA, SCC, SIAC, HKIAC, IACAC, ICSID, ICSID Additional Facility, AAA, and others. He is a member of the ICISD Panel of Arbitrators and Conciliators (designated by Albania), DIAC Arbitrator List, Reserve Panel of Arbitrators at SIAC, and a fellow of the ACICA. He has worked with applicable law from across Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas, and has wide coverage of sectors in which these disputes arise, 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.

Lucas is also among the most experienced barristers in the world in investment arbitration.  He has again acted in several dozen investment arbitrations, again with claims regularly in the 10 or 11 figures, and in some of the largest handful of investment arbitration claims ever.  He regularly appears as lead counsel in investment arbitrations under the leading rules, including particularly ICSID and UNCITRAL.  He is instructed from a wide range of regions, having acted for claimants and respondents in claims arising in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas.  Again, he has acted across a wide coverage of sectors.

Related to his experience in international arbitration, an important part of Lucas’ commercial litigation experience is arbitration-related court proceedings.  Lucas has been involved in some of the large set aside and enforcement proceedings in the UK, as well as advising on the same in other jurisdictions.  Lucas 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.

Lucas’ practice also entails significant work and expertise in public international law.  Further to his experience in investment arbitrations, Lucas is often instructed based on his expertise in this area.  This includes instructions to appear in international courts, tribunals and other fora involving public international law, 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 regularly instructed on litigation in the UK (both before commercial and administrative courts) that involves elements of public international law, such as issues of sovereign immunity, susceptibility of State assets to enforcement, WTO law, and other matters.

Lucas has been described as “highly impressive in action, he is excellent with clients and a formidable advocate”, “a go-to barrister for complex quantum cases”, “one of the most agile and strategic minds in the game”, “extremely smart, commercially-minded and very good at explaining complex situations in a simple way”, and “simply superb, with vast experience in the field of arbitration; with a brilliant mind, and commercially astute”.  He has been marked out for his advocacy as well, with clients and peers noting he is “great on his feet and brutal in cross-examination”, “a superb advocate”, “a formidable advocate and brilliant strategist”, “a top cross-examiner” and a silk who “got to grips with some spectacularly difficult material, simplified it and hammered the other side”. Lucas is routinely ranked highly in the legal directories, and was the 2019 Legal 500 International Arbitration Junior of the Year. Lucas graduated Bachelor of Laws (Syd), Bachelor of Arts (Syd), Bachelor of Laws (Oxon), all with first class honours and several awards, and a Doctor of Philosophy (Oxon). He is Adjunct Professor of International Arbitration at Pepperdine University and Lecturer at King’s College London in Investment Arbitration.

Further details about the extent and variety of instructions Lucas receives in his practice, as well as his background, qualifications, prizes and directory comments/rankings, can be located in the drop-down menus below.

Acting independently from his Counsel practice as a part-time 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 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.’

‘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
Examples of Recent Cases

Examples of Lucas’ recent cases include:

  • Acting for investors in arbitrations against an Asian State commenced under UNCITRAL Rules pursuant to bilateral investment treaties in the entertainment sector (details not public).
  • Acting for the Respondent, as Respondent on Annulment, in Alghanim v Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, ICSID Case No. ARB/13/38, a dispute under a bilateral investment treaty in relation to allegations of breach arising out of taxation in the telecommunication sector.
  • Acting for a Middle Eastern investor in an arbitration against a West African State commenced under UNCITRAL Rules pursuant to a multilateral investment treaty in the mining sector (details not public).
  • Acting for a British investor in an arbitration against an Eastern European State commenced under UNCITRAL Rules pursuant to a bilateral investment treaty in the manufacturing sector (details not public).
  • Acting for a South East Asian investor in an arbitration against an Asian State commenced under UNCITRAL Rules pursuant to a bilateral investment treaty in the telecommunications sector (details not public).
  • Acting for the Claimant in A11Y Ltd v Czech Republic, ICSID Case No. UNCT/15/1, a dispute under a bilateral investment treaty in relation to various breaches of the treaty.
  • Acting for the Claimants in City-State N.V. et al. v Ukraine, ICSID Case No. ARB/14/9, a dispute under a bilateral investment treaty in relation to various breaches of the treaty.
  • Acting for the Respondent in APCL Gambia B.V. v. Republic of The Gambia (ICSID Case No. ARB/17/40), an arbitration commenced pursuant to a bilateral investment treaty in the oil and gas sector.
  • Acting for the Respondent African Petroleum Gambia Limited and APCL Gambia B.V. v. Republic of The Gambia (ICSID Case No. ARB/17/38 / ICSID Case No. ARB/17/39), two commercial arbitrations commenced pursuant to two separate contracts.
  • Acting for a Middle Eastern investor in an arbitration under ad hoc rules against a Middle Eastern State commenced pursuant to a multilateral investment treaty in the construction sector (details not public).
  • Acting for a Mauritian investor in an arbitration against an Asian State commenced under UNCITRAL Rules pursuant to a bilateral investment treaty in the information technology sector (details not public).
  • Acting for a British investor in an arbitration against a South American State commenced under UNCITRAL Rules pursuant to a bilateral investment treaty in the border services sector (details not public).
  • Acting for a West African company as Respondent in an arbitration commenced under ICC Rules by a Dutch claimant in the pensions sector (details not public).
  • Acting for the Claimant in Boonyanit v Malaysia, an arbitration commenced under UNCITRAL Rules pursuant to the multilateral ASEAN Investment Agreement against a South-East Asian State in the property sector.
  • Acting for a British company in an arbitration commenced under LCIA Rules against an East African State-owned company in the extractives sector (details not public).
  • Acting for the Claimant in an arbitration commenced pursuant to a bilateral investment treaty and the SCC rules in the banking sector in relation to breaches by an Eastern European State of the BIT (details not public).
  • Acting for the Respondent in OI European Group v Venezuela (Annulment), ICSID Case No. ARB/11/25, an annulment application by Venezuela following OI European Group’s successful receipt of an Award in excess of $450 million.
  • Acting for the Respondent in Alghanim v Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, ICSID Case No. ARB/13/38, a dispute under a bilateral investment treaty in relation to allegations of breach arising out of taxation in the telecommunication sector.
  • Acting for the Claimant in Gilward Investments B.V. v Ukraine, ICSID Case No. ARB/15/33, a dispute under a bilateral investment treaty in relation to various breaches of the treaty.
  • Acting for the Claimant in Sudapet Company Limited v Republic of South Sudan, ICSID Case No. ARB/12/26, a dispute under the South Sudanese Investment Promotion Act relating to an expropriation.
  • Acting for the Claimant in an arbitration commenced pursuant to a shareholders agreement and the LCIA Rules (details not public).
  • Acting for the Defendant in Viorel Micula v Romania, High Court, Claim 2014-1197, in proceedings relating to enforcement of an ICSID Award.
  • Acting for the Claimant in an arbitration commenced pursuant to the Energy Charter Treaty and the SCC Rules in relation to breaches by an Eastern European State of the ECT (details not public).
  • Acting for the Claimants in Fábrica de Vidrios Los Andes v Venezuela, ICSID Case No. ARB/12/21, a dispute under a bilateral investment treaty in relation to an expropriation.
  • Acting for the Claimant in OI European Group v Venezuela, ICSID Case No. ARB/11/25, a dispute under a bilateral investment treaty in relation to an expropriation.
  • Acting for the Respondent in Tethyan Copper Company Pty Limited v Islamic Republic of Pakistan, ICSID Case No. ARB/12/1, a dispute under a bilateral investment treaty, in relation to the refusal of a mining licence over very large-scale copper and gold deposits at Reko Diq, in Pakistan.
  • Acting for the Respondent in Tethyan Copper Company Pty Limited v Province of Balochistan, ICC Case No. 18347/VRO/AGF, a dispute under an investment contract, conducted in parallel to the above investment treaty dispute, in relation to the refusal of a mining licence over very large-scale copper and gold deposits at Reko Diq, in Pakistan.
  • Acting for the Claimant in Indorama v Egypt, ICSID Case No. ARB/11/32, a dispute under a bilateral investment treaty in relation an investment in the textiles industry.
  • Acting for the Claimant in Karmer v Georgia, ICSID Case No. ARB/08/19, a dispute under a bilateral investment treaty in relation to wrongful State conduct in the construction and hospitality sectors.
  • Acting for an Australian company as respondent in a commercial arbitration under ad hoc rules pursuant to a shipbuilding contract (details not public).
  • Acting for a Ukrainian company in a commercial arbitration pursuant to the ICC Rules in relation to a dispute under a contract in the telecommunications sector (details not public).

Advising in relation to specific aspects of several other investment treaty arbitrations under the ICSID, UNCITRAL, ICC and SCC rules on an “as needed” basis.

Investment treaty disputes

Lucas has deep experience in investment treaty arbitration.  He is consistently ranked as a leading junior in this field, with testimonials recorded above.  Examples of his cases in this area are:

  • Acting for investors in arbitrations against an Asian State commenced under UNCITRAL Rules pursuant to bilateral investment treaties in the entertainment sector (details not public).
  • Acting for the Respondent, as Respondent on Annulment, in Alghanim v Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, ICSID Case No. ARB/13/38, a dispute under a bilateral investment treaty in relation to allegations of breach arising out of taxation in the telecommunication sector.
  • Acting for a Middle Eastern investor in an arbitration against a West African State commenced under UNCITRAL Rules pursuant to a multilateral investment treaty in the mining sector (details not public).
  • Acting for a British investor in an arbitration against an Eastern European State commenced under UNCITRAL Rules pursuant to a bilateral investment treaty in the manufacturing sector (details not public).
  • Acting for a South East Asian investor in an arbitration against an Asian State commenced under UNCITRAL Rules pursuant to a bilateral investment treaty in the telecommunications sector (details not public).
  • Acting for the Claimant in A11Y Ltd v Czech Republic, ICSID Case No. UNCT/15/1, a dispute under a bilateral investment treaty in relation to various breaches of the treaty.
  • Acting for the Claimants in City-State N.V. et al. v Ukraine, ICSID Case No. ARB/14/9, a dispute under a bilateral investment treaty in relation to various breaches of the treaty.
  • Acting for the Respondent in APCL Gambia B.V. v. Republic of The Gambia (ICSID Case No. ARB/17/40), an arbitration commenced pursuant to a bilateral investment treaty in the oil and gas sector.
  • Acting for a Middle Eastern investor in an arbitration under ad hoc rules against a Middle Eastern State commenced pursuant to a multilateral investment treaty in the construction sector (details not public).
  • Acting for a Mauritian investor in an arbitration against an Asian State commenced under UNCITRAL Rules pursuant to a bilateral investment treaty in the information technology sector (details not public).
  • Acting for a British investor in an arbitration against a South American State commenced under UNCITRAL Rules pursuant to a bilateral investment treaty in the border services sector (details not public).
  • Acting for the Claimant in Boonyanit v Malaysia, an arbitration commenced under UNCITRAL Rules pursuant to the multilateral ASEAN Investment Agreement against a South-East Asian State in the property sector.
  • Acting for the Claimant in an arbitration commenced pursuant to a bilateral investment treaty and the SCC rules in the banking sector in relation to breaches by an Eastern European State of the BIT (details not public).
  • Acting for the Respondent in OI European Group v Venezuela (Annulment), ICSID Case No. ARB/11/25, an annulment application by Venezuela following OI European Group’s successful receipt of an Award in excess of $450 million.
  • Acting for the Respondent in Alghanim v Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, ICSID Case No. ARB/13/38, a dispute under a bilateral investment treaty in relation to allegations of breach arising out of taxation in the telecommunication sector.
  • Acting for the Claimant in Gilward Investments B.V. v Ukraine, ICSID Case No. ARB/15/33, a dispute under a bilateral investment treaty in relation to various breaches of the treaty.
  • Acting for the Claimant in Sudapet Company Limited v Republic of South Sudan, ICSID Case No. ARB/12/26, a dispute under the South Sudanese Investment Promotion Act relating to an expropriation.
  • Acting for the Claimant in an arbitration commenced pursuant to the Energy Charter Treaty and the SCC Rules in relation to breaches by an Eastern European State of the ECT (details not public).
  • Acting for the Claimants in Fábrica de Vidrios Los Andes v Venezuela, ICSID Case No. ARB/12/21, a dispute under a bilateral investment treaty in relation to an expropriation.
  • Acting for the Claimant in OI European Group v Venezuela, ICSID Case No. ARB/11/25, a dispute under a bilateral investment treaty in relation to an expropriation.
  • Acting for the Respondent in Tethyan Copper Company Pty Limited v Islamic Republic of Pakistan, ICSID Case No. ARB/12/1, a dispute under a bilateral investment treaty, in relation to the refusal of a mining licence over very large-scale copper and gold deposits at Reko Diq, in Pakistan.
  • Acting for the Claimant in Indorama v Egypt, ICSID Case No. ARB/11/32, a dispute under a bilateral investment treaty in relation an investment in the textiles industry.
  • Acting for the Claimant in Karmer v Georgia, ICSID Case No. ARB/08/19, a dispute under a bilateral investment treaty in relation to wrongful State conduct in the construction and hospitality sectors.
Public international law

Lucas has advised governments, international organisations (including not-for-profit), corporations and individuals 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 and high profile disputes before the Dispute Settlement Body), ECHR law, and EU and UN sanctions.

On general matters of public international law, Lucas’ experience includes:

  • Advising an Eastern European State on the strengths and weaknesses of its investment treaty program, and recommending wholesale changes to same.
  • Advising numerous companies and individuals on the application of the EU and UN sanctions regimes applied in respect of RussiaCrimea, Libya, Syria and Iran.
  • Advising companies on structuring of investments and deals in a manner that achieves optimal public international law protection, including in the energy, construction, aviation, textiles, insurance, manufacturing and other sectors.
  • Advising a European State on dispute settlement options available to it in respect of a maritime boundary dispute with its neighbour.
  • Advising an Asian government 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 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 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.
  • Advising a French company in relation to the institutional law concerning the World Bank’s lending agreements.

On matters of WTO law, Lucas’ experience includes:

  • Advising a southern African State on the compliance with WTO law of certain investment-related domestic legislation.
  • Advising a Pacific Rim State in a dispute before a WTO Panel concerning health restrictions on imports of certain agricultural goods.
  • Advising an African State in a dispute before a WTO Panel concerning tariff preferences.
  • 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 an amicus curiae in its preparation and presentation of a submission to a WTO Panel in a dispute between WTO Members in respect of certain anti-dumping measures.
  • Advising a Middle Eastern State on the procedure and prospects of commencing Panel proceedings, or appearing as a third party, in a dispute regarding access to media markets in the region.
  • 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.
  • Advising a US-based non-governmental organisation on the impact of WTO law on international instruments relevant to trade pricing regulation.
  • Advising the Brexit Working Group of the Bar Council of England and Wales as to WTO standards on various issues affecting the United Kingdom post-Brexit.
  • Lucas has also taught WTO law at Pepperdine University and King’s College London, has published several pieces on matters of WTO law, and was World Champion of the international WTO law moot in 2005.
Arbitration & related court applications

Outside investment treaty arbitration, Lucas also acts in international commercial arbitrations, and related court applications.  Examples of his work in this area are:

  • Acting for the State of Libya in CL-2018-00422: General Dynamics UK Limited v. State of Libya (Comm Court); UKSC 2019/166: General Dynamics UK Ltd v State of Libya (Supreme Court); A4/2019/0283: General Dynamics UK Ltd v State of Libya (Court of Appeal), proceedings relating to the appropriate process for service on a foreign State and set aside of a recognition order of a commercial arbitration award.
  • Acting for the Defendant in CL-2022-00471: Quaid-e-Azam Thermal Power Ltd v Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (Commercial Court), in proceedings relating to enforcement of an investment arbitration Award.
  • Acting for a Mongolian company in a commercial arbitration under SIAC Rules against a Russian State-owned company in respect of a contract for sale of an interest in a mine.
  • Acting for a Sub-Saharan African State in relation to a commercial arbitration claim under a telecommunications licence under ICC Rules.
  • Acting for the Defendant in CL-2014-1197: Viorel Micula v Romania (Comm Court), in proceedings relating to enforcement of an investment arbitration Award.
  • Acting for a Canadian entity in two unrelated commercial arbitrations in respect of its interests in copper mines in Africa and the Caribbean under IACAC and ICSID Rules.
  • Acting for the Defendant in CL-2022-00307: Czech Republic v Diag Human SE (Comm Court) A4/2023/1486: Diag Human SE v The Czech Republic (Court of Appeal), in proceedings relating to set aside of an investment arbitration Award.
  • Acting for the Defendant in a series of proceedings arising out of applications to set aside and/or enforce several investment arbitration awards.
  • Acting for the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Tethyan Copper Company Pty Limited v Islamic Republic of Pakistan & Ors, in proceedings before the BVI first instance and appellate courts in relation to proceedings for the enforcement of an award, including responding interim ex parte orders in relation to assets of State-owned companies.
  • Acting for a Kazakh entity in a commercial arbitration relating to breach of contract in an oil and gas joint venture under ICC Rules.
  • Acting for the Respondent African Petroleum Gambia Limited and APCL Gambia B.V. v. Republic of The Gambia (ICSID Case No. ARB/17/38 / ICSID Case No. ARB/17/39), two commercial arbitrations commenced pursuant to two separate contracts.
  • Acting for a West African company as Respondent in an arbitration commenced under ICC Rules by a Dutch claimant in the pensions sector (details not public).
  • Acting for a British company in an arbitration commenced under LCIA Rules against an East African State-owned company in the extractives sector (details not public).
  • Acting for the Claimant in an arbitration commenced pursuant to a shareholders agreement and the LCIA Rules (details not public).
  • Acting for the Defendant in Viorel Micula v Romania, High Court, Claim 2014-1197, in proceedings relating to enforcement of an ICSID Award.
  • Acting for the Respondent in Tethyan Copper Company Pty Limited v Province of Balochistan, ICC Case No. 18347/VRO/AGF, a dispute under an investment contract, conducted in parallel to the above investment treaty dispute, in relation to the refusal of a mining licence over very large-scale copper and gold deposits at Reko Diq, in Pakistan.
  • Acting for an Australian company as respondent in a commercial arbitration under ad hoc rules pursuant to a shipbuilding contract (details not public).
    Acting for a Ukrainian company in a commercial arbitration pursuant to the ICC Rules in relation to a dispute under a contract in the telecommunications sector (details not public).
Energy & natural resources

Many of the matters Lucas handles are related to the energy and natural resources sector.  Examples of this include:

  • Acting for the Respondent in APCL Gambia B.V. v. Republic of The Gambia (ICSID Case No. ARB/17/40), an arbitration commenced pursuant to a bilateral investment treaty in the oil and gas sector.
  • Acting for the Respondent African Petroleum Gambia Limited and APCL Gambia B.V. v. Republic of The Gambia (ICSID Case No. ARB/17/38 / ICSID Case No. ARB/17/39), two commercial arbitrations commenced pursuant to two separate contracts in the oil and gas sector.
  • Acting for a British company in an arbitration commenced under LCIA Rules against an East African State-owned company in the extractives sector (details not public).
  • Acting for the Claimant in an arbitration commenced pursuant to a shareholders agreement and the LCIA Rules in the energy sector (details not public).
  • Acting for a Middle Eastern investor in an arbitration against a West African State commenced under UNCITRAL Rules pursuant to a multilateral investment treaty in the mining sector (details not public).
  • Acting for the Claimant in Sudapet Company Limited v Republic of South Sudan, ICSID Case No. ARB/12/26, a dispute under the South Sudanese Investment Promotion Act relating to an expropriation.
  • Acting for the Claimant in an arbitration commenced pursuant to the Energy Charter Treaty and the SCC Rules in relation to breaches by an Eastern European State of the ECT (details not public).
  • Acting for the Respondent in Tethyan Copper Company Pty Limited v Islamic Republic of Pakistan, ICSID Case No. ARB/12/1, a dispute under a bilateral investment treaty, in relation to the refusal of a mining licence over very large-scale copper and gold deposits at Reko Diq, in Pakistan.
  • Advising numerous companies and individuals on the application of the EU and UN sanctions regimes applied in respect of RussiaCrimea, Libya, Syria and Iran.
  • Advising an Asian government on claims to continental shelf entitlements by a provincial government.
Career

2007: Call in Australia

2013: Call in England & Wales

2021: Called to The British Virgin Islands Bar

Education

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 (Best Finalist Oralist), 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.

2016: DPhil, Magdalen College, University of Oxford

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

2006: LLB, First Class Honours, University of Sydney

2004: BA, First Class Honours, University of Sydney

 

Awards

2008: Modern Law Review Scholarship, University of Oxford

2008: Justice Hely Scholarship, University of Oxford

2008: Travelling Scholarship, University of Oxford

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

2006: Jessup Moot World Champion; Jessup Moot Best Finalist Oralist

2006: ICRC International Humanitarian Law Moot World Champion

2006: Corrs Prize in Industrial Law, University of Sydney

2006: NSW Law Society Human Rights Prize, University of Sydney

2006: Beauchamp Prize in Literature, University of Sydney

2005: ELSA WTO Moot World Champion

2005: Wentworth Medal, University of Sydney