Ruth Byrne, K.C.

• Representing a major international mining company in multi-jurisdictional proceedings to enforce two substantial arbitral awards, securing various assets freezes and attachments, and related insolvency proceedings against the relevant counterparties
• Advising bond-holders on the enforcement of a substantial New York judgment in the English courts and internationally
• Advising a well-known multinational on proceedings in New York, London and Central Africa on disputes arising from alleged bribery and corruption in connection with a major power project in sub-Saharan Africa
• Representing a trading company in freezing injunction and substantive proceedings in the Commercial Court regarding allegedly fraudulent transactions in West Africa
• Representing a major shipping company in five UNCITRAL arbitrations and English Commercial Court proceedings to recover the proceeds of a fraudulent scheme
• Representing the defendant sovereign wealth fund in a billion-dollar claim in the English Commercial Court arising out of alleged breach of contract, duress and misrepresentation, in particular successfully overturning summary judgment at an appeal hearing before Burton J (Catalyst Managerial Services v Libya Africa Investment Portfolio, unreported).
• Representing the Claimant in claims brought in the English Commercial Court for fraudulent misrepresentation, in particular appearing at hearings securing a worldwide freezing injunction and to resist an application for security for costs (Terra Raf Trans Traiding Ltd v Aidar Assaubayev & Ors, unreported)
• Defending an oil and gas company against the attempted appeal under Section 69 of the Arbitration Act 1996 of an arbitral award concerning a failed joint venture in Kazakhstan
• Appearing in the Commercial Court on jurisdictional issues and to secure evidence with respect to a London-seated international arbitration (Silver Dry Bulk Company Limited v Homer Hulbert Maritime Company Limited [2017] EWHC 44 (Comm))
• Appearing in the Commercial Court on a challenge to an award under Section 67 of the Arbitration Act 1996 and on an application for security in related court proceedings (Monde Petroleum SA v Westernzagros Ltd. [2015] EWHC 67 (Comm))
• Representing a major oil and gas company on a challenge to an arbitral award brought in the English Commercial Court under section 68 of the Arbitration Act 1996 and related security applications (PT Transportasi Gas Indonesia v ConocoPhillips (Grissik) Ltd [2016] EWHC 2834 (Comm))
• Representing a mining company in English court proceedings to enforce a USD 1 billion + award against a Latin American State
• Appearing in the Commercial Court to secure an order for the recognition of an ICC award for damages arising from a failed joint venture in Nigeria
• Representing a major shipping company resisting the attempted appeal of an arbitral award under Section 69 of the Arbitration Act 1996 before the Commercial Court
• Representing a Moldovan investor in proceedings to enforce a USD half billion dollar award in the Commercial Court and related applications for security (Stati v Kazakhstan [2015] EWHC 2542 (Comm); [2017] EWHC 1348 (Comm))
• Defending an oil and gas company against worldwide freezing order applications in the Commercial Court during the pendency of a related arbitration
• Advising an African investment fund on strategy to recover substantial sums owed by a loan debtor in Nigeria
• Representing an Indian car manufacturer to resist proceedings brought in the English Commercial Court by its former U.S. distributor to challenge and appeal a final UNCITRAL arbitration award in its favour under Sections 68 and 69 of the Arbitration Act 1996, including successful applications for security for costs and in the amount of the award
• Representing the claimant, an international construction company, in multi-jurisdictional proceedings to enforce an ICC arbitration award against an African State, including appearing to secure third party debt orders in the English Commercial Court
• Representing an oil and gas major in proceedings to enforce an arbitral award under the SIAC Rules before the English Court and to obtain urgent worldwide freezing order relief in support of that enforcement
• Representing an award creditor in proceedings to execute the award against assets of a South East Asian State and related freezing injunction proceedings
• Representing a group of investors from the Middle East in proceedings in the English and Cayman Islands Courts involving claims for breach of fiduciary duty and fraud

Life Sciences/Sports/IP and Related Areas

Arbitration

• Representing an English Premier League Club in a claim for damages arising from breach of financial fair play rules by another club (Burnley Football & Athletic Company Limited v Everton Football Club Company Limited PLJP 2023/3)
• Representing an international healthcare provider in an LCIA arbitration regarding disputed obligations to pay deferred consideration following a business acquisition
• Representing an Asian life sciences company in an ad hoc arbitration regarding alleged breaches of contractual prohibitions on distribution of its pharmaceuticals in certain territories and related allegations of duress and fraud
• Representing a drilling contractor in LCIA proceedings regarding the apportionment of liability for alleged patent infringement
• Advising a major engineering company on several disputes regarding allegedly patented technology in the ship-building sector and alleged liability for defects in that technology
• Representing an Asian life sciences company in an UNCITRAL arbitration regarding exclusive development and distribution rights with respect to pharmaceutical products
• Representing a pharmaceuticals company in a dispute regarding the break-down of its relationship for the joint development of cancer treatments
• Representing an Indian manufacturing company in ICC arbitration proceedings seated in New Delhi regarding liability for allegedly defective electronic components and related proceedings with insurers.
• Representing a well-known multinational in LCIA proceedings regarding the alleged breach of a distributorship agreement for medical products in the Middle East
• Advising a sports federation in relation to claims against a competitor for anti-competitive behaviour and interference with contractual rights
• Representing a manufacturing and retail business in a series of LCIA arbitration proceedings seated in London and related litigation in Italy arising from an M&A transaction
• Representing a Latin American company in LCIA proceedings arising out of the alleged breach of an agreement for the distributorship of books and other publications
• Representing a Saudi company in a multi-million dollar ICC arbitration claim for breach of a publishing licence

Litigation

• Representing an international manufacturer in a series of claims regarding alleged defects in its household products
• Representing a medical device manufacturer in English court proceedings regarding alleged breach of supply contracts
• Representational an international pharmaceutical company in multi-jurisdictional proceedings regarding alleged patent infringement (Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd v GW Pharma Ltd & Anor [2022] EWCA Civ 1462)
• Representing a medical device multinational in a series of proceedings regarding alleged product liability with respect to its surgical devices
• Defending a small business against multiple claims of breach of copyright in connection with web-based imagery
• Representing a Middle Eastern technology company in English court proceedings to restrain its counterparty from drawing down on a bank guarantee

Arbitral Appointments

• Sitting as Chair on the arbitration of a fintech dispute
• Sitting as Co-Arbitrator in six related arbitrations (ultimately consolidated) in the DIFC regarding disputed bond and guarantee obligations on a major construction project
• Sitting as Co-Arbitrator in an LCIA arbitration with respect to disputed put and call rights for the sale of certain shares
• Sitting as Sole Arbitrator on a dispute regarding the remedies applicable upon a buyer’s failure to pay for and take delivery of a commodity during volatile market conditions arising during the pandemic
• Sitting as Chair on an arbitration regarding the alleged under-delivery of contractual quantities of gas and wrongful retention of advance payments against delivery

Ruth Byrne KC focuses on international commercial and investment disputes, across an array of industry sectors and specialisms including energy, sports, mining, life sciences, fintech, fraud and enforcement.  

Ruth has advised clients on disputes arising in multiple jurisdictions and has appeared as counsel in 100+ arbitrations as well sitting regularly as arbitrator.  She also appears frequently in the English High Court, in particular in proceedings in support of arbitration, as well as more generally in international commercial litigation.  Recognised in several legal directories over the years, Ruth is described as “superb”, “an exceptional litigator”, “an excellent advocate wise beyond her years” and “a persistent, credible case builder”.  Clients note her “ability to marshal enormous doses of information, retain key facts, be diligent and patient, and follow through as if it were her personal matter – her analysis is always based on facts, the law and the cultural sensibilities of the jurisdictions involved” and that she is “very strategic in her thinking and able to pare down arguments to what's important”.

Ruth writes and speaks regularly on a variety of international arbitration topics.  Ruth is a member of the ICC UK Selection Subcommittee and a former YIAG Co-Chair.