Peter is a partner in the Disputes and Investigations group and has a broad-ranging international commercial arbitration and multijurisdictional litigation practice, including significant expertise in ESG, energy, infrastructure and natural resource disputes.
Peter is a significant and leading member of our Arbitration group, with particular expertise in complex, high value energy sector disputes, conducting arbitrations under the ICC, LCIA and SIAC rules.
Peter’s broad practice also encompasses commercial, class action / group, competition and banking litigation; as well as public law and judicial review.
Peter has also been involved in advising corporate and banking clients in relation to significant investigations / regulatory matters.
Infrastructure Energy and Natural Resources highlights include advising:
- On a major oil and gas related arbitration (SIAC) involving allegations of fraud and breach of contract, with damages claimed in excess of US$5.5 billion.
- Two subsidiaries of a Spanish multinational company in relation to an ICC arbitration commenced by a UK investment group relating to a failed M&A transaction.
- Vitol on its successful claim before the English High Court for deferred consideration arising out of the interpretation of a governed share purchase agreement concerning an offshore concession in the Republic of Congo.
- RWE in its defence of a $47bn claim, subject to LCIA arbitration, relating to Claimants' rights to exploit certain major oil and gas fields in the Middle East in order to achieve export to international markets.
- A major offshore drilling company on issues arising out of Chapter 11 US bankruptcy proceedings and providing advice on recognition and enforcement of foreign proceedings (both under the common law and under the Cross Border Insolvency Regulations 2006) and making applications to the English court.
- John Wood Group on an investigation by the SFO into alleged bribery at certain AMEC Foster Wheeler companies it acquired in 2017 and strategic advice on parallel international investigations by the US, Brazilian and Scottish authorities. We successfully negotiated a Deferred Prosecution Agreement with the SFO announced in July 2021.
Public law / Judicial Review highlights include:
- The Ministry of Defence on coordinated commercial and judicial review claims brought by entities ultimately controlled by Terra Firma in relation to service personnel housing.
ESG highlights include advising:
- Shell plc and its Board of Directors in respect of a derivative action brought by ClientEarth, a minority shareholder, based on allegations of breaches of directors’ duties in respect of the Board’s management of Shell’s climate change related risks and response.
- BAT plc in respect of a group claim threatened by Malawian tobacco farmers, concerning allegations of child and forced labour on third party farms.
- Gemfields on threatened mass tort claims relating to alleged human rights abuses.
Arbitration highlights include:
- On a major oil and gas related arbitration (SIAC) involving allegations of fraud and breach of contract, with damages claimed in excess of US$5.5 billion.
- Two subsidiaries of a Spanish multinational company in relation to an ICC arbitration commenced by a UK investment group relating to a failed M&A transaction.
- Vitol on its successful claim before the English High Court for deferred consideration arising out of the interpretation of a governed share purchase agreement concerning an offshore concession in the Republic of Congo.
- RWE in its defence of a $47bn claim, subject to LCIA arbitration, relating to Claimants' rights to exploit certain major oil and gas fields in the Middle East in order to achieve export to international markets.
- A major multilateral treaty organisation in connection with dispute resolution and arbitration matters, in a globally significant agreement, requiring bespoke, multijurisdictional advice.
Further highlights include advising:
- First MTR South Western Trains in respect of the first standalone and first alleged abuse of dominance related collective proceedings brought in the Competition Appeal Tribunal under the UK's competition class action regime.
- Standard Chartered Bank in long running investigations by UK and US authorities (FCA, DoJ, New York District Attorney, New York Department of Financial Services, US Federal Reserve and the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)) into issues relating to inter alia, AML issues and compliance with the US sanctions regimes.
- A global financial services firm in relation to multijurisdictional claims of fraudulent misrepresentation.
- Zurich Insurance plc on high profile business interruption insurance FCA test case.
Peter is recognised as a “partner who is making a huge name for himself” and for “winning cases left, right and centre”. Commentators highlight that Peter is “switched on, commercial and personable”. Legal 500, 2024, International Arbitration.
Peter is recognised in Legal 500 2024 as a Next Generation Partner for Banking Litigation: Investment and Retail and noted as a key member of the firm’s International Arbitration, Commercial Litigation, Competition Litigation, and Fraud group.
The directories also note that Peter is “handling some amazing arbitration cases.” International Arbitration Legal 500 2023 and is “[a] pleasure to work with” being “strong for energy and natural resources disputes”. Legal 500 2022, International Arbitration and Legal 500 2022, Commercial Litigation: Premium.
Furthermore, he is described as “formidable” and an “outstanding lawyer, who is combining strategic overview with knowledge of the details. This allows him to think out-of-the-box and find creative solutions”. Legal 500, 2022.
He is also a contributing author to The Class Actions Law Review.