Expertise
Kieran is a dual-qualified (England & Wales/ New York) disputes specialist in international arbitration and complex cross-border litigation, and Co-Head of Gateley’s International Arbitration practice. He has a particular focus on the intersection of private and public international law and highly regulated industries, such as commodities, energy, technology and financial services.
Prior to joining Gateley, Kieran spent a decade with leading global international law firm teams in London and Switzerland, advising and acting as advocate for corporations, sovereigns, state-owned entities, individuals and international organisations on a range of high-value, strategically important and politically sensitive disputes. His experience includes acting in:
- Commercial arbitrations under all the major institutions (ICC, LCIA, UNCITRAL, SIAC, Swiss Arbitration Centre, CIETAC, LMAA and commodity-specialist organisations such as Gafta and FOFSA).
- Investment Treaty arbitrations before ICSID and ad-hoc tribunals at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague.
- International trade disputes for sovereigns before the World Trade Organisation Dispute Settlement Body.
- Sports arbitrations before national anti-doping bodies and the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
- Civil litigation before the Courts of England & Wales and US Federal Court.
He is noted as a “Key Lawyer” in Public International Law by Legal 500 (UK, Dispute Resolution, 2023) and described by clients as “technically excellent, clear, insightful, strategic, commercial and pro-active. Everything that you would hope for from your lawyers” (GAR 100, 2019).
In addition to his disputes practice, Kieran also advises companies and sovereigns on legal and policy issues relating to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and international trade law, as well as sanctions and other compliance issues.
A former Fulbright Scholar in International Law, Kieran has written and presented extensively on disputes and international public policy issues. He is a Lecturer in International Economic Law at King’s College London and is the current Co-Director of Scholarships for Young ICCA (a leading international arbitration organisations for young practitioners and students).
How do you help clients?
I help international businesses navigate the complex world of cross-border disputes, with expertise in both the underlying commercial, regulatory and policy issues, as well as high-stakes but cost-effective litigation strategies.
Experience
- Acted for a sovereign wealth fund in a multi-billion dollar LCIA arbitration and related English court proceedings concerning a global financial services fraud.*
- Acted for a leading grain trader in a USD 2 billion ICC arbitration concerning the construction of a grain terminal in Russia and related joint venture dispute.*
- Acted for an investor in ongoing UNCITRAL investment treaty arbitration proceedings against a South American state concerning the impact of environmental regulations on a major infrastructure project.*
- Advised a major oil trader on applicable US, UK and EU sanctions in a multi-billion dollar ICC arbitration concerning performance of a long-term gas offtake agreement.*
- Advised a global tech company on international trade issues arising from French and German regulations on digital security and data sovereignty.*
*denotes experience at prior law firm