Robert Wheal is a partner in the Dispute Resolution group in London, whose practice focuses on commercial litigation and international arbitration. He has handled a large number of substantial international commercial disputes for clients, in particular those from the banking and finance and oil and gas sectors. Robert has a broad range of experience in the English Courts and substantial experience of ICC, LCIA and ad hoc arbitrations. A Solicitor Advocate, he has represented clients in a number of mediations and expert determinations. He is also an active contributor to the firm's pro-bono activities.

Robert Wheal is recommended in the Global Arbitration Review 100 2009 and The International Who's Who of Commercial Arbitration.

Examples of recent commercial litigation representations include:

• Advising on litigation in England, Switzerland and the Isle of Man for three investment banks in relation to their multi-million pound investment in Formula 1;
• Professional negligence action for a major building contractor against an international chemical company;
• Advising on a series of share purchase agreement issues including warranty and completion account claims in various jurisdictions;
• Advising a prominent Saudi Arabian family in a billion-dollar dispute over trust and business assets conducted in the Jersey and Saudi courts;
• Defending a judicial review challenge of the decision of the Office of Rail Regulation, to grant Grand Central Railway Co Limited open access rights to operate trains on the East Coast Main Line and subsequent representation in various rail industry tribunals;
• Acting for an investment bank in its substantial claim against a Polish fixed line telephone company, on an interest rate swap contract; and
• Advising a number of commercial clients, who had become victims of fraud, on asset recovery usually involving injunctive relief.

Examples of recent international arbitration representations include:

• Representing a consortium of oil companies in an ICC arbitration concerning the construction of a gas plant;
• Advising on a major ICC competition law arbitration for a Dutch telecoms company in dispute with a joint venture between two Hollywood studios;
• Advising on two substantial LCIA arbitrations for a major financial institution in relation to an equity investment in Georgia; and
• Advising a major oil and gas company in an ad hoc arbitration under Sharia law in the Middle East concerning a major gas plant debottlenecking project.

Bars and Courts
England and Wales, 1993

Education
LSF, Chancery Lane, 1990
MA, St. John's College, Cambridge University, 1989

Publications
"The legal trap - is trickery tactical or unconscionable in litigation proceedings?," Legal Week, March 2012
"Dallah and the contradictory French and English Court Decisions," Australia Construction Law Newsletter, November/December 2011
"Dallah: Agreement or Disagreement between the UK and French Courts?" LCIA News, Spring 2011
"Confidentiality in international arbitrations under English law," CDR News, November 2010

Languages
English

Citizenship
United Kingdom