Zelda Hunter
Biography
Overview
Zelda Hunter is a partner in the Firm's International Arbitration practice and is based in Geneva.
Zelda has experience as counsel and arbitrator, with a particular focus on commercial disputes relating to infrastructure projects. As a result, her practice is necessarily plural, spanning the construction & engineering, energy, technology, and mining & metals industries.
She has been involved in arbitrations under the auspices of the major arbitral institutions, as well as ad hoc cases under the UNCITRAL rules or otherwise. Zelda also advises and represents clients in alternative dispute resolution proceedings, including mediations, dispute boards and adjudications.
Zelda commenced her legal career in South Africa and has practiced in the United Kingdom and Switzerland. Her approach therefore incorporates civil and common law perspectives and first-hand knowledge of the leading seats of arbitration.
Zelda holds several leadership positions, including various officer roles within the International Bar Association's Arbitration Committee. She is also a member of the Swiss Arbitration Centre's Arbitration Court.
Having previously worked in the field of human rights, Zelda remains committed to pro bono work.
UK
UK
South Africa
Experience
Examples of representations include:
Representing a contractor in arbitral proceedings arising out of the termination of an EPC contract in respect of a renewables power plant project in Europe, involving claims and counterclaims in excess of US$ 830 million for sums called under performance bonds, delay, disruption, force majeure and defects;
Acting as arbitrator in an intellectual property dispute;
Advising a company specialising in biotechnology in respect of a dispute arising out of a joint development agreement;
Advising a state-owned company in the mining & metals industry on conflict of law related issues relevant to an LCIA arbitration;
Representing an EPC contractor in ICC arbitration proceedings against a mechanical, electrical and instrumentation subcontractor concerning claims of gross negligence, delay, disruption, and disputed quantities in respect of a construction project in a Nordic state;
Advising a European bank in respect of a dispute arising out of representations and warranties for the sale of receivables;
Representing a European general contractor in an ICC arbitration arising out of an industrial process plant project in Australia involving claims for completion of the works, for defects and for breaches of confidence in respect of process technology;
Advising an EPC contractor in mediation proceedings with the owner relating to the delayed completion of a construction project and the application of delay liquidated damages;
Advising a Western European shipping company in an LCIA arbitration arising out of a joint venture in the Middle East;
Advising an African state on a dispute and settlement in respect of the construction of a hospital;
Acting for an EPCM contractor in an ICC arbitration arising out of a multi-million-euro oil refinery upgrade project in South Eastern Europe;
Acting for an African state in an ICC arbitration against a Chinese investor in the telecommunications sector;
Advising an Eastern European utility in a proposed multi-billion-euro EPC contract for the design and construction of a nuclear power plant (2000 MWe);
Advising an investor in a series of LCIA arbitrations with its joint venture partner arising out of a multi-million-dollar real estate redevelopment project in South Asia;
Acting for a CIS incorporated company in a multi-million-dollar arbitration with a major European contractor concerning disputes arising out of a road construction project; and
Representing Cruz City 1 Mauritius Holdings in multi-jurisdictional enforcement proceedings in England (High Court and Court of Appeal), Cyprus, Mauritius, the Isle of Man and India in aid of enforcement of US$380 million LCIA arbitration awards dealing with a range of relief including disclosure of assets, worldwide freezing orders, orders appointing receivers by way of equitable execution, third party debt orders and proceedings seeking Chabra-styled relief and related jurisdictional issues. English Case reports: [2013] EWHC 1323 (Comm); [2013] 2 All ER (Comm) 1137; [2013] EWCA Civ 1512; [2014] EWHC 1323 (Comm); [2014] EWHC 3131 (Comm); [2015] 1 All ER (Comm) 336; [2014] Bus LR D25; [2015] EWHC 467 (Comm); [2014] EWHC 3704; [2015] 1 All ER (Comm) 305; [2015] 1 Lloyd's Rep 191; [2015] EWHC 86 (Comm); and [2015] EWHC 597 (Comm).
