International Dispute Resolution

Expanding international trade, particularly with countries in Asia and Africa, has led to increased opportunity and risk in the global market place. With increased international trade, however, comes a greater level of complexity and dispute. Managing those disputes requires the commercially focussed and legally robust response that Teacher Stern provides.

We have the expertise and experience to help businesses decide where and how to take action to achieve their commercial objectives with minimum delay and expense.

International businesses increasingly choose to resolve their disputes via arbitration or court proceedings in the UK.  We have broad experience of conducting cross-border disputes at all levels of the English Courts, regularly representing clients in disputes between parties located abroad.  We also conduct arbitrations in London and abroad under LCIA, ICC, LME, Refined Sugar, COMEX, LMAA, ARIAS, GAFTA, SIAC and VIAC Rules as well as participate in numerous ad hoc arbitrations.

However, the complexities of cross-border trade and international laws often dictate that disputes must be litigated in the country in which the dispute arises. Our track record of working closely and cooperatively with lawyers in other jurisdictions around the world enables us to provide the support international businesses require to resolve the disputes satisfactorily.

We conduct arbitrations under LCIA, ICC, LME, Refined Sugar, COMEX, LMAA, ARIAS, GAFTA, SIAC and VIAC Rules as well as participate in numerous ad hoc arbitrations.

We have long and broad experience of resolving disputes across the range of businesses involved in international trade. You will find more information about the breadth of our experience in specialist areas by following the links below.

Representative International Dispute Resolution Work

Examples of our team’s international dispute resolution experience include:

  • Advised a client involved in a LME Arbitration relating to the USD $30m loss arising from manipulation of the LME tin market in 2009 by U.K. and U.S. parties. Ancillary proceedings were issued in the High Court and a related FINRA claim was issued in the U.S.
  • Advised the plaintiff in a USD $45m multifaceted, cross border conspiracy and loss of opportunity case involving the distribution of oil additives to Iraq. The case went to trial in the Commercial Court and involved the electronic disclosure of more than 1 million documents.
  • Advised a client in relation to ICC arbitration proceedings in Paris between Russian and Italian parties relating to a professional dispute for work carried out in Moscow, Paris and Italy.
  • Advised Canadian metals billionaire, Herbert Black, in connection with a successful USD $50m action against London Metal Exchange brokers.
  • Advised a Fortune 100 company in connection with LCIA arbitration proceedings arising out of a telecommunications satellite construction contract.
  • Advised a Fortune 1000 company in connection with Linked ICC arbitrations proceedings concerning the development of a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in the Middle East.
  • Advised a Turkish based client in relation to arbitration proceedings in London concerning exclusive distribution rights agreed with a high profile, international mobile phone company.
  • Advised an Eastern European Export Bank in VIAC arbitration defending a performance guarantee claim.
  • Advised a notable Russian commodity house in respect of a £20m fraud predicated against it.
  • Advised an English commodities company in connection with a USD $15m dispute with a Ghanaian supplier.
  • Advised a Chinese base metals refiner in defending a claim made in LCIA arbitration arising out of its ore supply programme.
  • Advised a U.S. private equity fund in connection with LCIA arbitration proceedings taken by it to recover value in cross border investment into Ukraine including related interlocutory proceedings in Isle of Man, St Vincent and Cyprus (working with local counsel).
  • Advised a client in a USD $300m dispute relating to commodity investments in Africa and South America.
  • Advised a Middle Eastern national carrier airline in connection with a dispute with the government of a neighbouring country.
  • Advised on a dispute relating to the supply of manganese ore.
  • Advised in connection with manipulation cases both at court and in arbitration relating to copper, aluminium, tin and other commodities including cross border litigation in Europe, the US and South East Asia.

Key contacts:

Photo of Clare Toomer

Clare Toomer

Partner Dispute Resolution
Work 37-41 Bedford Row London WC1R 4JH United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0) 20 7611 4872

Biography

Clare’s expertise spans a broad range of commercial litigation but with a focus on complex shareholder / commercial disputes and IP often involving issues that traverse multiple jurisdictions.

She has led on a number of high value multi-faceted disputes involving commodities, fraud, corruption/conspiracy, breach of contract, fraudulent mis-representation, lending, mis-selling, HPAs, intellectual property rights, professional negligence and company/director/shareholder/JV issues for clients based both in the UK and overseas ranging from SMEs to ultra-high net worth individuals, international banks and other global institutions.

As well as matters brought in all divisions of the High Court and Commercial Court, Clare has experience of cases which have gone to the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. She also has experience of international arbitration particularly of those conducted in the International Chamber of Commerce and International Dispute Resolution Centre and extensively of mediation where she has led many successful settlement negotiations.

Clare is also regularly instructed on global enforcement matters involving obtaining worldwide freezing orders and overseeing recovery proceedings in a variety of foreign jurisdictions including the BVI, Turks and Caicos and Cayman Islands.

Clare’s IP practice focuses predominantly on the protection of the rights of Teacher Stern’s restaurant, retail and tech clients in relation to which she has successfully staved off many potentially infringing competitors.

Clare is listed as a recommended lawyer in the Legal 500 2021 and 2024 rankings.

Representative Experience

Clare has:

  • Recently successfully defended a business and associated professionals in a complex high court action which spanned 2.5 years and included trial set down for 20 days concerning allegations of fraud and conspiracy regarding the acquisition of a national security and surveillance company.
  • Acted in an ultra-high value conspiracy dispute between Russian oligarchs.
  • Represented a distributor in a $50M corruption case in the Commercial Court involving the distribution of oil additives to Iraq.
  • Advised borrowers and guarantors in relation to facilities of $500M entered into with a collapsed Icelandic Bank.
  • Represented a Canadian metals billionaire and philanthropist in an international arbitration concerning a million US$ charter agreement.
  • Acted in a dispute relating to a multimillion pound property fraud including obtaining world-wide freezing injunctions and enforcement action.
  • Advised in connection with a $60M breach of contract dispute involving a celebrity chef.
  • Advised on a breach of contract/mis-representation claim concerning a multi-million dollar film contract.
  • Represented a European water supply company and various UK restaurant chains in connection with the protection of their IP rights

Testimonials 

Legal 500

“Clare Toomer is very accessible, responsive and sensitive to a wide range of client needs.’

“The reason we work with Teacher Stern. Robust in her dealings with the other side and tells you exactly what is and is not possible, and why.”

Clients

“Clare is a first-rate litigator. She has excellent legal skills and a demonstrated ability to manage every type of case from large commercial claims to smaller disputes requiring a more personal touch. Clare combines a friendly and approachable manner with a tough and determined approach to getting the best result for her clients.” Max Mallin KC, Wilberforce Chambers 

“Clare Toomer is a star in the making at Teacher Stern LLP; combining a sharp intellect with great judgement, she knows which points to take and which not. A pleasure to work with and in any litigation you would want her on your side.” Peter Featherman of Ed’s Easy Diner.

Year qualified

Solicitor, 2010

Career History

Partner, Teacher Stern

Solicitor, Teacher Stern

Trainee Solicitor, Teacher Stern