Paul Baker

Paul is a specialist in the fields of political risk, trade credit, terrorism and political violence insurance. He also possesses significant experience in international commercial and investor-state arbitration.

Paul advises London and overseas insurers in the PRTC and PV markets. His work involves claims, coverage disputes, wordings advice and subrogated recovery actions originating from numerous jurisdictions. He has represented insurers in disputes concerning alleged expropriation, political violence, commodities trading and trade finance.

Paul has also represented energy, commodities, telecommunications and technology clients in numerous commercial arbitrations, including under the LCIA, ICC, PCA, UNCITRAL, GAFTA and ICSID Rules. He has also acted for and against a number of Middle Eastern and African governments in disputes in the energy, power generation and telecommunications sectors, often involving advice on matters of public international law.

Paul also has experience litigating before the English courts and possesses Higher Rights of Audience. 

Relevant experience includes:

• Representing trade credit insurers in an LCIA arbitration against a European bank regarding numerous alleged non-disclosures including an obligor's trading practices with Iran in alleged breach of US sanctions.
• Representing political risk insurers in an LCIA arbitration against a US-based oil services company regarding claims connected to the expropriation of assets in Venezuela by the Chavez government.
• Representing a biofuel producer in an ICC arbitration against a European energy conglomerate in a commercial dispute related to biofuel trades.
• Representing a middle-eastern government in an UNCITRAL arbitration against a mobile-telecoms provider regarding numerous alleged breaches of an Investment Law valued at over USD 500 million.
• Representing a middle-eastern Government in an ICSID arbitration brought by an investor under a BIT with Turkey concerning the alleged grant and revocation of a GSM operator licence.
• Acting for the Government of Sudan in the Abyei Arbitration concerning the delimitation of the border of the Abyei region.

Endorsements

Paul is recognised for his international arbitration experience in Legal 500.

"Paul Baker – collaborative and with an eye to furthering client objectives". – The Legal 500 UK 2023

"Paul Baker is a formidable lawyer who knows his way round his cases incredibly well." - The Legal 500 UK 2022

"Key lawyer - International Arbitration" - The Legal 500 UK 2020