In the first in our series on JOA issues, we discuss the recent Stabroek JOA Arbitration decision and what it means for JOA parties considering their own JOA Change in Control provisions. Chevron Corporation’s (“Chevron”)...more
8/1/2025
/ Acquisitions ,
Arbitration ,
Change in Control ,
Contract Terms ,
Dispute Resolution ,
Energy Sector ,
Joint Operating Agreement ,
Joint Venture ,
Merger Agreements ,
Mergers ,
Oil & Gas ,
Right of First Refusal
As part of our ongoing monitoring of international and domestic legal developments, this article provides an update on the International Seabed Authority’s (“ISA”) Council Part II of the 30th Session and the National Oceanic...more
As global demand for critical minerals intensifies — driven by the energy transition, technological innovation, and geopolitical competition — deep-sea mining has emerged as a potential frontier in resource development. At...more
4/30/2025
/ Executive Orders ,
International Trade ,
Minerals ,
National Security ,
NOAA ,
Popular ,
Regulatory Reform ,
Regulatory Requirements ,
Supply Chain ,
Trump Administration ,
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) ,
United States
Two parallel regulatory regimes for deep-sea mining have begun to emerge in recent years. On the one hand, the International Seabed Authority (ISA), an autonomous international organization established under the 1982 United...more
When parties plan to resolve disputes by arbitration, there are several key considerations regarding procedure. In the fourth of a multi-part series, we look at two key features to consider when drafting (and applying) your...more
Disputes dominated the energy landscape in 2024, with the energy industry facing complex and sometimes contradictory challenges. As the world continues to grapple with the energy transition, energy security, global policy...more
The International Court of Justice has been asked to issue an advisory opinion on this question, and is currently hearing submissions from States, NGOs and international organisations. The International Court of Justice...more
Two ICSID tribunals have recently upheld Spain’s intra-European Union (EU) jurisdictional objections in two arbitrations pursuant to the Energy Charter Treaty (“ECT”). Both cases arise out of Spain’s decision to modify its...more
When parties plan to resolve disputes by arbitration, there are several key considerations regarding procedure. In the third of a multi-part series, we look at two key features to consider when drafting (and applying) your...more
With the entering into force of the European Union’s (“EU”) Critical Raw Materials Act (“CRMA”), the memorandum of understanding between the EU and Serbia and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (“EBRD”) and...more
9/3/2024
/ Energy Tax Incentives ,
EU ,
European Commission ,
Exploitation ,
Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) ,
International Energy Agency (IEA) ,
Mineral Exploration ,
Serbia ,
Supply Chain ,
Tax Credits ,
UK
We have been following the International Seabed Authority (“ISA”) Council’s negotiations and drafting of the Exploitation Rules, Regulations and Procedures (“Exploitation RRPs”) for the deep seabed beyond national...more
On 19 July 2024, the European Union (EU) and the Republic of Serbia (“Serbia”) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (“MoU”) creating a strategic partnership on sustainable raw materials, battery value chains and electric...more
8/8/2024
/ Climate Action Plan ,
Climate Change ,
Commodities ,
Electric Vehicles ,
Energy Policy ,
Environmental Policies ,
EU ,
Infrastructure ,
Memorandum of Understanding ,
Mineral Extraction ,
Serbia ,
Strategic Partnerships ,
Supply Agreements ,
Supply Chain ,
Sustainable Projects
What should firms do to support employees dealing with baby loss or fertility issues? There’s been a recent nationwide survey conducted by the Fertility Network UK which surveyed more than 3,000 people and revealed the...more
When parties plan to resolve disputes by arbitration, there are several key considerations regarding procedure. In the second of a multi-part series, we look at two key features to consider when drafting (and applying) your...more
Deep-sea mining activities on the seabed and ocean floor beyond national waters are a risky and capital-intensive venture. The unpredictability of little-known ecosystems and environmental impacts translate into regulatory...more
Deep-sea mining activities in the seabed and ocean floor beyond national jurisdiction, including the collection of polymetallic nodules, are governed by the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the agreement...more
In part one of an explainer series about international deep-sea mining regulation, Louise Woods and Elena Guillet share advice for setting up sponsorship agreements between contractors and sponsoring states. The ISA has...more
7/19/2024
/ Contractors ,
Exploitation ,
International Waters ,
Investment ,
Jurisdiction ,
Mineral Exploration ,
Minerals ,
Mining ,
Sponsorship Agreements ,
Supply Chain ,
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
Reliable supplies of critical raw materials are essential for the green transition and to ensure the competitiveness of key national industries. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in the US and the European Union’s Critical...more
The IRA and CRMA are the clearest results of a race to reclaim control over critical raw materials following the global supply chain vulnerabilities exposed during the pandemic and exacerbated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,...more
When parties plan to resolve disputes by arbitration, there are several key considerations regarding procedure. In the first of a multi-part series, we look at two key features to consider when drafting (and applying) your...more
6/28/2024
/ Arbitration ,
Arbitration Agreements ,
Arbitration Awards ,
Arbitration Procedural Rules ,
Arbitrators ,
Dispute Resolution ,
Federal Arbitration Act ,
International Arbitration ,
LCIA ,
Tribunals ,
UK
In a landmark judgment handed down on 20 June 2024, R (Finch) v Surrey County Council and others [2024] UKSC 20, the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom has ruled that “Scope 3” greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions resulting from...more
Following months of delays and intense debate in Congress, President Biden signed H.R. 815 into law on April 24, 2024, which made headlines for funding $95 billion in military aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, along with...more
5/6/2024
/ Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) ,
CFIUS ,
Department of Justice (DOJ) ,
Economic Sanctions ,
EU ,
Foreign Aid ,
International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) ,
Israel ,
Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) ,
Sanction Violations ,
Statute of Limitations ,
Taiwan ,
TikTok ,
UK ,
Ukraine
In this article for Construction News, Louise Woods, Ciara Ros, and Lauren-Emma Parrott look at the FIDIC Silver standard form contract, and the key issues to consider in respect of bonds and guarantees when entering into, or...more
On March 29, 2024, the International Seabed Authority’s (“ISA”) Council concluded the first part of its 29th Session continuing the negotiations and drafting of the Exploitation Rules, Regulations and Procedures (“RRPs”) for...more
On 22 February 2024, the UK government confirmed the UK’s withdrawal from the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT), blaming a failure of efforts to modernise the treaty and align it with net zero aims. The UK joins nine EU member...more