Helen is a senior disputes lawyer based in London whose practice focuses on international commercial dispute resolution, and she is experienced in dealing with legally and factually complex, as well as highly technical, cross-border disputes arising across a broad range of industries and sectors relying on English law for their resolution.
She assists clients in the resolution of such disputes in transactions spanning Europe, the UK, MENA, LatAm, and Asia-Pacific regions through international arbitration, including litigation in the English Courts and other alternative dispute resolution processes. She also proactively assists clients in the management of potential risks prior to arbitration or litigation.
Helen has significant disputes experience related to shipbuilding and offshore maritime construction (of the range of structures and vessels supporting offshore exploration), construction and engineering of major capital projects (including power plants and pipelines), and the manufacture and supply of industrial plant and machinery, as well as a general commercial disputes practice.
She conducts complex international commercial arbitration matters under the major international arbitration rules, including the rules of the ICC, LCIA, UNCITRAL, SCMA and LMAAs. She also represents clients in litigation in the courts of England and Wales, including in arbitration appeals and enforcement.
She has recently conducted a number of heavyweight and high value arbitrations related to the construction of drilling rigs and other offshore vessels in South Korea and China and shipbuilding disputes representing both owners/employers, contractors, and yards including claims relating to payment, variations, warranty/defects, delays and force majeure, and disputed terminations.
She is also focused on the art and cultural heritage sectors. She is a Member of the Institute of Art and Law, and is currently undertaking the IAL specialist art law diploma pertaining to the art, museums and cultural heritage sectors.
Helen is a solicitor advocate (civil rights) in the senior courts of England and Wales. She previously worked for many years in international arbitration practice in Paris where she was admitted to the Paris bar (currently non-practicing). She has frequently handled contentious matters in French, and has good understanding of German and Spanish.
Helen is a Member of the French and Mexican Chambers of Commerce in Great Britain.
Selected Publications and Speeches
- "Business Interruption Insurance: The UK Supreme Court Judgment in the FCA Test Case and The Impact on Latin America," speaker, World Services Group webinar, March 31, 2021.
- “Trends in Commercial Arbitration and Litigation in Mexico and England,” speaker, 8th Edition - LexMex 2020 virtual event, November 5, 2020.
- “Business Interruption Claims and the Impact on the (Re)Insurance Market”, panel discussion on the English High Court business interruption insurance case and the impact of the case in the LatAm market, presenter, British Argentine Chamber of Commerce, October 21, 2020.
Helen Conybeare Williams is a disputes lawyer based in London. Helen’s practice is focused on international dispute resolution, as well as contract advice and representation prior to arbitration or litigation, in complex technical cross border disputes.
She has conducted complex international commercial arbitration matters worldwide on behalf of major multi-nationals across a broad range of industries, namely shipbuilding and offshore oil and gas (related to marine construction, drilling and exploration agreements), construction and engineering of major capital projects (including power plants, gas and water pipelines, highways, irrigation, hydroelectric and desalination plants, ports and airports), hotels (including development, management and franchise agreements) manufacturing and supply of industrial plant and machinery, and healthcare (distribution and license agreements).
She has conducted international commercial arbitration proceedings under the rules of major arbitration institutions, in particular the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) and London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA), as well as under UNCITRAL rules. She has conducted such disputes throughout Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific region.
She also represents clients in litigation in the courts of England and Wales, including in arbitration appeals and enforcement issues.
Helen has advised on the selection of jurisdiction clauses and dispute resolution mechanisms, and is experienced in drafting the relevant clauses.