Philipp Kurek
Biography
Philipp Kurek is a partner in Haynes Boone’s London office and a member of the firm’s Energy Litigation Practice Group, focusing on cross-border disputes resolved through international arbitration. His practice spans investment treaty (investor-state) arbitration and complex commercial arbitration, acting in both institutional and ad hoc proceedings.
With more than 15 years’ experience acting for investors in high-value treaty disputes—particularly under the ICSID and UNCITRAL Rules—Philipp advises on the full lifecycle of investor-state matters, including pre-dispute assessment and strategy, pleadings and evidence on the merits, quantum development, and enforcement planning. He advises clients on arbitration strategy and advocacy in disputes connected to energy and infrastructure investments and other regulated or capital-intensive sectors, including telecommunications, technology, real estate, financial services, health care, and aerospace.
His experience includes claims against states across Central and South America, the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and Africa, where he addresses the public international law issues that shape treaty protections alongside the commercial realities driving valuation and remedies. Philipp also acts in high-stakes commercial arbitrations conducted under the leading arbitration rules.
His commercial arbitration work includes disputes arising out of joint ventures and shareholder arrangements, finance and private equity/M&A transactions, licensing arrangements, pharma and life sciences issues, and regulatory-related controversies, as well as broader contractual and non-contractual claims. He helps clients frame and execute dispute strategy in cross-border matters, with a practical focus on case management, evidentiary efficiency, and enforceable outcomes.
Philipp is ranked in the Chambers UK and Global 2026 Guides for international arbitration and is recognised by The Legal 500 UK 2026 Guide, with clients and commentators highlighting both his intellectual rigour and constructive, client-oriented style. He is also recognised in the 2026 Lexology Index as a ‘Future Leader’ in arbitration, and included in LawDragon’s list of 500 Leading Global Litigators.
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Investment Arbitration
- Representing a leading logistics company in a USD 1bn ICSID arbitration against a country in the MENA region in connection with the expropriation of its investment in the telecommunications sector.
- Representing a European services company in ad hoc UNCITRAL arbitration proceedings against a South American country with respect to claims in excess of USD 250m relating to economic measures targeting the investor’s customs infrastructure investment.
- Representing an Asian insurance company in ICSID arbitration against a Central European country in relation to claims of USD 1bn arising from the expropriation of an investment in the financial sector.
- Representing a group of North American and European investors in a USD 1bn+ dispute against an African country under a multilateral investment treaty in relation to legal restrictions, economic measures, and fines targeting multi-billion USD investments in the financial and retail sector.
- Representing a group of Central American investors in a USD 650m ad hoc/UNCITRAL investment treaty claim against a Southern European state relating to the forced resolution and sale of a major European bank.
- Representing a leading global technology enterprise in an investment treaty dispute with a South American state arising out of the illegal expropriation of an investment in the hydrocarbons sector.
- Advising an Asian investor with respect to a multi-billion-dollar infrastructure investment in a Central American state.
- Advising an American private equity firm with respect to an investment treaty claim against an Asian state in relation to currency control measures targeting real-estate investments.
- Advising a Western European private equity firm in relation to an investment treaty claim against an Eastern European state in relation to the state’s tax and competition authorities targeting an investment in the media sector.
- Advising a Central European bank with respect to an investment treaty claim against a Middle Eastern state in relation to the state’s discriminatory treatment of its investment in the financial sector.
- Advising a Central European investor in relation to an investment treaty claim against an Eastern European state in connection with unlawful conduct by the local courts concerning an investment in the intellectual property sector.
- Advising a Central European bank in relation to an investment treaty claim against an Asian state in connection with misconduct by the local courts affecting an investment in the technology sector.
- Advising a group of noteholders in connection with an investment treaty claim against a Central European state in connection with the European financial crisis.
- Advising a group of bondholders in relation to a treaty claim against a Southern European state in connection with the European financial crisis.
- Advising a leading global health insurance provider in connection with a treaty claim against a South American state.
- Advising a leading aerospace manufacturer in relation to treaty claims against an Asian state.
- Representing a European real estate company in an ECHR claim against a Central European state.
- Advising a leading global alternative investment company in a dispute against the European Union relating to a real estate investment in a Western European country.
International Commercial Arbitration
- Representing a leading pharmaceutical company in a number of ICC arbitration proceedings with a total value in excess of USD 1bn relating to the development, regulatory approval, and commercialisation of a novel neuromodulator product, as well as breaches of distribution and research and development agreements involving numerous jurisdictions around the world.
- Representing a global logistics company in a number of ICC arbitration and mediation proceedings, Lebanese arbitration proceedings, as well as a number of court and regulatory proceedings in various jurisdictions, in relation to multiple shareholder and finance disputes with a total value in excess of USD 1bn.
- Representing a leading UK engineering and manufacturing group as the Respondent in a dispute under the Swiss Rules concerning claims arising from the alleged non-delivery of bespoke industrial equipment.
- Representing a French logistics company in ICC arbitration proceedings in connection with a multi-million USD claim arising under a tax indemnity relating to services provided to a North American mining company in West Africa.
- Representing a leading brand management company in a multi-million USD claim in ICC arbitration proceedings against a licensee for breaches of an IP licence agreement and claims for trademark infringement.
- Representing a European real estate company in international litigation and arbitration proceedings involving a multitude of claims and cross claims of several billion EUR arising out of transactions in a number of jurisdictions worldwide.
- Representing a leading biopharmaceutical company in relation to ICC arbitration proceedings concerning the breach of non-compete provisions in a joint venture agreement.
- Representing a European ship management alliance in connection with contractual and non-contractual LMAA claims against a group of leading ship owners and managers.
- Representing a leading aerospace manufacturer in relation to enforcement proceedings against Russian and Ukrainian state-owned entities.
- Representing a US private equity company in ICC arbitration proceedings against a Turkish entity concerning an investment in Turkey.
- Acting for a US chemical industry company in claim concerning alleged breaches of a gas supply agreement.
- Advising a leading aerospace manufacturer in relation to contractual claims against an Asian state.
Some representations were handled by Philipp prior to joining Haynes Boone.
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- Split Claims: Navigating Overlapping Disputes in Commercial and Treaty Arbitration, 24 March 2026, speaker, Paris Arbitration Week.
- “ICSID arbitration against developed states: a growing number of claims,” author, PLC Magazine, 2 October 2025.
- “UK’s first ICSID claim shows bilateral investment treaty reach,” author, Law360, 27 August 2025.
- AI in Arbitration Explained: Useful basics, Key legal issues and Practicalities, 8 April 2025, speaker, Paris Arbitration Week.
- Sovereign Enforcement – the Interplay of Arbitration Awards and Politics, 3 April 2025, speaker, Asset Recovery CEE Conference.
- “La révision de l’Arbitration Act anglais reçoit la sanction royale : quelles en sont les nouveautés ?,” co-author, Le Monde du Droit, 2 April 2025.
- “EU Hybrid Venue Ruling Doesn’t Ensure Local Enforceability,” author, Law360, 26 March 2025.
- “Modernising England’s arbitration laws,” co-author, The Law Society Gazette, 21 March 2025.
- “Int’l Treaties May Aid Investors Amid UK Rail Renationalization,” author, Law360, 9 August 2024.
- “Rail industry responds to King’s Speech,” author, Rail Professional, 19 July 2024.
- “UK Government pledges nationalisation of UK railways,” comments cited, The Guardian, 17 July 2024.
- Sovereign Disputes – Enforcement Strategies and Tactics, speaker, 18 April 2024, Asset Recovery CEE Conference.
- “UK withdrawal from the Energy Charter Treaty has important implications for investors,” co-author, The Energy Industry Times, 23 March 2024.
- The use – and abuse – of investigators and forensic experts in international arbitration, speaker, 20 March 2024, Paris Arbitration Week.
- “Navigating the protections afforded by international investment laws,” author, Water Magazine, 20 February 2024.
- “How international law can help Thames Water investors,” author, Infrastructure Investor, 1 February 2024.
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Education
- Legal Practice Course, College of Law, 2009
- M.A., Cambridge University, 2008
Languages
- German
Admissions
- England and Wales
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What types of arbitration matters do you handle?
I focus on international arbitration, with my practice split between investment treaty (investor-state) disputes and complex commercial arbitrations. I act in both institutional and ad hoc proceedings and help clients manage the full arc of a dispute—from early strategy through hearing preparation and enforcement considerations.
How do you support investors in investment treaty disputes?
I advise investors on treaty claims, particularly under the ICSID and UNCITRAL Rules. My work covers pre-dispute planning, merits and jurisdiction strategy, quantum development, and enforcement planning, tailored to the client’s commercial objectives and risk profile.
What kinds of commercial disputes do you most often arbitrate?
I handle commercial arbitration disputes arising from joint ventures, shareholder agreements, financing arrangements, private equity and M&A transactions, and licensing arrangements. I also work on matters involving pharma and life sciences issues and regulatory-related disputes, alongside broader contractual and non-contractual claims.
In what regions do your investor-state matters tend to arise?
I have represented clients in claims against states across Central and South America, the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and Africa. That geographic spread means I am often addressing public international law questions in parallel with valuation and remedies issues tied to the underlying investment.
International Arbitration Partner Philipp Kurek Joins Haynes Boone in London
May 06, 2026