Paula Hodges KC

Head of Global Arbitration Practice

London Africa Group India Group Kazakhstan Group

Paula is head of the global arbitration practice.

Paula is the head of the global arbitration practice and has over 30 years' experience advising clients in international disputes, particularly in the energy, telecommunications and technology sectors.

Based in London, Paula specialises in international arbitration and has helped clients in many jurisdictions, including Africa, Asia, Australia, Canada, France, Russia and the CIS, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK and the USA in ad hoc arbitration and proceedings under the auspices of all the major arbitral institutions. Paula also sits as an arbitrator.

Paula has acted for clients as lead counsel and advocate in a substantial number of high profile arbitrations. She has also been closely involved in several cases before the High Court in London, and has appeared before the Court of Appeal and House of Lords (now the Supreme Court). Her advocacy skills were formally recognised in 2014 when she was awarded the title of Queen’s Counsel (now King’s Counsel).

Her expertise in international arbitration, the energy sector and Africa-related disputes is consistently recognised by local and global legal directories. According to Chambers & Partners, sources describe Paula as "brilliant" and the "most complete arbitration practitioner in London."

Background

Paula plays an active role in the international arbitration community. She was appointed President of the LCIA in May 2019.

She is also involved with the ICC, BIICL, IDRC, ASA, ILA, and the Energy Institute. She has served as an officer of the IBA Arbitration Committee and is included on the AAA's Energy Arbitrators List.

Experience & expertise

Selected matters

the United States of America in various LCIA arbitrations against Canada in respect of softwood lumber imports into the US
an energy major on arbitration proceedings brought in Singapore under the SIAC Rules in connection with a multi-billion dollar dispute arising from a Share Purchase Agreement by which the company acquired an interest in an offshore oil production company with a number of assets in the North Sea
a US energy major in relation to an equity redetermination of the participating interests in a Nigerian oil field involving ad hoc arbitration proceedings and litigation before the Nigerian courts
an Eastern European telecoms authority in an ICC arbitration regarding development of an air traffic control system
a global travel-services provider in various disputes with airlines and other related entities in a number of different regions, including the Middle East
an Asian private equity firm in an ICC arbitration in Hong Kong concerning a post M&A dispute relating to alleged breaches of warranty and covenant (including breach of the applicable law warranty), as well as fraudulent misrepresentation and negligence connected to the sale of an insurance company (claim over US$1 billion)