Anton Dudnikov KC
Anton is widely recognised as a leading practitioner in international arbitration. His expertise extends to commercial and investment treaty arbitration, all major arbitral rules (eg LCIA, ICC and UNCITRAL), and a wide range of seats (eg London, Paris and Dubai). Anton is recommended in the legal directories for civil fraud, energy & natural resources, banking & finance, international arbitration and commercial dispute resolution. He has been described as “technically excellent, fiercely bright and commercially shrewd, he is a real star who zeroes in on the killer points”; a “triple threat: he has an unwavering work ethic, will be the brightest person in any room, and is likeable and easy to understand”; and “incredibly easy to work with, and has great rapport with both solicitors and clients”.
Many of Anton’s cases are complex and high-value, often involving jurisdictional disputes, issues of state immunity, and matters of private international law. He frequently acts for and against sovereign states, and has extensive experience of enforcement proceedings and challenges to arbitral awards. His instructions include acting for a foreign government in a dispute with a UAE consortium, described in Global Arbitration Review as “one of the highest-value gas disputes in the Middle East, with claims valued at over US$39 billion”; for judgment creditors in a US$16 billion enforcement action against Argentina; for an oil and gas plc in a claim to enforce a US$1.7 billion BIT award against India; and for a minister of a foreign government in relation to a US$1.6 billion claim in conspiracy (one of The Lawyer’s ‘Top 20’ cases).
Fluent in Russian, Anton is frequently instructed in disputes originating from ex-Soviet states. His expertise encompasses civil fraud, banking and financial services, energy and minerals, company and shareholder disputes, claims against directors / fiduciaries, and insolvency matters. Anton is also regularly instructed on urgent applications for injunctive relief, including worldwide freezing orders and anti-suit injunctions.
Arbitration (including arbitration-related court applications)
Anton is ranked in this field by Chambers & Partners, Legal 500 and Lexology. His notable instructions include:
appearing in a Paris-seated arbitration relating to a major telecoms project in the Middle East (ICC);
acting in an ICC arbitration concerned with a high-value dispute between pharmaceutical companies;
acting for a bank in a claim arising out of an alleged bond fraud: 5-week liability trial before a Tribunal comprising Sir Christopher Clarke, Sir Rupert Jackson and Sir Stephen Tomlinson (LCIA);
acting for the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq in a dispute with a UAE consortium, described in Global Arbitration Review as “one of the highest-value gas disputes in the Middle East, with claims valued at over US$39 billion” (LCIA);
acting for a shareholder in a BVI company seeking relief for unfair prejudice under 184I of the BVI Business Companies Act 2004 (LCIA);
advising the seller of a leading brokerage business in connection with a dispute about earn-out provisions in a share purchase agreement (expert determination before one of the ‘Big Four’ accounting firms);
appearing in an arbitration concerned with brand licensing arrangements, which settled in a deal estimated to be worth US$225 million (ICC);
acting for an investor in a claim relating to a property development project in Moscow (LCIA);
acting in a dispute between publicly listed international oil companies relating to a major offshore development project (ICC);
appearing in an arbitration in Dubai, involving a family feud and the division of a worldwide portfolio of assets (ICC); and
acting in a commodities arbitration relating to the supply of alumina (LCIA).
Anton frequently appears in arbitration-related proceedings in the Commercial Court. This includes challenges under sections 67-69 of the Arbitration Act 1996, applications under section 44, anti-suit relief, and the enforcement of awards and peremptory orders. For example:
Chubb Bermuda Insurance Ltd v Fertitta Entertainment, Inc [2026] EWHC 1392 (Comm). Acting for Chubb Bermuda in obtaining final anti-suit relief, restraining the pursuit of proceedings in Louisiana (and a mandatory injunction, requiring their discontinuance); damages for breach of a London arbitration agreement; an indemnity for future losses; and declarations regarding the Defendants’ breaches of an interim ASI and the arbitration agreement.
JSC DTEK Krymenergo v Russia [2025] 1 WLR 4828. Acting for the award creditor in proceedings relating to the enforcement of a US$200+ million award made under the Russia-Ukraine BIT.
The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd v Sunlink Energies and Resources Ltd [2023] EWHC 3135 (Comm). Appearing on an urgent application for an anti-suit injunction to enforce an ICC arbitration agreement. The defendant was restrained from continuing with its c. US$1 billion claim in the Nigerian courts. The injunction was subsequently made final, in mandatory form, and the Court granted declaratory relief, at a hearing in December 2023.
Hays v Bloomfield Investments LLC [2023] 1 Lloyd’s Rep 519. Acting for a Californian entrepreneur in challenges to LCIA arbitration awards brought under sections 67, 68 and 72 of the Arbitration Act 1996 (and an associated application for an extension of time under section 80(5)).
Cairn Energy plc v The Republic of India. Acting for a UK-based energy company in an action to enforce a US$1.7 billion arbitral award against India (UNCITRAL award; UK-India bilateral investment treaty).
Enforcement of ICSID Advising a state in connection with enforcement action in the Commercial Court in respect of a US$100+ million ICSID award.
X v Y. Acting for a shareholder in a strategic mining project in East Africa in an application for an anti-suit injunction relating to an ICC arbitration.
A v B. Acting on an urgent application for anti-suit relief relating to an LCIA arbitration.
PAO Tatneft v Ukraine [2018] 1 WLR 5947; [2018] EWHC 1797 (Comm). Acting for Ukraine in a jurisdiction challenge on state immunity grounds. The proceedings related to the enforcement of a US$112 million arbitral award for breach of the Russia-Ukraine bilateral investment treaty.
PCL v X [2015] 1 WLR Acting for a foreign government in a successful jurisdiction challenge in the Commercial Court, made on the basis of s. 12 of the State Immunity Act 1978.
Pearl Petroleum Co Ltd v Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq [2016] 4 WLR Acting in Commercial Court proceedings relating to enforcement, under s. 42 of the Arbitration Act 1996, of a peremptory order made against a foreign government.
Telenor East Holdings II AS v Altimo Holdings & Investments Ltd [2011] Arb LR 9. Acting in an application under 44 of the Arbitration Act 1996 brought to restrain a corporate acquisition worth in excess of US$6 billion.
A v B State. Advising, in the context of an arbitration against a sovereign state, on (i) enforcement of a peremptory order; (ii) enforcement of a partial final award; and (iii) obtaining a freezing order and other relief in aid of enforcement.
C v D State. Advising on the enforcement of an UNCITRAL arbitration award against a sovereign state made in proceedings brought under a bilateral investment treaty. The case raised complex issues, including whether an ostensibly separate legal entity is an organ of the state; the scope and application of the ‘commercial purposes’ exception in 13(4) of the State Immunity Act 1978; and the effect of the Diplomatic Privileges Act 1964.
X v Y. Advising on an application for an injunction under s. 44 of the Arbitration Act 1996 in the context of a dispute relating to a letter of credit.
Areas of expertise
- Arbitration & related court applications
- Banking & financial services
- Civil fraud & asset recovery
- Commercial chancery disputes
- Commercial dispute resolution
- Conflict of laws & private international law
- Energy & natural resources
- European law & competition
- Unjust enrichment & restitution claims
What Others Say
Anton is recommended in Chambers & Partners for International Arbitration, Commercial Dispute Resolution, Civil Fraud and Energy & Natural Resources; and in Legal 500 for International Arbitration, Commercial Litigation, Banking & Finance, Energy andCivil Fraud. Comments have included:
“Anton is a star. He is brilliant on his feet – assured, calm, and has the judge with him on every point. He is also incredibly easy to work with, and has great rapport with both solicitors and clients.”
“Anton is a triple threat: he has an unwavering work ethic, will be the brightest person in any room, and is likeable and easy to understand.”
“Anton is a star performer. His drafting is clear and strongly persuasive. As an advocate he is calm, collected and able to exploit weakness when it arrives.”
“His advocacy, both in writing and orally in court, is superb, and his analysis of factual and legal matters is always clever and thoughtful. He has excellent judgement and can be relied upon.”
“Anton is a highly impressive advocate, in both his written and oral advocacy, who is user-friendly and a great pleasure to work with.”
“He wields superb knowledge of the law, he always gives pragmatic advice and he’s a real pleasure to work with to boot.”
“He is a superb advocate and draftsman, absolutely top-notch.”
“Technically excellent, fiercely bright and commercially shrewd, he is a real star who zeroes in on the killer points.”
“He is an utterly reliable and polished advocate”
“Anton is fiercely intelligent. His advocacy is very composed, measured and lucid. When faced with complex issues, it is obvious that judges take comfort from the clarity of Anton’s submissions.”
“His drafting and advocacy turned what was an incredibly difficult situation for our client into a strategically strong position.”
“He is super bright, he knows the law and authorities inside out, and his drafting is impeccable.”
“Anton’s drafting is phenomenal; he cuts to the heart of the issue in a clear and concise way. He is unbelievably bright, and has consistently provided first-rate strategic and tactical guidance to the client.”
“Anton is extremely clever and organised. He is very well prepared, persuasive and confident on his feet in court, reading judges well and demonstrating very good judgement on which points are key and will play well. He is fantastic to have on your side as he pretty much thinks of everything.”
“Anton is extremely capable and easy to work with. He grasps issues quickly and has the ability to explain them in lucid fashion.”
“Extremely knowledgeable of financial issues, great legal mind.” “Anton is ferociously intelligent but also a pleasure to work with.”
“He has a lot of trial experience, so he can see how things will play out in court.”
“Anton combines being very astute, thorough and user-friendly with being a tenacious advocate who develops creative arguments.”
“Anton’s ability to draft cogently and persuasively is second to none.”
“A very effective barrister who is superb on his feet and really fights for his client’s case.”
“Ruthlessly efficient and extremely smart, Anton is responsive and pro-active with an ability to get quickly and effectively into the detail of a matter in a way that is second to none.”
“Phenomenally clever on the legal side. He also has a very good sense for the more strategic aspects.”
“Astute analysis of issues and outstanding advocacy skills.”
“He has a great eye for detail, and therefore is ideally suited for work on complex fraud matters.”
“An excellent advocate and tactician.”
“He’s incredibly hard-working, proactive and is a prodigious draftsman.” “Hands-on, commercial and analytical.”
“Very pleasant to work with, very clever, very strategic and very thoughtful.” “Highly responsive and very alert to the strategic issues as well as the legal ones.”
“Has been cultivating an excellent reputation in the market, attracting praise for his superb advocacy skills and insightful analysis of matters.”
“Turns around his work with effortless ease and with alarming attention to detail as well as seeing the bigger picture.”
Anton was shortlisted for International Arbitration Junior of the Year at the Chambers UK Bar Awards, and is ranked in Lexology (for arbitration, commercial litigation and civil fraud). He was named as one of the ‘Rising Stars’ in Who’s Who Legal UK Bar 2018, which notes that he is “lauded as an ‘incredibly productive, hard-working and user-friendly’ arbitration counsel who is ‘a pleasure to work with, especially under severe time pressure’. One source comments that Dudnikov is ‘the sort of lawyer every corporation should have’”.
In 2016, Anton was selected by Legal Week as one of the ‘Stars of the Bar’ – “ten most promising barristers of ten years call and under”. The article noted: “Dudnikov’s careful understanding, teamwork, drive, legal acumen and strong advocacy skills will make him a popular choice as a junior from leaders both inside and outside his set, one from which firms and clients can only benefit”.
Examples of Recent Cases
- Chubb Bermuda Insurance Ltd v Fertitta Entertainment, Inc [2026] EWHC 1392 (Comm). Acting for Chubb in obtaining final anti-suit relief, restraining the pursuit of proceedings in Louisiana (and a mandatory injunction, requiring their discontinuance); damages for breach of a London arbitration agreement; an indemnity for future losses; and declarations regarding the Defendants’ breaches of an interim ASI and the arbitration
- Petersen Energía Inversora, SAU v The Argentine Republic [2026] EWHC 1492 (Comm). Acting for judgment creditors in an action to enforce a US$16 billion judgment issued against Argentina by the US District Court for the Southern District of New The claim was brought by former investors in YPF, Argentina’s largest oil and gas company.
- com, Inc v InterDigital VC Holdings, Inc [2025] EWHC 2708 (Pat). Acting for Amazon on a successful application for an anti-anti-suit injunction, in the context of ongoing RAND proceedings in the Patents Court.
- JSC DTEK Krymenergo v Russia [2025] 1 WLR 4828; [2025] EWHC 1060. Acting for the award creditor in proceedings relating to the enforcement of a US$200+ million award made under the Russia-Ukraine BIT (relating to the expropriation of an electricity distribution network in Crimea).
- Bourlakova v Bourlakov [2024] EWHC 929 (Ch); [2025] EWHC 909 (Ch). Acting for two of the principal defendants in a long-running fraud case, with claims advanced under Monegasque, Panamanian, Russian/Soviet and English law. Successfully resisting an application for a non-contractual ASI to restrain a €1.5 billion bankruptcy claim in Russia.
- CRF I Limited v (1) Banco Nacional de Cuba; (2) The Republic of Cuba [2024] EWCA Civ 1409, [2023] EWHC 774 (Comm). Acting for the Republic of Cuba and the former Cuban central bank in a sovereign debt dispute with a Cayman fund. Anton appeared at the trial and subsequent appeal, which concerned an issue of Cuban law relating to the authority of the bank’s officials to consent to the assignment of a debt instrument.
- The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd v Sunlink Energies and Resources Ltd [2023] EWHC 3135 (Comm). Appearing on an urgent application for an anti-suit injunction to restrain the pursuit of a US$1 billion claim in the Nigerian courts, brought under a joint operating agreement relating to an oil mining lease.
- PJSC Otkritie Bank Financial Corporation v Mints [2022] 1 WLR Acting for a bank in a US$800+ million fraud claim arising out of a purchase of corporate bonds and other transactions. The case has spawned a number of reported judgments, including [2022] 1 WLR 3099 (operation of issue estoppel against a non-party to arbitral proceedings); [2021] EWHC 692 (Comm) (jurisdiction challenge); [2020] EWHC 204 (Comm) (application to discharge a WFO). Anton also appeared in a related LCIA arbitration, which culminated in a 5-week liability trial before a Tribunal comprising Sir Christopher Clarke, Sir Rupert Jackson and Sir Stephen Tomlinson.
- Hays v Bloomfield Investments LLC [2023] 1 Lloyd’s Rep 519. Acting for a Californian entrepreneur in challenges to LCIA arbitration awards brought under sections 67, 68 and 72 of the Arbitration Act 1996 (and an associated application for an extension of time under section 80(5)).
- Heritage Travel & Tourism Ltd v Windhorst (2023). Acting in contempt proceedings relating to the enforcement of a €172 million judgment debt.
- Dynasty Company for Oil and Gas Trading Ltd v Dr Ashti Hawrami [2022] QB 246 – one of The Lawyer’s ‘Top 20’ cases. Acting for the former Minister of Natural Resources of a foreign government in a US$1.6 billion claim arising from a failed purchase of an interest in oil and gas blocks in Iraq.
- Avonwick Holdings Ltd v Dargamo Holdings Ltd [2022] 1 All ER (Comm) 1244; [2021] EWCA Civ 1149; [2020] EWHC 1844 (Comm) – another of The Lawyer’s ‘Top 20’ Acting for a Ukrainian politician and businessman in a US$1+ billion dispute concerning a metals business and other assets. A significant point of law, relating to the application of unjust enrichment principles in the context of a valid and subsisting contract, was determined by the Court of Appeal in mid-2021.
- Cairn Energy plc v The Republic of India. Acting for a UK-based energy company in an action to enforce a US$1.7 billion arbitral award against India (made under the UK-India BIT).
Career
2009 – 2010 Pupillage at Essex Court Chambers
2008 Call, Gray’s Inn
Education
2007 – 2008 BVC (Very competent)
2006 – 2007 BCL (Distinction) St John’s College, Oxford
2003 – 2006 BA (First Class Hons) (Law) St John’s College, Oxford