Arbitrators

• Sole arbitrator in a contractual / insurance dispute (ICC, London seat, 2019–2020); Final Award rendered within six months of Terms of Reference
• Party-appointed arbitrator in a shipping dispute involving a major international organisation (UNCITRAL / PCA, Paris seat, 2022–2023)
• Prior to his call to the bar in England and Wales, Benedict gained substantial experience as a tribunal assistant / secretary in proceedings under all major institutional rules.

▪ Claimants v Respondent (SIAC, Singapore seat, 2024-present): counsel for the claimant parties in a dispute arising out of the termination of a contract in the LNG sector on sanctions-related grounds

▪ Claimant v Respondent (ICC, Benelux seat, 2023–2024): instructed for the claimant in a c. €60 million private equity dispute, including appearing as sole counsel in a successful application for interim measures under the ICC Emergency Arbitrator provisions

▪West African State v Defendant (Commercial Court, 2024): sole counsel for State award creditor in relation to enforcement of a c. $114 million award in an ICC arbitration arising from the termination of offshore oil exploration licenses

▪ Claimant v Defendant (Commercial Court, 2023): sole counsel for an award creditor seeking enforcement of a c. $5 million award in an LMAA arbitration

▪ Claimant v Defendant (Commercial Court, 2023): sole counsel for sellers resisting an appeal under section 69 of the Arbitration Act 1996 from an award in Refined Sugar Association proceedings

▪ Claimant v Respondent (UNCITRAL, London seat, 2021): counsel for the claimant mining company in a substantial claim against a state-owned electricity company relating to the supply of electricity to a copper and gold mine in southern Africa

▪ Wemade Co., Ltd v Lansha Information Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd (Singapore seats, 2018–2021): appearing for and advising a leading PRC gaming company and its affiliates in related ICC and SIAC arbitrations concerning the licensing of gaming software in China

▪ ASA v TL [2020] EWHC 2270 (Comm): counsel for the claimant in anapplication under s 68 of the Arbitration Act 1996

▪ Claimant v Defendant (Commercial Court, 2018): appeared as junior and sole counsel for the applicant in a successful application for a worldwide freezing injunction under s 44 of the Arbitration Act 1996, in support of an LMAA arbitration

▪ Claimant v Respondent (HKIAC, 2018): acted for the respondent in an arbitration in the pharmaceuticals / life sciences sector

▪ Claimant v Respondent (LCIA, 2017): acted for the claimant in an arbitration arising out of the marketing of luxury motor yachts

▪ Border Timbers Ltd v Republic of Zimbabwe [2024] EWHC 58 (Comm) (Commercial Court and Court of Appeal, 2022–present): counsel for Zimbabwe defending enforcement of a c. $165 million ICSID award on State immunity grounds, with Benedict conducting part of the oral advocacy both in the Commercial Court and Court of Appeal

▪Middle Eastern Investor v Middle Eastern State (London seat, 2023-present): counsel for the respondent State in an arbitration under the OIC agreement, defending a claim for c. $1 billion arising from geo-political events in the late 2010s and early 2020s

▪ Investor v State (UNCITRAL, London seat, 2019–2024): counsel for an Indian investor in respect of successful claims under a BIT arising from the termination of a government lease (including expropriation, breach of fair and equitable treatment, and discrimination); Benedict had a substantial role at the merits hearing making oral submissions and leading and cross-examining expert witnesses

▪ Investor v State (UNCITRAL, London seat, 2017–2023): counsel for a MiddleEastern investor in an arbitration under the OIC Agreement

▪ Cairn Energy PLC v India (Commercial Court, 2021): counsel for the Republic of India in proceedings seeking enforcement of a $1.7 billion investor–state arbitral award

▪ Vedanta Resources Ltd v India PCA Case No. 2016-05 (2019–2021): counsel for the Republic of India in a multi-billion dollar claim alleging breaches of an investment treaty by way of a taxation measure

▪ World Wide Minerals Ltd v Republic of Kazakhstan (UNCITRAL, London seat, 2017–2018): instructed on behalf of the respondent state in a $1.5 billion BITclaim brought by an investor in the uranium mining sector

▪ Advised prospective claimants in relation to a prospective ICSID / UNCITRAL claim arising out of the expropriation of a copper concession

2017: Tenancy at Essex Court Chambers, following successful completion of pupillage

2016: Call (Lincoln’s Inn)

2013–2015: Associate, Gilbert Walker, Auckland, New Zealand

2012–2013: Crown Prosecutor, Wellington, New Zealand

2012: Admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand

2010–2011: Law clerk to Sir David A.R. Williams KC

2015–2016: LL.M., Gonville & Caius College, University of Cambridge (starred first)

2007–2012: B.A., LL.B. (Hons), University of Auckland

2016: B.R.D. Clarke Prize for first in year in the LL.M., 3 Verulam Buildings Prize for international commercial litigation, first in year in international commercial tax (University of Cambridge); Emlyn Wade Prize, W.M. Tapp Postgraduate Scholarship, Honorary Senior Scholarship (Gonville & Caius College)

2015: W.M. Tapp Studentship and College Scholarship (Gonville & Caius College); William Georgetti Scholarship, Spencer Mason Travelling Scholarship, Gordon Watson Scholarship

2012: Semi-finalist and best applicant memorial, Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot, international rounds

2007–2012: Auckland District Law Society’s prize for first in year in the LL.B., winner of the University’s mooting competition and a range of subject prizes in law, Senior Scholarship in English, Senior Prize in French (University of Auckland)

• London Court of International Arbitration
• LCIA Young International Arbitration Group
• DIAC Arbitrator List

• New Zealander, British