Graham Dunning KC
Graham Dunning KC is a leading specialist as an advocate and arbitrator in substantial international and commercial disputes.
Graham has appeared in the Supreme Court, the Privy Council and in all levels of the English courts and in international arbitrations globally. His clients have included states and state entities, banks, major commercial corporations and high net-worth individuals. He acts as lead counsel in major international arbitrations, including investment arbitrations in Washington, Stockholm and Paris and substantial international commercial arbitrations (e.g. ICC, UNCITRAL, LCIA, LCIA India, SIAC, SCC) in seats across the world concerning a wide range of industries, including finance, insurance, mining, oil and gas, commodities, energy, transport, construction and manufacturing.
Graham frequently sits as arbitrator in international arbitrations of all kinds, having been appointed in more than 90 cases. He has extensive experience of disputes relating to investments in oil and gas, mining, international trade in all types of commodities, energy and infrastructure, as well as shareholder disputes.
From 2013-2017 he was Co-Head of Essex Court Chambers, after which he resumed full time practice.
Graham is widely recognised by directories and has been listed for over 21 years with recognition as a leading expert on international arbitration, Band 1, International Arbitration: Arbitrators and the “International Arbitration Silk of the Year” by Chambers Bar Awards 2014.
Some Recent Appointments as Arbitrator
Sole arbitrator in an ICC arbitration within the energy sector relating to disputes arising under a Subcontractors Agreement.
Co-arbitrator in a complex ICC arbitration, with claims and cross claims, taken very seriously by the parties and hotly contested concerning a gas processing plant and equipment in Tunisia.
Presiding arbitrator in LCIA arbitration relating to multi agreements between Cypriot and Russian entities. The Dispute arose out of breach of obligations under a Shareholders Agreement, Investment Agreement and Shares Purchase Agreement to establish a joint venture in the field of agriculture in Ukraine. A complicated dispute spanning 7 years with four awards.
Sole arbitrator in complex LCIA arbitration involving a series of claims for unfair prejudice relief under the Companies Act. Multi-party dispute regarding prejudice as shareholder, sales of shares, damages and allegations of abuse.
Presiding arbitrator in an LCIA arbitration with substantial claims arising under a shareholders’ agreement concerning a power station in Senegal between Cypriot and Swedish entities.
Co-arbitrator in a strongly contested ICC arbitration concerning breach of international software license agreement and associated losses.
Co-arbitrator in two combined LMAA disputes under a charterparty for claims for loss and damages arising out of breach of the Charterparty.
Co-arbitrator in an ad-hoc arbitration conducted under the LMAA rules relating to disputes to determine the correct interpretation of various clauses in a Contract of Affreightment, including but not limited to Bunker Price Adjustment Clause.
Co-arbitrator in an ad-hoc arbitration conducted under the LMAA rules relating to claims for damages under an employment contract resulting from severe burn injuries sustained while working on board a vessel.
Co-arbitrator in PCA administered ground-breaking arbitrations brought under the Bangladesh Accord. Cases settled shortly before main hearings with substantial evidence already reviewed relating to remediation of garment workers employment conditions in Bangladesh.
Graham Dunning KC is a member of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre Panel of Arbitrators, with an office in Maxwell Chambers Singapore. He is also on the Panel of Arbitrators of the Kuala Lumpur Regional Centre for Arbitration.
Career
2013-2017: Co-Head of Essex Court Chambers
2012: Called to Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (St Vincent)
2011: Called to Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (BVI)
2009: Bencher, Lincoln’s Inn
2001: Silk
1983: Joined Essex Court Chambers
1982: Called to the Bar Lincoln’s Inn
1981: LLM, Harvard Law School
1980: BA (Law) (First Class Hons), Emmanuel College, Cambridge University
Legal Education
1984 MA, Emmanuel College, Cambridge University
1982 Inns of Court School of Law
1981 LLM, Harvard Law School (Kennedy Scholar)
1980 BA (First Class Hons), Emmanuel College, Cambridge University
Memberships
ICC Commission on Arbitration, UK Standing Committee on the New York Convention
British Insurance Law Association
British Maritime Law Association
Commercial Bar Association
London Court of International Arbitration
London Maritime Arbitrators’ Association
Awards
Chambers Bar Awards 2014, “International Arbitration Silk of the Year”
1981 Denning Scholarship
1980 Kennedy Scholar to Harvard University
1979-77 Various scholarships at Cambridge University
He is a member of (inter alia): British Insurance Law Association; British Maritime Law Association; Commercial Bar Association (COMBAR); London Court of International Arbitration; London Maritime Arbitrators Association (supporting member).