International Arbitration
The high stakes and complexity of cross-border disputes demand incisive insight and credible testimony.
Whether commercial or investor-state, domestic or international, HKA experts are equipped to support your arbitration needs anywhere in the world.
HKA provides proven expertise in international arbitration
HKA is a preeminent global practice with deep multi-disciplinary expertise and extensive experience in international arbitration across industries, jurisdictions, and forums.
With over $50 billion in disputes proceeding to hearing in the past two years – the largest combined claim value by any firm in the GAR Power Index 2025 – our experts are recognised worldwide for incisive analysis, professional impartiality, and compelling testimony.
Law firms and business leaders consistently rate HKA highly for our arbitration expertise, industry insight, and integrated capabilities.
Why HKA
Our professional standing
Lawyers and their clients trust in the insight and integrity of our experts, which is reflected in the professional standing of HKA in global rankings.
HKA is among the top three in the Global Arbitration Review (GAR) Expert Witness Power Index. The firm ranked third in this year’s Power Index, reflecting the firm’s strength in the international arbitration market achieved through organic growth and strategic acquisitions. The firm achieved a total claim value of over US$38 billion for this year’s rank, with an average claim of US$376 million.
The Power Index highlighted HKA’s strong performance in hearings, noting the firm shared first place for the highest number of commercial hearings, with 138 appearances. HKA also ranked second overall with 162 disaggregated hearings, and second in cross-examination hearings, with 133 appearances – reinforcing our reputation for credibility and consistency in arbitration proceedings.
By sector, HKA yet again topped the construction table with 62 hearings and shared first place in energy, oil, and gas-related hearings with 44.
Forty-four of HKA’s experts were also recognised in the Lexology Index 2025 Arbitration Expert Witness, including eleven Thought Leaders and four Global Elite Thought Leaders.
Our dispute forum experience
With global reach, we bring our expertise to bear in all major arbitral forums across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, including:
- American Arbitration Association (AAA)
- Cairo Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration (CRCICA)
- China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC)
- Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC)
- Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC)
- International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR)
- International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID)
- International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
- London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA)
- North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
- Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA)
- Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC)
- Society of Maritime Arbitrators (SMA)
- Stockholm Chamber of Commerce (SCC)
- United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL)
Commercial arbitrations
Our robust assessments of damages and liability are grounded in deep expertise across accounting, economics, and finance. HKA experts have acted in over 250 commercial arbitrations, spanning industries such as aviation, energy, infrastructure, healthcare, financial services, and telecoms.
Typical cases include:
- Contract breaches and pricing disputes
- Mergers, acquisitions, and joint venture conflicts
- Valuations and shareholder disputes
- Bribery, corruption, and fraud
- Intellectual property matters
- Insurance claims
Construction arbitrations
HKA has an unmatched bench of specialists in delay and disruption, quantum, damages, and a wide range of forensic engineering, architectural, and technical disciplines. As the global market leader — with more top experts than any other firm and over 400 cases across all project types — we bring deep expertise in:
- Buildings
- Industrial and manufacturing
- Mining and metals
- Oil and gas
- Power and utilities
- Transportation infrastructure
Investor-state arbitrations
HKA experts have been instructed by both investors and sovereign states in over 100 disputes, with an average case value exceeding $640 million over the past two decades. In addition to valuations and damages, they provide expert opinions on jurisdiction, causation, and liability — covering issues such as fraud, bribery, corruption, and insolvency.
Our experience spans multiple sectors, with particular strengths in:
- Energy and infrastructure
- Financial services
- Telecommunications
- Agriculture
- Manufacturing
- Mining and natural resources
- Energy and renewables
In international arbitration, clarity is critical. HKA helps clients cut through complexity with trusted analysis, multidisciplinary expertise, and a deep understanding of what matters — so they can move forward with confidence.
