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About Robert

Robert Meade acts on international disputes in the oil and gas, power and renewables sectors.  He represents clients on international arbitrations, including under the LCIA and ICC rules, and on disputes in the English high court. He has particular experience on issues arising out of joint ventures and asset acquisitions, as well as on international construction disputes. He also advises on international trade, sanctions and anti-bribery and corruption issues. The Legal 500 UK has described him as “clever, commercial and great to work with” (2021) and as a ”standout individual” (2022).

Robert Meade was the backbone of a recent case – from liaising both internally and with Danish counsel, he pushed the case forward at every opportunity.
The Legal 500 United Kingdom, 2023

Experience

Recent Notable Matters

International E&P company — two sets of related ICC arbitrations (now consolidated) relating to amounts payable by non-operating parties under the accounting procedure to a number of JOAs concerning West African assets

Independent Energy Company — conducting an internal investigation in respect of an unsubstantiated corruption allegation linked to a major transaction in Africa

Oil Trading Company — dispute with an African purchaser concerning non-payment for a cargo of crude oil

Various international E&P companies — concerning the impact of an Iraqi Supreme Court decision on production sharing contracts entered into with the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

International oil company — LCIA arbitration concerning claims under the leakage and warranty provisions of a SPA for the entire issued share capital of an oil and gas company

UK Energy Company — expedited LCIA arbitration concerning the application of pre-emption rights to the acquisition of North Sea oil and gas assets

International consultancy — LCIA arbitration concerning non-payment of fees in respect of consultancy services concerning a North African nuclear power station

National Oil Company — dispute under a crude oil supply agreement relating to the delivery of contaminated crude oil

Supermajor — dispute arising under warranties in an agreement for the sale of an upstream business in Latin America

International E&P company — LCIA arbitration relating to amounts payable by non-operating parties under the accounting procedure to a JOA concerning a North African asset, including advising on the default mechanism under the JOA   

Independent power company — defects, delay, liquidated damages and termination issues arising from the construction of a power plant in West Africa

Developer of renewables projects — numerous force majeure issues arising under PPAs and EPC Contracts in relation to wind and solar projects in the Middle East

Independent power company — dispute with a West African national electricity company concerning deemed capacity charges and other amounts due under a PPA

Developer of renewables projects — disputes with the construction contractors regarding defects, delay and liquidated damages claims in relation to a wind project in the Middle East

Independent energy company — dispute concerning the performance and termination of a contract for the supply of onshore 3-D seismic services

International oil and gas company — dispute with an oilfield services contractor concerning a contract for the supply of services in relation to a North Sea field

Operator of an onshore block — dispute with a drilling contractor over issues relating to performance and payment of invoices

International oil and gas company — dispute concerning the interpretation of the send-or-pay provisions of a long term gas transportation and processing agreement

Upstream company — English high court proceedings arising from a dispute between parties to a joint operating agreement in relation to costs chargeable to the joint venture account

Major international oil and gas company — concerning liability to tax following the sale of an African asset, including advising on potential arbitration

Major international oil and gas company — concerning the disputed calculation of the completion account following an asset sale

European exploration and production company — LCIA arbitration proceedings concerning the liability of a joint venture partner for certain exploration costs under the applicable production sharing contract following its withdrawal from the joint venture*

Global exploration and production company — application of the joint operating agreement pre-emption regime to its sale of an African oil and gas asset*

Global exploration and production company — concerning liability to tax in Bangladesh following the sale of a subsidiary, including advising on potential investment treaty claims*

International exploration and production company — relating to the acquisition of North Sea assets and the applicable pre-emption regime*

Waste-to-energy company — dispute with the Low Carbon Contracts Company concerning the interpretation of the Contract for Difference*

National oil company — dispute relating to its acquisition of an interest in an African oil and gas exploration license and its standing under the joint operating agreement, including advising on potential ICC arbitration proceedings in London*

Global engineering and construction company — distressed restructuring of two power station projects in South East Asia, including advising on termination and delay issues and on potential ICC arbitration proceedings*

Major international oil and gas company — defense of domestic Nigerian arbitration proceedings concerning the re-determination of the tract participation of a unitized off-shore oil field*

European supermajor — defense of ICC arbitration proceedings,  concerning its standing as a party to a JOA and the application of the pre-emption regime*

International exploration and production company — ICC Arbitration with an oilfield services company over a failed seismic survey in east-Africa, which was eventually resolved via mediation*

Major international oil company — ICC arbitration concerning the under balanced drilling of an oil well in the Kurdistan region of Iraq*

* Work completed prior to Bracewell

Publications and Speeches

“United Kingdom: Renewable Energy 2023,” International Comparative Legal Guide, 2023.

“United Kingdom: Renewable Energy 2022,” International Comparative Legal Guide, September 2021.

“United Kingdom: Renewable Energy Laws and Regulations 2021,” International Comparative Legal Guide, September 2020.

Challenges in Arbitration, LexisNexis Butterworths, November 2019.

"Knock-for-Knock Indemnities: Risk Allocation in Offshore Oil and Gas Contracts," LexisPSL, November 27, 2019.

"Iran: Re-Imposed US Sanctions Fall-Out," Petroleum Review, March 2019.

"Economic Sanctions: Implications for International Arbitration," The Middle Eastern and African Arbitration Review, April 2017.

"Pre-Emption Rights – Do They Add Value?" International Energy Law Review, July 2016.

Credentials

Education

The College of Law, London,
LPC
2008
distinction
University of Reading,
LL.B
2007
first class

Bar Admissions

Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales
Registered to conduct proceedings before the DIFC Courts

News

News

United Kingdom: Renewable Energy Laws and Regulations 2021

Iran: Re-Imposed US Sanctions Fall-Out

Insights

Insights

Performance Bonds – Call Me?

On-demand performance bonds are commonly used in international energy construction projects. They take the form of an undertaking by an issuing bank or financial institution, on behalf of an obligor, typically the contractor, to pay on demand a specific amount to a named beneficiary, typically the employer. Read the factors that an employer should consider when deciding whether to call a bond.

ICLG: UK Renewable Energy 2023

Bracewell’s Oliver Irwin, Robert Meade, Nicholas Neuberger and Kirsty Delaney authored the United Kingdom Q&A analysis chapter in the third edition of International Comparative Legal Guide – Renewable Energy 2023: Practical Cross-Border Insights into Renewable Energy Law.

Noteworthy

Events

Past Events

May 17, 2022 - May 19, 2022