
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).
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.
“Arbitration in the energy sector—an introduction” LexisPSL, March 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.