International Arbitration

As a preeminent global practice, HKA provides a breadth of expertise and experience spanning disciplines, industries, regions, jurisdictions, and arbitration forums. We are recognised around the world for our analytical rigour, seamless support, and compelling insights and communication skills. The volume and value of our arbitration caseload has grown rapidly over recent years.
Our expert witnesses have advised and testified in numerous multi-billion-dollar construction, commercial and investor-state cases.
400+
Construction Arbitration cases
HKA is the global market leader in the construction and engineering sector with an unmatched line-up of specialists in quantum, engineering, delay, disruption and damages. With practical experience spanning all capital project types and dispute phases, our expert witnesses have acted in more than 400 cases. Our demonstrable track record shows particular expertise in buildings, industrial and manufacturing, mining and metals, oil and gas, power and utilities, and transportation infrastructure.
250+
Commercial Contract Arbitration cases
The HKA team of testifying experts harnesses their deep knowledge of accounting, economics and finance to deliver robust assessments of damages and liability. With experience of over 250 commercial contract arbitrations across most industries, we untangle a wide variety of disputes involving contract breaches, valuations, shareholders, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, pricing, and intellectual property. Our experts have in-depth industry expertise across a broad range of industries including aviation, energy, financial services, healthcare, infrastructure, manufacturing, telecommunications amongst others.
100+
Investor-State Arbitration cases
Instructed by investors or sovereign states, our expert witnesses have acted on over 100 cases across a wide range of industries, in particular agriculture, energy, financial services, infrastructure, manufacturing, mining, and telecommunications. Our experts provide outstanding testimony based on solid methodology, a rigorous evaluation of economic and financial factors, and a thorough understanding of regulations context and arbitral rules. They have also provided opinions impacting jurisdiction, causation and liability on topics such as fraud, bribery/corruption and solvency. Over the last two decades, the average claim value in these assignments exceeded $640 million.
Given the breadth of specialist expertise within HKA – and our colleagues’ knowledge of specific sectors – the range of arbitration disputes we deal with is also comprehensive.
Our experts span 35 disciplines – from forensic accountants to valuers; and numerous technical subject-matter specialists to digital analysts.
They act in disputes involving:
Our global team of experts has brought their international and local knowledge to bear in testimony to all the major arbitral forums.
This experience includes:
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.
The Global Arbitration Review (GAR) Expert Witness Power Index has charted the growth of our firm over the last seven years.
Ranked second in the 2024 GAR index overall, HKA was the top firm by – total claim value ($53.8 billion), both disaggregated hearings (193) and cross-examinations (166), and commercial hearings (171).
The GAR 100 17th Edition noted the rise in our arbitration volume and value, resulting in a 94% leap in average claim value over two years to exceed $398 million.
Lexology Index (formerly Who’s Who Legal (WWL) has consistently ranked HKA highly, based on what clients and peer rate as exceptional written and oral testimony in contentious proceedings.
The Lexology Index Arbitration 2023 analysis lists 37 of our expert witnesses, including 27 Global Leaders, five Global Elite Thought Leaders, and five Future Leaders.