In this episode, we tackle commodities disputes, international arbitration, and the challenges of navigating a fractious global commodities market. Energy and natural resources have always sat at the heart of international transactions and, in today’s more volatile climate, disputes are arising more frequently.
What happens in international contract disputes? What exactly is international arbitration in the commodities sector? And how can companies best mitigate risks upfront? What are the most effective strategies for handling disputes and arbitrations once you are in them?
Speaking to our host Paul Chapman on this episode is Alex de Gramont, Partner and Head of International Disputes at Womble Bond Dickinson, an international law firm with a strong focus on energy and natural resources.
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Read below for our key talent impacts from this episode.
Why is there a growing demand for legal and arbitration expertise in the energy and commodities sector?
With disputes increasing amid volatile markets, sanctions, and geopolitical fragmentation, companies need greater access to legal talent well-versed in international arbitration. Specialists who understand both energy markets and cross-border arbitration frameworks are in short supply, heightening competition for this niche expertise.
What role do sector-specific arbitrators and expert witnesses play in energy and commodities disputes?
The complexity of commodities markets—spanning oil, gas, mining, shipping, and trading—requires arbitrators and witnesses with deep technical and commercial knowledge. This creates strong demand for professionals who can combine industry experience with arbitration skills, whether in LNG, renewables, or trading operations.
How important are cross-cultural and multilingual skills for arbitration talent in global energy markets?
As disputes increasingly involve diverse jurisdictions (Latin America, Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia), talent with fluency in multiple languages and familiarity with different legal and business cultures is highly valued. These skills enhance credibility in proceedings and strengthen the ability to work with local stakeholders.
Why do energy and commodities companies need interdisciplinary teams to manage complex disputes?
Successful arbitration now requires more than just legal counsel. Companies must assemble multi-disciplinary teams—lawyers, industry experts, economists, investigators, PR advisers—who can manage both the technical and political dimensions of disputes. This widens the pool of talent required across law, finance, communications, and sector-specific operations.
How is the energy and commodities sector becoming more reliant on third-party funders and specialist advisers?
Given the scale, duration and cost of disputes (sometimes lasting a decade), smaller and mid-sized firms in particular depend on external funding and advisory networks. This elevates the importance of fund managers, litigation finance professionals, and independent expert consultants, creating new career paths adjacent to traditional in-house or law firm roles.
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