Joseph Bentley

Special Counsel
Norton Rose Fulbright LLP

London T:+44 (20) 74443006

Joseph Bentley

Joseph Bentley is a dispute resolution lawyer and solicitor advocate based in London, with extensive experience managing ICC, LCIA, DIFC-LCIA, DIAC, SIAC and ad hoc arbitrations with variety of international seats and governing laws, as well as litigation in the English, DIFC and MENA courts.

Having practised in the Middle East for several years, Joseph is familiar with common and civil law systems and has a particular focus on commercial arbitration, construction, energy and power disputes, as well as the international enforcement of arbitral awards.

Joseph has previously undertaken a senior lawyer secondment to the Commercial Litigation team of a well-known UK financial institution.

Professional experience

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Representative experience

UK defence contractor – on highly complex defence of a London-seated ad hoc arbitration brought by prime contractor relating to technical issues of delay, disruption and defects arising out of military aviation project
Canadian mining company – on a London-seated LCIA arbitration claim relating to liabilities arising out of a tax indemnity in connection with investment in the Dominican Republic
Owner of a gas turbine power plant in Ghana – on defence of London-seated ICC arbitration claim involving numerous contractor time and cost claims relating to Owner-risk delays and Force Majeure (amounting to over US$400m), as well as defence of ICC expertise proceedings and litigation in Ghana and South Africa*
International contractor consortium – on bringing a number of direct cost and disruption claims, ultimately totally around US$2bn, arising in respect of one of the largest infrastructure megaprojects in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia*
Owner of nuclear power plant in Asia – on defence of highly complex EOT claim in relation to delays to achievement of Substantial Completion, as well as recovery of delay-related costs and technical claims in relation to defective plant, equipment and design
Indian pharmaceutical company – on defence of London-seated LCIA arbitration claim relating to alleged breaches of supply agreement and delays caused by Covid-19 Force Majeure
International oil trader – application for a DIFC Court freezing order against a Lebanese financial institution in support of underlying Lebanese proceedings, where appellate decision made new law as to the DIFC's Court's power to grant a standalone freezing injunctions*
High net worth individual - in an London-seated LCIA arbitration claim against financial services provider in connection with fraudulent misrepresentation, breach of trust and breach of DFSA's regulatory obligations*
Operator of an oil field in Iraq – in a London-seated ICC arbitration against the EPC contractor responsible for building the Central Processing Facility, involving complex issues relating to bribery, defects/variations, staged completion, and the application of limitation periods*
NOC in its capacity as a member of a contractor consortium – on costs recovery dispute with Iraqi Ministry of Oil and claims relating to wrongful termination, including availability of interim relief in DIFC and investor-state claims for expropriation*

Rankings and recognitions

Joseph was recognised as a Future Leader in Litigation in the UAE in 2020 and 2021 and described in the UAE's Legal 500 2021 as "first rate in matters of case management and preparation. His conclusions are always measured and well-reasoned."
Upon relocating to London, Joseph has been recognised for International Arbitration in the UK's Legal 500 2023 rankings and described as having "a phenomenal ability to understand complexity and detail, whilst also being able to evaluate these in the context of the bigger picture, including advising on both the legal and commercial tactics to use to encourage resolution of the dispute".

Publications

Memberships and activities