Justin Williams Quoted in Commercial Disputes Resolution on Russian Energy Arbitration

Akin Gump litigation partner Justin Williams, head of the firm’s London international disputes practice, has been quoted in the Commercial Disputes Resolution article “Russian energy giant files claims against Georgia,” regarding arbitration proceedings against Georgia for allegedly failing to adjust its production tariff in accordance with a 2013 memorandum of cooperation in the electric power sector. The article reports that Moscow-headquartered Inter RAO, one of the largest Russian energy companies, has brought a claim against Georgia’s government before the Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce.

According to the article, the case comes as Russia is involved with two other energy disputes and more could be on the horizon. Williams said the various claims “form part of a pattern of arbitration cases which highlight the tensions that can arise between government policy and regulation of the energy sector on the one hand and the interests of investors on the other.” He cited the raft of claims against Spain relating to the amendments to its renewable energy incentive framework as another example.