Michael SWAINSTON

Michael Swainston KC has an extensive practice in inter-State litigation, international commercial arbitration, investment treaty disputes, and substantial domestic litigation. He acts for States, multinational companies, and private clients in complex, high-value disputes across multiple jurisdictions.
Michael has particular experience in matters connected with Russia and the former CIS countries and has represented the Russian Federation before a range of international courts and tribunals. His practice frequently involves politically sensitive disputes at the intersection of public international law and commercial law.
His areas of specialism include human rights, sanctions and armed conflict, investment treaty law and practice, commercial fraud, international trade, and company law and shareholder disputes. He has appeared in leading cases across these fields, including disputes concerning bilateral investment treaties and sanctions regimes, allegations of fraud, directors’ duties during takeovers, and the use of advanced forensic techniques to demonstrate falsification of documentary, video, and audio evidence.
Michael appears in litigation and arbitration in Strasbourg, The Hague, England, Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai, Qatar, the BVI, the Cayman Islands, and Bermuda.

Michael is a Bencher of Lincoln’s Inn and serves as an expert on sanctions and human rights working with the UN Special Rapporteur on Unilateral Coercive Measures. He is a former Chairman of the International Relations Committee of the Bar of England & Wales and a former UK delegate to the European Commission’s “Common Frame of Reference” project.

Michael is the guest of the Soft Law Almanac 2024.