Overview
Garreth Wong is a Litigation Partner and Global Co-Chair of International Arbitration, based in London.
With over 20 years of practice, Mr. Wong is an English barrister, lead counsel and trusted advisor to corporates and asset managers in high stakes, board level disputes.
Renowned for his strategic leadership, commercial astuteness and formidable advocacy, Mr. Wong has successfully deployed creative strategies to resolve intractable, complex, high-value disputes – often involving billions of dollars – spanning concurrent arbitrations, multi-jurisdictional litigation, investigations or other legal proceedings. His is particularly in demand in business-critical and strategically significant matters.
Mr. Wong’s extensive experience spans cross-border and international disputes across the Americas, Africa, Europe, Russia, Central and South Asia, China and Asia, under a wide range of civil, common, and public international laws. His broad practice covers diverse sectors including investments and business combinations (M&As, JVs and shareholder agreements), energy, mining and natural resources, projects and construction, telecommunications, technology, financial services, aviation, and life sciences.
A seasoned and acclaimed advocate, Mr. Wong is widely recognized as a leading lawyer by numerous legal directories. He is ranked by Chambers Global and Chambers UK, where he is described as “a skilled arbitration practitioner with significant expertise” who “receives high praise from the market,” “a master tactician”, “an outstanding advocate and good cross-examiner,” “an extremely polished oral and written advocate,” and “a great team leader.” As reported by Chambers, “Garreth is a top-tier advocate. His cross-examination is forensic, measured and effective. He earns the respect of the tribunal, witnesses, colleagues and opponents alike.” He is described as a “superb international arbitration lawyer” who is “very impressive”, “very thorough and detailed, a good strategic thinker” and “very good at marshalling complex technical evidence.”
Mr. Wong is named a “Leading Individual” for International Arbitration by the Legal 500 UK, where he is noted as “absolutely first class”, “exceptionally good”, “a real leader in international arbitration”, “an excellent strategist,” “highly intelligent” and “a very clever, well-rounded lawyer with good judgment and excellent instincts.” “Clients want him on their side in large, complex arbitrations.” He is also described as a “highly industrious and cerebral partner ... excellent with clients, fantastic on the law and a very focused and accomplished oral advocate,” he “has an enviable caseload,” and he is “an excellent advocate who is able to get to grips with large, complex cases quickly.”
Mr. Wong was featured in the inaugural Legal 500 International Arbitration Powerlist UK and every subsequent edition as a leading “gold standard” counsel . In recognition of his extensive experience with Africa disputes, he is one of a select few ranked in the Legal 500 International Arbitration Powerlist Africa.
Mr. Wong is also recognized as a “Global Leader” by Who’s Who Legal, where he is described as “a true star” who is “very solid on the big picture issues” and “an extremely sharp advocate.” He is noted as “a very smart and impressive lawyer” and “a fantastic lawyer with great advocacy skills and a strategic mind. He is a superb advocate.”
Global Arbitration Review 100 reports that Mr. Wong is “especially impressive”. He is “calm, cool and collected throughout a very stressful and fraught process … able to think on his feet because he was better prepared than anyone else in the room”.
Garreth has appeared as an advocate before both international tribunals and the English courts. In addition to his work as counsel, he regularly acts as arbitrator. Garreth has provided pro bono advocacy training for prosecutors at the International Criminal Court.
Recent legal directory commentary:
- "Business savvy and has great advocacy skills." "Does a fantastic job. He dug into the heart of the matter, was prepared, and got up to speed." "Clever, articulate and presents well orally and in writing." "A very skilled advocate. He is very courteous and has good tactical instincts." (Chambers 2025)
- "Absolutely first class - clients want him on their side in large, complex arbitrations.” “An exceptionally good partner. Highly intelligent, hard-working and brilliant with clients. With him and others at the helm, Paul Hastings London is headed for great things.” “Very able and astute. With his qualification as a barrister and a solicitor, he is able to handle complex cases from start to finish, and does so with considerable talent." (Legal 500 2025)
- “A master tactician and a really good advocate" “A very impressive practitioner.” s"A top-tier advocate. His cross-examination is forensic, measured and effective. He earns the respect of the tribunal, witnesses, colleagues and opponents alike." "A skilled arbitration practitioner with significant expertise”. (Chambers 2024)
- "Especially impressive”. "He was calm, cool and collected throughout a very stressful and fraught process” and was “able to think on his feet because he was better prepared than anyone else in the room.” (GAR100 2024)
- An “outstanding advocate”, “a great team leader” who is “an extremely polished oral and written advocate." (Chambers 2023)
- “A real leader in international arbitration, who is as comfortable behind a desk as he is making submissions on his feet … a very clever, well-rounded lawyer with good judgement and excellent instincts. Clients want him on their side.” (Legal 500 2023)
Recognitions
- Chambers UK, UK-wide International Arbitration (2020 – present)
- Chambers Global, UK International Arbitration (2020 – present)
- Who’s Who Legal, "Global Leader" for Arbitration (2019 – present)
- Legal 500 UK, “Leading Individual” for Arbitration (2019 – present)
- Legal 500, International Arbitration Powerlist UK (2019 – present)
- Legal 500, International Arbitration Powerlist Africa (2023)
- Best Lawyers (2023 – present)
- Law.com “Rising Star” (2016)
- Global Arbitration Review 100
Education
- University of Cambridge, LL.M.
- University of Cambridge, B.A.
Representations
- One of the largest private equity firms in the world in multiple legal proceedings arising from an investment agreement and insolvency in Europe with over US$1 billion claimed, with contractual litigation, insolvency litigation and criminal proceedings.
- A US multinational as subcontractor in a sensitive pre-arbitration dispute with a UK main contractor in a complex project with allegations of defects, prolongation costs and critical delay, ultimately subject to LCIA arbitration.
- A European private equity firm in an ICC arbitration against a Turkish counterparty regarding the exercise of a put option in a shareholders agreement arising from a US$200 million investment in a pharmaceutical company, with related court litigation.
- A private equity firm relating to a disputed acquisition and onward sale of multi-billion dollar gold mining assets in Central Asia.
- An English property company in a £150m claim in the English Commercial Court against a large US hedge fund regarding the acquisition of a valuable portfolio of commercial properties.
- A U.S. multinational against an Asian multinational in relation to two complex ad hoc arbitrations, related litigation, and almost a dozen adjudications arising out of two energy megaprojects in Africa, with multiple claims and counterclaims of over US$2 billion. The disputes spanned 11 hearings.
- A large energy multinational in respect of potential arbitration claims, including under different bilateral and multilateral investment treaties, in connection with highly valuable oil and gas assets in Central Asia.
- An African company and its shareholder in a US$100 million ICC arbitration against North American companies in respect of a oil drilling services dispute.
- A large energy multinational in a complex dispute worth over US$1 billion with a contractor in connection with an upstream oil and gas megaproject, one of the largest in the world, in one of the largest oil fields Central Asia.
- An Asian sovereign in an ICSID arbitration pursuant to a bilateral investment treaty against a European investor regarding alleged expropriation of a manufacturing business and associated property.
- A multinational mining company regarding its remedies under applicable investment treaties in response to significant taxation measures proposed by various South American countries imposing substantial tax increases on investments in the mining sector.
- A Middle Eastern company in a UNCITRAL arbitration in London in a dispute relating to oil rigs.
- A European telecommunications multinational in relation to potential claims for US$200 million against Russia arising under applicable bilateral investment treaties.
- A large Middle Eastern multinational on its termination and other rights in relation to large renewable power projects of national significance.
- A European energy company as project owner in a multimillion US$ dispute with a European contractor arising out of a US$1 billion industrial petrochemical construction project. This concerns the contractor’s claims for prolongation costs and extensions of time as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the related actions by the local and foreign public authorities.
- A multinational oil & gas company in relation to various issues relating to a major international crude oil transportation project in Central Asia.
- A large North American multinational in a SIAC arbitration and related litigation against a South Asian private equity firm arising out of a shareholders agreement, with claims of over US$140 million.
- South East Asian investors in a US$150 million ICSID arbitration under a bilateral investment treaty against an Asian sovereign relating to a renewable energy generation enterprise.
- A European life sciences company in a dispute with a North American pharmaceutical company regarding a multi-million dollar research, development and collaboration agreement regarding medical products for the US market.
- A North American energy company in a US$100 million UNCITRAL arbitration regarding a complex gas pricing and upstream dispute in Eastern Europe.
- A European investor in an LCIA arbitration against an African owned investment vehicle. The dispute related to an investment in one of Africa’s largest oil & gas companies and involves complex offshore shareholder and financial arrangements spanning Panama and the BVI. Over US$680 million was claimed.
- English investors in an ICSID arbitration under a bilateral investment treaty against an Asian sovereign relating to a hotel development project.
- A European oil & gas company in a UNCITRAL arbitration arising from a failed joint venture for the exploration and production of onshore oil & gas fields in Eastern Europe.
- A major technology and telecommunications multinational in a US$4 billion ICC arbitration against an Asian multinational regarding a worldwide license agreement to a portfolio of standards-essential patents, involving complex issues of FRAND and contractual interpretation.
- An Eastern European sovereign regarding potential ICSID annulment proceedings in a dispute in the food and retail sector involving complex public international law issues on the relationship between the ICSID Convention and the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU.
- A European multinational telecommunications company in a US$40 million CIETAC arbitration against a Chinese entity, arising from a joint venture.
- An African multinational telecommunications company in a US $4 billion UNCITRAL arbitration claim against a number of Nigerian entities in connection with shareholder disputes regarding control of one of Nigeria’s largest mobile network providers, including related litigation in Nigeria and the Netherlands.
- An African multinational telecommunications company in a US$75 million UNCITRAL arbitration against a Nigerian financial institution in respect of a shareholders agreement relating to one of Nigeria’s largest mobile network providers.
Experience as Arbitrator
- Sole arbitrator in an LCIA arbitration between North American and East Asian parties regarding an infrastructure project in the Middle East.
- Sole arbitrator selected by party agreement in a series of consolidated LCIA arbitrations between UK companies in a dispute in the hospitality sector.
- Sole arbitrator in an LCIA arbitration between English and European companies in a dispute in the shipping sector.
- Sole arbitrator appointed by the parties in an ad hoc arbitration in London between two European companies in the technology sector.
- Sole arbitrator in an LCIA arbitration in an oil & gas dispute between the Middle Eastern parties in the Middle East.
- Sole arbitrator in an LCIA arbitration in the arts sector.
- Sole arbitrator in two LCIA arbitrations in the higher education sector.
- Co-arbitrator in an LCIA arbitration between a North American company and a Middle Eastern company regarding the provision of broadcasting services for a well-known sporting event.
- Co-arbitrator in an LCIA arbitration involving North American and European parties regarding a services franchise agreement.
Matters may have been completed before joining Paul Hastings.
Engagement & Publications
Speaking Engagements
- LCIA Symposium Session on Issues of Substance in International Arbitration (Co-Chair) (Hong Kong, May 2024)
- Fireside Chat with Professor Jacomijn van Haersolte-van Hof, Director General of the LCIA (Chair) (London, June 2024)
Publications
- Global Arbitration Review Investor State Dispute Resolution Academy (Contributor, May 2024)
Involvement
- Member, London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA)
- Member, International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
- Member, Society of Construction Law (SCL)