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Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance
Sam Luttrell

Sam Luttrell

Partner

Partner
Sam Luttrell

Sam Luttrell specialises in international arbitration. He represents clients in cross-border disputes with other businesses and in dispute resolution processes (negotiation, mediation, arbitration) under investment treaties and free trade agreements.

Sam has experience conducting proceedings under most of the main sets of international arbitration rules. His sector focus is Oil & Gas and Mining, but his experience spans a range of other industries, including infrastructure, defence and technology.

Sam is a member of our global Trade and Investment Risk team.

  • Representing Kingsgate Consolidated Limited in an UNCITRAL arbitration against the Kingdom of Thailand under the Australia-Thailand FTA, the dispute concerning the Chatree Gold Mine in northern Thailand (PCA Case No. 2017-36/AA684)
  • Representing the Republic of Slovenia in an ongoing ICSID arbitration brought by Towra SA-SPF under the Energy Charter Treaty (ICSID Case No. ARB/22/33)
  • Representing Sundance Resources Limited and Congo Iron SA in an ongoing ICC arbitration against the Republic of Congo following the revocation of its mining licence for the Nabeba-Mbalam Iron Ore Project (ICC Case No. 26145/DDA/AZO)
  • Representing Sundance Resources Limited and Cam Iron SA in an ongoing ICC arbitration against the Republic of Cameroon concerning the Mbalam-Nabeba Iron Ore Project (ICC Case No. 26291/AZO)
  • Representing EEPL Holdings in an ongoing ICSID arbitration against the Republic of Congo under the Mauritius-Congo BIT concerning the Badondo Iron Ore Project (ICSID Case No. ARB/21/53)
  • Representing an Australian mining company in an arbitration against an East African State concerning the revocation of a licence for a tantalum mine, in alleged breach of an exploration agreement (ad hoc)
  • Representing Greenland Minerals Ltd in an ongoing arbitration against the Government of Greenland and the Government of Denmark regarding the right to develop the Kvanefjeld Technology Metals Project (ad hoc)
  • Representing the Republic of Slovenia in an ongoing ICSID arbitration brought by Ascent Resources Plc under the Energy Charter Treaty and the UK-Slovenia BIT, concerning a gas project (ICSID Case No. ARB/22/21)
  • Representing the Sunrise Joint Venture as a third-party participant in the maritime boundary conciliation proceedings between Australia and the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (PCA Case No. 2016-10)
  • Representing Midus Holdings and Congo Mining SA in an ongoing ICSID arbitration against the Republic of Congo concerning the Mayoko-Moussondji Iron Ore Project (ICSID Case No. ARB/21/58)
  • Representing Tantalum International Ltd & Arrowhead Resources Ltd in an ICSID arbitration against the Arab Republic of Egypt under the Australia-Egypt BIT, concerning the Abu Dabbab tantalum and tin mine (ICSID Case No. ARB/18/22)
  • Representing an Australian mining company in an UNCITRAL arbitration against the government of an African State concerning disputed claims for reimbursement of VAT under an investment agreement (LCIA Case No. UN215045)
  • Representing Churchill Mining PLC and Planet Mining Pty Ltd in ICSID proceedings (arbitration and annulment) against the Republic of Indonesia, the dispute concerning the East Kutai Coal Project in Kalimantan (ICSID Case Nos. ARB/12/14 and ARB/12/40)
  • Representing PNG Sustainable Development Program Ltd in an ICSID arbitration against the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, the dispute concerning interests in the Ok Tedi copper and gold mine (ICSID Case No. ARB/13/33)
  • Representing Cortec Mining Kenya Ltd and its affiliates in ICSID proceedings (arbitration and annulment) against the Republic of Kenya, concerning the Mrima Hill rare earths and niobium project (ICSID Case No. ARB/15/29)
  • Representing a power company in an ongoing ICC arbitration against a West African State concerning a major power station project (ICC Case No. 26260/SPN/AB)
  • Representing a Mauritian mining company in an ICC arbitration against the National Mining Company of an African State, the dispute concerning a globally significant lithium tenement (ICC Case No. 23225/GR)
  • Representing a European investor in an ICC arbitration against the government of an African State regarding investments in the national airline (ICC Case No. 26656/JPA)
  • Representing Oleovest Pte Ltd in an ICSID arbitration against the Republic of Indonesia (under the Singapore-Indonesia BIT), the dispute concerning certain investments in the palm oil sector (ICSID No. ARB/16/26)
  • Representing a major financial investor in an SIAC arbitration concerning the termination of an agreement to purchase a telecommunications business in an Asian country affected by civil unrest (SIAC Case No. 351/21/LSJ)
  • Representing an Australian gas company in a multi-party UNCITRAL Rules arbitration concerning a major oil and gas project in the Pacific region (ad hoc)
  • Representing Slovak Gas Holding BV, GDF International SAS and E.ON Ruhrgas International GmbH in an ICSID arbitration (under the Energy Charter Treaty) against the Slovak Republic, the dispute concerning investments in the Slovak national gas utility (ICSID Case No. ARB/12/7)
  • Representing LLC BryanskAgrostroy in Australian Federal Court proceedings for the enforcement of a Russian (ICAC) arbitral award
  • Advising a joint venture of international energy companies in the negotiation of transitional and stabilisation arrangements following the transfer of jurisdiction over a producing gas field as a result of the resolution of a maritime boundary dispute
  • Advising a consortium of international energy companies in the negotiation of Host Government Agreements (including legal and fiscal stabilisation), inter-government agreements, enabling legislation and other instruments for a trans-boundary oil project in Africa
  • Advising a consortium of European energy majors in the negotiation of Host Government Agreements (including legal and fiscal stabilisation), enabling legislation and other instruments for a major LNG project in East Africa
  • Advising an Australian mining company in the negotiation of a Development Agreement (including fiscal and legal stabilisation) with the government of an African State, concerning a mineral sands mine
  • Advising a consortium of international energy companies in the negotiation of Host Government Agreements (including legal and fiscal stabilisation), enabling legislation and other instruments for a trans-boundary gas pipeline in West Africa
  • Advising an international gas company in trilateral negotiations with the governments of two nations concerning the framework for the development of a gas field in an area of shared jurisdiction
  • Advising an Australian bauxite mining company in the negotiation of a Mining Agreement (including fiscal stabilisation) with the government of a West African State

News and client work

View all news and client work featuring Sam Luttrell

Contact details

Career and qualifications

  • University of Western Australia (LLB/BA) 2003
  • Articled Clerk, Kott Gunning Lawyers 2004
  • Admitted as a solicitor in Western Australia 2004
  • Law Lecturer, Murdoch University 2006
  • Murdoch University (PhD) 2009
  • Associate, Allens Arthur Robinson 2009
  • Associate, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer 2011
  • Joined Clifford Chance 2013
  • Partner since 2017

Professional bodies

  • Member of the ICC Commission on Arbitration & ADR
  • Member of the SIAC User Council
  • Member of the ACICA Practice and Procedure Board

Awards and citations

  • Ranked in Band 1 for Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (Australia):
    Chambers Global 2017-2023
    Chambers Asia-Pacific 2017-2023
  • Chambers Global Guide: Dispute Resolution: Arbitration: Band 1 2023
  • Chambers Asia-Pacific Guide: Dispute Resolution: Arbitration: Band 1 2023
  • His analysis and advice are sophisticated as well as very practical. He is also a great pleasure to work with.”
    Chambers Asia-Pacific Guide: Dispute Resolution: Arbitration
  • "The team has a mix of unique strengths including Dr Sam Luttrell, who is an acknowledged leader and professional in this area. His experience in the legal system is very hard to match. I have also worked with a number of associates from the firm and together they are excellent to deal with. They maintain good humour in difficult situations and their work ethic can never be questioned. They are an outstanding team."
    Ranked as a Leading Individual - Legal 500/ Asia Pacific / Australia / Dispute Resolution: Arbitration 2023
  • - Global Elite Thought Leader: Thought Leaders Global Elite – Commercial Litigation - Under 45 2023
    - Thought Leader: Thought Leaders - Arbitration 2023
    - Global Leader: Arbitration 2023: Recommended
    - National Leader: Australia & New Zealand – Arbitration 2022: Recommended
    - Future Leader: Commercial Litigation – Future Leaders – Partners 2022
    Whos Who Legal 2023 rankings 
  • Doyles Guide 2023 leading Australian Arbitration Lawyers - Recommended