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Robert is partner in the litigation and arbitration team.
Dr Robert Kovacs specialises in international arbitration (commercial and investment), public international law and business and human rights (BHR). He is dual qualified in Australia and England & Wales.Robert has represented individuals, companies, States, and State-owned entities in international disputes across a range of sectors, including renewables, energy, mining, construction, finance, mergers and acquisitions, sport, property and technology. He has a focus on Europe, Asia-Pacific and MENA and has worked as counsel under all the major arbitration rules, including ICSID, UNCITRAL, LCIA, ICC, SCC, SIAC and HKIAC Rules, as well as in ad hoc arbitrations. Robert also sits as an arbitrator.
In addition to his arbitration and public international law practice, Robert has advised clients for over eight years in relation to ESG issues, including on BHR. He has assisted businesses in with regulatory compliance, supply chain due diligence and grievance and remediation mechanisms. He has also represented client in ESG and climate change related litigation.
Robert holds a PhD in international law, is the former Co-Chair of the Asia-Pacific Forum for International Arbitration, sits on the editorial board of the Australasian Dispute Resolution Journal and is an honorary senior fellow at the Melbourne University Law School.
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Me in a minute
I specialise in international arbitration, public international law and business and human rights
I regularly advise States and foreign investors in relation to investment treaty protections, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region.
I love the challenges of practicing in international law. International disputes require detailed knowledge of the principles of international law but also require strategic planning, investigative analysis and understanding of the broader commercial and geo-political dynamics at issue.
Probably my highest profile case was acting for the Government of a European State having claims being challenged by a number banks in relation to industry-wide banking reforms.