Daniel Gal KC

Mr. Gal has particular experience in complex multijurisdictional disputes in growth markets, in particular the Middle East, Turkey, former Soviet Union and Brazil. Over the course of the last 25 years, he has led teams recognized as Arbitration Team of the Year, most recently for representing Agility in its landmark victory against the Republic of Iraq in ICSID annulment proceedings. For that victory, Mr. Gal has been nominated as Litigator of the Year in the UK for 2025 and has been featured by The Times.

He has repeatedly won plaudits from clients and peers for his international work. Sources describe him as “incredibly quick-witted” and someone who “can offer outside-of-the-box solutions” (Chambers Global), “a superb advocate and a terrific tactician” who is “an absolute pleasure to work with and a creative and fast thinker” (Chambers UK) and “highly recommended — one of the best brains in the industry, very knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with” (The Legal 500 UK). Additionally, he has been named repeatedly to Best Lawyers in the UK and The Legal 500’s U.K. Private Practice Arbitration Powerlist, as well as recognized as one of Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Global Litigators. Mr. Gal has also been selected as a Global Leader in Lexology Index (formerly Whos’ Who Legal): Arbitration and previously was named one of the 45 top international arbitration counsel worldwide under the age of 45 by Global Arbitration Review.

From 1998-99 he served as the law clerk to the Chief Justice of Australia.

Representations include:

• Agility in a landmark victory in ICSID annulment proceedings against the Republic of Iraq arising out of the expropriation of Agility’s investment in Iraq
• the trustees of Bermuda trusts with assets of approximately US$15 billion as the successful respondent in the defence of multiple proceedings attacking those trusts, including the largest claim by value ever to come before the Bermuda Supreme Court
• the government of South Sudan in its highly publicized and strategically important arbitration with Sudapet Co. Ltd. under the ICSID rules, concerning the disputed ownership of significant oil field interests (with a disputed amount exceeding US$1 billion). Legal Business named Skadden as its 2017 International Arbitration Team of the Year for the successful defence of this case
• DP World Plc in the first-ever successful claim against the Kingdom of Belgium under international law (ICSID) arising out of the expropriation of an infrastructure concession
• Enka Insaat ve Sanayi A.S., one of the world’s largest construction groups, in a several hundred-million-dollar ICC arbitration proceeding concerning the termination of a hydropower project in the Caucasus
• a subsidiary of a major investment group in two successful and consecutive multibillion-dollar LCIA arbitrations related to the ownership and control of one of the largest Middle East-based telecommunications companies, with related British Virgin Islands litigation
• Cayman and Cypriot entities in connection with the successful U.S. Chapter 11 restructuring of a subsidiary and advice regarding related LCIA arbitration proceedings in London connected to former Yukos assets