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Raeesa is an Of Counsel based in London, specialising in International Arbitration and Construction.

Raeesa has a wide range of experience advising clients in the energy, infrastructure and construction sectors, from the provision of initial advice on claims under contract and throughout the dispute resolution process.  Her practice focuses on high-value and complex international construction and engineering disputes, in both the public and private sector.

Raeesa has experience of construction projects, involving renewable energy, gas power plants, LNG mega projects, vessels for offshore oil and gas, light rail terminals and railways, aircrafts and water treatment plants.  

Accolades

“Raeesa is an excellent lawyer with an excellent grasp of details and strategy." Chambers & Partners UK 2024, Construction: International Arbitration

"She is a smart, diligent and impressive lawyer." Chambers & Partners UK 2024, Construction: International Arbitration

“Raeesa Rawal (is)...outstanding.” Legal 500 UK 2023, Construction: Contentious

“She is an extremely knowledgeable and approachable lawyer” Chambers & Partners UK 2023, Construction: International Arbitration

“Raeesa is a hard-working lawyer who is very focused on construction” Chambers & Partners UK 2022, Construction: International Arbitration

“Raeesa Rawal is hugely committed and determined to do the best possible job for her clients” Legal 500 UK 2022, Construction: Contentious

International Financial Law Review (IFLR, Euromoney) Expert Guides – Rising Star (UK)– Construction Law 2020, 2021, 2022

Raeesa has been awarded numerous awards and honours in the construction law field, including the European Women in Construction Awards (Winner – Construction Lawyer of the Year) 2021 and the Society of Construction Law Australia 2017 Brooking Prize.

Background

Raeesa has previously practised in both Australia and Germany with premier national law firms, where she was involved in complex international arbitration and construction disputes.

She received a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance)/Bachelor of Laws (BCom/LLB) from Monash University, and is admitted to the Supreme Court of Victoria and High Court of Australia.

Experience & expertise

Selected matters

  • an engineering and commissioning contractor in a multibillion dollar ICC arbitration concerning the disputed termination of an EPC subcontract to build and commission a combined-cycle power plant at an Australian LNG facility*
  • a consortium of international EPC contractors in pre-arbitral proceedings over a delay and disruption to construction of an airport in the Middle East*
  • [Secondment] In-house EPC Counsel at Corio Generation (Macquarie, Green Investment Group - Offshore Wind)*
  • a US aerospace company in UNCITRAL arbitration proceedings (seat London) against a state entity concerning its claims under an aircraft modification agreement*
  • an engineering and electrical contractor on the prosecution of a $100 million international arbitration claim for variations and EOT claims in relation to a mass rapid transit railway project in Taiwan*
  • *experience gained prior to joining Herbert Smith Freehills