Biography

Andreas Dracoulis is a partner in the London office dispute resolution team advising clients in the energy, construction and shipping sectors. He represents clients in arbitrations conducted under many of the commonly used rules, including the ICC, LCIA and LMAA, and in proceedings before the English Courts (the Commercial Court, the TCC and the Court of Appeal).

Andreas is also experienced in the drafting and negotiation of engineering and construction contracts; and his practice additionally includes advising clients on intellectual property rights and the protection of confidential information and trade secrets.

In addition to his law degree, Andreas holds postgraduate degree qualifications from King’s College, London (construction law and dispute resolution) and Oxford University (intellectual property law).

Andreas is a recommended lawyer in the shipping section of the 2022-2024 editions of The Legal 500 UK (Legalease). Previously, Legal 500 reported that he is a “key name” in international arbitration and is “building an excellent reputation for careful case management” in shipping.

Andreas regularly writes and lectures on industry specific issues and he is the co-author of the chapter on Offshore Vessel Construction Disputes within Global Arbitration Review’s Guide to Energy Arbitrations (Fourth Edition). Andreas is currently working with industry bodies to update standard form offshore contracts and to provide practical guidance to members on contracting strategies.

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Offshore energy

  • Representing a drilling contractor in arbitration proceedings (LCIA) arising out the disputed termination of the drilling contract with combined claims in excess of US$200 million.
  • Representing a drilling contractor in arbitration proceedings (LMAA) arising out of the disputed termination of a MODU construction contract with combined claims in excess of US$700 million.
  • Advice in connection with a contract for the engineering, procurement, construction, installation and commissioning of a floating liquefaction production facility.
  • Advising on the conclusion of joint venture agreements for the supply and operation of offshore drilling units.
  • Acting for an EPC contractor in arbitration proceedings (LCIA) related to claims by sub-contractors for extensions of time and additional payments for construction work related to a part onshore / part offshore LNG development.
  • Acting for an energy company in a dispute arising from a JOA related to compliance with minimum work obligations.
  • Acting for an EPC contractor in connection with disputes arising out of contractual arrangements related to the supply and installation of subsea production systems for an offshore gas field.
  • Acting for a drilling contractor in connection with claims for extensions of time and additional payment by a shipyard related to the construction of a series of jack-up drilling rigs.
  • Acting for an energy company in connection with claims by its EPC contractor for payment of sums due under a contract for the supply and installation of offshore mooring systems.
  • Acting for a drilling contractor in connection with a claim for mobilisation fees and day rate due under a drilling contract.
  • Advising a German shipyard in connection with disputes arising out of construction works for an offshore wind farm in the North Sea.
  • Advising in connection with the procurement of floating offshore wind developments.
  • Acting in multi-jurisdictional arbitration (LMAA) and court proceedings in connection with claims arising out of contracts for the construction of two MODUs. (CIMC Raffles Offshore (Singapore) Pte Ltd v Schahin Holding SA (Rev 1) [2014] EWHC 1742 and CIMC Raffles Offshore (Singapore) Ltd & Anor v Schahin Holding SA [2013] EWCA Civ 644)
  • Defending claims by a purchaser of a second hand MODU sold on Norwegian Saleform (NSF) terms.

Onshore energy

  • Instructed by a state-owned client in connection with the enforcement of an arbitration award worth US$1.69 billion and arising out of onshore oil mining leases.
  • Successfully defending a contractor in the English High Court (TCC) against claims arising out of an onshore gas pipeline project for the Total Laggan-Tormore development in the North Sea. (Van Oord UK Ltd & Anor v Allseas UK Ltd [2015] EWHC 3074).

Shipping

  • Advice in connection with the conclusion of a shipbuilding contract for the construction of a state of the art research vessel.
  • Acting for a consortium builder in arbitration (LMAA) and court proceedings against a Mexican state-owned corporation following the cancellation of a prototype barge construction contract. (Exportadora De Sal SA De CV v Corretaje Maritimo Sud-Americano Inc [2018] EWHC 224)
  • Advising a cruise line operator in relation to the construction and delivery of a luxury cruise ship.
  • Representing a shipyard in arbitration proceedings arising out of the disputed termination of a container vessel construction contract.

General commercial

  • Acting for a financing house in connection with arbitration proceedings (DIAC) arising from a United States Dollar convertible murabaha facility and associated conversion rights.
  • Acting for a commodity trading house in connection with claims arising from a disputed contract for the supply of fertilizer product.
  • Advising in relation to London High Court (Commercial Court) proceedings concerning claims arising out of an alleged high level oral agreement.
  • Advising in connection with disputed insurance coverage related to the seizure of aircraft in Afghanistan.
  • Advising in connection with claims arising out aircraft leasing agreements and the related regime of configuration and maintenance procedures for the aircrafts' jet engines.
  • "Law of Shipbuilding Contracts Update 2022," co-author, Haynes Boone brochure, January 5, 2023.

Education

LL.B., University of Newcastle upon Tyne, 2000, with honors

M.Sc., Construction Law and Dispute Resolution, Kings College London, 2009

PG Dip (merit), Intellectual Property Law and Practice, University of Oxford, 2021

Admissions

England and Wales

Higher Rights of Audience (Civil)