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George Burn is a Partner in CMS’s International Arbitration practice in London. With over 25 years’ experience, he specialises in investment treaty and international commercial arbitration, acting as both arbitrator and counsel in complex cross border disputes. George advises clients including multinational corporates, financial institutions and state owned entities across sectors such as energy, infrastructure, construction and banking. 

George is recognised for his strategic approach to high stakes disputes involving jurisdictional issues and complex questions of public and private international law. He regularly supports clients facing politically sensitive disputes, enforcement challenges and risks arising from operations in emerging or high risk markets. His experience spans arbitrations seated across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas under all major arbitral rules, enabling him to deliver commercially focused solutions to clients navigating global dispute exposure. 

Prior to joining CMS, George was Global Co Leader of International Arbitration at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner.

Awards & Recognitions
01
  • Quote
    "George is always calm, considered and unflappable."
    Chambers, 2026
  • Quote
    "I would recommend him in a heartbeat; he is excellent."
    Chambers, 2026
  • Quote
    "Without a doubt, it is the presence of George Burn that makes this team a standout. In addition it has depth, as well as real hands-on experience that is invaluable."
    Legal 500, 2026
  • Quote
    "George Burn has a brilliant legal brain, coupled with first-class strategic evaluation."
    Legal 500, 2026

Relevant experience

  • A joint venture of Korean and Japanese construction companies on back to back ICC arbitrations arising from a major infrastructure project in Kuwait, successfully defeating all claims by a regional bank and prevailing on related contractor claims and counterclaims.*
  • Sui Natural Gas Pipelines Limited, a Pakistan gas pipeline operator, in defending an LCIA award challenge before the English Commercial Court under section 68 of the Arbitration Act 1996, successfully preserving the award in full.*
  • A British oil exploration company on ICC arbitration proceedings against the Republic of South Sudan and its state owned oil company, securing substantial compensation following termination of upstream oil and gas agreements.*
  • Mr Hesham al Warraq in relation to a landmark arbitration under the OIC Investment Agreement against the Republic of Indonesia, establishing a novel jurisdictional basis for investor state claims and overturning the legal basis for a criminal conviction.*
  • Mr Hesham al Warraq on a novel arbitration against INTERPOL, overcoming jurisdictional immunity challenges and securing cancellation of Red Notices alongside unprecedented negotiated outcomes.*
  • A bank on LCIA arbitration proceedings against a defaulting borrower, successfully overcoming defences relating to authority, authenticity of signatures and related counterclaims.*

*Prior to joining CMS

Memberships & Roles

  • 2024 – Present - Independent Monitoring Boards, Member, HMP Wormwood Scrubs.
  • 2017 – Present - The Compassionate Friends, Trustee & Co-Chair.
     

Education

  • 1994 - Dip Law & Dip Legal Practice, The College of Law.
  • 1992 - BA (Hons), Politics & Parliamentary Studies, University of Leeds.

Insights by George

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