Cathal Leigh-Doyle

Partner

Cathal has broad experience representing clients in the offshore O&G, renewables and marine sectors. Cathal assists large corporate clients across a broad range of contentious situations, in both a representative and advisory capacity, from internal investigations through to formal court or arbitral proceedings. He also frequently carries out negotiations and mediations for his clients.

Cathal is also routinely instructed on non-contentious projects where he is engaged by clients to assist in negotiating and drafting contracts, especially relating to decarbonisation, renewable energy, construction and maritime projects.

While qualified and practicing in England and Wales, Cathal is triple jurisdiction qualified being also qualified to practise law in New York and Ireland. Cathal frequently speaks on legal issues at events and is also a guest law lecturer at Swansea University on its Oil, Gas and Renewable Energy LLM.

Expertise

  • Represented a drilling contractor against an oil and gas company in a LCIA arbitration in relation to whether demobilisation could be undertaken during the term of the contract, and if so, what demobilisation fees and early termination fees were applicable.

    Represented an oil and gas company in the English Commercial Court in relation to rig idle costs and breach of the joint venture agreement.

    Represented a drilling contractor against an oil and gas company in an AAA arbitration in relation to whether the increased costs associated with new tax legislation were for contractor's or employer's account.

    Represented an oil and gas company in an ICC arbitration regarding its rights to take and sell gas from joint gas fields in Argentina.

    Represented a drilling contractor in an ICC arbitration in a dispute in relation to the non-payment of invoices for additional services carried out during the drilling campaign.

  • Advised an EPCI contractor in relation to disputes with its employer in relation to requests for additional time and costs.

    Represented an EPCI contractor in relation to disputes with subcontractors in relation to requests for additional time and costs, delays and quality of production.

    Advised an international contractor in relation to dealing with a major UK based subcontractor's insolvency.

    Advised a contractor in relation to fabrication problems.

  • Represented owners in a LMAA arbitration for breach of charterparty in relation to unpaid invoices. This matter involved appeals to the English courts and enforcement actions in several locations around the world. 

    Advised broker in relation drafting and negotiating several commission agreements for charters involving specialist vessels.

    Represented a charterer in a LMAA arbitration for breach of charterparty in relation to the overconsumption of fuel.

  • Represented an oil and gas company in an ICC arbitration in relation to the operator's obligations when selecting a suitable decommissioning rig under a joint venture agreement.