DLA Piper has been named “Africa-Wide Dispute Resolution Law Firm of the Year” at this year’s Chambers Africa Awards. The awards recognise a law firm’s pre-eminence in the region reflecting achievements over the past 12 months, including outstanding work, impressive strategic growth and excellence in client service.

In granting this award, Chambers said: “DLA Piper maintains an outstanding disputes practice which is frequently mandated on high-value ICSID arbitration proceedings and has a strong track record representing sovereign states as well as investors.”

With lawyers in London, Paris, Johannesburg, Casablanca and Dubai, the International Africa-focused team is underpinned by the firm’s presence in 20 countries on the continent through DLA Piper Africa. Chambers noted the team’s strength “representing clients in litigation, including in the enforcement of arbitral awards as well as in cases involving parallel proceedings taking place in multiple jurisdictions”with the practice recognised for its work on “cross-border African cases occurring in sectors such as financial services, technology, construction and oil and gas. ”

T. Alexander Brabant, head of International Arbitration for Africa said: “The award is testament to the high quality of disputes lawyers we have both internationally and on the continent. We’ve continued to attract a significant volume of complex and rewarding work and are grateful for the continued confidence and trust that our clients place in us to deliver outstanding results.”

Kirsty Simpson, head of the firm’s Litigation and Regulatory practice in South Africa, commented: “It is an honour to be recognised as the law firm of choice for African disputes. We have a fantastic, diverse team who work tirelessly together, cutting across borders to provide reassurance to clients doing business in what may be regarded as higher risk jurisdictions.”

DLA Piper Africa firms in Algeria, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Tanzania and Uganda were shortlisted for their respective country awards, with DLA Piper also shortlisted for Morocco Law Firm of the Year and Morocco-based partner, Camilia Benani, shortlisted for Up-and-Coming Lawyer of the Year.