Dr Robert Kovacs

Partner Withers LLP

Dr Robert Kovacs specialises in international arbitration (commercial and investment), public international law and business and human rights (BHR), with particular experience in the mining and natural resources sector. He is dual qualified in Australia and England & Wales.

Robert has represented individuals, companies, States and State-owned entities in international disputes across a range of sectors, including mining, renewables and energy, as well as construction, finance, mergers and acquisitions, sport, property and technology. He has a focus on Europe, Asia-Pacific and MENA and has worked as counsel under all the major arbitration rules, as well as in ad hoc arbitrations. Robert also sits as an arbitrator.

Alongside his international arbitration practice, Robert has advised clients for over eight years on ESG and BHR matters, including regulatory compliance, supply chain due diligence and grievance and remediation mechanisms, particularly in a mining context. He has also represented clients in ESG- and climate change-related litigation.

Robert holds a PhD in international law, is the former Co-Chair of the Asia-Pacific Forum for International Arbitration, sits on the editorial board of the Australasian Dispute Resolution Journal and is an honorary senior fellow at the Melbourne University Law School.