Even among other large-scale infrastructure projects around the world, China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is impressive. Its plan is to expand and fortify the Silk Road in an international effort that involves stakeholders from around the globe. In any venture of this size, legal disputes cannot be avoided.
An LFJ Conversation with Michael Kelley, Partner, Parker Poe
Even among other large-scale infrastructure projects around the world, China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is impressive. Its plan is to expand and fortify the Silk Road in an international effort that involves stakeholders from around the globe. In any venture of this size, legal disputes cannot be avoided.
LCM’s Nick Rowles-Davies, Roger Milburn, William Panlilio and Joe Durkin explain that international arbitration is often the most effective means to resolve disputes. But this can be costly and time-consuming. That’s why anyone involved in BRI disputes would do well to seek out third-party litigation funding.
The scale and scope of the BRI means that a large and complicated network of stakeholders, contractors, governments, investors, and project companies will be involved. Many, but not all, will be Chinese. The various BRI projects are vulnerable to risks involving politics or even military action. Regulations may be inconsistent or non-existent, and the further impact of COVID is still unpredictable.
The potential for international, multi-party disputes can be largely mitigated with a partnership with an experienced litigation funder. Because there is no established forum for BRI legal disputes, parties will have their own ideas about where, when, and how to address conflict. With that in mind, those involved should be ready for anything.
Litigation finance doesn’t just help with managing legal costs (though it certainly does that too). When project budgets are developed, room isn’t always left for surprise legal disputes. Legal finance can provide funding for claimant side or defense side legal action—usually on a non-recourse basis.
Not all BRI-impacted jurisdictions will allow the use of third-party legal funding. Many do, including Hong Kong, Singapore, and India, with China not specifically prohibiting the practice. Shifting risk to a litigation funder is a savvy business move and may be a necessary one as the BRI gets underway. After all, modern projects call for modern legal solutions.
