Charlie Rae
Biography
Overview
Charlie is a dual-qualified lawyer in Australia and England whose practice encompasses both international arbitration and litigation.
Prior to joining White & Case, Charlie practised for nearly a decade in London where he advised and represented clients on complex, cross-border disputes across a broad range of sectors, including energy (LNG and renewables), resources, major infrastructure, aviation and manufacturing.
His diverse practice has involved advising on disputes arising from projects and transactions from across the globe from Europe, Africa, the Gulf States and the Middle East to South-East and North Asia, the United States and the United Kingdom. He acts as both advisor and advocate and has regularly appeared as counsel in international arbitrations conducted under the rules of major arbitral institutions including LCIA, ICC, SIAC, HKIAC, DIAC and UNCITRAL.
As a Solicitor Advocate with higher rights of audience in the English courts, he has acted on behalf of clients in arbitration-related litigation including with respect to challenges to awards or recognition and enforcement action in that jurisdiction.
Charlie was previously a Law Clerk to two judges of the Federal Court of Australia (Justice Paul Finn and Justice Bruce Lander) and is a contributing author to Zuckerman on Australian Civil Procedure.
Experience
Acting for a Thai renewable energy company in their successful defence of a USD 2 billion indemnity claim in a London-seated LCIA arbitration.*
Acting for a leading European integrated energy company in multiple arbitrations relating to price review clauses under long-term LNG supply contracts.*
Acting for a leading global private equity firm in a London-seated LCIA arbitration concerning a dispute arising from its US$ 628 million acquisition of onshore oil and gas assets in Gabon.*
Advising Shell plc and local Nigerian subsidiaries in relation to transnational human rights and environmental litigation in the English High Court and Court of Appeal.*
Acting for a Philippine conglomerate in a Paris-seated ICC arbitration in their successful defence of a US$1 billion claim arising from a failed acquisition during the COVID-19 pandemic.*
Advising a Gulf State in respect of claims made against it by a multinational consortium arising from delays associated with the completion of US$7.8 billion national rail infrastructure project.*
Acting for a leading Indonesian-based resources multinational in a London-seated LCIA arbitration arising from the collapse of a global private equity firm.*
Acting for an African national oil company in relation to a complex supply dispute with a major European aviation manufacturer.*
Advising a government business enterprise in defending claims by a multinational consortium arising from delays associated with completion of a $1.8 billion water infrastructure project in South Australia.*
*Experience prior to joining White & Case.
Presentation to the Law Association of Zambia on International Commercial Arbitration, Lusaka (April 2024)
Presentation to the Office of Attorney General of the Republic of Kenya on Investor-State dispute resolution, Nairobi (July 2024)
Zuckerman on Australian Civil Procedure (2016)
International Arbitration in England: Perspectives in Times of Change (2022)
2024 - Legal 500 Rising Star in International Arbitration
2023 - Legal 500 Key Lawyer in International Arbitration