QUARTERLY DISPUTES BAROMETER: APR-JUN 2026
The global disputes landscape is shifting rapidly as geopolitical tension, regulatory intervention and economic transformation reshape how conflicts emerge and unfold. Organisations operating across borders now face a complex mix of sanctions exposure, heightened enforcement activity, evolving arbitration frameworks, and fast‑moving technological and financial developments.
As a result, dispute resolution strategy has become integral to commercial planning. Sectors such as construction, energy, mining and financial services continue to experience volatility, while counterparties and regulators are making increasingly assertive use of legal tools and institutional reforms. Procedural efficiency, transparency and enforcement considerations are gaining prominence, and organisations are under pressure to anticipate areas of contention and build resilience.
This edition of our Disputes Barometer highlights the principal forces driving recent disputes, examining regulatory dynamics, sector‑specific catalysts and institutional developments shaping both regional and international contentious work.
Industry‑driven flashpoints in construction, energy and resources
Across various markets, disputes stem from structural pressures created by economic expansion, infrastructure investment and evolving national policies. Construction and infrastructure projects in emerging regions continue to demonstrate the challenges of delivering complex cross‑border developments.
“Contentious matters are increasing in the construction and infrastructure sector, particularly in Central Asia, driven by the proliferation of projects under the Belt and Road Initiative,” notes Sylvia Tee, a partner at Ashurst. “These projects involve multiple participants from a variety of countries and regions, making project delivery more susceptible to disputes arising from differences in expectations and local practices. A key issue that often arises is pressure on contractors to commence work before they are ready, resulting in quality and defects issues, as well as delay claims down the track when contractors inevitably fail to meet agreed project schedules.”
Apr-Jun 2026 issue
Ashurst
Hogan Lovells Lee & Lee
Latham & Watkins