Anna Mills

Partner

Co-Head International Arbitration, Europe

Anna is a strong team leader who is thoroughly across the big issues in the case.

— Chambers, 2024

Emailanna.mills@dlapiper.com

Call+447515083027

London

About

Areas of FocusEnergy and Natural Resources Litigation, Arbitration and Investigations Construction and Engineering International Arbitration

Professional QualificationsSolicitor-Advocate in England and WalesSolicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales

EXPERIENCE

OFFSHORE

Advising a major international contractor in relation to the suspension and termination of its contract to manufacture, supply, install and commission a c.100 turbine US offshore wind farm. The turbine supply agreement is based on FIDIC with substantial bespoke amendments. The contract value is c.USD 1.5bn, and the anticipated suspension and termination claims are in the hundreds of millions.
Advising a turbine manufacturer regarding its claims for concurrent delay in its construction works on a significant, high-profile offshore wind farm in the US. The value of the underlying turbine supply agreement is c. USD 1bn and the value of the claims being advised on is in the tens of millions.
Advising a turbine supplier in relation to various claims relating to turbine supply agreements totaling over EUR 3 billion on a UK-based offshore wind farm that is one of the largest in the world.
Advising a major EPC contractor in 2023 in relation to claims worth over GBP 110m arising from its construction of offshore wind inter-array cables, an offshore and onshore substation and connection to the onshore grid via roughly 80km of export cables.
Providing project management advice and support to an EPC contractor in relation to its offshore grid connection works on a major offshore wind project which is about to commence construction. Activities to date include the preparation of a ‘contract playbook’ to explain the operation of the contract to personnel and the delivery of a series of project management workshops on issues including claims for time and money, contractual notices, time bars and DABs.
Advising a turbine supplier in 2022 in relation to its sub-supplier’s attempts to radically increase the price of magnets for use in its offshore wind turbines. Performed a detailed review of the relevant supply contracts and developed and executed a strategy to enforce the terms of the original contract.
Acting for a turbine manufacture in relation to a major European offshore wind project in 2021. Advised in relation to a defect claim worth in the region of EUR 100m – comprising both the cost of remedial works and liquidated damages payable to the employer for the downtime associated with the repairs.
An EPC contractor in respect of design, defects and delay issues arising out of various aspects of the design, construction, operation and maintenance of an offshore wind farm involving 2 international arbitrations (LCIA), separate but related adjudications, and bifurcated TCC litigation.
An EPC contractor in a series of 3 adjudications relating to the design and construction of the offshore substations.
Advising a turbine supplier in 2023 regarding its obligations and entitlements under a preferred supplier agreement relating to a significant Japanese offshore wind project.
Advising an EPC contractor in 2023 in connection with the early stage works obligations in relation to a Japanese offshore wind project.
Advising a turbine supplier in 2023 in relation to obligations under its strategic offshore partnership agreements with Japanese and Korean manufacturers.
Advising a turbine supplier in 2023 in relation to its early stage works agreements with the developer of a Korean offshore wind project.

OIL AND GAS

A European gas interconnector operator in relation to claims for force majeure under its transmission contracts resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
An oil and gas major in respect of an expert determination in relation to a shutdown incident on one of its UK offshore oil and gas platforms.
A major South Korean contractor in respect of a dispute concerning an FPSO in Africa.
A global EPC Contractor in respect of a dispute concerning an FPSO and, in particular, “rely upon” information.
Acting for one of the oil majors in respect of their upstream disputes over the course of a 6 month period.

RENEWABLES

A global supplier of solar modules in an ICC arbitration concerning one of the largest solar farms in the world in the Middle East. The claim value is in excess of $400m.
A major developer of solar power generation projects in relation to its entitlement to, and strategy for, terminating a framework agreement and five EPC contracts for the construction of solar projects in Latin America.
An SPV in relation to various issues including defects and delay arising out of an EPC contract for a large solar farm in the UK.
An SPV in respect of claims against the OEM for defective work in relation to an onshore wind farm in Spain.
A major European fund in emergency NAI arbitral proceedings in respect of a dispute with its joint venture partner regarding the asset management of a portfolio of onshore windfarms across the Nordics.
A major infrastructure fund and SPV in respect of a dispute concerning serial defects at an onshore windfarm in the UK.
An SPV co-owned by a leading infrastructure fund and a specialist power producer in relation to delays in the construction of one of the largest onshore windfarms in Europe (including complex transportation and weather related issues).
An SPV in respect of a dispute concerning serial defects at an onshore windfarm in Scandinavia (SCC arbitration).
A large renewable energy developer in relation to an onshore windfarm project in Scandinavia and issues relating to: serial defects in equipment supplied and installed, claims by the Contractor for extensions of time and additional payment, delays to taking over and the interrelationship of the EPC contract, TSA, SAA and PPA and turbine collapse.
An SPV with strategic advice in respect of delays and disruption to EPC works on a major project financed onshore wind farm in the Nordic region (ICC arbitration).
An international renewable energy company in relation to the recovery of liquidated damages from its EPC contractor resulting from delays to the construction of a EUR 58m wind farm in Sweden.
Lenders in respect of delays and disruption to EPC works on a PFI onshore wind farm in the Nordic region.
Lenders or SPVs on a number of onshore wind farm projects in the Nordic region regarding risk mitigation and dispute resolution.
A leading renewable energy biomass fuel supplier in relation to a dispute arising out of a long-term and exclusive Fuel Supply Agreement for a biomass power plant in Northern Ireland.

POWER

A major OEM in respect of an ICC arbitration seated in London concerning alleged defects in a CCGT plant in Greece. The claim value is in excess of $300m.
A major OEM in respect of an ICC arbitration (seated in Singapore) concerning gas turbines at a power plant in Malaysia.
A major EPC contractor in respect of an ICC arbitration (seated in Vienna, Swiss law governed) regarding a joint venture dispute arising out of a power plant in Turkey.
A major EPC contractor in respect of a dispute concerning two coal fired power plants in South Africa.
A major EPC contractor in respect of a delay and disruption dispute relating to the wet flue-gas desulphurisation plant at a coal-fired power station in South Africa (FIDIC DAB).
A major EPC contractor in relation to delays and disruption associated with COVID-19 and other events at an LPG plant in West Africa (arbitration).
A major EPC contractor in respect of a dispute concerning a combined cycle power plant in Africa (arbitration and court proceedings in support of arbitration).
An EPC contractor in TCC litigation in respect of a dispute concerning the design, supply, construction and commissioning of a large, gas-fired industrial boiler plant - the issues included whether the works were complete, defective and of proven design.
An EPC contractor in respect of disputes in relation to a UK Power Station involving both arbitration and an appeal to the Court of Appeal.
Seven different companies in respect of a dispute concerning alleged defects in generators supplied to a UK Power Station.
A major EPC contractor in respect of a dispute concerning a combined cycle power plant in the UK.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Acting for a major Belgian contractor in respect of an ICC arbitration seated in London regarding the construction of a port in Morocco. The claim value is in excess ofEUR150m. We are also advising in respect of associated DAB proceedings on a separate phase of the project.
The UK’s largest supplier of concrete in respect of a dispute arising out of an NEC concrete supply contract for a nuclear power plant in England.
A major construction materials business in respect of a dispute concerning the conveyor systems used to transport materials at a major Port in England.
A major bank in respect of a dispute relating to the water system at its headquarters in London.
A major insurer and property investor in respect of fire defects at two significant developments in London.
A global consultant in respect of a dispute in the New York courts in respect of the design of a data centre in Germany.
A global data centre operator in respect of a dispute against the professional team for defects in two data centres in South East England (TCC).
An international cladding contractor in connection with its rights under a trade contract for a large property development in London.
A major global contractor in respect of two potential delay and disruption disputes (ICC arbitrations) relating to the supply of major equipment for process projects in the Middle East.
A leading infrastructure consultant in respect of a significant dispute concerning structural engineering defects in a portfolio of projects in the UK including issues related to the health and safety of the portfolio.
A JV (Malaysian investor and contractor) in respect of disputes concerning 3 significant infrastructure projects in London – adjudications and Part 8 TCC proceedings.
A major, global EPC contractor in respect of two significant infrastructure projects in London in relation to delay and disruption issues.
A main contractor in an adjudication regarding the modular construction of a large mixed-use development in London.
A magic circle law firm in respect of a dispute with the EPC Contractor and a subcontractor arising out of a leaking roof system at its premises.
A major developer in relation to a delay and disruption dispute with the main EPC contractor in respect of a major London redevelopment.
A Russian developer in respect of a dispute arising out of a joint venture agreement and the development of residential site in Russia (LCIA arbitration).
A major global bank in relation to two separate disputes relating to defective chilled water cooling systems at two of its data centres.
A PPP Investment Partnership in TCC litigation in respect of a dispute regarding the termination of a management services agreement for the management of 11 healthcare projects in a PFI portfolio.

MANUFACTURING

One of the UK’s leading food companies in respect of a dispute regarding the ammonia refrigeration system at one of its major production facilities in the UK.
A major, global manufacturer of confectionery and sweets in respect of a dispute concerning a defective sugar silo and conveying system.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS/TRANSPORT

A major outdoor advertising company in respect of a dispute in the commercial court with one of its clients and separately in a dispute regarding enabling works on the London Underground.
A major EPC contractor in a series of delay and disruption arbitrations (ad hoc) in respect of a large PFI project for the design and installation of a telecommunications system on a transport network in the UK.

SHIPBUILDING/MARINE

Advising a world leading Brazilian producer and supplier of intervention and stimulation equipment in a dispute with a major provider of floating offshore energy solutions concerning the delivery of seawater treatment equipment for an FPSO in Asia.
A state owned South American oil and gas company in respect of a dispute (ICC arbitration) with a Brazilian shipyard regarding the construction of 10 oil and gas tankers
A German contractor in commercial court litigation concerning an incident aboard a drillship

NUCLEAR

A major international EPC contractor in respect of its rights under contracts for the supply and installation of equipment and associated services in respect of a nuclear plant project in Mexico.
A major international EPC contractor in respect of the construction of 2 large nuclear power station projects in the UK.

WATER

A major international EPC Contractor in respect of a dispute with a major international subcontractor regarding a water treatment plant in Brazil. The issues concerned the quality of the subcontractor’s workmanship and the extent to which the works were substantially complete (ICC arbitration).

BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS

A Swedish oil and gas company in respect of a Swedish criminal investigation into its principals in relation to alleged war crimes committed in South Sudan in the late 1990s early 2000s..

Education

Bar Vocational Course at Inns of Court School of Law – awarded Diplock Scholarship from The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple, 2003-2004

City University, Common Professional Examination (law conversion), 2002-2003

Bristol University - BA Hons English Literature, 1999-2002

Awards and Recognitions