Veronica Connolly
Veronica Connolly is a Senior Associate in our Dispute Resolution practice. She has experience in energy, infrastructure, construction, international investment and maritime disputes, including advising on contractual negotiation and interpretation, fraud, enforcement, investigations and shareholder disputes. Veronica specialises in International Arbitration where she has advised private multi-national commercial entities, governments and State-Owned entities across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Veronica is a qualified solicitor of England & Wales.
![Veronica Connolly](/export/sites/cdh/images/people-banners/Veronica-Connolly.png)
About Veronica
About Veronica
Veronica began her career with four years at English headquartered international firm Clifford Chance LLP before joining the International Arbitration team of a dispute resolution specialist firm in London. Veronica then moved to UK Government Legal advising on commercial, trade and dispute resolution matters before joining Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr as a Senior Associate in 2024.
Credentials
Credentials
Education
- Admission as a Solicitor of England & Wales: 2013
- The College of Law, London: Legal Practice Course, Commendation
- BPP Law School, London: Graduate Diploma in Law, Commendation
- The University of Oxford (Pembroke College): BA Hons Modern History
Languages
Languages
- English
About Veronica
Veronica began her career with four years at English headquartered international firm Clifford Chance LLP before joining the International Arbitration team of a dispute resolution specialist firm in London. Veronica then moved to UK Government Legal advising on commercial, trade and dispute resolution matters before joining Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr as a Senior Associate in 2024.
Credentials
Education
- Admission as a Solicitor of England & Wales: 2013
- The College of Law, London: Legal Practice Course, Commendation
- BPP Law School, London: Graduate Diploma in Law, Commendation
- The University of Oxford (Pembroke College): BA Hons Modern History
Languages
- English
Experience
Representing an entity investing in power and energy infrastructure projects in West Africa in international arbitration proceedings brought against a local partner relating to the purchase, financing and operation of a power distribution company, as well as advising on international enforcement mechanisms.
Acting for a West African entity providing maritime support to the oil and gas industry in 32 associated LMAA and ad hoc arbitrations, followed by subsequent challenges and appeals before the English Court under sections 67, 68 and 69 of the Arbitration Act.
Representing a Qatari state-owned insurance company in a fraud claim in connection with supplies of LNG into Ghana.
Representing Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds in consolidated multi-party and multi-contract SCC fraud proceedings relating to the construction, operation and sale of a shipping terminal, airport and flagship leisure and retail developments.
Representing a South-Asian Government in proceedings relating to contested issues of bilateral investment treaty interpretation and the jurisdiction of the Tribunal.
Defending a US entity in proceedings against a Russian communications operator, including competing jurisdiction and applicable law issues and allegations of fraud and conspiracy.
Advising the UK Government on commercial, international and public law issues, including in relation to investor-state dispute settlement provisions and the risks and merits of judicial review challenges.
Advising on the negotiation and drafting of contractual documents e.g. settlement agreements, waivers, dispute resolution clauses or referrals to arbitration and contractual variations to capture commercial intentions and objectives.
News
![Opt in or out: Unilateral option clauses in international arbitration](/export/sites/cdh/images/news-thumbnails/international-arbitration-03.jpg)
Opt in or out: Unilateral option clauses in international arbitration
The 2024 edition of the Clifford Chance Unilateral Option Clauses Survey considers the validity of unilateral option clauses in 120 jurisdictions around the world, including 28 countries...
![Become immune to immunity: Negotiating international arbitration agreements with a state](/export/sites/cdh/images/news-thumbnails/international-arbitration-03.jpg)
Become immune to immunity: Negotiating international arbitration agreements with a state
Private entities frequently enter into contracts with states or state-owned entities in public-private partnerships and other commercial transactions. This is especially common in...
![International Arbitration: A comparison of the rules of selected arbitration institutions in Africa and Europe](/export/sites/cdh/images/news-thumbnails/international-arbitration-03.jpg)
International Arbitration: A comparison of the rules of selected arbitration institutions in Africa and Europe
Traditionally, many disputes involving African parties have been resolved by international arbitration at key arbitral centres in Europe. However, Africa also boasts well-established international...
![The devil is in the detail: Unpacking arbitral institutions’ statistics](/export/sites/cdh/images/news-thumbnails/dispute-resolution-09.jpg)
The devil is in the detail: Unpacking arbitral institutions’ statistics
In the current Information Age there is a growing trend of international arbitral institutions releasing detailed information about the disputes they administer. This includes important statistics...
![Capacity building and fostering expertise in international arbitration in Africa](/export/sites/cdh/images/news-thumbnails/dispute-resolution-01.jpg)
Capacity building and fostering expertise in international arbitration in Africa
The central theme of the Johannesburg Arbitration Week 2024 (JAW) was showcasing arbitration in Africa. This prompted engaging discussion and renewed calls for the Africanisation of...
Market recognition
- The Legal 500 EMEA named Veronica as a “Next Generation Lawyer” and a “Rising Star”.
![](/export/system/modules/za.co.heliosdesign.cdh/resources/images/backgrounds/recognition-bg.jpg)
Market recognition
- The Legal 500 EMEA named Veronica as a “Next Generation Lawyer” and a “Rising Star”.
Expertise
![Dispute Resolution](/export/sites/cdh/images/gallery-expertise/dispute-04.jpg)
Dispute Resolution
Our lawyers work together with clients to find business-oriented dispute resolution solutions.
![International
Arbitration](/export/sites/cdh/images/gallery-expertise/international-arbitration-03.jpg)
International Arbitration
We guide our clients through the complexities of international arbitration.