Hugh A. Meighen

Partner

Toronto
HMeighen@blg.com
416.367.6614

Hugh has more than 15 years of experience in dedicated arbitration counsel work. He has represented clients in high-value and complex international and domestic arbitrations in a range of industry sectors, including energy, telecommunications, mining, construction, sports and entertainment, insurance, logistics, IT, and real property, as well as under ad hoc and institutional rules including the ICC, LCIA, UNCITRAL, ICDR, AAA, VanIAC, DIAC, and ADRIC. Hugh also acts as counsel for athletes and sports organizations in sports-related disputes before the SDRCC and in other sports-related forums.

In 2021, Who's Who Legal: Arbitration named him one of ten "Most Highly Regarded" partners under 45 in the Americas. In 2022, he was named as one of Canada's leading lawyers under 40 by Lexpert.

As a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb), Hugh has acted as a sole arbitrator in arbitrations involving procurement and real property disputes, as well as the discipline chair and appeals officer for certain sports associations.

Testimonials

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Experience

  • International Arbitrations

    • Representing Tower-EBC GP/s.e.n.c. in a $140 million ICC arbitration regarding the termination of a large-scale expansion works FIDIC contract, resulting a complete victory in arbitration and in subsequent court proceedings (Baffinland Iron Mines LP et al v Tower-EBC G.P./s.e.n.c.)
    • Representing a public energy utility in a $240 million arbitration with an international contractor over the design, supply, and installation of seven turbine & generator units in a remote hydro electric project, resulting in a favourable award of tens of millions of dollars;
    • Representing a consortium of Korean EPC contractors in an $280 million ICC arbitration seated in Toronto over the construction of a coal-fired power plant, resulting in a significant award, resulting in a complete victory.
    • Representing an international joint venture in a $280 million dollar ICC arbitration over the construction of a mine in Central America, resulting in a favourable settlement.
    • Representing Canadian and South American parties in the defence of a $200 million ICC claim arising from a series of guarantees, resulting in a favourable settlement.
    • Representing an aerospace and telecommunications company in a dispute with an English satellite, telecommunications company under the LCIA Rules, resulting in a favourable settlement.
    • Representing a Canadian software developer in a $15 million programming dispute with an Eastern European/American vendor under the ICDR Arbitration Rules.
    • Representing a telecommunications company in a $320 million investment dispute with a Middle Eastern government under the UNCITRAL Rules.
    • Representing a consortium of Asian and African contractors in DIAC arbitration over the construction and finishing works of a major international airport in the Middle East, involving over $500 million in dispute.
    • Representing a Turkish contractor in DIAC proceedings over the construction of a high-rise residential tower.
    • Advising an international defence contractor in connection with a potential ICC dispute over a project in a Middle Eastern country.

Beyond our Walls

Professional Involvement

  • Arbitrator, Arbitration Place, NextGen Arbitrators
  • Member, ICC Task Force for "Addressing Issues of Corruption in International Arbitration"
  • Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb)
  • Adjunct Professor, International Commercial Arbitration, Osgoode Hall Law School
  • Editorial board member, Arbitration News, 2013-present
  • Member, YIAG
  • Member, ICC Commission - Canada

Community Involvement

  • Executive Committee Member, Equal Representation in Arbitration Pledge
  • Director, Canadian Constitutional Foundation
  • Olympic Supporter, Canadian Olympic Committee
  • Board member, TRM Family Foundation

Awards & Recognition

  • Recognized in the 2025 edition of Chambers Canada – Canada's Leading Lawyers for Business (Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (Nationwide - Canada)).
  • Recognized in the 2025 (and since 2022) editions of The Best Lawyers in Canada (International Arbitration)
  • Recognized in the 2025 edition of Lexology Index (formerly Who's Who Legal) (Construction)
  • Recognized in the 2025 edition (and since 2023) of Who's Who Legal: Arbitration
  • Recognized in the 2025 (and since 2022) editions of The Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory (Commercial Arbitration)
  • Recognized in the 2025 (and since 2024) edition of Benchmark Litigation Canada as a "Litigation Star" (International Arbitration) and in the 2022 edition as a "Future Star"

Bar Admission & Education

  • New York, 2011
  • Ontario, 2010
  • BCL/LLB, McGill University, Dean's List, 2009
  • AB, Princeton University, cum laude, 2005