As counsel, Joe has represented both public and private companies in a range of industries, including mining, infrastructure, utilities, financial services and technology.

Joe is National co-leader of the Firm’s Arbitration group. He regularly advises on domestic and international arbitrations as counsel and is available for appointment as arbitrator. He is a member of the ICC Canadian Arbitration Committee, the American Arbitration Association’s International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR) Panel of Arbitrators and the Domestic and International Arbitration Panels of the British Columbia International Commercial Arbitration Centre (BCICAC).
Joe sits on the Board of Directors of the British Columbia International Commercial Arbitration Centre and is a member of the ICC Canada Arbitrator Proposals Sub-Committee. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Chair of the Vancouver Chapter and the national Vice-Chair of the Canadian Branch of CIArb. Joe is also an invited member of the Western Canada Commercial Arbitration Society (WCCAS).

Arbitral Appointments

Appointed sole arbitrator in BCICAC arbitration involving a dispute over sponsorship rights

Appointed sole arbitrator in BCICAC international arbitration under California law involving a dispute over an agreement for the production and sale of fresh produce

Appointed to a three-member panel under the ICC Arbitration Rules involving a dispute over a breached settlement agreement between Canadian and American companies

Appointed to a three-member panel under the ICC Arbitration Rules involving a C$70-million claim for energy infrastructure between Spanish and American parties

Appointed sole arbitrator in international arbitration involving an intellectual property dispute between Chinese and North American parties

Appointed sole arbitrator in BCICAC international arbitration involving a dispute over mining interests in Ecuador

Appointed to a three-member arbitration panel regarding agency dispute

Appointed sole arbitrator in an ad hoc arbitration involving a franchise dispute

Appointed sole arbitrator in a BCICAC share valuation dispute

Appointed sole arbitrator in a number of ICDR commercial contract disputes

Appointed to a three-member arbitration panel regarding a dispute over a South American mining concession

AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Joe has been recognized as a leading lawyer by a number of publications including:

Chambers Canada: Canadian Leading Lawyers for Business 2020 (Nationwide Arbitration) – Chambers notes that Joe “regularly handles significant proceedings arising in a wide range of industries, including energy, technology and infrastructure. « Joe has a firm hand and really understands arbitration theory and practice, » say peers.”

Chambers Canada: Canadian Leading Lawyers for Business 2020 (BC Commercial Litigation) – Chambers notes: “The « enormously talented » Joseph McArthur wins praise for his rising profile in commercial dispute resolution, with clients reporting his « excellent and very thoughtful » submissions in cases

The Best Lawyers in Canada 2020 Vancouver Lawyer of the Year (International Arbitration)

The Best Lawyers in Canada 2013-2020 (Alternative Dispute Resolution, Appellate Practice, Corporate and Commercial Litigation, International Arbitration); named Best Lawyers’ 2014 Vancouver Appellate Law « Lawyer of the Year »

The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2019 (Commercial Arbitration)

Benchmark Litigation Canada Awards 2019: Canadian Arbitration Counsel of the Year

Chambers Global: The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business 2019 (Dispute Resolution: Nationwide Arbitration)

Chambers Canada: Canadian Leading Lawyers for Business 2019 (Dispute Resolution: Nationwide Arbitration – Chambers comments that Joe “attracts praise as a ‘very bright light’ in the arbitration space and is noted for his skillful representation of clients in the mining, construction and utilities sectors ». Chambers quotes a client’s comment that Joe “is knowledgeable, practical and very pleasant to work with”.)

The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2018 (Litigation – Corporate Commercial)

Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration 2018

Legal Media Group’s Guide to the World’s Leading Commercial Arbitration Lawyers 2016-2018 (Commercial Arbitration)

Chambers Canada: Canada’s Leading Lawyers for Business 2016 (Dispute Resolution: British Columbia – One client noted that Joe « is a great counsel; he works very well with evidence and is good at presenting a complicated matter in a short period of time. »)

Chambers Global: The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business 2015 (Dispute Resolution: British Columbia)

Benchmark Canada: The Definitive Guide to Canada’s Leading Litigation Firms and Attorneys 2012 (Litigation Star: Arbitration, Aboriginal, General Commercial and Securities)