Laurent Gouiffès acts as arbitrator in investment disputes and international commercial disputes, as well as counsel. The matters presented here illustrate both activities, particularly in the energy, infrastructure and telecommunications sectors.
Pre-dispute work, international commercial arbitration, investment arbitration and post-arbitration litigation
Laurent Gouiffès assesses contractual and investment risks, claims, defences and potential losses to shape a strategy aligned with the client’s business objectives. This early assessment evolves with the facts, applicable law and commercial or political context, informing decisions before a dispute develops.
International contractual disputes may arise between businesses in different countries, or between a foreign business and a State. Laurent Gouiffès works on these disputes across a range of sectors, including energy, technology and industry, under different arbitration rules, notably those of the ICC, the LCIA and the CAM.
Investment arbitration is his primary area of expertise. These disputes arise between foreign investors and States under treaties protecting foreign investments. Laurent Gouiffès works on these proceedings, notably under the ICSID and UNCITRAL Rules.
National courts may be called upon to support or review an arbitration: appointing an arbitrator, setting aside an award, recognising and enforcing it, or attaching assets to secure payment. Assistance covers these court proceedings for both the party bringing the application and the party responding to it.
In both commercial and investment treaty arbitration, Laurent Gouiffès serves in two roles: as sole arbitrator, presiding arbitrator or a party-appointed co-arbitrator; and as counsel to a party.
His French legal background and experience of common law environments are particularly relevant to international counsel, including those in common law jurisdictions, considering an arbitrator appointment in a dispute involving a State.
Oil and gas · Mining · Electricity and nuclear · Infrastructure and major projects · Aerospace · Telecommunications
Seat of arbitration: Italy
Sole arbitrator
Acting as sole arbitrator in an arbitration under the aegis of the Chamber of Arbitration of Milan for a dispute between an English company and an Italian company in the optic business (seat in Milan, Italian law, Italian language).
Seat of arbitration: Romania
Co-arbitrator
ICC arbitration between a consortium of companies and a Romanian company arising out of a construction contract. Seat in Bucharest, Romanian law, proceedings in English.
Seat of arbitration: Italy
Presiding arbitrator
Arbitration administered by the Milan Chamber of Arbitration between an Italian company and an Iraqi company concerning the construction of a dam. Seat in Milan, Italian law, proceedings in Italian.
Seat of arbitration: France
Co-arbitrator
ICC arbitration between two European companies in the oil and gas sector concerning the construction of offshore infrastructure in West Africa. Seat in Paris, French law, proceedings in English.
Seat of arbitration: United Kingdom
Presiding arbitrator
Arbitration between a UK-based company and a company incorporated in Turkey concerning an agreement for the purchase of an aircraft. Seat in London, English law, proceedings in English.
Seat of arbitration: United Kingdom
Sole arbitrator
Arbitration under the aegis of the Milan Chamber of Arbitration concerning a dispute in F3000 motor racing. Seat in London, English law, proceedings in English.
Acting as co-arbitrator in an LCIA arbitration in relation to a dispute between Maltese and Italian parties (seat in London, English law, English language).
Acting as sole arbitrator, in an ICC arbitration in the food industry, between a German company and an English company (seat in Paris, German law, English language).
Acting as sole arbitrator in a LCIA arbitration in relation to a financial dispute between two UK and American companies (seat in London, English law, English language).
Acting as sole arbitrator in a LCIA arbitration in a dispute between an Australian mining company and an Indian steel manufacturer (seat in London, English law, English language).
Acting as co-arbitrator in an ICC arbitration in relation to the payment of legal fees between an English and French company (seat in London, English and French law, English language).
Acting as sole arbitrator in an ICC arbitration between an Italian company and an Israeli company in the fashion industry (seat in Paris, Italian law, English language).
Acting as sole arbitrator in an LCIA arbitration between a law firm and various companies from Kazakhstan in relation to legal fees (seat in London, English law, English language).
Acting as sole arbitrator in an LCIA arbitration under Italian law, in the pharmaceutical sector (seat in London, Italian Law, English language).
Acting as sole arbitrator in an arbitration administered by the Milan Chamber of Arbitration, under Italian law, between an Italian aviation company and a German company in the financial sector concerning the provision of transport (Italian Law, Italian Language).
Acting as sole arbitrator in an LCIA arbitration, under English law with proceedings in French, between two courier services companies in relation to their business in North Africa (English law, French Language).
Acting as sole arbitrator in an ICC arbitration between a Greek engineering construction company and a Romanian company arising out of a FIDIC contract for the rehabilitation of a railway line (Romanian law, English language).
Acting as chairman of the Arbitral Tribunal in an arbitration administered by the Milan Chamber of Arbitration, under Italian law, between an Italian company and a Luxembourg company in a contractual dispute under the Share Purchase Agreement between the two companies (seat in Milan, Italian Law, Italian Language).
Acting as sole arbitrator in an LCIA arbitration between two companies incorporated in Pakistan in relation to a Power Purchase Agreement (seat in London, Pakistani law, English language).
Representing the Republic of an East European country in a long-running ICC arbitration, governed by English and Albanian law, relating to cost sharing at Europe’s largest onshore oilfield, with over USD 800m in dispute.
Representing the Government of Colombia in a USD 350 million ICSID investment arbitration initiated by an American technology company relating to the commercial expansion and administration of the country’s top-level domain name.
Representing the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in relation to two ICSID arbitrations brought by companies in the coffee and fertilizer industries.
Representing the Government of Mongolia in an UNCITRAL arbitration brought by Khan Resources, a Canadian company, under the Energy Charter Treaty. The dispute concerns the alleged appropriation of uranium mining licences (PCA in the Hague, seat in Paris).
Representing a South African branch of a major UK bank against an African Government after the privatisation of the state-owned telecommunications company (UNCITRAL, the Hague).
Representing the Republic of Slovenia in an ICSID arbitration under the Energy Charter Treaty initiated by the national electricity company of Croatia, HEP, in relation to the Krsko nuclear power plant in Slovenia that was built before a national border existed between the two countries of the former Yugoslavia.
Representing a market leading telecom tower infrastructure company in pre-arbitration negotiations and ICC arbitration proceedings against a leading French telecom company in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Representing a media conglomerate, against a Lebanese company in parallel ICC arbitration proceedings relating to breaches of several agreements in connexion with their business in the Middle East.
Representing an American Fortune 500 company in ICC arbitration proceedings in relation to the acquisition of a manufacturing facility in France, against a subsidiary of a French major oil and gas company, for claims resulting from non-disclosures during the acquisition process.
Representing a European oil and gas production company in ICC arbitration proceedings against another European oil and gas company in relation to a price review of a long-term gas contract.
Representing a leading French engineering company in the energy industry in proceedings initiated by one of its contractors in the Middle East in relation to alleged breaches of consultancy agreements.
Representing a global aircraft manufacturer in an arbitration with one if its principal suppliers (ICC, Paris).
on arbitration, energy and international law.
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