GBS Disputes

Pierre is or was part of the team advising and/or representing:

• The People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, Respondent in a UNCITRAL arbitration brought by Egyptian companies Qalaa Holdings S.A.E. and ASEC Cement S.A.E on the basis of the bilateral investment protection treaty between Algeria and Egypt. The dispute concerns alleged violations of the State’s obligations under the treaty in relation to two cement production projects in Algeria.
• The People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria in an investment treaty arbitration under UNCITRAL Rules brought by a car manufacturer. The claims are brought under a bilateral investment treaty and concern losses allegedly suffered due to measures adopted by the Algerian Government.
• A leading European energy company and its Asian subsidiary, Claimants in an ICC arbitration in Singapore against three Asian State-owned nuclear power companies. The arbitration concerned a shareholders’ dispute arising from the unilateral adoption by the Asian companies of corporate measures which would have had the effect of preventing our client from receiving one third of its share of the profits to be generated by the nuclear power plant throughout the assets’ technical life. The law of the Respondents’ State applied. The Tribunal found that the measures adopted by the Respondents were in breach of the shareholders’ agreement, issued relief to protect our clients’ share of future profits, and ordered the Respondents to pay 75% of our clients’ legal fees.
• The People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, Respondent in an ICSID arbitration initiated by Société des Parcs d’Alger and Emirates International Investment Company LLC (ICSID Case No. ARB/18/11). The dispute arose from a contract for the development of a USD 5 billion urban park project.
• Sportfive EMEA (formerly Lagardère Sports), Claimant in an ICC arbitration in Geneva against the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The dispute arose from the termination by CAF of a USD 1 billion exclusive television and marketing rights agreement. Swiss law applied.
• The People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, Respondent in an ICSID arbitration initiated by Orascom TMT Investments S.à.r.l. (ICSID Case No. ARB/12/35). The dispute related to alleged breaches of the State’s obligations under the bilateral investment treaty between Algeria and the Belgium-Luxembourg Economic Union in relation to the operation of a mobile telephone company in Algeria. The USD 4 billion claim brought against our client was dismissed in its entirety.
• Five North African shareholders, Respondents in an ICC arbitration in Paris initiated by Middle Eastern investors. The dispute arose from a shareholders agreement. The law of the Respondents’ State applied.
• The majority shareholders in the former Yukos Oil Company in proceedings initiated in France to seek the recognition and enforcement of the USD 50 billion awards rendered in the arbitrations brought by the shareholders against the Russian Federation concerning the expropriation of their investments in Yukos.
• The People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, Respondent in a UNCITRAL arbitration initiated by Global Telecom Holding SAE (formerly known as Orascom Telecom Holding) under the Algeria-Egypt bilateral investment treaty. The dispute concerned alleged breaches of the State’s obligations under the treaty in relation to the operation of a mobile telephone company in Algeria. Over USD 16 billion was at stake.

Pro Bono

• As part of his appointment by the Paris Bar (Ordre des avocats de Paris) on the list of pro bono lawyers for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, representation of an Iraqi judoka before the Anti-Doping Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
• Representation of a rugby club official in proceedings before a disciplinary committee of the French Rugby Federation (Fédération Française de Rugby).
• Representation of a young non-professional rugby player in disciplinary proceedings before the Appeal Committee of the French Rugby Federation (Fédération Française de Rugby).
• Appointment by the UEFA administration on the list pro bono lawyers in the UEFA’s disciplinary proceedings (2022–present).

Education

• UEFA Academy, Football Law Programme, Certificate of Advanced Studies in football law (with distinction)
• Université Paris-Est Créteil (Paris XII), Diplôme d’Université in Sports law (with distinction)
• University of Geneva and Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Master of Advanced Studies (LL.M.) in International Dispute Settlement (MIDS)
• Université Paris-Sud (Paris XI), Master 2 Contract law
• Université Paris II Panthéon-Assas, Master 1 Private law

Admissions & Courts

• Paris

Languages

• French
• English
• Italian

Nationality

• French

• Ambassador, Sports Arbitration Moot (SAM)
• Member, International Law Association (ILA)
• Member, Comité Français de l’Arbitrage (CFA)
• Member, Association Suisse de Droit du Sport (ASDS)
• Member, Association Suisse de l’Arbitrage Below 40 (ASAb40)
• Member, Young International Council for Commercial Arbitration (Young ICCA)

Teaching

• Lecturer on Sports Disputes, Université Paris II Panthéon-Assas, LL.M. AWArDS (Assas World Arbitration and Disputes Settlement) (2024–present)
• Lecturer on Sports Arbitration, Université Paris-Est Créteil (Paris XII), Diplôme d’Université in Sports law (2022–present)

• “Clémentine Legendre, ‘La coordination du Mouvement sportif international et des ordres juridiques étatiques et supra-étatiques,’” (book review), 2022(4) Revue critique de droit international privé 828
• “Chambre arbitrale du sport : la double activité d’arbitre et de conseil à l’épreuve du recours en annulation,” 2020(4) Cahiers de l’Arbitrage / Paris Journal of International Arbitration 809 (with F. Bordes)
• Research Assistant and Co-Team Leader, New York Convention Guide Project (www.newyorkconvention1958.org)

• “Hot Topics in Sports Arbitration,” CEPANI 40, Brussels, 19 September 2024
• “Sport et Relations internationales,” Galatasaray University, Istanbul, 26 April 2024
• “Sports Arbitration: Open Talk on Key Issues and Future Challenges,” Paris Arbitration Week, Paris (Parc des Princes), 20 March 2024
• “Arbitrage, sport et e-sport,” Le Club de l’arbitrage, Interview, 16 Novembre 2023
• “L’arbitrage dans le monde sportif,” Paris Baby Arbitration, Podcast, 27 October 2023
• “The Settlement of Sports Disputes: Overview and Hot Topics,” GIAC Arbitration Days, Tbilisi, 13 October 2023
• “Sports Disputes and LATAM,” Latin American Arbitration Practitioners | EU, Paris, 6 September 2023
• “E-sport et arbitrage : actualités et perspectives,” Paris Tech Arbitration & Jus Mundi, Paris, 15 June 2023
• “Amended CAS Code of Sports-related Arbitration,” Sports Arbitration Moot Conference, Madrid, 28 April 2023
• “Is the Referee a Good Lawyer? Establishing an International Law Framework for Professional Sports,” NUS Centre for International Law and International Law Association (Singaporean Branch), webinar, 7 July 2022
• “Sports Disputes: Past, Present & Future,” Paris Arbitration Week, Paris, 29 March 2022
• “Arbitrage et Sport,” CFA-40 (Comité français de l’arbitrage), Paris, 16 July 2020