Confidentiality is often regarded as one of the core advantages of international arbitration. For instance, confidentiality reduces disclosure of sensitive information and the influence of public opinion.[1] Confidentiality is to be distinguished from privacy, which concerns the fact that only parties to the arbitration agreement may attend hearings and participate in arbitral proceedings.[2] Privacy prevents interference from […]
France Arbitration
International Arbitration Agreements and Kompetenz-Kompetenz: A Comparative Perspective Between USA and France
The Kompetenz-Kompetenz doctrine presumes that an international arbitral tribunal has jurisdiction to assess and decide its own jurisdiction. Legal systems adopt different approaches to the Kompetenz-Kompetenz principle. National arbitration legislation varies regarding the versions of the Kompetenz-Kompetenz principle adopted.[1] The principle involves two types of effects. The positive effect of Kompetenz-Kompetenz is that the arbitral […]
William Kirtley and Marina Sim Comment on Taxes and Investment Arbitration
William Kirtley and Marina Sim were interviewed by LexisNexis to discuss the judgment of the Paris Court of Appeal in Vincent J. Ryan, Schooner Capital LLC, and Atlantic Investment Partners LLC v Republic of Poland, and the claimants’ set-aside application and its implications for investment treaty arbitration (ITA) practitioners. The dispute concerned States’ authority to […]
William Kirtley and Christy Chidiac Comment on Setting Aside of Arbitral Award
In a recently-published article by LexisNexis, William Kirtley and Christy Chidiac provide analysis of the French Court of Cassation’s setting aside of the Paris Court of Appeal’s partial annulment of an arbitration award on jurisdiction rendered in Serafín García Armas and Karina García Gruber v The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (“Serafín“). A primary issue in […]
William Kirtley and Zuzana Vysudilova Publish 2019 Guide on French Arbitration
William Kirtley and Zuzana Vysudilova recently published a 2019 guide on French arbitration law. The guide on arbitration in France was published by Law Business Research 2019, in its Getting the Deal Through series, and it is available below. Many arbitrations have their seat in France, which has a modern arbitration law and is the […]
William Kirtley and Zuzana Vysudilova Publish Article on Violations of International Public Policy
William Kirtley and Zuzana Vysudilova have published a new article on violations of international public policy under French law, in light of the Paris Court of Appeal’s test in the case Société MK Group c/ S.A.R.L. Onix et Société Financial Initiative. Published by LexisNexis UK, the article discusses the test prior to 2014, when French […]
New English-Speaking Commercial Court in Paris
On 1 March, a new appeals court in Paris opened its chamber doors. Similar to courts in other EU cities,[1] this commercial court resolves international commercial disputes using English and common law practices. It also hears appeals from the lower commercial court[2] involving foreign businesses or foreign law. It also expects to ultimately oversee arbitration award enforcement […]
Aceris Publishes Guide on Arbitration in France and Paris (2018 Edition)
Aceris Law, a Getting the Deal Through National Expert, has recently published the 2018 guide for Arbitration in France, which is available below for consultation or download. The guide examines the most significant issues regarding arbitration in France, in relation to commercial and investment disputes with French elements. It describes investment arbitration issues (bilateral investment […]
Sales Representative (Iraq) v. Manufacturer (France), ICC Case No. 16684, Final Award (2012)
This ICC arbitral award concerns the notion of estoppel and a Representation Agreement between the parties, and whether a contract was valid and enforceable despite a United Nations embargo, with respect to a contract under Swiss law. While the contract was being performed, an Iraq embargo was ordered by the United Nations following the invasion […]





