International Commercial Arbitration
Representative cases
Arbitrator Appointments
Served as arbitrator in a commercial arbitration under the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules seated in Geneva, involving a dispute between a UK and a Spanish company over the supply of radar systems and related services for a major infrastructure project in Iraq. The case concerned complex issues of contract interpretation, including the delivery and legalization of customs documentation, termination of contract, counterclaims for delay, and compensation for losses. The matter required detailed analysis of international trade obligations, compliance with legal documentation, and cross-border project execution.
Served as arbitrator in a dispute seated in London under the 2020 LCIA Rules between a major Brazilian agricultural cooperative and a large exporter of potash fertilizers. The dispute arose from cross-border supply contracts governed by English law and included a tort claim under Brazilian law, requiring the tribunal to consider issues of conflict of laws and concurrent liability. Two LCIA proceedings were consolidated into a single arbitration, which was further complicated by the impact of international sanctions.
Appointed as arbitrator in a dispute seated in Washington, D.C., under the UNCITRAL ad hoc rules, arising from a consulting contract with a development bank for the provision of technical and administrative assistance in the waste management sector in Somalia. The contract was governed by New York law.
Served as arbitrator in a dispute seated in London under the Rules of the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) between a Swiss seller and an Uzbek buyer, arising from an international bitumen supply contract governed by English law. The arbitration addressed cross-border trade and logistics issues, including delivery obligations, quality standards, and payment terms, as well as the interpretation of contractual rights and remedies under English law.
Appointed by the Arbitration Court of the Tashkent International Arbitration Centre (TIAC) as sole arbitrator in a dispute between parties from Russia and Uzbekistan arising out of an international supply contract for industrial equipment. The arbitration was conducted in Russian under the TIAC Arbitration Rules, with Tashkent as the seat of arbitration. The disputed concerned contractual breach, payment default, and damages, applying Uzbek substantive and procedural law.
Served as a presiding arbitrator in a cross-border commercial dispute administered by the Center for Arbitration and Mediation of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of Kazakhstan, appointed under the European Convention on International Commercial Arbitration (Geneva, 1961). The case arose from a sales contract between a Kazakh buyer and a foreign seller and concerned both quality of goods and non-payment. The proceedings were conducted in Almaty, in Russian, under Kazakh law, and ended in a settlement.
Served as arbitrator in a cross-border commercial dispute administered by the Center for Arbitration and Mediation of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of Kazakhstan, appointed under the European Convention on International Commercial Arbitration (Geneva, 1961). The case arose from a wagon-repair contract between Kazakh and Russian companies and concerned delayed release of a repaired freight wagon, contractual non-performance, and resulting claims for reimbursement of repair costs and consequential losses tied to prolonged wagon downtime. The matter involved review of technical railway repair documentation, financial records, and pre-arbitral correspondence, as well as resolution of jurisdictional issues stemming from an arbitration clause that did not designate a specific arbitral institution. The proceedings were conducted in Almaty, in Russian, under Kazakh law.
AIFC International Arbitration Centre
Sole counsel to Qarmet JSC in a multi-million-dollar international commercial arbitration under the AIFC Arbitration Rules, arising from a major industrial procurement contract. The dispute concerned alleged defects in supplied equipment and involved multiple technical expert examinations, extensive witness testimony, and complex procedural challenges. It required in-depth analysis of contractual interpretation, industry quality standards, causation, and quantum. In its final award issued in September 2025, the tribunal dismissed all claims against Qarmet and granted full relief in its favour, marking a landmark victory with strategic significance for the company’s operations.
Prepared an expert opinion in arbitration proceedings under the AIFC Rules arising from complex legal relationships involving an intermediary in the supply of unique and high-value drilling equipment manufactured by a Scottish company for a Kazakhstani geological exploration company.
Prepared an expert opinion on complex theoretical issues of Kazakh law in arbitration proceedings under the AIFC Arbitration Rules arising from complex legal relationships involving an intermediary in the supply of unique and high-value drilling equipment manufactured by a Scottish company for a Kazakhstani geological exploration company.
China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission
Acted as sole counsel to a MAJOR KAZAKHSTANI TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY in international commercial arbitration under the CIETAC Rules, with the seat in Beijing. The dispute arose from a sales contract for LiDAR equipment used in the construction of a toll road. The case involved complex legal issues regarding the interpretation of Hong Kong and PRC law, particularly concerning the contract’s purpose, delivery timelines, and choice of applicable law.
Kazakhstan Arbitration (Outside the AIFC)
Advised and represented Freschette Limited in a multi-million US dollar commercial arbitration under the rules of the Kazakhstan International Arbitration in a dispute with a major local company operating mining facilities. The dispute was resolved through a settlement agreement
Represented Can Agri, a major Europe-based company specializing in the production of animal feedstuff, in international commercial arbitration seated in Astana regarding debt recovery. Because the permanent arbitral institution specified in the arbitration clause was liquidated as of the date of claim, we applied for the appointment of an authority to consider the dispute under the procedure stipulated by the European Convention on International Commercial Arbitration. The appointed arbitration considered the case and satisfied the client’s claims in full.
Paris
Provided expert support in a Paris-seated arbitration to an AUSTRIAN PLANT ENGINEERING GROUP regarding disputes under a FIDIC Yellow Book contract for the design, manufacture, supply, and installation of electromechanical equipment for a hydropower plant in Kazakhstan. We advised on design liability issues under Kazakh law, specifically whether the client was considered a licensed designer under Kazakh regulations or responsible only for preliminary design work exempt from licensing requirements. Our legal opinion proved helpful during the arbitral hearings, according to the client.
SCC Arbitration Institute
Represented a major EUROPEAN CONTRACTOR in Stockholm arbitration under the SCC Rules against the client concerning a contract for a major road reconstruction financed by the EBRD. The contract was based on the terms of the FIDIC Red Book. The dispute arose from the non-payment of amounts certified by the engineer under the contract. The main issues in dispute related to the contract price escalation clauses, in particular the base material cost for the application of the formulae prescribed by those clauses.
Represented a large AZERBAIJAN CONTRACTOR in an arbitration in Stockholm under the SCC rules against the client in a major road reconstruction project financed by the EBRD. The contract was based on FIDIC terms and conditions. The dispute concerned various issues, including force majeure related to the COVID-19 pandemic, a challenge to the finality of an engineer’s decision, the employer’s fault for project delays and other contentious issues.