Gaëtan Verhoosel

Gaëtan Verhoosel is a partner in the firm’s London office and a co-chair of the firm's International Arbitration Practice.  Mr. Verhoosel has acted as counsel in numerous commercial and investment treaty arbitrations, both under the rules of the major arbitral institutions and ad hoc.  Mr. Verhoosel’s engagements have involved a variety of jurisdictions in Western and Eastern Europe, Latin America, and Asia, and a wide range of industries that includes most prominently oil & gas, energy, infrastructure and concessions, and telecommunications.  He also sits as arbitrator in both commercial and treaty arbitrations.  A native Dutch speaker, Mr. Verhoosel handles contentious work in English, Spanish, and French. 

Chambers UK (2012) describes Mr. Verhoosel as a "strategically strong and practical lawyer with a clear vision of how to proceed in international arbitration proceedings”. Clients further note that "his communication and language skills are his strongest assets” and commend him for his efforts to “understand the sensitivities, strategic issues and practical implications of their business.” Legal 500 UK (2010) recognised him as a "strategic thinker but also extremely practical and cost efficient" and "one of the most promising young arbitration specialists in the market."  Chambers Latin America (2011) described him as "a rising star" who "is well regarded for his ability to effectively tackle complex cases."  Mr. Verhoosel also has recently been named as one of Global Arbitration Review's "45 Under 45".

Representative Matters

• Counsel for a US oil & gas independent in a multi-billion dollar ICSID arbitration against a Latin American State, in a dispute arising out of alleged breaches of a bilateral investment treaty and a production sharing agreement.
• Counsel for a European oil refinery business in an ad hoc arbitration against various UK underwriters arising out of property damage and business interruption claims exceeding $150 million.
• Counsel for a Bermuda company in a LCIA arbitration against a Russian investment firm arising out of investment brokerage arrangements.
• Counsel for a European oil & gas major in a dispute arising out of alleged breaches of a joint venture agreement relating to natural gas assets in Latin America.
• Counsel for a Lithuanian petrochemicals company in an LCIA arbitration against a US contractor, in a dispute arising out of alleged breaches of a project management agreement.
• Counsel for a French oil & gas independent in an ICSID arbitration against a Latin American State, in a dispute arising out of alleged breaches of a bilateral investment treaty and several production sharing agreements.
• Counsel for an Indian industrial conglomerate in LCIA and ad hoc arbitral proceedings under English and Indian law relating to alleged breaches of a shareholders and share purchase agreement.
• Counsel for a Brazilian utility in parallel ICC arbitrations under Brazilian law relating to the construction of a combined cycle thermoelectric power plant.
• Counsel for a US oil & gas independent in an ad hoc arbitration against a Latin American State under a bilateral investment treaty and UNCITRAL rules relating to the denial of VAT refunds, and related proceedings in the English courts in defense of the US$ 75 million award in favour of the client.
• Counsel for Brazilian shareholders in an parallel ICC arbitrations under Brazilian law relating to alleged breaches of a shareholders’ agreement.

Previous Experience

• International Counsel in the international dispute resolution group of a major international law firm.
• Legal Advisor at the World Trade Organisation, Geneva, advising WTO dispute settlement panels adjudicating international trade and investment disputes between sovereigns across a range of industry sectors.

Honors and Rankings

• Chambers UK, International Arbitration (2011-2012)
• Chambers Global, International Arbitration, Global and Latin America-wide and Public International Law, Global (2011)
• Chambers Latin America, International Arbitration (2010)
• PLC Which Lawyer? Arbitration, England (2011)
• Legal 500 UK, International Arbitration (2010-2011)
• Global Arbitration Review, 45 under 45 (2011)
• Who’s Who Legal, Commercial Arbitration (2010-2012)

Memberships and Affiliations

• President, British Chapter of the Club Español de Arbitraje
• International Bar Association
• International Law Association
• Club Español de Arbitraje
• Institut d’Arbitrage International
• LCIA European Users’ Council
• IELPO program, University of Barcelona, Global faculty member (2008-present)
• Science Po graduate school, Paris, Lecturer (2005-2007)

Publications and Speeches

• "Efficiency in ICC Arbitration," ICC Young Arbitrators Forum (12/1/2011)
• "Can We Deal Effectively With Multi-party and Multi-contract Arbitrations?" and "Tough Questions on Efficiency," The New ICC Rules of Arbitration and Recent Practice in Light of the Quest for Efficiency in International Arbitration (12/1/2011)
• "International Financial Dispute Settlements," ICGN 2011 Annual Conference and General Meeting (9/13/2011)