Marie-Laure Bizeau

EMAIL ml.bizeau@medici.law

PHONE +33 1 81 70 82 50

ADMISSION

• Paris Bar

LANGUAGES

• English 
  
• French

EDUCATION

• Paris Bar School — Paris, France (2002)
  
• Postgraduate Degree (DESS) in Litigation, Arbitration and ADR – University of Paris II–Assas (2001)
• Postgraduate Degree (DESS) in International Business Law – University of Paris I Sorbonne (1999)

Marie-Laure Bizeau is a partner at Medici. Admitted to the Paris Bar in 2003, she began her career with Serge Lazareff and then worked at Derains & Gharavi International since its creation, for more than 11 years, including as a partner from 2018 to 2020. She has more than 17 years of experience in international arbitration during which she has acted as Counsel in numerous commercial arbitration proceedings governed by the rules of the largest arbitration institutions (ICC, LCIA, DIAC, CRCICA Swiss Rules of International Arbitration, KCAB, TRAC and UNCITRAL) as well as in investment arbitration proceedings, whether ad hoc (notably under the aegis of The Agreement for Promotion, Protection and Guarantee of Investments among the Member States of the Organization of the Islamic Conference) or under the ICSID Rules.

Marie-Laure has been involved in arbitrations relating to construction, sales and service contracts, distribution and license agreements, joint ventures and shareholder relationships in the sectors of energy (oil and gas), infrastructure, telecommunication, hospitality, pharmaceuticals, and investments in general. Her experience covers proceedings governed by civil law, common law, investment treaties and general public international law.

In addition, she has developed a strong practice in peri-arbitral litigation and more particularly in proceedings for the annulment and enforcement of awards before French courts as well as in proceedings relating to the liability of the various parties involved in the arbitration proceedings.

Marie-Laure also regularly acts as an arbitrator in domestic and international commercial arbitration proceedings.

RECOGNITION

• Since 2017, Marie-Laure has been included in the Who's Who Legal list of Future Leaders in International Arbitration, which describes her as "absolutely first-class, praised for her depth of intellect and super client skills";
• In 2021, Marie-Laure is ranked in the Arbitrators list of the Magazine Décideurs in the “Strong reputation” category;
  
• She is also recognized by Legal 500 as a "'notable' practitioner" (2020 EMEA Edition).  

EXPERIENCE

Experience as Counsel in investment arbitration and ICSID annulment proceedings

• Consel to a French company and its Moroccan subsidiary in an ICSID arbitration initiated against the Kingdom of Morroco concerning an investment in the telecommunications sector ; 
• Counsel to an Emirati company against a Libyan company in an investment arbitration relating to an investment in a Libyan refinery initiated on the basis of the investment agreement of the Organization of the Islamic Conference ; 
• Counsel to Finetis SARL and Finetis Maroc SA in an ICSID arbitration against the Kingdom of Morocco relating to the construction and operation of a high-speed telecommunications infrastructure;
• Counsel to a Tunisian company in an arbitration against the Republic of Gabon initiated under the Investment Agreement of the Organization of the Islamic Conference in relation to the construction of social housing buildings in the Republic of Gabon;
• Counsel to a French company in an ICSID arbitration against the Republic of Guinea relating to the construction of a building complex in Conakry;
• Counsel to Lebanese investors in an ICSID arbitration against the Democratic Republic of Congo relating to the expropriation of an investment in the construction and wood industries and in the annulment proceedings initiated by the Democratic Republic of Congo against the award (Antoine Abou Lahoud and Leila Bounafeh-Abou Lahoud v. Democratic Republic of the Congo, ICSID Case No. ARB/10/4);
• Counsel to the Republic of Togo in ICSID annulment proceedings initiated against Togo Elecritcité and GDF Suez and relating to a dispute concerning a concession in the electricity industry.

Experience as Counsel in ad hoc and institutional commercial arbitration proceedings

• Counsel to a French company in a CMAP arbitration in the healthcare sector (performance of a licensing agreement) ; 
• Counsel to a Belgian company in an ICC arbitration against an African State relating to a leasing contract - Claims: EUR 87.000.000 — Seat: Paris — Cameroonian law ;
• Counsel to an American company against an Italian company in an ICC arbitration concerning a contract for the supply of industrial paint ;
• Counsel to an American company against an Italian company in an ICC arbitration concerning a contract for the supply of industrial paint —  Seat: Geneva — Swiss law;
• Counsel to a Middle East company against European companies in an ICC arbitration related to car distribution contracts;
  
• Counsel in mediation proceedings under the auspices of the CMAP (Centre for mediation and arbitration of Paris) between a European hospitality group and a French company relating to the operation of overseas hotel complexes;
  
• Counsel to a Middle East State in an ICC arbitration against an Asian company arising out of the design and construction of a solid waste management facility;
  
• Counsel to a commercial agent in an arbitration under the Swiss Rules of International Arbitration against various companies of the same group and relating to an agency contract;
  
• Counsel to a European bank in an ICC arbitration against another European bank relating to a share purchase agreement;
• Counsel to an Indian company in an ICC arbitration against a Spanish company relating to the manufacture  and delivery of materials as part of a plant construction;
• Counsel to a Middle East citizen in an ICC arbitration relating to a debt collection and the implementation of a demand guarantee;
• Counsel to a French company in an ICC arbitration relating to a service contract;
  
• Counsel to a French company in a domestic commercial arbitration relating to hotel management contracts;
  
• Counsel to an Iranian construction company in an ICC arbitration against an Italian company relating to the breach of a construction contract.

Experience in proceedings related to arbitration

• Counsel to a Russian investor against the State of Kuwait in an action for annulment of an UNCITRAL award ;
• Counsel to an Emirati company against a Libyan company in annulment proceedings initiated against an ICC award > See article in GAR :  "Enforcement of Libyan oil award stayed in Paris";
• Counsel to a Qatari company against an UAE company in annulment proceedings initiated against an ICC award > See article in GAR : "Audi Volkswagen award set aside in Paris" and "French court upholds annulment over law firm conflict";
• Counsel to a British company against Uzbekistan in proceedings for partial annulment of an investment arbitration award;
• Counsel to an Tunisian company against the Republic of Gabon in proceedings for partial annulment of an investment arbitration award;
  
• Counsel to an Iraqi company against a French company in annulment proceedings initiated against an ICC award;
  
• Counsel to an Iranian company against an Italian company in annulment proceedings initiated against an ICC award;
  
• Counsel to a French company against a Tunisian company in annulment proceedings initiated against an ICC award;
  
• Counsel to a Dutch company against a Germany company in annulment proceedings initiated against an ad hoc arbitration award ; 
• Counsel to a Qatari company against a UAE company in annulment proceedings against an ICC award relating to a distribution contract; obtained annulment of the award > See Global Arbitration Review article: “Audi Volkswagen award set aside in Paris” and “French court upholds annulment over law firm conflict” ;
• Counsel to a French company in a CMAP mediation with a French company concerning the performance of a licensing, development and marketing agreement for pharmaceutical products involving an American company ;
• Counsel to a French pharmaceutical company in a CMAP mediation with a French company concerning the termination of a collaboration and licensing agreement ;
• Counsel in mediation proceedings conducted under the aegis of the CMAP between a European hotel group and a French company concerning the operation of hotel complexes overseas ;
• Counsel to the French subsidiary of a Chinese company in connection with disputes relating to the performance of a subcontract for the installation of the facades of a tower at La Défense.

Experience as arbitrator

• Chairman of the Arbitral Tribunal in an ICC arbitration between a Middle Eastern company and a Korean company concerning a construction contract;
• President of the Arbitral Tribunal in an ICC arbitration between a European company and a Taiwanese company concerning the sale of solar modules;
• Chairman of the Arbitral Tribunal in an ICC arbitration between Middle Eastern companies concerning a construction contract;
• Chairman of the Arbitral Tribunal in an ICC arbitration between a European company and a Taiwanese company relating to the sale of solar modules;
• Chairman of the Arbitral Tribunal in an ICC arbitration between two North African companies relating to a services contract;
• Chairman of the Arbitral Tribunal in an ICC arbitration between a Middle East company and a European company relating to an industrial equipment purchase contract;
• Sole arbitrator in an ICC arbitration between European companies concerning a road construction contract;
• Sole arbitrator in an ICC arbitration between a Singaporean company and a European company concerning consultancy contracts;
• Sole arbitrator in an ad hoc arbitration between European companies concerning a cooperation agreement for the management of an oil license;
• Sole arbitrator in an ICC arbitration relating to a contract for the construction of a road;
• Sole arbitrator in an ad hoc arbitration between European companies relating to a cooperation agreement for the management of an oil licence;
• Sole arbitrator in an ICC arbitration between French companies relating to a contract for the distribution of pharmaceutical products;
• Sole arbitrator in an ICC arbitration between European companies relating to the sale of wind turbines;
• Sole arbitrator in an ICC arbitration between French companies relating to the management of a nuclear power plant;
• Sole arbitrator in an ICC arbitration between French companies relating to a purchase contract;
• Sole arbitrator in an ICC arbitration relating to a contract for the inspection of goods;
  
• Sole arbitrator in an ICC arbitration between a Singaporean company and a European company concerning consulting contracts;
• Co-arbitrator in an ICC arbitration concerning the construction of a power plant in Algeria ;
• Co-arbitrator in an ICC arbitration between French companies concerning a construction contract ;
• Co-arbitrator in an ICC arbitration between Middle Eastern companies concerning a hotel construction contract ;
• Co-arbitrator in an ICC arbitration between European and North African companies relating to a construction contract;
• Co-arbitrator in an ad hoc arbitration relating to a franchise contract for the operating of a supermarket;
  
• Co-arbitrator in an ad hoc arbitration relating to a contract for the construction of a hotel.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• Since 2020 — Founding Partner, Medici (Paris)
• 2018-2020 — Partner, Derains & Gharavi (Paris)
• 2015-2018 — Counsel, Derains & Gharavi (Paris)
• 2009-2015 — Associate, Derains & Gharavi (Paris)
• 2003 -2008 — Associate, Cabinet Lazareff (Paris)

MANDATES / TEACHING

• Since 2014 — Visiting lecturer in international and internal arbitration at the University of Montpellier;
  
• Lecturer at the Paris Bar School of the Paris Court of Appeal;
• Member of the Arbitration and ADR Commission of ICC France.
  
• Member of the French Arbitration Association (AFA)
  
• Member of the CMAP (Centre of Mediation and Arbitration of Paris
  

EDUCATION

• 2003 — Postgraduate Degree (DESS) in Litigation, Arbitration and ADR – University of Paris II–Assas
• 2002 — Postgraduate Degree (DESS) in Litigation, Arbitration and ADR — University of Paris II–Assas
• 1999 — Postgraduate Degree (DESS) in International Business Law — University of Paris I, Sorbonne

PUBLICATIONS / SPEAKER

• Guillaume Feld & Marie-Laure Bizeau, ""Living hidden to be happy" - Myths, reality and practice of ad hoc commercial arbitration" in La Revue de l'arbitrage, n°1, January-March 2021;
• "Introductory Note to Sofregaz v. NGSC (CA Paris, June 3, 2020)", in International Legal Materials (ILM), Volume 60, Issue 2, published by The American Society of International Law, March 2021;
• Speaker at the ICC YAF Conference on the Constitution of the Arbitral Tribunal, December 2020;
• Speaker at "Arbitrators' crossed opinions", webinar-conference organized by Freshfields, October 2020;
• "Investment arbitration and pandemic" in Jus Mundi, August 2020;
• "Protection in arbitration proceedings", conference organized by the Paris Bar Association and the European Court of Arbitration on "The protection of the weaker party and the impecunious party in arbitration (allowing better access to arbitral justice)", on December 18, 2019;
• "Indirect expropriation in disputes between extractive parties" in Le contentieux extractif, International Chamber of Commerce, 2015;
• Hamid Gharavi & Marie-Laure Bizeau, "L'Article 10 du nouveau Règlement d'arbitrage de la CCI: Percées et formalisation de la pratique de la Cour sur la jonction d'arbitrages", in Les Cahiers de l'Arbitrage / The Paris Journal of International Arbitration, 2012 n°1, p. 51.

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