Department profile

Arbitration Counsel

Global Guide 2026 : Switzerland

Lalive

Rankings

Ranked Individuals

About

Provided by Lalive

LALIVE is internationally renowned for its expertise in the field of dispute resolution, especially in international commercial arbitration, investment arbitration and litigation.
The firm operates on a worldwide basis, representing individuals, multinationals, States and State entities in high profile commercial and investor-State disputes.
The arbitration practice is composed of 16 partners and 55 full time arbitration associates qualified in Switzerland and 18 other countries.
The practice handles cases involving a broad range of substantive laws, arbitration laws and arbitration rules in all key jurisdictions. It is the only Swiss-based firm to have a significant investment arbitration practice. It handles the advocacy itself in all of its cases.
The practice is unique in the number of jurisdictions it is able to cover and is particularly active in Switzerland, Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia and South America.
The firm’s twelve renowned international arbitration partners are actively involved in many of the major international arbitration associations, committees, and working groups (including the ICC Arbitration Commission, Swiss Arbitration Association, UNCITRAL Working Groups, LCIA Users’ Council, ICCA, AAA, and IBA Arbitration Committee) as well as holding key executive positions in several arbitration institutions (Swiss Chambers’ Arbitration Institution, ICC Court of International Arbitration, ICDR, SCC, DIAC).

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Arbitration Counsel - Switzerland

What the Team is Known For

Lalive boasts a strong team for bilateral investment treaty disputes and construction arbitration. It also acts for sovereign entities, as well as companies operating in the energy and mining spaces. The law firm represents clients in product liability arbitration, as well as supply cases and set-aside proceedings. The lawyers at Lalive are often appointed as arbitrators in energy, contractual and construction cases. The law firm has offices in Geneva and Zürich, as well as team members based in London to broaden its ability to handle international arbitration.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

Lalive represented Ruby River Capital in a USD1 billion claim brought under ICSID rules against Canada in connection with its refusal to grant construction permits for a natural gas facility in Quebec.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

The team stands out for its keen attention to detail and unwavering professionalism in every project, making sure all client needs are met with precision.
Arbitration Counsel respondentGlobal
Lalive is able to strategise at a high level and get into the weeds. The whole team can grasp the nuances of the case very quickly and own the details.
Arbitration Counsel respondentGlobal
Lalive offers a strategic approach combined with attention to detail. The team's specialisation in international arbitration brings focus and a customer-centric attitude.
Arbitration Counsel respondentGlobal
Lalive has an excellent reputation, with some outstanding individual lawyers.
Arbitration Counsel respondentGlobal
This department distinguishes itself through a combination of resource efficiency and strategic commercial awareness.
Arbitration Counsel respondentGlobal

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Senior Statespeople
Senior Statespeople
Michael E Schneider
Michael Schneider has notable experience acting as president of ICSID proceedings and is honorary president of the Swiss Arbitration Association.
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Band 1
Band 1
Matthias Scherer
Matthias Scherer is one of the leading arbitrators in Switzerland, with particular experience in ICC proceedings, overseeing construction and post-M&A arbitrations. In addition, he represents states in ICSID proceedings concerning bilateral investment treaties.
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Band 2
Band 2
Domitille Baizeau
Domitille Baizeau acts as both presiding arbitrator and co-arbitrator in arbitrations under a range of rules, including those of the FAI, the ICC and ICSID. She also represents clients as counsel and is often active on matters relating to the energy and pharmaceutical sectors, in addition to handling significant investment treaty matters.
Domitille Baizeau is excellent, and whatever she does is quality. If you have her on a tribunal, things will go right. She has high standards and is a class act.
Arbitration Counsel respondentGlobal
Domitille Baizeau is a great partner who is on top of her work.
Arbitration Counsel respondentGlobal
Domitille Baizeau is really impressive, both in written and oral advocacy. We are really impressed by what she comes up with.
Arbitration Counsel respondentGlobal
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Band 4
Band 4
Melissa Magliana
Melissa Magliana has notable experience representing clients in ICC arbitrations, usually involving either commercial or construction disputes. She offers particular expertise in energy-related matters. She also acts as co-arbitrator and chair in arbitral proceedings.
Melissa is really pragmatic, diplomatic and well prepared.
Arbitration Counsel respondentGlobal
Melissa is a very experienced and knowledgeable lawyer in arbitration. She knows a lot of details about how arbitration works in Switzerland.
Arbitration Counsel respondentGlobal
Melissa Magliana is excellent and doing a terrific job, both as counsel and arbitrator.
Arbitration Counsel respondentGlobal
Melissa Magliana is a very good arbitration specialist.
Arbitration Counsel respondentGlobal
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Band 2
Band 2
Noradèle Radjai
Noradèle Radjai represents clients in ICSID, UNCITRAL and SCC proceedings. She often acts on proceedings in the energy and manufacturing sectors, in addition to advising on international investment treaty disputes. She is admitted to practise in both Switzerland and England and Wales, demonstrating activity in LCIA proceedings.
Noradèle Radjai is a very diligent and well-prepared lawyer. She is able to be on two fronts at the same time, and is very organised and cogent in her thinking.
Arbitration Counsel respondentGlobal
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Band 4
Band 4
Bernd Ehle
Bernd Ehle has experience representing clients in significant arbitrations, including post-M&A proceedings and contract breaches. Clients from the energy and manufacturing industries regularly turn to him for assistance. He has further experience acting as an arbitrator in ICC and DIS arbitrations, and he is dual-qualified in Germany and Switzerland.
I really appreciate how he goes through everything with 120% commitment. I rate him very highly.
Arbitration Counsel respondentGlobal
Bernd Ehle stays well informed throughout the case and takes the entire process incredibly seriously, which makes him a very good sparring partner. He is clever, bright and super reliable.
Arbitration Counsel respondentGlobal
Bernd Ehle is one of the brightest arbitrators I know. He is detailed and collegiate.
Arbitration Counsel respondentGlobal
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Band 3
Band 3
Joachim Knoll
Joachim Knoll represents clients in UNCITRAL and ICSID arbitration proceedings. His expertise includes contractual disputes in the natural resources and construction sectors, as well as investment treaty arbitrations.
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Switzerland, expertise based abroad in UK
Switzerland, expertise based abroad in UK
Marc D Veit
Marc Veit is admitted to the Swiss Bar and as a solicitor in England and Wales, splitting his time between the two jurisdictions. He has experience representing clients in arbitrations under a range of rules, including those of the ICC, ICSID and UNCITRAL. He often acts in disputes concerning bilateral investment treaties.
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Foreign expert for Austria
Foreign expert for Austria
Werner Jahnel
Werner Jahnel is admitted to the Bar in both Austria and Switzerland, and has experience acting as an arbitrator in proceedings seated in Vienna.
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