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Lalive

International Arbitration: Most In Demand Arbitrators

Global Guide 2026 : Europe-wide

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Lalive

Rankings

About

Provided by Lalive

LALIVE is a global leader in international commercial arbitration. Founded over 50 years ago by pioneers who shaped the world of arbitration, the team is recognised today as ‘arbitration royalty’ by Global Arbitration Review’s GAR 30 index of the world’s leading arbitration experts.

LALIVE's lawyers are disputes specialists, focused on providing top-tier arbitration expertise to individuals, corporations, and States, on their most complex and critical matters. They bring an unrivalled breadth and depth of experience in high-value, international disputes, in particular in the construction, infrastructure, energy, mining and pharmaceutical sectors.

The firm's expertise spans borders and cultures, reflecting our clients’ needs. The team includes over 25 nationalities speaking some 20 languages, and qualified in over 15 jurisdictions. They handle proceedings across a broad range of jurisdictions and under arbitration rules worldwide. In 2023, the firm was involved in arbitrations involving 49 different applicable laws and 26 arbitral seats in Europe, the US, Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Asia. This diversity and international reach form part of the firm’s DNA.

The firm's lawyers routinely act as both counsel and arbitrators in arbitral proceedings, allowing them to bring a strategic and balanced view to every case. Many are recognised as leading figures in the field and hold key positions in international arbitral institutions and associations.

Industries (24)

  • Aerospace & Defence
  • Automobiles & Parts
  • Banks
  • Chemicals
  • Commercial & Professional Services
  • Construction & Materials
  • Consumer Product Manufacturing
  • Energy
  • Financial Services
  • Food & Drink Producers
  • Forestry & Paper
  • Government
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Media
  • Mining & Metals
  • Pharmaceuticals & Life Sciences
  • Private Clients / Individuals
  • Real Estate
  • Sports
  • Technology, Hardware & Electronics
  • Telecommunications
  • Transportation
  • Travel & Leisure
  • Utilities

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

International Arbitration: Most In Demand Arbitrators - Europe-wide

What the Team is Known For

Lalive is an outstanding Swiss firm operating out of Geneva, Zürich and London, with the experience and reputation to compete at the pan-European level. Its team is praised for its prowess in large-scale investor state arbitrations on behalf of states as well as state-owned and private companies. The firm is particularly active in the energy, construction and mining sectors, with a strong caseload of ICSID and UNCITRAL arbitrations relating to disputes between European and Middle Eastern or Asian parties. The firm is recognised as a superb choice to handle Geneva-seated commercial cases, with additional experience in cases seated in London or Helsinki. It is also well reputed for the numerous prominent arbitrators within its ranks.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Lalive represented Romania in a USD6.7 billion ICSID arbitration brought by investors from the UK and Canada under BITs arising from a gold mining project.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The whole team can grasp the nuances of the case very quickly and own the details. The lawyers are responsive and very motivated, with a breadth of expertise and experience in the industry.

    International Arbitration: Most In Demand Arbitrators respondentGlobal

  • Lalive has an excellent reputation with outstanding lawyers on their arbitration team. The legal work is excellent.

    International Arbitration: Most In Demand Arbitrators respondentGlobal

  • Lalive is incredibly well known on an international scale, with particular strength in state investment arbitration.

    International Arbitration: Most In Demand Arbitrators respondentGlobal

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Domitille Baizeau
    Domitille Baizeau

    Domitille Baizeau

    Domitille Baizeau demonstrates prowess in acting as counsel in various investor state and commercial disputes governed by different arbitration rules, such as those of the ICC and ICSID. She is also noted as an arbitrator, acting as president or co-arbitrator in European-seated tribunals.

    • 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.

      International Arbitration: Most In Demand Arbitrators respondentGlobal
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  • Matthias Scherer
    Matthias Scherer

    Matthias Scherer

    Clients appreciate Matthias Scherer for his expertise in high profile investor state arbitrations under ICSID rules, where he mostly acts for European states. He is also in demand as an arbitrator, sitting in ICC and SCC tribunals in Switzerland and Stockholm.

    • If my life were at stake and I needed an arbitrator or counsel, he would be my choice. He has so much charisma and is very clever. Astonishing.

      International Arbitration: Most In Demand Arbitrators respondentGlobal
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  • Michael E Schneider
    Michael E Schneider

    Michael E Schneider

    Michael Schneider is particularly appreciated for his role as an arbitrator in ICSID and ICC tribunals across the continent, overseeing construction-related and BIT disputes.

    • He is very big picture. I think he is brilliant.

      International Arbitration: Most In Demand Arbitrators respondentGlobal
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  • Joachim Knoll
    Joachim Knoll

    Joachim Knoll

    Joachim Knoll advises a wide range of clients from the mining world, oil and gas companies and the construction sector. He has experience of UNCITRAL and ICSID arbitrations as well as ECT and BIT matters.

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  • Melissa Magliana
    Melissa Magliana

    Melissa Magliana

    Melissa Magliana represents clients in the pharmaceutical, energy and construction sectors in post-M&A and contract proceedings, often under ICC rules with seats in various jurisdictions.

    • Melissa is really pragmatic, diplomatic and well prepared.

      International Arbitration: Most In Demand Arbitrators respondentGlobal
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  • Noradèle Radjai
    Noradèle Radjai

    Noradèle Radjai

    Noradèle Radjai has extensive experience handling BIT claims under ICSID rules as well as European-wide ICC arbitrations. Her expertise includes proceedings involving the energy and manufacturing sectors.

    • Noradèle is very diligent and well-prepared, acting on two fronts at the same time. She is very organised and cogent in her thinking.

      International Arbitration: Most In Demand Arbitrators respondentGlobal
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Ranked Individuals at Lalive (8)

Europe-wide

Members

Provided by Lalive

Lalive has rankings in the following guides

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