Practice Areas
Philippe Pinsolle is the head of international arbitration for continental Europe and is based in the firm's Geneva office.
He has over thirty years of experience as a counsel, expert, and arbitrator in international arbitration. He has acted as counsel in more than 320 international arbitrations and as arbitrator in more than 75 cases, with a particular focus on Investor-State arbitrations and commercial disputes involving the energy, power, oil & gas, construction, and defense industries. He has been involved in arbitrations under the auspices of virtually all major arbitration institutions including the ICC, the SIAC, the LCIA, the HKIAC, the ICSID, the SCC, the AAA, the ICDR, the Swiss Arbitration Center, the AFA, the DIAC, the ADCCAC, the Luxembourg Arbitration Center, the CMAP, as well as in ad hoc cases under the UNCITRAL rules, the European Development Fund or otherwise. Philippe holds an M.B.A from ESSEC in addition to his dual legal qualification as a French avocat a la cour as well as an English barrister. He is recognized universally as one of the arbitration lawyers (acting as arbitrator or counsel) that best understands quantum issues.
Philippe is a Judge at the Bahrain International Commercial Court (BICC). He is a member of the Court of Arbitration of Singapore International Arbitration Center (SIAC) since 2019. He is also a former President of the French Arbitration Committee (CFA), a former Senior co-Chair of the IBA arbitration committee and a former President of the arbitration committee of the Union Internationale des Avocats (UIA). He is an Advisor of the International Advisory Board (IAB) of the Thailand Arbitration Center (THAC).
Philippe has been named, a 2025 MVP in International Arbitration by Law360 and is ranked in the Hall of Fame by Legal 500. Since 2021, Chambers Europe-Wide ranking Philippe Band 1. He was also distinguished by Who's Who Legal as belonging to the Global Elite of thought leaders. Chambers Global reports that clients have described him as an "outstanding strategist", "He's very sharp" with a "great tactical sense:' Chambers Global adds that his "pragmatic approach, great intellect, and technical prowess set him apart; Phillippe is a great orator:" Philippe has also been praised as an "oil and gas specialist:' Additionally, Chambers Europe reports clients highlighting his strategic approach, noting: "He can think years ahead and determine what is needed to be done right now", "He is a big figure in the arbitration space" Market commentators also stated that "Philippe Pinsolle is a class act, no question about it," "Philippe is a great orator," "He's very sharp." Global Arbitration Review wrote in its GAR 100 Survey that "Philippe Pinsolle is by many accounts a leader in his generation in Paris - possibly the leader" and Who's Who Legal wrote that "Philippe Pinsolle is "a big player in both commercial and investment-treaty arbitrations" according to sources who note, "He is one of the absolute masters in the field." He is regarded as "a great oral advocate" who is "one of the most impressive names around at the moment."'
In January 2012, Philippe was awarded the Swiss Arbitration Association's ASA Prize for Advocacy in International Commercial Arbitration. In early 2014, he was recognized by Best Lawyers as a leading practitioner in Arbitration & Mediation and International Arbitration. In October 2014, he was awarded the French Arbitration Counsel of the Year prize at the Benchmark and Expert Guides Global Arbitration Awards. In December 2014, Philippe was named Energy Dispute Resolution Lawyer of the Year in France at the Corporate /NTL Legal Awards 2015. He was named Lawyer of the Year for Arbitration and Mediation by Best Lawyers 2016. He is ranked "excellent" and identified as a renowned arbitrator (France Best Arbitrators, Leaders League Ranking Series 2016). He was also ranked in this publication for Africa-wide Dispute Resolution and Global-wide Public International Law.
