Introduction<\/strong><\/p>\n A formidable team of attorneys known for creative lawyering, a deep and diverse bench, and ground-breaking victories around the world, Debevoise & Plimpton<\/a>\u2019s International Dispute Resolution Group earns its spot for the Arbitration Team of the Month. The team has prevailed in both investor-state and inter-state disputes, having fought for human rights before the International Court of Justice and for commercial clients in other tribunals, securing awards of historic scale.<\/p>\n Victories analysis:<\/strong><\/p>\n Itisaluna v. Iraq<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Debevoise acted for the Republic of Iraq (the \u201cState\u201d) to defend ICSID claims brought by Itisaluna Iraq LLC and others under the Agreement on Promotion, Protection, and Guarantee of Investments amongst the Member States of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (\u201cOIC Investment Agreement\u201d)<\/a>. This was the first time that an ICSID tribunal was constituted for a dispute under the OIC Investment Agreement. Debevoise secured a decision in favour of the State as the tribunal, by a majority decision, declined jurisdiction over the investors\u2019 claims in the award<\/a> rendered on April 3, 2020.<\/p>\n Facts<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Legal issues<\/strong><\/p>\n Tribunal Constitution<\/strong><\/p>\n Tribunal\u2019s decision<\/strong><\/p>\n Legal rationale<\/strong><\/p>\n Application of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Qatar v. United Arab Emirates)<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Facts<\/strong><\/p>\n Legal issues<\/strong><\/p>\n The Court\u2019s decision<\/strong><\/p>\n Legal rationale<\/strong><\/p>\n Current Status of the Case<\/strong><\/p>\n Interview with Catherine Amirfar (Partner) & Floriane Lavaud (Counsel)<\/strong><\/p>\n What does the outcome of Hydro v. Albania<\/em> mean for independent media? <\/strong><\/p>\n The tribunal\u2019s decision in Hydro<\/em> is a vindication for the protection of independent media under the international rule of law. The tribunal in its decision acknowledged the targeting of the claimant\u2019s media company by the Government of Albania, in circumstances where that company was among the only independent voices with coverage critical of the Albanian Government. The tribunal\u2019s decision will hopefully stand as a deterrent for the targeting of independent media in other countries.<\/p>\n Congratulations, Catherine, on your appointment as President of the American Society of International Law (ASIL)! Can you tell us some of your responsibilities as president and any plans you may have for ASIL’s future direction? <\/strong><\/p>\n Thank you! I have the honour of serving as ASIL\u2019s 49th President. The Society is over a century old and core to the Society\u2019s mandate from the very beginning was to create a forum for the discussion of international law and international affairs. Over the near two decades I\u2019ve been involved in the Society, the Society has become my intellectual and professional home, and a place where I go to agree and disagree on questions of international law and policy about which I care deeply.<\/p>\n My ambition is to make sure the Society stays relevant and central to the current public discourse about the approach to global problems such as climate change, migration, racial injustice, human rights, and disease, just to name a few, which implicate core issues that go to the international rule of law. An interview I did when I took office can be found here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Catherine, can you tell us about the podcast for ASIL called “International Law Behind the Headlines” you currently co-host? <\/strong><\/p>\n This podcast has been a joy to do with my co-host, Professor Kal Raustiala. We choose topics ripped from the headlines and speak to experts who can provide insight on cutting-edge issues such as social media and freedom, the relationship between the U.S. and China, what the Trump Administration\u2019s approach to treaty withdrawal means for the international legal fabric, and cybersecurity and the U.S. election, just to name a few. Our podcasts are aimed at anyone interested in these issues, not just international lawyers. We just recently completed our 24th<\/sup> episode. They can be found here.<\/a><\/p>\n After the victory of the two ICJ cases concerning the civil aviation disputes, what effect will the Court’s judgment have on the Gulf dispute?<\/strong><\/p>\n The Court\u2019s judgment reinforces that the ICAO Council is the proper forum for resolving the aviation-related aspects of the dispute between the parties. While we can\u2019t predict how the ICAO Council will rule, we hope that all parties to the dispute will participate fully in the proceedings and will recognize the importance of engaging with the ICAO Council and international dispute settlement processes to resolve the broader Gulf dispute more generally. As it is the second and third time that the <\/strong><\/p>\n ICJ has been called upon to exercise appellate review of decisions of the ICAO Council, what effect will the Court’s judgment have on the dispute settlement function of international organizations<\/strong>?<\/p>\n The ICJ\u2019s exercise of appellate review of the ICAO Council\u2019s decisions on jurisdiction is a particular role that the Court plays, that is specifically set out in the Chicago Convention and the International Air Services Transit Agreement. The Court\u2019s judgment in these cases not only reinforces that role, but also the ICAO dispute settlement system as a whole. We hope that the judgment will have the same effects in similar regimes, where a particular body such as the ICAO Council is vested with the authority to decide disputes, and the ICJ has oversight over its decisions.<\/p>\n Congratulations on having twice prevailed in securing Qatar’s provisional measures against the UAE concerning the application of the CERD! How was it like to be part of an all-women team?<\/strong><\/p>\n Our team is collaborative and very committed to this case, and it\u2019s a joy to work with them. And we\u2019re especially proud to have an all-women team handling the most recent hearing on preliminary objections on behalf of Qatar. You do not see every day in international disputes, but just reflects the dedication of our group as a whole to attracting and supporting women lawyers.<\/p>\n Presentation of the law firm<\/strong> <\/strong><\/p>\n Debevoise & Plimpton<\/a> is a premier global law firm that represents high-profile clients in international transactions and dispute resolution in markets around the world. The firm\u2019s International Dispute Resolution Group, a diverse and multilingual group of lawyers experienced in tribunals and courts around the world, provides a full range of service in both international commercial and investment arbitration, where it acts for sovereign states, companies, and individuals. The practice group has particularly strong expertise in the energy sector and has strong showings in the mining, oil and gas, and telecoms sectors.<\/p>\n Donald Francis Donovan<\/a> and David W. Rivkin<\/a> jointly lead the firm’s International Dispute Resolution Group; Catherine Amirfar, Donald Francis Donovan, and Lord Peter Goldsmith are Co-Chairs of the Public International Law Group.<\/p>\n Key clients<\/strong> Track-record highlights<\/strong><\/p>\n Check out the interactive table of cases below to learn about recent and current Debevoise & Plimpton representations.<\/p>\n Table of arbitration cases involving Debevoise & Plimpton (Recent victories\/pending cases)*<\/strong><\/p>\n Currently, Debevoise is acting as counsel in several ICSID cases, notably in the annulment proceedings for Tethyan, Perenco, and Hydro. The firm is also bringing ICSID claims against Peru, Papua New Guinea, Saudi Arabia, and Romania. On the respondent side, the firm is helping Iraq defend the claim brought by Agility.<\/p>\n To see all types of cases (investor-state, inter-state, commercial arbitration) involving Debevoise & Plimpton available on Jus Mundi, please click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Debevoise & Plimpton earns its spot to be the ATOM for its extensive track record of arbitration cases & clients. We selected a few recent victories and ongoing cases in the table below.<\/p>\n (Note*: This table is not exhaustive.)<\/p>\n [table id=14 \/]<\/p>\n Spotlight<\/strong><\/p>\n The Qatar team in <\/u>Application of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Qatar v. United Arab Emirates)<\/em><\/a>:<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Catherine Amirfar<\/strong><\/a> (Partner)<\/strong> Catherine is Co-Chair of the firm\u2019s Public International Law Group and a member of the firm\u2019s Management Committee. She focuses on public international law and international commercial and treaty arbitration. Earlier this year, Catherine was appointed President of the American Society of International Law, for which she co-hosts a podcast called \u201cInternational Law Behind the Headlines<\/a>\u201d.<\/p>\n Floriane Lavaud<\/strong><\/a> (Counsel)<\/strong> Floriane is a member of the firm’s International Dispute Resolution Group in New York and Paris. She focuses on public international law and international arbitration, with a focus on the Middle East. Floriane currently represents Qatar before the ICJ, the ICAO Council, and the CERD Committee. She also represents Qatar Airways in four investment arbitrations against the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Egypt.<\/p>\n Merryl Lawry-White<\/strong><\/a> (Associate)<\/strong> Merryl is a member of Debevoise\u2019s International Dispute Resolution Group based in London. Her practice includes public international law, investment treaty and commercial arbitration, international humanitarian law, human rights, and transitional justice. She regularly assists clients with public international law matters, as well as business and human rights and environmental concerns.<\/p>\n Ashika Singh<\/strong><\/a> (Associate)<\/strong> Ashika is a litigation associate based in New York. She focuses on international dispute resolution and public international law. She regularly speaks and writes on public international law, particularly international human rights law and international humanitarian law.<\/p>\n Julianne Marley<\/strong><\/a> (Associate)<\/strong> Julianne is a litigation associate based in New York. She focuses on international dispute resolution and public international law. She currently represents Qatar and Qatari entities and individuals in international claims before the ICJ. She also represents MAKAE Europe SARL in an ICSID arbitration against Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n Ramsay McCulloch<\/strong><\/a> (Associate)<\/strong> Ramsay McCulloch is a litigation associate based in London. He is a member of the firm\u2019s International Dispute Resolution Group and White Collar & Regulatory Defense Group. He currently represents Qatar Airways in four investment arbitrations against the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Egypt. He also represents Qatar and Qatari entities and individuals in international claims before the ICJ and other international fora.<\/p>\n Jessica Polebaum<\/strong><\/a> (Associate)<\/strong> Jessica is a litigation associate based in New York. She focuses on international dispute resolution and public international law. She currently represents Qatar Airways in four investment arbitrations against the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt. She also represents Qatar and Qatari entities and individuals in international claims before the ICJ and other international fora.<\/p>\n Rhianna Hoover<\/strong><\/a> (Associate)<\/strong> Rhianna is a litigation associate based in New York. She focuses on international dispute resolution and public international law. She currently represents Qatar Airways in four investment arbitrations against the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt. She also represents Qatar and Qatari entities and individuals in international claims before the ICJ and other international fora.<\/p>\n The Itisaluna v. Iraq<\/em><\/a> case team:<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Donald Francis Donovan<\/strong><\/a> (Partner)<\/strong> Donald is Co-Chair of Debevoise\u2019s International Dispute Resolution Group and its Public International Law Group. He serves as counsel in international disputes before international courts and arbitration tribunals. He also sits as arbitrator in international cases, including under the auspices of ICSID, the ICC, and the ICDR.<\/p>\n Catherine Amirfar<\/strong><\/a> (Partner)<\/strong> See above.<\/p>\n Laura Sinisterra<\/strong><\/a> (Associate) <\/strong> Laura is a member of the firm\u2019s International Dispute Resolution Group based in New York. She focuses on international investment and commercial arbitration. Her representations include Perenco in ICSID proceedings against Ecuador, as well as Iraq in two ICSID proceedings related to the telecommunications sector.<\/p>\n\n
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\nQatar, South Korea, Iraq, Israel, Grenada, Mexico, Singapore and Russia; and companies: Occidental Petroleum, Tethyan Copper, Perenco, ExxonMobil and Murphy Oil, Gramercy and Francesco Becchetti.<\/p>\n\n