José-Manuel García Represa is a founding partner at Wordstone, specializing in international commercial arbitration and investment arbitration in proceedings under the major institutional rules including UNCITRAL, ICSID, ICC, among others.

José-Manuel’s practice focuses on disputes relating to Latin America, Europe and Africa. He regularly represents clients in arbitrations involving concession contracts, hydrocarbons, engineering and construction, the generation and distribution of electric power (both renewable and conventional), mining, and industrial facilities. He also regularly acts as an arbitrator.

Consistently recognised as one of the market’s leading international arbitration experts, José-Manuel maintains strong rankings in the global Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 directories. He is consistently recognized in the Chambers Europe, Global and Latin America Guides for his international arbitration expertise, and a client highlights that José-Manuel is “absolutely fantastic to work with; he is diligent and respects timelines. He provides us with excellent work products.” Furthermore, Chambers notes his active role “across the oil and gas, energy and telecommunications sectors” and that he “regularly acts for sovereigns and private investors on investor-state cases across Latin America”. In The Legal 500 Guide, José-Manuel is ranked as a ‘Leading Individual’ for international arbitration, with the directory praising him as a “stellar practitioner”, an “excellent cross-examiner” with strong “experience in economics and calculations”. The Who’s Who Legal Guide recognizes José-Manuel as a Thought Leader for arbitration and he is also Recommended in the Who’s Who Legal Mining and Construction Guides. He is described as an “outstanding advocate” and “simply the best lawyer of his generation”. José-Manuel has also recently been featured in the GAR 45 under 45 2023 directory.

In 2018, José-Manuel was appointed as a member of the ICC Working Group on Climate Change Arbitrations and presently sits as Chair of the Spanish Arbitration Club (CEA) in France.

José-Manuel teaches Damages at Sciences Po Law School (LL.M. in Transnational Arbitration and Dispute Settlement), the specialization course on disputes in the energy and mining sectors (Energy & Mining Disputes II) at the LL.M. A.W.Ar.D.S (Assas World Arbitration and Disputes Settlement) of the University Paris II – Panthéon Assas, and Witness & Expert Cross-Examination at the Swiss Arbitration Academy.

“José-Manuel is one of the lawyers that I admire the most in Paris. I must admit that he is excellent – extremely dedicated and able to work in three languages at the same time. He also knows very well both the common law and civil law systems.” – Chambers Global 2024

“José-Manuel García Represa is absolutely fantastic to work with; he is diligent and respects timelines. He provides us with excellent work products.” – Chambers Global 2024

“He is extremely competent. He is an incredibly mature person with tremendous expertise and experience behind him.” – Chambers Global 2024

“José-Manuel García Represa of Wordstone Dispute Resolution regularly acts for sovereigns and private investors on investor-state cases across Latin America.” – Chambers Latin America 2024

“José-Manuel García Represa… focuses on investment arbitrations, often acting in cases with Latin American elements. He is active across the oil and gas, energy and telecommunications sectors.” – Chambers Global 2024

“His intellectual capacities are extraordinary, and he is able to handle the most difficult issues in international arbitrations.” – Chambers Latin America 2023

“He has a very comprehensive approach of the cases he handles and this is because he knows his cases in depth. You can feel it at the hearings, he has both a legal and strategic vision of the cases.” – Chambers France 2021

“An experienced figure” – The Legal 500

“José-Manuel has a lot of experience in economics and calculations.” – The Legal 500

An “excellent cross-examiner” – The Legal 500

“José-Manuel is an outstanding advocate” – Who’s Who Legal

“He is simply the best lawyer of his generation” – Who’s Who Legal

“He is a really strong cross-examiner” – Who’s Who Legal

• Representing a French engineering and construction company in an ICC arbitration with a Central American State entity related to the construction of a hydroelectric power generation plant.
• Representing an Argentinean construction group against the Republic of Peru in an ICSID arbitration arising out of the alleged wrongful termination of a highway construction and concession contract.
• Representing a group of Costa Rican and Dutch investors in a dispute against Panama relating to a hotel development.
• Representing Colombian investors against the Republic of Chile relating to investments in the transportation industry.
• Representing Interconexión, a large power transmission company, against the Republic of Chile, in an ICSID arbitration under the Free Trade Agreement Colombia – Chile, relating to the construction and operation of a power line and the imposition of fines by the State.
• Representing the Republic of Ecuador in several investment arbitration with foreign oil & gas, mining and telecommunications companies.
• Representing the Plurinational State of Bolivia in several investment disputes arising from nationalizations and other measures in the mining, telecommunications, airports, and oil & gas sectors.
• Representing the Republic of Colombia in various investment disputes.
• Representing the Republic of Guatemala in a PCA-UNCITRAL arbitration arising from the investor’s non-compliance with local income tax regulations and the ensuing tax investigations.
• Representing the Republic of Poland in two parallel PCA-UNCITRAL arbitrations arising out of the alleged loss of the claimants’ investments in coal mines.
• Representing the Argentine Republic in an ICSID arbitration arising out of tariff regulations for electricity generation and distribution.
• Representing the Arab Republic of Egypt against 13 Kuwaiti claimants in an ICSID arbitration arising from a project to develop desert land for urban and agricultural use.
• Represented an American bank’s Spanish subsidiary against a Spanish bank in an ICC arbitration arising from a Business Transfer Agreement.
• Represented a concessionaire company against the Republic of Peru in a dispute arising from the breach of a concession contract for the construction and operation of toll highway.
• Represented a French leader in the engineering and building sectors against a Qatar company in an ICC arbitration arising from contracts for the design and engineering of two major expressways in the Middle East.
• Represented Guatemala’s largest solar power generating company against Guatemala’s manpower distribution company in an ICC arbitration arising from the breach of two PPAs for solar plants.
• Represented a leading container shipping company against the operator of a container terminal in Northern African in an ICC arbitration arising from a joint venture for the exploitation of a container terminal.
• Represented a BVI telecommunications company and South Sudanese telecommunications company against an African State in an ICC arbitration arising from the termination of their operating license.
• Represented the Spanish subsidiary of a multinational electric equipment supplier against a Spanish electric utility company in an ICC arbitration arising from alleged defects in equipment installed at a nuclear plan.
• Represented the Algeria-based joint-venture of three major oil & gas companies against a Lebanese and Algerian construction JV in a dispute arising from delays and costs related to the construction of the base camp of a gas field.
• Represented a French pharmaceutical group against a Swiss pharmaceutical company in several ICC arbitrations arising from a product distribution licensing agreement.
• Represented a Spanish construction group in a dispute against a large French construction group relating to the termination of sub-contracts for the construction of a major hospital in France.
• Represented a Spanish construction group in a dispute involving various FIDIC-type contracts for the construction of a nuclear experimental site in France.
• Represented a major Spanish oil and gas company in a commercial dispute against a UAE company arising out of an alleged service contracts in the North-African area.
• Represented the Paraguayan State national oil company (Petropar) against PDVSA in an ICC arbitration arising out of Petrobar’s alleged failure to comply with a cooperation agreement for hydrocarbons supply.
• Represented a South American Autonomous Municipal Government in an ICC arbitration (and the priori emergency arbitrator proceedings) commenced by a Spanish Consortium, related to the construction of a tramway line.
• Represented a Central American State entity in two ICC arbitrations related to various contracts for electricity generation.
• Represented a Central American State against a Spanish investor in an ICC arbitration related to the construction and operation of a 100 MW wind farm.
• Represented a European State in an ICC arbitration arising from the construction of a bridge between Bulgaria and Romania.
• Represented a Latin American State in an ad hoc arbitration under the UNCITRAL Rules arising from alleged breaches and termination of a contract for implementing and developing a new resource planning software to administer the national budget.
• Represented an Ecuadorian national oil company in three ad hoc arbitrations related to the production of crude through secondary and tertiary recovery techniques.
• Represented the Republic of Ecuador and its National Mining Company (Enami EP) against a Chilean company in an ICC arbitration arising out of a copper mining project.
• Represented a Bolivian State entity against an Indian company in an ICC arbitration arising out of a contract for the joint exploitation of an iron ore mining concession.
• Represented two Bulgarian construction companies against their Consortium partner, an Italian construction company, in an ICC arbitration arising from a major highway design and construction project in Bulgaria.

Columbia University – LL.M., 2003, Fulbright Scholar

University of Paris I – Sorbonne, Master in International Business Law, 2001, La Caixa Scholar

Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Bachelor in Law, 2000

University of Paris I – Sorbonne, Bachelor of Law, 2000

Madrid, Paris and New York

Spanish, English and French

• Book chapter “Convencer y dejarse convencer. ¿Por qué un argumento funciona ante un tribunal arbitral internacional?”, Libro homenaje a Miguel Ángel Fernández-Ballesteros (2024)
• Coordinator of the “Panorama de jurisprudencia francesa”, Revista del Club Español e Iberoamericano de Arbitraje/Iurgium (2021-2024)
• Book chapter “Effectiveness of compliance in environment and human rights: appropriate reparations: corrective actions, affectation of proceeds and rehabilitation over time”, Navigating the New Contents of International Public Policy – Compliance in Environment and Human Rights – ICC Institute Dossier XXI (2023)
• Book chapter “What does it mean to be ”Pro-arbitration”? a due process analysis in “pro-arbitration”? A Due process analysis”, A tribute to Professor George Bermann from his students over the years, JURIS Arbitration Law (2023)
• Book chapter “Telecoms arbitrations in Latin America” co-author, The Guide to Telecoms Arbitrations, Global Arbitration Review (2022)
• Book chapter “mining arbitration in latin america: social and environmental issues in investment arbitration cases” co-author, The Guide to Construction Arbitration, Global Arbitration Review (2019)
• Book chapter “Construction arbitration and concession contracts” co-author, The Guide to Construction Arbitration, Global Arbitration Review (2016, 2018 and 2019)
• Book chapter “L’interprétation authentique par les parties aux traités” in Colloque : La protection des investissements étrangers : vers une réaffirmation de l’Etat ? (T. El Ghabdan, C. Mazuy, and A. Senegacnik coord., ed. A. Pedone, Paris, 2018)
• Book chapter “Regionalization trends and foreign investment in South America: the implications of the ALBA and UNASUR initiatives” in The regionalization of international investment treaty arrangements 225 (N.J. Calamita and M. Sattarova eds., London, British Institute of International and Comparative Law, 2015)
• Book chapter “El papel controvertido de las comisiones ad hoc frente a las limitaciones inherentes al régimen de anulación de laudos arbitrales en el sistema de arbitraje del CIADI”, co-authored with Ana Carolina Simões e Silva, in Arbitraje Internacional, Pasado, Presente y Futuro, Libro homenaje a Bernardo Cremades e Yves Derains, Instituto Peruano de Arbitraje (2013)
• Article “Los límites de la protección jurídica de la inversión minera”, co-authored with Eduardo Silva Romero, Energiminas (June 2012) reprinted in Al Derecho y al Reves (2012) & Revista Legal Columnas (2011)
• Contributor to the “Panorama de jurisprudencia francesa”, Revista del Club Español de Arbitraje (2009)
• Contributor to the “Panorama de jurisprudencia francesa”, Revista del Club Español de Arbitraje (2008)
• Article “La consolidation de l’arbitrage commercial international au Brésil: état des lieux 2008”, co-authored with Philip Dunham, Décideurs Stratégie Finance Droit (2008)

Chambers Global 2024

• Band 3 – Arbitration (International) (Latin America – International Counsel)
• Band 3 – International Arbitration (France)
• Foreign Expert – International Arbitration (France)

Latin America 2024

• Band 3 – International Arbitration (International Counsel)

Chambers Europe 2024

• Band 3 – International Arbitration (France)

The Legal 500

• Leading Individual – Latin America: International Firms, International Arbitration
• Recommended – Dispute Resolution: International Arbitration (France)

Who’s Who Legal

• WWL Thought Leader – France – Arbitration
• WWL Thought Leader – Arbitration
• WWL Thought Leader – Arbitration
• WWL Mining
• WWL Arbitration
• WWL Construction

Global Arbitration Review

• GAR: 45 Under 45 2023

• President of the Club Español del Arbitraje (CEA) in France
• Member of the ICC Institute of World Business Law
• Member of the ICC Spanish Committee
• Member of the International Bar Association
• Member of the Advisory Board of the Institute for Transnational Arbitration (ITA)
• Member of the Latin American Arbitration Association (ALARB)

Eduardo Silva-Romero is a founding partner at Wordstone, specialising in international commercial and investment arbitration, with a historic focus on disputes involving States and State-owned entities.

Eduardo is recognised as one of the world’s most in-demand arbitrators, having acted in over 180 international commercial and investment cases under a wide variety of institutional rules.

Eduardo has advised and advises on arbitration matters conducted under the auspices of ICC, ICSID, PCA, LCIA, ICDR and SCC, as well as in ad hoc proceedings under the UNCITRAL and EDF arbitration rules.

Eduardo is consistently recognized in the Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500 directories as one of the most pre-eminent arbitration practitioners globally. He is commended as “a great leader” and “the orchestra conductor coordinating everything and a very good pleader.” References also note Eduardo “has an ability to drive the defence of a case” and is an “exceptional” practitioner “who understands how clients work”.

Eduardo also maintains a Band 1 ranking in the Chambers Latin America Guide 2024 for international arbitration, and he is highlighted “as an authority in the international arbitration market” and an “exceptional partner” who is “vastly experienced and thoroughly knows the procedures and the market”. In The Legal 500, Eduardo is ranked in its Hall of Fame for international arbitration. That Guide praises his “indisputable experience in commercial and investment arbitration”. In the Who’s Who Legal Guide, Eduardo is recognized as a Global Elite Thought Leader for Arbitration across several of its global guides. A commentator notes he is “very impressive” and another states they would “trust Eduardo as arbitrator without question”.

Eduardo is a former Deputy Secretary General of the ICC International Court of Arbitration, and he currently is the Chair of the ICC Institute of World Business Law and a member of the ICC Court.

Eduardo has published several articles, books and chapters on international arbitration, including its lectures on “Legal Fictions in the Language of International Arbitration” delivered at the Hague Academy of International Law in 2019. He also lectures on Investment Arbitration and International Contracts at Sciences Po in Paris, international arbitration at Paris II University, international commercial arbitration involving States and State entities, Arbitration at the University of Paris-Dauphine, and is Professor Emeritus at the University of Rosario in Bogotá.

“Based on his unparalleled knowledge and worldwide practice, Eduardo provides top-notch advice on the procedural intricacies of international arbitration.” – Chambers Global 2024

“Eduardo Silva Romero operates at a high professional level. He has great comprehension and research capabilities, as well as excellent soft skills.” – Chambers Global 2024

“Eduardo is an exceptional partner. He is vastly experienced and thoroughly knows the procedures and the market.” – Chambers Global 2024

“Eduardo is fantastic. He is great at client relations.” – Chambers Global 2024

“Eduardo is superb. He has a global approach to arbitration.” – Chambers Global 2024

“Eduardo is excellent at hearings.” – Chambers Global 2024

“Eduardo Silva Romero operates at a high professional level. He has great comprehension and research capabilities, as well as excellent soft skills.” – Chambers Latin America 2024

“Eduardo is outstanding.” – Chambers Global 2024

“Eduardo is fantastic, he is great at client relations.” – Chambers Global 2024

“Eduardo is excellent at hearings.” – Chambers Global 2024

“Eduardo is superb, he has a global approach to arbitration.” – Chambers Global 2024

“He is a very smart and empathetic person. It is easy for him to put himself in the client’s shoes, which helps in arbitration, and he has that ability to get into other people’s heads.” – Chambers Europe 2023

“He understands how clients work and knows how to represent them.” – Chambers Europe 2023

“He is exceptional and he understands how clients work.” – Chambers Europe 2023

“Very responsible, always ready to help.” – The Legal 500

“As a lawyer, despite having a busy schedule, he always responded to my queries and calls regardless of what time it was. He has extensive experience in construction arbitrations and representing States.” – The Legal 500

“I trust Eduardo as arbitrator without question.” – Who’s Who Legal

“He is very impressive.” – Who’s Who Legal

• Representing the Czech Republic in three investment arbitrations in the real estate, gaming and airplanes sectors.
• Representing the Republic of Ecuador in ten investment and commercial arbitrations in, for instance, the telecommunication, oil and gas, construction and mining concession sectors.
• Representing the Plurinational State of Bolivia in eleven investment arbitrations (under the auspices of ICSID or under the UNCITRAL rules) and one commercial arbitration involving several sectors, including telecommunications, infrastructure, mining, energy and oil and gas.
• Representing the Republic of Colombia in five investment arbitrations (under the auspices of ICSID or under the UNCITRAL rules) in the mining and telecommunication sectors.
• Representing a group of Costa Rican and Dutch investors against a Central American State in an ICSID arbitration relating to the construction and development of an ecotourist resort.
• Representing a French multinational in a dispute with a Central American state entity in an ICC arbitration related to the construction of a hydro electrical plant.
• Representing a Brazilian company against a Portuguese group of companies in an ICC arbitration arising from fraudulent schemes in the execution of several financial agreements concluded for the financing of a construction project.
• Representing a leading European gas company in its gas pricing dispute against another leading European gas company in a potential ICC arbitration arising from a long term gas supply contract.
• Representing a French fund against a French company in an ad hoc arbitration arising from a shareholders agreement in the food industry.
• Representing a leading American technology company against a South Korean company in an ICC arbitration relating to the softwares of the smartphones.
  Representing a Spanish company against two Peruvian companies in an AAA arbitration related to the breach of a shareholders agreement.

University of Paris II – Assas, Doctorate (Docteur en Droit Summa Cum Laude), 2000

University of Paris II – Assas, Master in Philosophy of Law (DEA), 1996

University of Paris II – Assas, Master in Private International Law (DSU), 1995

University of Paris II – Assas, Masters in Comparative Law and Legal Linguistics, 1995

Universidade del Rosario de Bogotá, Lawyer’s Diploma, 1993

Bogota and Paris

English, Spanish, French and Portuguese

• “Legal Fictions in the Language of International Arbitration” (Collected Courses of The Hague Academy of International Law, Brill, 2022)
• “The Legal Fiction of the Seat of the International Arbitration”, in Achieving the Arbitration Dream: Liber Amicorum for Professor Julian D.M. Lew KC, Kluwer Law International, 2023.
• “What places for Compliance in investment arbitration?”, in Frison-Roche, M.-A.(ed.), Compliance Jurisdictionalisation, series “Compliance & Regulation”, Journal of Regulation & Compliance (JoRC) and Bruylant, 2023.
• “L’arbitrage d’investissement impliquant les états, une tendance croissante au sein de l’ICC”, in Echanges internationaux, 2022.
• “Arbitration, a Form of Life”, in “Arbitration and beyond… Une forme de vie”, Liber Amicorum pour Yves Derains, Éditions A. Pedone, 2021.
• “Le règlement d’arbitrage de la Chambre de commerce internationale (CCI) de 2021”, in Revue de l’arbitrage, n° 4, 2020.
• “Mining Arbitration in Latin America: Social and Environmental Issues in Investment Arbitration Cases” in The Guide to Mining Arbitrations, Global Arbitration Review, 2019.
• “L’annulation des sentences CIRDI impliquant un État d’Afrique”, in Un demi-siècle africain d’arbitrage d’investissement CIRDI, LGDJ, 2019.
• France Chapter in “Sovereign Immunity 2019”, in Lexology Getting The Deal Through, 2019.
• “Energy Investor-State Disputes in Latin America” in International Arbitration in the Energy Sector, Ed. Maxi Scherer, Oxford University Press, 2018.
• “Arbitrating the Conduct of International Investors”, in ICSID Review – Foreign Investment Law Journal, 2018.
• “La extensión del convenio arbitral a partes no signatarias en Europa: ¿un enfoque uniforme?”, in Revista de Arbitraje, PUCP No. 7, 2017.
• “Some Remarks on the Contribution of ICC Arbitrators to the Development of International Commercial Arbitration Involving States and State Entities”, in International Arbitration Under Review, ICC Publication, 2015.
• “Consolidation and Parallel Proceedings”, in Building International Investment Law: The First 50 Years of ICSID, Kluwer, 2015.
• “Actualité des Clauses de Stabilisation”, in Le contentieux extractif, ICC Publications, No. 770F, 2015.
• “Le nouveau règlement d’arbitrage de la chambre de commerce internationale (la “CCI”)”, in Revue de l’arbitrage, No. 4, 2011.
• “L’arbitrage CIRDI et les contrats de nature publique passés avec un Etat ou une entité étatique”, in Contrats publics et arbitrage international, M. Audit (dir.), Bruylant, 2011.
• “Observations sur la notion d’investissement après la sentence Phoenix”, in The Paris Journal of International Arbitration (Les cahiers de l’arbitrage), No. 4, 2010.
• “Are States Liable for the Conduct of Their Instrumentalities? ICC Case Law” in State Entities in International Arbitration, E. Gaillard and J. Younan (eds.), London: Juris Publishing, 2008.
• “Requiem for the Rules of Article 177(2) of the Swiss Private International Law Act ?”, in Global Reflections on International Law, Commerce and Dispute Resolution – Liber Amicorum in honour of Robert Briner, Paris: ICC Publishing, 2005.
• “International Arbitration Involving State Parties. Observations on the Applicable Law in State Contract Arbitration”, in Revista de Arbitragem e Mediação, São Paulo: Editora Revista dos Tribunais, No. 6, July – September 2005.
• “La circulation des conventions d’arbitrage dans les droits d’Amérique Latine”, in Médiation et arbitrage / Alternative dispute resolution, L. Cadiet, T. Clay and E. Jeuland (Eds), Paris : Litec, 2005.
• “The Dialectic of International Arbitration Involving State Parties”, in ICC International Court of Arbitration Bulletin, Paris: ICC Publishing S.A., Volume 15, No. 2, Fall 2004.
• “Algunas observaciones sobre el reconocimiento y la ejecución de laudos arbitrales extranjeros en América Latina”, in Revista
• “Multiparty and Multicontract Arbitration: Recent ICC experience”, in ICC International Court of Arbitration Bulletin, Special Supplement 2003 – Complex Arbitration, Paris: ICC Publishing, 2003.
• “Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce and State Contracts”, ICC Bulletin, París: ICC Publishing S.A., Volume 13, No. 1, 2002.
• “The Application of Philosophy of Law’s Method in International Commercial Arbitration”, in Review of international commercial law and arbitration Vindobona, Alemania: Guadis, 5 VJ 1, 2001.

Chambers Global 2024

• Band 1 – Arbitration (International) (Latin America – International Counsel)
• Band 1 – International Arbitration (France)
• Band 1 – International Arbitration: Most In Demand Arbitrators (Latin America – International Counsel)
• Band 2 – International Arbitration: Most In Demand Arbitrators (Europe-wide)
• Band 2 – Arbitration (International) (Global Market Leaders)
• Band 2 – International Arbitration: Arbitrators (France)
• Band 3 – Arbitration (International) (Europe-wide)
• Foreign Expert – International Arbitration (France)

Chambers Latin America 2024

• Band 1 – International Arbitration (International Counsel)
• Band 1 – International Arbitration: Arbitrators (International Counsel)

Chambers Europe 2024

• Band 1 – International Arbitration (France)
• Band 2 – International Arbitration: Arbitrators (France)
• Band 2 – International Arbitration: Most In Demand Arbitrators (Europe-wide)
• Band 3 – Arbitration (International) (Europe-wide)

The Legal 500

• Hall of Fame – Dispute Resolution: International Arbitration (France)
• Hall of Fame – Latin America: International Firms, International Arbitration

Who’s Who Legal

• WWL Thought Leader – France – Arbitration
• WWL Global Elite Thought Leader – Arbitration
• WWL Thought Leader – Arbitration

• Chair of the ICC Institute of World Business Law
• Member of the ICC International Court of Arbitration
• Member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) for Colombia
• Former Chair of the Arbitration Committee of the International Bar Association (IBA)

Catalina Echeverri Gallego is a partner at Wordstone Dispute Resolution, specializing in international arbitration and working on both investment treaty and commercial arbitration matters.  With over a decade of experience, Catalina has advised numerous clients in high-profile disputes, actively participating in negotiations, arbitration proceedings, and post-arbitration matters across a broad range of industries.

With a background in public policy from the University of Oxford, Catalina has dedicated her practice to cases involving sovereign states, state-owned entities, and state-owned companies. Her experience extends to navigating complex disputes spanning multiple jurisdictions, involving the application of public and private international law, and domestic legislation.

Catalina has acted in cases administered by the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), and other institutions, as well as ad hoc arbitrations under the UNCITRAL Rules. She has not only provided legal representation, but has also acted as sole arbitrator and president of the arbitral tribunal in international commercial arbitration.

Recognized for her expertise, Catalina has earned accolades in prestigious publications such as Chambers Global and Latin America 2024 guides, where she is praised for her “high professional level” and “great analytical skills”. A commentator also notes she “is always read to tend to our needs.” In The Legal 500, she is described as “an exceptional person and great professional”, commended for her “100% analytical and methodical” approach.

Catalina has lectured at universities in the United States, France, Colombia, Guatemala, Argentina, and Bolivia, and currently teaches International Contract Law at Sciences Po in Paris.

“Catalina Echeverri is an exceptional person and great professional, always ready to attend to our concerns no matter what time it is; 100% analytical and methodical.” – The Legal 500 2024

“Catalina Echeverri Gallego performs at a high professional level. She has great analytical skills, and is always ready to tend to our needs.” – Chambers Latin America and Global 2024

“She is an excellent professional. It is a pleasure to work with highly skilled and committed people like her.” – Chambers Latin America 2023

• Representing a South American State in an UNCITRAL investment arbitration commenced by a British company, concerning the exploitation of a silver mine that interfered with the rights of indigenous communities living in the project area.
• Representing a South American State-owned enterprise in an ICSID arbitration against a South American State concerning the construction of a power transmission line.
• Representing a Central American State in an ICSID arbitration commence by a Colombian company concerning the construction of a power transmission line.
• Representing South American State in ICSID annulment proceedings concerning an award that solved a dispute regarding a participation contract for the exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons in the Amazon region.
• Representing Caribbean State in an ICC commercial arbitration commenced by a Spanish company, concerning a concession contract for the construction and operation of a wind farm, as well as the negotiation of a power purchase agreement with a state-owned entity.
• Representing a Caribbean state entity in an UNCITRAL commercial arbitration commenced by a Spanish company concerning the rehabilitation of the country’s electricity transmission networks and force majeure allegations in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Representing a Central American State in an UNCITRAL investment arbitration commenced by an Israeli company operating in the electricity distribution sector concerning criminal tax fraud claims brought by the country’s tax administration.
• Representing a South American State in an ICSID arbitration commenced by a Swiss company concerning a concession for the operation of a maritime port and the application of the country’s antitrust regulations.
• Representing a South American State in two ICSID arbitrations commenced by a Mexican and a Spanish Company, concerning a concession contract in the telecommunications industry, a decision of the Constitutional Court of the State and a decision of a domestic arbitral tribunal.
• Representing the port authority of a South American State in a commercial arbitration against a Chinese company in a dispute related to a concession contract for the renovation and operation of a maritime port.
• Representing a South American State in an UNCITRAL investment arbitration commenced by a Spanish company, concerning the concession for the operation of the country’s three international airports.
• Representing a South American State in ICSID annulment proceedings concerning an award that solved a dispute regarding 11 mining concessions.
• Representing a family of prominent investors in a post-M&A dispute concerning the acquisition of a pharmaceutical laboratory.

University of Oxford, Master of Public Policy, 2017, Chevening Scholar 2016

Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Law, 2010

Colombia

Spanish, English and French

• Latin American Panorama, in Journal of International Arbitration / Les Cahiers de l’Arbitrage (2024)
• Relationship between domestic and international law, in Handbook of International Law (Universidad de los Andes de Colombia) (2023)
• Telecoms Arbitration in Latin America, in Global Arbitration Review Guide to Telecoms Arbitration (Global Arbitration Review) (2022)
• International Investment Arbitration in the Latin-American Electricity Sector, in Latin America: Energy & Natural Resources Disputes (Kluwer) (2021)
• Group Arbitration in International E-Commerce Contracts, in 40 Under 40 in International Arbitration (Dykinson) (2021)

Chambers Global 2024

Up and Coming: Arbitration (International)

Chambers Latin America 2024

Up and Coming: International Arbitration

The Legal 500

Rising Star – Latin America: International Firms (International Arbitration)

Recommended – Dispute Resolution: International Arbitration (France)

Conflict Prevention & Resolution (CPR)

Asociación Latinomericana de Arbitraje (ALARB)

Club Español del Arbitraje (CEA)

Comité Colombiano de Arbitraje

Commission ICC Colombia

Audrey Caminades specialises in international commercial and investment arbitration, with a focus on disputes involving states and state-owned entities and a particular expertise in the EMEA region.  Over the past 15 years, she has acted as counsel in more than 30 arbitrations, under the major institutional rules, including UNCITRAL, ICSID, ICC, and primarily focusing on the energy, mining, telecommunications and banking sectors.

Audrey has acted as arbitrator in ICC arbitrations, and as administrative secretary of tribunals in more than 20 cases, under the major institutional rules including UNCITRAL, ICSID, ICC, EDF, SCC, among others.

Audrey is a visiting lecturer on international arbitration at the Panthéon-Assas University (Paris II) and has taught at several universities and schools of law, including Science Po Paris.

As arbitrator

• Sole Arbitrator in an ICC arbitration between two French companies relating to a contract for technical assistance in connection with several construction projects in Morocco (Paris seat; French law).
• Sole Arbitrator in an ICC arbitration between a Bulgarian company, an Austrian company, an American company, a Polish company and a Luxembourg company relating to a contract for the provision of services (Paris seat; English law).

As Counsel in ICC cases

• Representing two Brazilian companies against a French Banking institution in two parallel ICC arbitrations arising from a purchase and service contract, a credit agreement and a bank guarantee (Paris Seat; French law).
• Representing a French company against a Swiss company in two ICC arbitrations in the pharmaceutical sector (Brussels seat; Belgium law).
• Representing a French company against a Swiss company in an ICC arbitration arising out of alleged breaches of a distribution agreement (Geneva seat; Swiss law).
• Representing a South Sudanese entity and its parent company (BVI) against South Sudan in an ICC arbitration concerning the termination of a licence in the telecommunications sector (Geneva seat; South Sudanese law).
• Representing a French oil and gas company against a Lebanese company and its Belgian subsidiary in an ICC arbitration concerning the termination of an agency agreement relating to oil fields in Iraq (Paris seat; French law).
• Representing a Paraguayan state entity against a Venezuelan state entity in an ICC arbitration relating to an oil sales contract (Paris seat, International law and applicable Venezuelan law).
• Representing a Brazilian group against a Portuguese group in an ICC arbitration concerning a contractual financing package (Paris seat; French law).
• Representing a French company against a Swiss company, a Monegasque company and a Dutch company in two ICC arbitrations concerning a bottle decoration contract (Paris seat; French law).
• Representing a Spanish state entity against a French state entity in an ICC arbitration concerning alleged infringement of know-how in the field of shipbuilding (Paris seat; French law).
• Representing a Chinese company against a German company in an ICC arbitration concerning the alleged breach of three contracts for the construction of chemical plants (Geneva seat; Swiss law).

As Counsel in Annulment proceedings before the French courts

• Representing the Republic of Poland in an annulment action before the Paris Court of Appeal against the award rendered in ICSID Arbitration No. ARB(AF)/11/3 “Vincent J. Ryan, Schooner Capital LLC, and Atlantic Investment Partners LLC v. Poland”.
• Representing the Republic of Poland in an action for annulment before the Paris Court of Appeal against the award rendered in PCA arbitration No. 2017-10 “Slot Group a.s. v. Republic of Poland”.
• Representing the Republic of Poland in an action for annulment before the Paris Court of Appeal against the award rendered in ICSID Arbitration No. ADHOC/15/1 “Strabag SE, Raiffeisen Centrobank AG and Syrena Immobilien Holding AG v. Republic of Poland”.

As Counsel in Investment cases

• Representing the Republic of Poland in two PCA-UNCITRAL arbitrations, “PDZ (UK) Ltd. and PD Co Holdings (UK) Ltd. v. the Republic of Poland” (PCA Case No. 2021-06) and “PDZ Holdings PTY Ltd. v. the Republic of Poland” (PCA Case No. 2020-52), both arising from the alleged loss of mining investments.
• Representing the Republic of Guatemala in the PCA-UNCITRAL arbitration “Iberdrola Energía, S.A. v. Guatemala” (PCA Case No. 2017-41) concerning tariff changes in the electricity sector.
• Representing the Czech Republic against two US investors in a PCA-UNCITRAL arbitration “WCV World Capital Ventures Cyprus Ltd. and Channel Crossings Ltd v. Czech Republic” (PCA Case No. 2016-12) concerning regulatory changes in the slot machine industry.
• Representing the Czech Republic in ICSID Arbitration No. ARB/17/11 “Pawlowski AG and Projekt Sever s.r.o. v. Czech Republic” relating to real estate investments in Prague.
• Representing the Republic of Egypt in ICSID Arbitration No. ARB/18/31 “IHPG et al v. Arab Republic of Egypt”, arising from an agricultural and urban project.
• Representing two members of a joint venture in ICSID Arbitration No. ARB/17/8 “Rizzani De Eccher S.p.A., Obrascón Huarte Lain S.A. and Trévi S.p.A. v. Kuwait” concerning the construction of an expressway in Kuwait.
• Representing the Republic of Colombia in ICSID arbitration no. ARB/16/6 “Glencore International A.G. and C.I. Prodeco S.A. v. Colombia” concerning the State’s decision to annul an amendment to a mining contract.
• Representing the Republic of Ecuador in the PCA-UNCITRAL arbitration “Chevron Corporation and Texaco Petroleum Company v. Ecuador” (PCA Case No. 2009-23) concerning Chevron and Texaco’s application not to enforce an Ecuadorian decision ordering them to pay USD 18 billion for environmental damage.
• Representing the Republic of Ecuador in ICSID arbitration no. ARB/06/11 “Occidental Petroleum Corporation and Occidental Exploration and Production Company v. Ecuador” concerning the termination of an oil exploration and exploitation contract.
• Representing the Republic of Ecuador in ICSID arbitration no. ARB/08/6 “Perenco Ecuador Limited v. Ecuador” concerning the termination of an oil exploration and production contract and the environmental liability of the investor.
• Representing the Republic of Ecuador in ICSID arbitration no. ARB/08/5 “Burlington Resources, Inc. v. Ecuador” concerning the termination of an oil exploration and exploitation contract and the environmental liability of the investor.

As Counsel in ICSID Annulment proceedings

• Representing the Republic of Ecuador in the action for annulment of the award in ICSID arbitration No. ARB/06/11 “Occidental Petroleum Corporation and Occidental Exploration and Production Company v. Ecuador”.
• Representing the plurinational State of Bolivia in the action for annulment of the award in ICSID arbitration no. ARB/06/2 “Quiborax S.A. and Non-Metallic Minerals S.A. v. Bolivia”.
• Representing the Republic of Ecuador in an annulment action against the award in ICSID arbitration No. ARB/08/05 “Burlington Resources, Inc. v. Ecuador”.
• Representing the Republic of Ecuador in the annulment phase of ICSID Arbitration No. ARB/08/6d “Perenco Ecuador Limited v. Republic of Ecuador”.
• Representing the Republic of Colombia in the annulment phase of ICSID arbitration no. ARB/16/6 “Glencore International A.G. and C.I. Prodeco S.A. v. Republic of Colombia”.
• Representing the Czech Republic in the annulment phase of ICSID Arbitration No. ARB/17/11 “Pawlowski AG and Projekt Sever s.r.o. v. Czech Republic”.

As Administrative Secretary to the Tribunal

• ICC arbitration involving three Portuguese companies in a dispute arising out of a decision of a financial panel (Lisbon seat; Portuguese law).
• ICC arbitration involving two Israeli companies in a dispute arising out of subcontracts for the construction of a solar thermal power plant (Tel Aviv seat; Israeli law).
• ICC arbitration involving four Qatari companies in a dispute arising out of a construction subcontract (Doha seat; Qatari law).
• ICC arbitration between two Kuwaiti citizens relating to the performance of a settlement agreement (Geneva seat; Kuwait law).
• ICC arbitration between a German company and Chilean companies relating to a contract for the construction of a power plant (Santiago seat; Chilean Law).
• ICC arbitration between Italian and Brazilian companies relating to a post-acquisition dispute in the field of telecommunications (Paris seat; Brazilian law).
• ICC arbitration between a French company and a Swiss company relating to an electricity supply contract (Geneva seat; French law).
• ICC arbitration between an Italian company and a Greek company relating to an equipment contract for a power plant (Brussels seat; Greek law).
• ICC arbitration between a German company and a Norwegian company relating to a gas supply contract (Stockholm seat; Norwegian law).
• ICC arbitration between a Belgian company and a Chilean company relating to a cooperation contract (Paris seat; French Law).
• ICC arbitration between, on the one hand, three Moroccan companies and, on the other hand, a Japanese company and a Spanish company relating to the performance of a seafood distribution contract (Barcelona seat; Spanish Law).
• ICC arbitration between two French parties relating to a commissioning contract (Paris seat; French law).
• Arbitration under the Swiss Rules of International Arbitration and under the auspices of the Geneva Chamber of Commerce between, on the one hand, a Swiss company and, on the other hand, a Swiss company, several Dutch companies, a Cypriot company and a Russian company relating to various credit contracts (Geneva seat; Swiss law).
• Arbitration under the Swiss Rules of International Arbitration and under the auspices of the Geneva Chamber of Commerce between a Brazilian company and a Swiss company relating to a contract for the sale of steel products (Geneva seat; Swiss law).
• Arbitration under the Swiss Rules of International Arbitration and under the auspices of the Geneva Chamber of Commerce between a Swiss company and an English company relating to an exclusive distribution contract (Geneva seat; Swiss law).
• VIAC arbitration between Romanian companies in a dispute arising from a turnkey construction contract for an office building in Bucharest (Bucharest seat; Romanian law).
• Ad hoc arbitration under the UNCITRAL rules between a Serbian NGO and a Swiss institution in a dispute arising from a financing contract (Geneva seat; UNIDROIT principles).
• Ad hoc arbitration under the UNCITRAL rules between a Swiss company and Egyptian citizens in a dispute over a transaction (Paris seat; Egyptian law).
• SCC arbitration between a European investor and a European State in a dispute over changes to the legal regime applicable to solar thermal power plants.
• Arbitration Consta Joint Venture v. Chemin de Fer Djibouto-Ethiopien administered by the PCA and under the aegis of the European Development Fund (EDF) rules in a dispute concerning the construction of a railway line.
• Arbitration “Mattioli Joint Venture v. Ethiopia” administered by the PCA and under the rules of the European Development Fund (EDF) in a dispute concerning the construction of a water extraction and supply system.
• ICSID arbitration “Alpiq AG v. Romania” (ICSID Case No. ARB/14/28) concerning the termination of an electricity supply contract.
• ICSID arbitration “Société Industrielle des Boissons de Guinée v. Republic of Guinea” (ICSID Case No. ARB/12/8) in a dispute concerning the alleged expropriation of a beverage company.
• ICSID arbitration “Dan Cake S.A. v. Hungary” (ICSID Case No. ARB/12/9) in a dispute concerning the alleged expropriation of a pastry business (first phase)

LLM, King’s College London

DEA in Private International Law, University of Paris I – La Sorbonne  (Under the supervision of Professor Pierre Mayer)

Paris

English and French

Dalloz action, ICC arbitration, Forthcoming.

“Force Majeure Clauses in Extractive Contracts”, Forthcoming.

“Article 48”, in ICSID Practical Commentary, 2019

“Arbitrage et normes en danger”, Contournement, optimisation, évasion : les normes en danger?, Institut Universitaire Varenne, 2019.

“Sovereign Immunity (France)”, Lexology Getting The Deal Through, 2019.

“L’annulation des sentences CIRDI impliquant un État d’Afrique”, Un demi-siècle africain d’arbitrage d’investissement CIRDI, LGDJ, 2019.

“Arbitration in France”, Lexology Getting The Deal Through, 2018.

“Actualité des clauses de stabilisation : la variété des clauses dans les contrats pétroliers, miniers et gaziers sur plusieurs aires géographiques (Amérique latine, Afrique, mer noire, Moyen Orient”, Le contentieux extractif, ICC Publication, 2015

(With Pierre Mayer), « the 60/40 Issue in Oxy », Caso Oxy: Defensa Jurídica de una Decisión Soberana y en Derecho del Estado Ecuatoriano, 2014.

“Quel arbitrage d’investissement (institutionnel ou ad hoc) ?”, Kessedjian (C.) (dir.), Le droit européen et l’arbitrage d’investissement, Editions Panthéon Assas, 2011.

“Actualité des clauses de stabilisation”, Le contentieux extractif, Conférence ICC, Paris,

“Non-Express Powers in Arbitration: Excess of Powers or Inherent Powers?”, ICC YAF Conference, Paris (Speaker and Organizer)

Comité Français de l’arbitrage (CFA)

Member of the ICC France list of arbitrators

French Arbitration Association (AFA)

LCIA Users’ Council

Former Secretary of the Sub-Committee on the Enforcement of Arbitral Awards (IBA)

Javier Echeverri’s practice focuses on international arbitration. He has represented states, investors, and state entities in over twenty commercial and international treaty arbitrations in several industry sectors including engineering and construction, power generation, electricity, mining, transportation and telecommunications.

He has represented clients in arbitrations under the ICSID Rules and the rules of UNCITRAL, the ICC, the Quito Chamber of Commerce and the Bogotá Chamber of Commerce.

Prior to joining Wordstone, Javier previously practiced in the international arbitration practice of a global law firm in Paris, and has also held roles within two other law firms specializing in arbitration and highly complex litigation in the infrastructure and telecommunications sectors.

Javier teaches international commercial arbitration at the School of Law of the École des hautes études commerciales in Paris.

• Represents one of the largest power transmission companies in the world against a South American State, in a US$200 million ICISD arbitration claim arising from the construction and operation of a power transmission line (of over 1000 Km long) and the imposition of fines by the State.
• Represents a South American State in a multi-billion arbitration arising out amendments to the laws and regulations on electricity generation.
• Represents a South American State in an ICSID arbitration against a commodities trader (the second ICSID arbitration against this company), over the construction and maintenance of a port facility and the State’s alleged failure to prevent anticompetitive behaviours.
• Represents a South American State in a commercial arbitration under the UNCITRAL Rules arising from a FIDIC design and construction contract involving two sections of a new mass transit system.
• Represents a South American State in a commercial arbitration under the ICC Rules of Arbitration arising from a FIDIC contract involving the maintenance of two major toll-roads in the country.
• Represents a South American State Entity in a commercial arbitration under the UNCITRAL Rules arising from a project for the development and implementation of a customized enterprise resource planning (ERP) software.
• Represents a South American oil company against another oil company arising out of an alleged failure to comply with an several commercial agreements for hydrocarbons supply.

University of Cambridge, Master of Law (LLM), 2021

Colegio Mayor de Nuestra Señora del Rosario (Bogotá), Lawyer, 2014

Bogotá

Admitted to practice as a foreign legal consultant in France

Spanish, English and French

• New Horizons: The Role of International Arbitration inEnvironmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Disputes, 40 under 40 international arbitration (2024)
• Constitutions Meet Arbitration in Latin America – Lexology (September 2022)
• “The State of Necessity in Public Health Emergency Measures: A Proposition from the Latin American Experience” (with R. Esanu), TDM 4 (2022)
• Some Philosophical Questions to Understand the Role of Arbitrators through the Notion of Fair and Equitable Treatment, Revista Estudios SocioJurídicos, 24(1), 13-37
• ICSID Reports Volume 18 – Cambridge University Press (November 2020)

Member of the ICC Institute of World Business Law

Member of the Colombian Arbitration Committee

Member of the Spanish Arbitration Club

Raphaelle Legru specialises in international commercial arbitration and investment arbitration in proceedings brought under the major institutional rules, including ICC, ICISD, UNCITRAL.

Currently based in London, Raphaelle’s practice focuses on disputes involving States and State entities, in all major sectors, including the telecommunications, pharmaceutical and construction sectors. Raphaelle has participated in numerous annulment proceedings, both before ad hoc committees and the French courts.  Raphaelle moreover regularly acts as administrative secretary to the tribunal.

Commercial arbitration

• Representing a French pharmaceutical group against a Swiss pharmaceutical company in two ICC arbitrations arising from a product distribution and licensing agreements (Belgian law, Brussels seat in one case; Swiss law, Lausanne seat in the other).
• Representing the Algeria-based joint-venture of three major oil & gas companies against a Lebanese company in an ICC arbitration arising from delays and costs related to the construction of the base camp of a gas field.
• Representing a BVI telecommunications company and a South Sudanese telecommunications company against an African State in an ICC arbitration arising from a mobile network license (South Sudanese & English law; Geneva seat).
• Representing an Asian State against four French defence companies in two ICC arbitrations arising from a military procurement contract and the payment of illicit commissions (French law; Paris seat).
• Representing a Brazilian group of companies against a group of Portuguese banks in an ICC arbitration arising from the financing of a construction project in the Republic of the Congo (French law; Paris seat).
• Representing a French oil company against a Lebanese company and a Belgian company in an ICC arbitration arising out of the termination of an agency agreement for oil fields in Iraq (French law; Paris seat).

Investment arbitration

• Member of the team representing the Republic of Poland in two parallel PCA-UNCITRAL arbitrations arising from changes in the applicable regulatory framework (PCA Case No. 2021-06 and PCA Case No. 2020-52).
• Member of the team representing a JV of European construction companies against the State of Kuwait in an ICSID arbitration arising from the construction of an expressway in Kuwait City (ICSID Case No. ARB/17/8).
• Member of the team representing the Arab Republic of Egypt against 13 Kuwaiti claimants in an ICSID arbitration arising from a project to transform desert land into agricultural land (ICSID Case No. ARB/18/31).
• Member of the team representing the Czech Republic in a PCA-UNCITRAL arbitration arising from changes in the regulatory framework for lotteries and gaming (PCA Case No. 2016-12).
• Member of the team representing the Czech Republic against a Swiss investor in an ICSID arbitration arising from the alleged illegal acts of the State in connection with real estate investments in Prague (ICSID Case No. ARB/17/11).
• Member of the team representing the Republic of Ecuador against Burlington Resources in an ICSID arbitration arising from a windfall profit levy on oil revenues and involving counterclaims for environmental harm to the Amazonian rainforest (ICSID Case No. ARB/08/5).
• Member of the team representing the Republic of Ecuador against Perenco Ecuador Limited in an ICSID arbitration arising from a windfall profit levy on oil revenues and involving counterclaims for environmental harm to the Amazonian rainforest (ICSID Case No. ARB/08/6).

Annulment proceedings

• Representing the Republic of Poland before the Paris Court of Appeals and the Cour de cassation in annulment proceedings Vincent J. Ryan, Schooner Capital LLC, and Atlantic Investment Partners LLC v. Republic of Poland.
• Representing two members of a JV of European construction in the annulment proceedings of ICSID Case No. ARB/17/11.
• Representing the Czech Republic in the annulment proceedings of ICSID Case No. ARB/17/8.
• Representing the Republic of Ecuador in the annulment proceedings of ICSID Case No. ARB/08/6, Perenco Ecuador Limited v. Republic of Ecuador.

As Administrative Secretary to the Tribunal

• In an ICC arbitration between a Central African State entity and a French company in a dispute arising out of a construction of a road (Central African law; Brussels seat).
• In an HKIAC arbitration between a Mexican and a Chinese IT company arising out of the supply of IT equipment (Mexican law; Hong Kong seat).
• In an LCIA arbitration between
• In two parallel ad hoc arbitrations between a French construction company and its Senegalese subsidiary against a Senegalese company in a dispute arising out of the construction of a hotel (French law; Paris seat).
• In an ICC arbitration between two Swiss companies in a dispute arising out of the inspection of goods (French law; Paris seat).
• In an ICC arbitration between a Romanian entity, on the one hand, and a German company and an Austrian company on the other hand, in a dispute arising out of the refurbishment works of a hydro power plant (French law; Bucharest seat).

Master 2 in Private International Law (University Panthéon-Assas), 2013

Master 1 in International and European Law (University of Paris X), 2012

Graduate Diploma in Law (BBP Law School, UK), 2011

Paris

English and French

(With E. Silva Romero) “Quelle place pour la Compliance dans l’arbitrage d’investissement ?”, La juridictionnalisation de la Compliance, Journal of Regulation & Compliance (JoRC) et Dalloz (2023)

“Overview of the differences in the recent updates to the LCIA Rules and the ICC Rules”, b- Arbitra | Belgian Review of Arbitration (2021)

(With E. Stein) “The State of Play of Belgium’s International Investment Agreements: Whither Investment Arbitration?”, LIBER AMICORUM 50 years of solutions, Cepani 1969 (2019)

• Young Institute for Transnational Arbitration (ITA) Mentorship Program
• Member of ArbitralWomen
• Member of the Comité Français de l’Arbitrage
• LCIA Users’ Council

Ruxandra Irina Esanu specializes in international arbitration, working across both investment treaty arbitration and commercial arbitration matters. As counsel, she has acted in over 20 international arbitrations arising out of the energy, oil and gas, mining, telecommunications, real estate, armament and construction sectors in Europe and Latin America. Ruxandra has experience in arbitrations governed by a range of procedural rules, including ICC, ICSID, UNCITRAL and GAFTA, as well as in ad hoc proceedings. She has also represented clients in annulment proceedings under the ICSID Rules. Ruxandra also acts as tribunal secretary in commercial arbitrations. She routinely works in English, Spanish and French.

Ruxandra serves as a Co-Chair of the Young Institute for Transnational Arbitration (ITA) Mentorship Program, and is an ITA Advisory Board Representative under 40.

Alongside founding partner José Manuel García Represa, Ruxandra co-teaches the Damages module in the Transnational Dispute Settlement (TADS) LL.M. at Sciences Po University in Paris. She also teaches courses on cross-examination and procedural rules at the ARBANZA School of Arbitration. Between 2017 and 2021, Ruxandra coached a team of students from HEC University in Paris for the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot. She also previously coached a team of students from Sciences Po for the Latin American International Commercial Arbitration Moot.

Prior to joining Wordstone, Ruxandra worked for nine years as an associate in the international arbitration practice of an international law firm in Paris. Before that, she was a legal intern at the Paris and London offices of another international law firm, and worked in the Bucharest offices of a French law firm. Ruxandra has also held a clerkship with the Second Civil Chamber of the French Court of cassation.

• Advising a Bolivian state entity in an arbitration before the Grain and Feed Trade Association (GAFTA) arising out of an alleged breach of a sale contract for 60,000 metric tons of wheat.
• Advising the Spanish subsidiary of an American energy company against a Spanish electric utility company in an ICC arbitration arising from a supply agreement for a generator circuit-breaker in nuclear plant.
• Advising a Bolivian state entity against an Indian company in an ICC arbitration arising from a contract for the joint exploitation of a mining concession.
• Advising an Asian State against four French defense companies in two ICC commercial arbitrations arising from a military procurement contract and the payment of illicit commissions.
• Advising two major Eastern European construction companies in an ICC arbitration arising from a major highway design and construction project in Bulgaria.
• Advising a European State in an ICC commercial arbitration arising from the construction of a bridge and associated infrastructure.
• Advising an Italian pharmaceutical company against a Chinese pharmaceutical distributor in a HKIAC arbitration arising from disputes in Hong Kong and England related to the distribution of pharmaceuticals in China.
• Advising a Chinese railway rolling stock manufacturer against a Cameroonian rail company in an ad hoc arbitration under the rules of UNCITRAL arising from several international sales contracts of trains.
• Advising a group of Costa Rican and Dutch investors, Álvarez y Marín Corporación S.A. and others, against the Republic of Panama in an ICSID arbitration arising from the construction and development of an ecotourism resort on the Panamanian coast.
• Advising the Georgian State in an ICSID arbitration against Mr. Nasib Hasanov arising from the acquisition of a controlling interest in a Georgian telecommunications company which is the sole owner of a major submarine fibre optic cable in the Black Sea.
• Advising the Argentine Republic in an ICSID arbitration arising out of tariff calculation and adjustment mechanisms with regard to several electricity generation companies in Argentina.
• Advising the Plurinational State of Bolivia against South American Silver Ltd. in a PCA arbitration under UNCITRAL Rules arising from the reversion of mining licenses.
• Advising the Plurinational State of Bolivia against Glencore (Bermuda) Finance in a PCA arbitration under the UNCITRAL Rules arising from the reversion of Bolivia’s largest tin/zinc mine (Colquiri), a tin smelter and an antimony smelter.
• Advising the Plurinational State of Bolivia against a U.S. citizen and the Bolivian company in which he owns a controlling interest in a PCA arbitration under the rules of UNCITRAL arising from a mining concession held by the company in Bolivia.
• Advising the Republic of Colombia against Glencore International A.G. and C.I. Prodeco S.A. in an ICSID arbitration arising from the alleged threat of annulling a modification of a mining exploitation contract for a large-scale coal project in Colombia.
• Advising the Republic of Colombia against América Móvil S.A.B. de C.V. in an ICSID arbitration arising from the State’s enforcement of a contractual clause regulating the restitution of assets to the State after the termination of a concession contract for the provision of mobile telecom services in Colombia.
• Advising the Republic of Colombia against Telefónica S.A in an ICSID arbitration arising from the State’s enforcement of a contractual clause regulating the restitution of assets to the State after the termination of a concession.
• Advising the Republic of Colombia against Glencore International A.G., C. I. Prodeco S.A. and Sociedad Portuaria Puerto Nuevo S.A. in an ICSID arbitration arising from the construction and maintenance of a port facility.
• Advising the Republic of Ecuador in two ICSID arbitrations arising from the termination of a participation contract to explore and operate petroleum fields, which also involved a counterclaim for the environmental harm caused to the Amazonian rainforest.
• Advising the Republic of Ecuador and its National Mining Company (Enami EP) against a Chilean company in an ICC arbitration arising out of a copper mining project.
• Advising the Republic of Guatemala against an Israeli investor in a PCA arbitration under the UNCITRAL Rules arising from a change in the energy distribution market and the tax framework.
• Advising the Republic of Paraguay against a Portuguese construction company in a PCA arbitration under the UNCITRAL Rules arising from the construction of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system.

Institut d’Études Politiques de Paris (Sciences Po), B.A., Political Science, 2010

Institut d’Études Politiques de Paris (Sciences Po), M.A., Economic Law, 2013

Paris Bar School, Certificat d’aptitude à la profession d’avocat (CAPA), 2015

Paris

French, English, Romanian and Spanish

• Churchill Mining Plc and Planet Mining Pty Ltd v. Republic of Indonesia — ICSID Reports, pp. 527- 553 (2020) (co-author)
• The State of Necessity in Public Health Emergency Measures: A Proposition from the Latin American Experience – TDM 4/2022 (co-author)

• Co-Chair, Young Institute for Transnational Arbitration (ITA) Mentorship Program
• ITA Advisory Board Representative under 40
• Member of ArbitralWomen
• Member of the Comité Français de l’Arbitrage
• Member of the French chapter of the Club Español e Iberoamericano del Arbitraje

Ana María Durán specializes in international arbitration, working across both investment arbitration and commercial arbitration matters. Currently based in Bogotá D.C, she has acted in over 20 international arbitrations, spanning several industries, including oil and gas, mining, electricity, transportation, construction and telecommunications.

Ana María has experience representing clients in complex disputes involving multiple jurisdictions, the application of public and private international law, domestic laws, and various procedural institutional rules, including ICSID, ICC, UNCITRAL, the Lima Chamber of Commerce and the Bogotá Chamber of Commerce.  She has also represented clients in relation to annulment proceedings under the ICSID Rules and sits as tribunal assistant in commercial arbitrations.

Ana María has lectured at universities in Colombia, and currently teaches the course on treaties and international arbitration in the Master’s program on Public Contracting and its Management at Universidad del Rosario in Bogotá, Colombia. She has also experience coaching and preparing students for moot court competitions, specially, the Philip C. Jessup International Moot Court Competition.

Prior to joining Wordstone, she was an associate within the international arbitration practice of a global law firm based in Washington D.C. Before that, she was legal advisor to the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the defence of the Colombian State in cases before the International Court of Justice. Ana was also an attorney at a leading law firm in Bogotá where she focused her practice on commercial and administrative litigation, as well as arbitration proceedings in various sectors.

• Advising the Republic of Guatemala against Colombian investors in an ICSID arbitration concerning the construction of a power transmission line.
• Advising the Spanish subsidiary of an American energy company against a Spanish electric utility company in an ICC arbitration arising from a supply agreement for a generator circuit-breaker in nuclear plant.
• Advising a South America State-owned enterprise against the Republic of Chile in an ICSID arbitration concerning the construction of a power transmission line.
• Advising a South American State against a Spanish Company in an ICC arbitration arising from an oil and gas contract.
• Advising a Bolivian state entity against an Indian company in an ICC arbitration arising from a contract for the joint exploitation of a mining concession.
• Advising the Czech Republic against a Swiss company and its subsidiary in an ICSID annulment proceeding.
• Advising the Republic of Colombia against Glencore International A.G., C. I. Prodeco S.A. and Sociedad Portuaria Puerto Nuevo S.A. in an ICSID arbitration concerning a concession for the operation of a maritime port and the application of the country’s antitrust regulations.
• Advising the Republic of Colombia against Telefónica S.A in an ICSID arbitration arising concerning a concession contract in the telecommunications industry, a decision of the Constitutional Court of the State and a decision of a domestic arbitral tribunal.
• Advising the Republic of Colombia against América Móvil S.A.B. de C.V. in an ICSID arbitration concerning a concession contract in the telecommunications industry, a decision of the Constitutional Court of the State and a decision of a domestic arbitral tribunal.
• Advising a group of Chilean investors against a pharmaceutical company in an ICC arbitration concerning a share purchase agreement.
• Advising the Plurinational State of Bolivia against a U.S. citizen and the Bolivian company in which he owns a controlling interest in a PCA arbitration under the rules of UNCITRAL arising from a mining concession held by the company in Bolivia.
• Advising the Republic of Guatemala against an Israeli investor in a PCA arbitration under the UNCITRAL Rules concerning criminal tax fraud claims brought by the country’s tax administration.
• Advising the Czech Republic against a Swiss company and its subsidiary in an ICISID arbitration concerning the annulment of a zoning change.
• Advising the Republic of Guatemala against a Spanish company in an ICSID arbitration concerning changes in the electricity regulatory framework.
• Advising the Republic of Colombia against Glencore International A.G. and C.I. Prodeco S.A. in an ICSID arbitration arising from the alleged threat of annulling a modification of a mining exploitation contract for a large-scale coal project in Colombia.
• Advising the Plurinational State of Bolivia against Glencore (Bermuda) Finance in a PCA arbitration under the UNCITRAL Rules arising from the reversion of Bolivia’s largest tin/zinc mine (Colquiri), a tin smelter and an antimony smelter.
• Advising a Caribbean State in an ICC commercial arbitration commenced by a Spanish company, concerning a concession contract for the construction and operation of a wind farm, as well as the negotiation of a power purchase agreement with a state-owned entity.
• Advising two Colombian investors against the Republic of Chile in an ICSID arbitration concerning a concession of public transportation.
• Advising a group of Costa Rican and Dutch investors, Álvarez y Marín Corporación S.A. and others, against the Republic of Panama in an ICSID arbitration arising from the construction and development of an ecotourism resort on the Panamanian coast.
• Advising the Plurinational State of Bolivia against a Chilean company and its subsidiary in an ICSID annulment proceeding.

Yale University, Master of Laws (LLM), 2017

Universidad de los Andes, Lawyer, summa cum laude, 2013

Universidad de los Andes, Professional in Languages and Sociocultural Studies, cum laude, 2013

Bogotá

New York

Spanish and English

• International Law as Law, in Handbook of International Law (Universidad de los Andes, Colombia) (2022)
• The New York Convention’s Concept of Arbitration and the Enforcement of Multilateral Investment Court Decisions, in 60 Years of the New York Convention: Key Issues and Future Challenges (Kluwer) (2019) (coauthor)
• Investment Arbitration and the Role of the Hague’s Permanent Court of Arbitration, in Arbitration

João Manoel Pereira de Assis is an Associate who represents and advises companies, States, and State-owned entities in international investment and commercial arbitration matters. He has experience advising in relation to arbitrations held under several institutional rules such as ICSID, ICC, PCA, CAM-CCBC, CAM-B3, and UNCITRAL.

His experience spans a variety of sectors including mining, construction, oil and gas and mergers and acquisitions.

João Manoel also has extensive experience serving as a tribunal secretary. Prior to joining the Wordstone team, he worked in the international arbitration team of a global law firm in Paris.

Representing a French biopharmaceutical group against a Swiss pharmaceutical company in an ICC arbitration concerning a product licensing agreement.

Representing a French biopharmaceutical group against a Swiss pharmaceutical company in an ICC arbitration concerning a product distribution agreement.

Representing a Brazilian private conglomerate on multi-billion post-M&A ICC arbitration.

Representing Petroecuador in a commercial arbitration conducted under the auspices of the UNCITRAL (1976) rules, relating to the production of crude oil using secondary and tertiary recovery techniques.

Representing the Plurinational State of Bolivia against dual Bolivian-U.S. national and the Bolivian company in which he owns a controlling interest in a PCA-UNCITRAL arbitration arising from a mining concession held by the company in Bolivia.

Master in International Business Law, Paris 2 University – Panthéon-Assas

DSU in International Private Law, Paris 2 University – Panthéon-Assas

Exchange student in the undergraduate program at Sciences Po Paris

Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), LLB

Brazil

Paris (pending)

English, French, Portuguese, Spanish

Comitê Brasileiro de Arbitragem (CBAr)

Conflict Prevention & Resolution (CPR)

Club Español del Arbitraje (CEA)

Margaux Baillou is an associate at Wordstone Dispute Resolution, with experience in both investment and commercial arbitration. She has worked on cases involving States, State entities and international companies across a wide range of industries including the construction sector.

Margaux also has experience in annulment and enforcement proceedings before the French courts.

Prior to joining Wordstone, Margaux worked as a law clerk and intern in the international arbitration departments of several global law firms in Paris, and in the litigation department of a French-Chilean law firm in Santiago de Chile. Margaux also interned at the French Committee of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), where she coordinated the Commission on Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution.

Representing a consortium of three French, Spanish and Algerian companies specialising in gas production and exploitation in an ICC arbitration concerning a construction project for support infrastructure for a gas field in Algeria.

Representing a French biopharmaceutical group against a Swiss pharmaceutical company in an ICC arbitration concerning a product licensing agreement.

Representing a French biopharmaceutical group against a Swiss pharmaceutical company in an ICC arbitration concerning a product distribution agreement.

Representing a Brazilian company specialising in the manufacture and distribution of plastic products against a French banking institution in an ICC arbitration relating to the enforcement of a First Demand Guarantee.

• King’s College University, L.L.M in International Dispute Resolution, 2021
• University of Paris I – Sorbonne, Master II in International Law and International Organizations, 2020
• University of Paris I – Sorbonne, Master I in Generational International Law, 2019
• Catholic Institute of Paris, Degree in Law and Political Science, 2018

Paris

French, English and Spanish

Contributed to Presunción de competencia y deber de diligencia de los inversores internacionales, Revista Jurídica del Centro de Arbitraje de México, 2024 (to be published)

Mohamed Bouzagou Ouali is an associate at Wordstone Dispute Resolution, specializing in both investor-State and commercial arbitration. He advises sovereign States and corporations, and he also serves as a tribunal secretary.

Mohamed has experience acting in arbitration proceedings under major arbitral rules including ICSID, UNCITRAL, PCA and ICC across a broad range of industries, such as the energy, construction, technology and life sciences sectors.

Prior to joining Wordstone, Mohamed worked for an arbitrator member of the ICC International Court of Arbitration and several top law firms in Paris, Frankfurt, Vienna, Geneva, Madrid, London, Brussels and Barcelona.

Mohamed is actively engaged in the arbitration community, currently serving as a Board member of the Esade Alumni Arbitration Chapter. He is the co-author of the chapter on arbitration agreements in the “Memento Arbitrage 2020-2021” published by Francis Lefebvre.

Harvard Law School, LL.M., 2023

Esade Business & Law School, Master in International Business Law, 2020

Esade Business & Law School, Bachelor in Law and Global Governance, 2019

Barcelona

Paris

Spanish, Catalan, English, French and Arabic

• Algerian trade cut off with Spain: Spanish companies with interests in Algeria should take measures to manage their risks – Lexology Blog (June 2022)
• Memento Arbitraje 2020-2021 – Francis Lefebvre (June 2020)

·      “la Caixa” Fellowship, Issued by “la Caixa: Foundation (May 2021)

·      Esade Professional Council Excellence Award (2019)

·      Esade Talent Scholarships (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018)

·      Esade Merit Honours (2014)

·      Esade Alumni Arbitration Club

·      Spanish and Ibero-American Arbitration Club (CEIA) & CEIA-40

Gabriel Otoya Henao focuses on international investment and commercial arbitration at Wordstone. He has acted in over 15 international arbitrations arising out of the energy, oil and gas, mining, telecommunications, liquor and construction sectors, several of which involve states or state-owned entities.

Gabriel has experience in arbitrations governed by a range of procedural rules, including ICC, ICSID, UNCITRAL as well as in ad hoc proceedings.

Prior to joining Wordstone, Gabriel worked for three years as an associate in the international arbitration team of a global law firm and before that, he interned in the international arbitration department of another global law firm in Paris.

• Advising the Spanish subsidiary of an American energy company against a Spanish electric utility company in an ICC arbitration arising from a supply agreement for a generator circuit-breaker in nuclear plant.
• Advising the Republic of Guatemala against Grupo Energía Bogotá S.A. E.S.P. and its Guatemalan subsidiary in an ICSID arbitration arising from a project for the construction, operation and maintenance of electricity transmission lines.
• Advising Petroecuador against Chinese and American companies in three arbitrations under UNCITRAL rules (two administered by the PCA and one ad hoc) arising from contracts for the implementation of secondary and tertiary oil recovery techniques.
• Advising a Bolivian state entity against an Indian company in an ICC arbitration arising from a contract for the joint exploitation of a mining concession
• Advising Interconexión Eléctrica S.A. E.S.P. against the Republic of Chile in an ICSID arbitration arising from a project for the construction, operation and maintenance of electricity transmission lines
• Advising the Republic of Paraguay against an Uruguayan com in an ICC arbitration arising from a FIDIC contract for the repair and maintenance of highways in Paraguay financed by the Inter American Development Bank.
• Advising the Plurinational State of Bolivia against Glencore (Bermuda) Finance in a PCA arbitration under the UNCITRAL Rules arising from the reversion of Bolivia’s largest tin/zinc mine (Colquiri), a tin smelter and an antimony smelter.

Paris Bar School, Certificat d’aptitude à la profession d’avocat (CAPA), 2025

Institut d’Études Politiques de Paris (Sciences Po), Master in Economic Law, cum laude, 2020

Institut d’Études Politiques de Paris (Sciences Po), Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Law, cum laude, 2017

Paris (pending)

Spanish, English and French

Member of the Comité Colombiano de Arbitraje

Santiago Soto García is an Associate at Wordstone, with experience in international investment and commercial arbitration under various institutional rules including ICSID, ICC, PCA and UNCITRAL. He has also advised clients in relation to ad hoc arbitration proceedings.

Santiago’s experience includes disputes in various sectors such as energy, construction, mining, oil and gas, telecommunications and shipping. Santiago also has experience as a tribunal assistant in proceedings before the ICC, the Bogotá Chamber of Commerce, the Lima Chamber of Commerce and the Medellín Chamber of Commerce.

Prior to joining Wordstone, Santiago was an associate in the Paris office of a global law firm. Before that, he was an intern in two Colombian firms specialized in arbitration and public law, where he worked mainly in disputes and state contracting matters, including public utilities, infrastructure and mining.

• Representing a South American State-owned enterprise in an ICSID arbitration against a South American State concerning the construction of a power transmission line.
• Representing a Caribbean State in an ICC commercial arbitration commenced by a Spanish company, concerning a concession contract for the construction and operation of a wind farm, as well as the negotiation of a power purchase agreement with a state-owned entity.
• Representing a Caribbean State Entity in an UNCITRAL commercial arbitration commenced by a Spanish company concerning the rehabilitation of the country’s electricity transmission networks and force majeure allegations in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Representing a Central American State in an UNCITRAL investment arbitration commenced by an Israeli company operating in the electricity distribution sector concerning criminal tax fraud claims brought by the country’s tax administration.
• Representing a South American State in two ICSID arbitrations commenced by a Mexican and a Spanish Company, concerning a concession contract in the telecommunications industry, a decision of the Constitutional Court of the State and a decision of a domestic arbitral tribunal.
• Representing a South American State against a Portuguese Company in an UNCITRAL commercial arbitration concerning the construction of a Bus Rapid Transit line in the capital of the country.
• Representing a South American State Entity in a commercial arbitration under the UNCITRAL Rules arising from a project for the development and implementation of a customized enterprise resource planning (ERP) software.
• Representing a South American State in a commercial arbitration under the UNCITRAL Rules arising from alleged breaches of a participation agreement for the exploration and exploitation of crude oil, an exploitation operational agreement and their amendments.
• Representing a Caribbean State and a State entity against a Panamanian company in a commercial arbitration under the ICC rules related to a power purchase agreement for the construction of a power plant and the selling of the energy produced by said company.

Universidad de los Andes, Lawyer, 2019

Bogotá
Admitted to practice as a foreign legal consultant in France

English, French and Spanish

• Co-authored Presunción de competencia y deber de diligencia de los inversores internacionales (to be published by Revista Jurídica del Centro de Arbitraje de México, 2024)
• Co-authored Perspectivas antagónicas frente a los beneficios de la consolidación del derecho internacional de la inversión extranjera como subsistema del derecho internacional económico (published by Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia, July 2020).

Club Español e Iberoamericano del Arbitraje

Comité Colombiano de Arbitraje

Judith has more than thirty years of experience serving clients and lawyers in the field of international arbitration. She began her career as assistant to the Secretary General of the ICC Court of International Arbitration and worked as a paralegal in several law firms in the field of arbitration prior to joining Wordstone as Office Manager.

Law degree from the University of Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne (1992).

French, Portuguese, Spanish and English