Mohamed SHELBAYA

Mohamed Shelbaya is a founding partner of Gaillard Banifatemi Shelbaya Disputes and is recognized as “a leading figure in arbitration” with a particular focus on arbitrations in the oil & gas sector. Prior to founding Gaillard Banifatemi Shelbaya Disputes he was a partner at Shearman & Sterling LLP where he practiced for more than twelve years.

He is based in Paris and has represented companies, States and State-owned entities in more than 60 commercial and investment treaty matters, including many multibillion-dollar disputes involving novel questions of international law and geopolitical issues. Mohamed has secured a number of landmark victories for his clients, including in a recent string of precedent-setting awards on the application of the ICSID Convention and the English law of assignment, which fully dismissed claims exceeding USD 4 billion that were brought against our client in connection with the operation of an LNG Liquefaction plant and an associated long term gas supply agreement.

He also advises energy companies regarding their contractual portfolio and on how to manage potential liability and mitigate litigation risk through dispute-minded contract drafting and corporate structure optimization. He advises governments and State entities on the restructuring of their respective energy sectors.

Mohamed also regularly acts as arbitrator in commercial and investment arbitrations under the rules of the ICC, LCIA, UNCITRAL and CRCICA. Mohamed teaches investment arbitration at Sciences Po Law School. He also serves as a member of the LCIA Court and as President of the LCIA’s Arab Users Council.