Yann SCHNELLER

Yann Schneller is a French-qualified lawyer and the founder of Darci, a law firm dedicated to international construction contracts.

He is recognised as a Global Elite Thought Leader in Construction and an Arbitration Future Leader in the Lexology Index 2026, and is ranked in Construction by Chambers.

Clients describe him as “an excellent lawyer in international construction cases” who “offers pragmatic solutions focused on risk prevention and dispute resolution.” He is praised as a lawyer who “understands the client’s priorities”, is “business-minded”, and demonstrates “availability, responsiveness and attentiveness.” Yann is described as “one of my go-to attorneys” who “routinely thinks outside the box”, with clients noting that “we are lucky to be able to rely on him.” He is further recognised as a practitioner with an “outstanding skill set in international construction disputes”, who “adapts to client needs and fully addresses the issues raised,” “with a long-term vision” and who delivers “very good performance in pleadings.”

Yann advises contractors, employers and public entities across the full lifecycle of complex, high-value international construction projects, from contract drafting and negotiation through project execution, claims management and dispute resolution. His practice combines front-end advisory work with extensive experience in construction arbitration and dispute boards. He regularly assists clients with contractual risk allocation, claims strategy and dispute avoidance, and represents parties in international arbitration proceedings under the rules of major arbitral institutions.

He is recognised for his close involvement in projects and his pragmatic, solution-oriented approach. He frequently works alongside project teams to address execution challenges, with a focus on developing legally sound and commercially viable solutions that enable projects to move forward while protecting clients’ positions in the event of disputes.

In addition to acting as counsel, Yann regularly sits as arbitrator and dispute board member, including as president, co-arbitrator and sole arbitrator in international construction disputes. His dual perspective as counsel and arbitrator informs his approach to case management and decision-making, with particular attention to procedural efficiency, technical complexity and the commercial realities of construction projects.

Yann is a FIDIC Certified Adjudicator and FIDIC Certified Trainer. He regularly delivers professional training and university teaching on international construction law, claims and arbitration. He has delivered more than 1,000 hours of training to international financial institutions, public authorities, contractors and legal teams worldwide.