Lucian is an experienced barrister at the Commercial Bar, and a French and Romanian avocat specialising in international law, transnational litigation and international arbitration, with particular expertise in investor-State disputes and commercial arbitration cases.
Combining experience of civil law culture with common law know-how of over 12 years, Lucian’s practice areas include: (i) International Arbitration (including arbitration-related litigation), (ii) Private and Public International Law (including rules of jurisdiction, conflict of laws, enforcement of foreign judgments/awards, State immunity, ECHR law), (iii) International Organisations, and (iv) International Commercial Litigation (including before the English, French, DIFC and ADGM courts).
Before moving to the English Bar, during almost 10 years, Lucian advised and represented parties throughout Europe, the Middle East and the CIS countries (i) in investment and commercial arbitration matters in various industry sectors (including energy, oil & gas, telecoms, pharmaceuticals, distributorships, real estate, sales, hospitality, infrastructure and construction disputes) under different arbitration rules (including ICSID, UNCITRAL, PCA, SCC, ICC, LCIA and SCAI), and (ii) before a number of international courts (including the ECtHR and the ECJ).
He is recognised in Legal500 (London Bar) as a Leading Junior in Public International Law and by GAR’s Lexology Index (former Who’s Who Legal) as a “Global Elite Thought Leader” in international arbitration, being considered in England “a well-regarded and very knowledgeable practitioner with particular expertise in investment law and intra-EU arbitration”. Comments in legal directories have included: “Lucian is a fearless and robust advocate with a wealth of cross-border experience”; “Lucian is someone who not only is good with the law but also understands the commercial realities behind the cases. He’s brilliant.” ; “He is very strategic as counsel and knowledgeable in several legal systems”; “He is one of the leaders of his generation”; “Lucian Ilie is a true expert in investor-state arbitration. He has an impressive investment treaty arbitration practice”; “Lucian is thorough and knowledgeable, particularly in public international law and investment treaty arbitration” ; “Lucian is a fountain of knowledge of how investor-state international arbitrations work. He understands how they are run and how they can play out, delivering pragmatic advice accordingly.”; “Lucian is tenacious. He really does the work and puts the hours in. He constantly pushes himself to gain more experience to the benefit of the wider legal team and the client.”
Prior to joining Outer Temple Chambers, Lucian amassed a wealth of international legal experience. He was in the International Arbitration group at Reed Smith in London, and practised in Paris with Lazareff Le Bars, McDermott Will & Emery and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.
After successfully completing his legal education with honours in civil law and common law jurisdictions (France, Ireland and England), Lucian was admitted to practise law in France and Romania (as a member of the Paris and Bucharest Bars) and in England and Wales (first as solicitor advocate and then as barrister). Lucian is registered for direct access and qualified for litigation.
In addition to his counsel work, Lucian sits as arbitrator (Sole arbitrator/Co-arbitrator). He is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, and is listed as arbitrator at several arbitration institutions. Lucian also maintains a keen academic interest in law, being the contributor to a number of publications, speaking regularly at conferences, and teaching on issues of arbitration, international and European law.
A dual national of the UK, France and Romania, Lucian speaks English, French and Romanian.
Expertise
Lucian is a specialist in international arbitration advising clients on investor-State and commercial arbitrations in various industry sectors (including construction, telecoms and energy) and under different arbitration rules (including ICSID, UNCITRAL, PCA, SCC, ICC, LCIA and SCAI). He has advised and represented clients in over 20 international cases. Recent work includes:
Notable International Arbitration and ADR cases
Representing the Romanian State in a EUR 500 million ICSID arbitration brought against it by a Bulgarian insurance investor under the Bulgaria-Romania BIT (led by Lucas Bastin KC of Essex Court).
Representing a Turkish shareholder in an LCIA arbitration initiated against it (and other three respondents) by the Romanian Ministry of Finance in connection with a several hundred million USD real estate concession agreement.
Representing a Nigerian producer of tin concentrate in an ICC arbitration brought against a Swiss trading company in relation to a USD 7 million contractual dispute related to the purchase of tin concentrates.
Representing a Bulgarian oil and gas company in an LCIA arbitration concerning a multi-million USD drilling contract entered with a Romanian company providing offshore integrated services for the oil and gas industry.
Successfully represented the developer in a high value LCIA claim brought by a Chinese manufacturer/financier over a stalled multi-million US dollars renewable project in Eastern Europe.
Successfully represented an Austrian investor in a several hundred million US dollars ICSID arbitration initiated against Romania under the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) in relation to a dispute over a local oil refinery (led by Daniel Kalderimis of Twenty Essex and instructed by McDermott Will & Emery in London).
Successfully represented a multinational catering company in two SCAI commercial arbitrations brought against it by the owner of the brand under two license agreements, for claims in damages of more than USD 150 million.
Successfully represented the Republic of Kazakhstan in a several hundred million US dollars ICSID arbitration case brought against it by the oil and gas company Big Sky Energy Corporation.
Successfully represented the Republic of Kazakhstan in a several hundred million US dollars ICSID arbitration case brought against it by two gold mining companies, Alhambra Resources Ltd and Alhambra Cooperatief U.A..
Successfully represented a Greek company in an ICC commercial arbitration brought against it by a Cypriot hotel management company, for a claim in damages of USD 10 million (settled).
Successfully represented Italian and Canadian investors in submitting a Notice of Intent and preparing a Request for Arbitration against Mexico under the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules, for a claim in damages of USD 1.5 billion related to a taxi concession (settled).
Advised a Spanish investor on a potential investment treaty claim against Mexico arising out of a dispute relating to Mexico’s legislative changes in the renewable energy sector in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Successfully represented an Emirati construction company in an UNCITRAL investment arbitration claim amounting to USD 525 million, initiated against Libya under the investment agreement of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
Represented Senegal’s state-owned electricity company in an ICC commercial arbitration in relation to a power purchase agreement claim amounting to USD 250 million.
Represented a French investor in an UNCITRAL/PCA investment arbitration against the Russian Federation, in relation to a USD 12 billion expropriation claim related to several assets in Russia.
Successfully represented a French telecommunications company in an ICSID arbitration against the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in relation to the renewal of a telecommunications license, for a claim in damages of USD 120 million (settled).
Represented a Swedish petroleum company in the context of an ICSID arbitration against the Tunisian state, arising out of an investment contract for a claim in damages of USD 50 million.
In addition to his counsel work, Lucian accepts appointments as arbitrator directly from parties and via arbitral institutions. He is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, and is listed as arbitrator with several arbitration institutions.
Recent arbitrator work includes:
Co-arbitrator in an ICC arbitration between a Belgian company and Hungarian entities in a Share Sale Purchase Agreement dispute.
Co-Arbitrator in an LCIA arbitration between a Russian trading company and an Italian manufacturing company in a dispute relating to a shipment of coal transaction.
Sole arbitrator in a VIAC arbitration between a Romanian individual and a Romanian electricity transmission company in a dispute relating to a mandate contract.
Co-Arbitrator in an ICC arbitration between a Romanian company and a Chinese entity in a dispute relating to a turbine generator contract (settled).
Tribunal secretary in several arbitrations under major arbitral institutions such as ICC, LCIA and CEPANI.
Lucian acts as counsel in international commercial litigation and arbitration-related court applications, such as applications relating to emergency injunctions (including freezing and anti-suit relief), the preservation of evidence and the enforcement of awards, as well as challenges and appeals against awards. He is frequently instructed in complex, high-profile and substantial commercial disputes, advising a wide range of clients, from joint venture partners to business professionals and ultra-high net worth individuals. His work spans a range of sectors including energy, oil & gas, telecoms, pharmaceuticals, transport (aviation, shipping, and travel), retail, construction and infrastructure, hospitality, insurance and sport.
Recent work as sole counsel includes:
Notable Commercial Litigation cases
Represented the Applicant, a Bulgarian oil and gas company, to discharge/vary a worldwide freezing injunction before the English Commercial Court concerning a dispute related to a drilling contract entered with a Romanian company providing offshore integrated services for oil and gas industry.
Successfully represented the investors OperaFund and Schwab in a matter before the English Commercial Court concerning Spain’s application to set aside a without-notice order for the recognition and enforcement of an ICSID ECT award of c. EUR 33 million rendered against Spain in 2019.
Successfully represented the Claimant, a Romanian airline company, in a cross-border litigation before the UK Commercial Court concerning the leasing of an aircraft engine to a Senegalese leading airline (obtained Summary Judgment).
Successfully represented the Claimant/Applicant, a Romanian airline company, in a cross-border litigation before the UK courts concerning the leasing of an aircraft (“wet lease”) to a Nigerian leading airline company (obtained Summary Judgment).
Successfully represented an Ukrainian electricity supplier company against the Republic of Moldova in the context of the annulment of a USD 49 million ECT UNCITRAL award before the Paris Court of Appeal and the French Supreme Court.
Successfully represented the Defendant/Appellant in an appeal/judicial review at the King’s Bench (High Court) against a cross border enforcement of a French appeal judgment under the Brussels I 2001 regulation (obtained the setting aside of the UK order recognising the French appeal judgment).
Successfully represented the Respondents before the UK courts in an application for costs in a complex dispute over the winding down of a multi-million £ property development in England.
Represented a company in winding-up proceedings before the High Court (Chancery Division) dealing with the dismissal of the petition.
Successfully represented a Landlord (Defendant) in a claim brought before the UK courts by the Tenant (claim settled).
Lucian is experienced in matters which raise issues of private and public international law (including rules of jurisdiction, conflict of laws, enforcement of foreign judgments/awards, State immunity, extradition, ECHR law, protection of foreign investment under international treaties). He is experienced in advising and representing governments, corporate bodies and individual litigants in international disputes before a range of (i) international courts (such as the ECtHR and the ECJ), and (ii) international arbitration tribunals (such as the ICSID and the PCA).
Recent work as sole counsel involves:
Notable Private and Public International Law cases
Successfully represented the investors OperaFund and Schwab in a matter before the English Commercial Court concerning Spain’s application to set aside a without-notice order for the recognition and enforcement of an ICSID ECT award of c. EUR 33 million rendered against Spain in 2019.
Successfully represented the Defendant/Appellant in an appeal/judicial review at the King’s Bench (High Court) against a cross border enforcement of a French appeal judgment under the Brussels I 2001 regulation (obtained the setting aside of the UK order recognising the French appeal judgment).
Assisting a Tajik individual in filing a request for interim measures against Serbia under Rule 39 of the ECtHR to suspend a deportation order against the applicant (pro bono).
Lucian has a strong interest in work with an international element (both contentious and non-contentious), and welcomes instructions in any of the languages he speaks. He has worked on cases involving a number of international organisations such as the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID, an international body attached to the World Bank in Washington), the European Court of Human Rights in Strasburg, the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg, and the European Commission in Brussels. Lucian has written extensively and lectured on international law subjects.
Lucian ILIE is regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) and holds a current practising certificate. If you are not satisfied with the service provided, please click here.
"A true expert in investor-state arbitration."; "Brilliant."; "Tenacious."; A fountain of knowledge of how investor-state international arbitrations work."
International Arbitration - The English Bar - Global Market Leaders, Chambers & Partners Global Guide 2025
"Lucian is a fearless and robust advocate with a wealth of cross-border experience"; "He has an impressive investment treaty arbitration practice"; "He is very strategic as counsel and knowledgeable in several legal systems"; "Lucian is thorough and knowledgeable, particularly in public international law and investment treaty arbitration"
Lexology Index 2025, Arbitration - Future Leaders (Non Partners)
"Lucian Ilie is a true expert in investor-state arbitration."; "He understands how they are run and how they can play out, delivering pragmatic advice accordingly."; "Lucian is a fountain of knowledge of how investor-state international arbitrations work."; "He constantly pushes himself to gain more experience to the benefit of the wider legal team and the client."; "He really does the work and puts the hours in."; "Lucian is tenacious."; "He's brilliant."; "Lucian is someone who not only is good with the law but also understands the commercial realities behind the cases."
International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance ,Chambers & Partners 2025
"Lucian is a quick thinker who operates very well in multiple jurisdictions"; "He is an outstanding practitioner"; "He is one of the leaders of his generation".
WWL Arbitration 2024 - Future Leaders
Lucian is a very hard-working and experienced barrister, with high-quality and detailed work, who has built up an impressive arbitration practice.
WWL Arbitration 2023 - Future Leaders
Lucian is considered a well-regarded and very knowledgeable practitioner with particular expertise in investment law and intra-EU arbitration.
Our dedicated practice management team can help you identify the right barrister for your case.
Called to the Bar in England & Wales (2021, Honourable Society of the Inner Temple)
Solicitor Advocate in England &Wales (2018, Solicitors Regulation Authority – non-practising)
Member of the Bucharest Bar (2016)
Member of the Paris Bar (2013)
Member of the Commercial Bar Association (Combar)
Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (MCIArb)
Steering Committee of the IBA under-40 Arbitration Group
International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA)
LCIA’s Young International Arbitration Group (YIAG)
ICC Young Arbitrators’ Forum (YAF)
The Franco-British Lawyers Society
Publications
March 2024, “Sovereign Immunity and the Enforcement of ICSID Awards in England” (ThoughtLeaders4 Disputes Magazine)
September 2023, “GAR Know-How: Investment Treaty Arbitration in Romania” (GAR Investment Arbitration)
August 2023, “International Arbitration Laws and Regulations – Romania Chapter” (International Comparative Legal Guide)
December 2021, “Revisiting the Concept of Legitimate Expectations in Renewable Energy Treaty Cases” (European Investment Law and Arbitration Review)
October 2021, “Romania’s Recent Renewable Energy Disputes: Similar Issues, Same Outcomes?” (Romanian Arbitration Journal)
June 2021, “Enforcing Contracts Questionnaire – the United Kingdom” (World Bank, Doing Business 2021 pro bono project)
October 2020, “COVID-19 and the construction sector: potential relief under international investment treaties” (Reed Smith article, Lexology publication)
October 2020, “GAR Know-How: Investment Treaty Arbitration in Romania” (GAR Investment Arbitration)
October 2020, “The attempted unplugging of Mexico’s renewable energy market and how investment treaties are already determining its future” (Reed Smith’s newsletter, Latin America 1st edition)
June 2020, “Green tariffs in Ukraine: lessons from Spain and the Czech Republic” (Reed Smith article, Lexology publication)
June 2020, “Judicial expropriation in investment arbitration” (Jus Mundi Wiki note)
November 2019, “Investment Treaty Arbitration Across Different Sectors” (Reed Smith’s Global Guide to International Arbitration)
October 2019, “Shareholders’ Claims in Investment Treaty Arbitration: No Piece of Cake!” (Romanian Arbitration Journal)
January 2018, “What is the Future of Intra-EU BITs?” (Kluwer Arbitration Blog)
November 2017, “Cross-Border Litigation in Europe: Romania Chapter” (Hart Publishing)
May 2017, “Energy Contracts in African Countries: Issues to Take into Account” (Magazine du Droit des Affaires en Afrique)
April 2017, “Strengthening the arbitrator’s role in competition law through the Directive on actions for damages” (International Business Law Journal, N°4-2017)
March 2017, “African mining industry: the challenges encountered when facing the termination of contracts” (Magazine du Droit des Affaires en Afrique)
February 2017, “Case Note on the ICSID award Micula v. Romania” (European Investment Law and Arbitration Review)
February 2017, “CETA: Creating Opportunities for your business in 2017” (International Arbitration Law)
January 2017, “International Arbitration and EU Competition Law Complement Rather than Contradict One Another” (Journal of International Arbitration, Volume 34 – Issue 6 of 2017)
Conferences
June 2024, “Enforcement of Investment Arbitration Awards in National Courts: Recent Developments and Future Trends” (Bucharest Arbitration Days event, Romania)
June 2024, “The Arbitration landscape in the Balkans” (LIDW event hosted by Kirkland & Ellis London, UK)
June 2024, “Key issues when faced with fraud allegations in international arbitration” (LIDW event hosted by gunnercooke London, UK)
March 2024 “The role of international arbitration in steering trade and economic development” (PAW event hosted by YRAP and Science Po Paris, France)
May 2023 “The future of Investor-State disputes in the energy sector: challenges and opportunities” (LIDW event hosted by MWE London, UK)
February 2023 “Workshop on the IBA Arb40 Toolkit for Arbitral Award Writing” (IBA Arb40 event hosted by Musat & Asociatii Bucharest, Romania)
November 2022 “A Workshop on the IBA Arb40’s Toolkit for Arbitral Award Writing” (IBA event hosted by W&C London, UK)
November 2022, “Contracts in the Time of the Cholera” (Delos webinar)
September 2022, “The Unwritten Rules of a Career in International Arbitration” (ICC YAAF event held in Vilnius, Lithuania)
June 2021, “How to Start Your Arbitration: The Case Management Conference” (YRAP event – Bucharest Arbitration Days)
January 2021, “The renewed role of States in arbitration” (6th EFILA Annual Conference, London, UK)
December 2020, “What do transactional lawyers make of arbitration?” (BIAC Conference, AmCham Romania)
March 2020, “Unilateral Arbitration Agreements: the position in France and in the UK” (7th University of Bucharest Pre-Moot Conference, Bucharest, Romania)
June 2019, “Trends in Construction and Energy Arbitration – What is next?” (5th AFSIA Alumni Conference, London, UK)
Mai 2019, “The role of written advocacy in international arbitration: developing the skills” (IALS seminar, London, UK)
April 2019, “The Future of Renewable Energy: an international round-table of business, regulatory and legal experts” (SCC/BIAC joint conference, Bucharest, Romania)
November 2018, “Innovation in Arbitration: A Brave New World” (YMG CIArb Annual Conference, Dublin, Ireland)
June 2018, “Changing the Rules – Institutions’ Efforts to Reduce Time and Cost” (4th Annual School of International Arbitration Alumni Conference, London, UK)
February 2018, “Nationality of Investors – An Unresolved Issue” (University of Bucharest, Romania)
December 2017, “Current Issues in Investment Arbitration: What is the future of the Intra EU-BITs?” (BIAC Conference, AmCham Romania)
April 2017, “Doing Business after Brexit: Legal Implications – Impact on Arbitration” (AFJE and QMUL Conference, Paris)
December 2016, “The Unsettled Territory – Can Investors rely on BIT Protection within the EU?” (ICC, YAF and ICDR Conference, Zagreb, Croatia)
July 2015, “Dispute resolution through ICSID arbitration” (AFJE Conference, Paris, France)
November 2014, “Nationality in Investment Arbitration” (Sciences Po and QMUL Conference, Paris, France)
Queen Mary, University of London, LL.M., International Dispute Resolution, merit
University of Toulouse, Master’s Degree, International and European Law, magna cum laude
University of Toulouse/University College Dublin, LL.B., French and English Law, distinction
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Lucian ILIE is regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) and holds a current practising certificate. If you are not satisfied with the service provided, please click here.
