Lucian is an English barrister, 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 by GAR’s Who’s Who Legal as a “Future 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”.
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. He also interned with the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg and the European Commission in Brussels.
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 France and Romania, Lucian speaks English, French and Romanian.
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 15 international cases. Recent work includes:
Representing 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 (pending)
Representing 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- pending)
Representing 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
Representing 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
Representing 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
Representing 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
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)
Advising 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
Representing 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
Representing Senegal’s state-owned electricity company in an ICC commercial arbitration in relation to a power purchase agreement claim amounting to USD 250 million
Representing 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
Representing 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
Representing 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:
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:
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.
Representing the Claimant, an EU airline, in a cross-border litigation before the UK High Court concerning the leasing of an aircraft engine to a Senegalese leading airline (pending).
Successfully represented the Claimant/Applicant, an EU airline, in a cross-border litigation before the UK courts concerning the leasing of an aircraft (“wet lease”) to a Nigerian leading airline (obtained Summary Judgment on the main claim for the client).
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:
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.
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