Emilie has extensive experience of representing parties in international commercial arbitration both led and unled.  She has long been recognised in the directories as a leading barrister in this field.  She has experience of a wide range of arbitrations rules, including the ICC Rules, the LCIA Rules, the UNCITRAL Rules, the Swiss Rules, the SCC Rules, the LMAA Rules and the HKIAC Rules.  Highlights of her recent instructions include:

• Acting for a hotel owner in the context of a dispute regarding the manager’s management fee under a hotel management agreement (Swiss Rules, London seat).
• Acting for a commodities trader in a series of sanctions and fraud related disputes, together exceeding £500 million, arising out of one party’s failure to make payments under back-to-back sale and purchase contracts of thermal coal (LCIA Arbitration, London seat).
• Acting for the Government of the Bahamas in its dispute with the concession holder of a freeport zone (UNCITRAL Rules, Nassau seat).
• Acting for a bond holder in the context of a dispute arising out of the borrower’s failure to repay the loan on which the bond issuance was secured (Swiss Rules, Geneva seat).
• Acting for an international automobile sports federation in its dispute with an aspiring new entrant into the championship (LCIA Rules, London seat).
• Acting for a hotel developer in his dispute with the hotel owners relating to the payment of his uplift in the value of a portfolio of luxury hotels (LCIA Rules, London seat).
• Acting for an offshore cryptocurrency company operating a digital platform in the context of a dispute regarding conversion between two cryptocurrencies (UNCITRAL, Seychelles seat)
• Acting for a Turkish hotel owner in a dispute with the hotel manager arising out of a hotel management agreement in respect of an Istanbul five-star hotel (ICC, London seat).
• Acting for a Mauritian bank in a dispute arising out of the sale of its Kenyan subsidiary (LCIA, London seat).
• Acting for an auction house in a dispute arising out of the sale by auction of luxury real estate (LCIA, London seat).
• Acting for a producer of malt in a dispute arising out of a charterparty with a Belgian shipowner (LMAA, London seat).
• Acting for a gold mining company in its dispute with a francophone African government regarding the revocation of certain tax exemptions under a concession agreement (ICC, Paris seat).

Emilie is regularly instructed on a range of complex commercial disputes in the English Commercial Court led and unled.  She is ranked as leading junior in this field by Legal 500. She has particular expertise in arbitration-related court applications, jurisdictional challenges and cases involving issues of public international law across a range of sectors including energy, hospitality, banking and financial services and aviation. Highlights of Emilie’s recent instructions before the Commercial Court include:

• Fibula Air Travel v Just Us Air:  Acting for Just Us Air, an aircraft leasing company and airline, in its successful Part 20 claim for payment under a wet-lease agreement and for Just Us in its application for a freezing injunction ([2026] EWHC 1270 (Comm)) and in the ongoing appeal proceedings.
• Durnont Enterprises v Fazita Investment Ltd & Or:  Acting for Fazita, a Jersey discretionary trust, in defending Durnont’s claim for conspiracy to defraud, including in Durnont’s appeal concerning the dismissal of Fazita's strike-out application and its jurisdiction challenge.
• NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine & Others v. The Russian Federation: Acting for Naftogaz in the enforcement of US$5 billion investment treaty award against Russia over the seizure of Naftogaz’ assets in Crimea.
• Bulgarian Development Bank EAD v Ulas Investments EAD: Acting for Bulgarian Development in its claim against Ulas, including in a successful defence against Ulas’ jurisdictional challenge ([2024] EWHC 2916 (Ch)).
• A v B. (anti-suit injunction): Acting for a Mauritian bank seeking an anti-suit injunction against court proceedings in East Africa in breach of an arbitration agreement providing for a London seated LCIA arbitration.
• Radisson Hotels v Hayat: Acting for Hayat in its successful defence against a s. 68 challenge to an ICC award brought by Radisson against a liability award issued under a hotel management agreement.
• A v B (s. 68 challenge): Acting for the defendant to a s. 68 challenge to an arbitral award in challenging service of arbitration claim form.  The claimant was found to have breached its duty of full and frank disclosure.
• A v B (s. 44 application): Acting for the claimant in an ICC arbitration in the context of a s. 44 application to the English Court for measures to protect its privileged and confidential information.
• Lutfi v Choudhury & Or: Acting for a high net worth individual in a civil fraud case relating to the misappropriation of assets in the context of the development of luxury properties in London.  The case involved applications for freezing orders and other relief.
• National Iranian Oil Company v Crescent Petroleum Company: Acting for NIOC in its s. 69 challenge against a US$ 2 billion award.  The case involved (inter alia) deciding important issues as to the jurisdiction of the Court in light of the wording of the arbitration agreement.

Emilie has considerable expertise in investment treaty arbitration, which she has lectured on for 10 years at Sciences Po Paris.  She has been ranked in the legal directories for her expertise in the field for many years.  Highlights of her recent instructions include:

• ExxonMobil Petroleum & Chemical BV v. Kingdom of the Netherlands, ICSID Case No. ARB/24/44: representing the Kingdom of the Netherlands in an ICSID arbitration commenced by ExxonMobil under the Energy Charter Treaty.
• Libyan Investment Authority et al.  v. Kingdom of Belgium (I), ICSID Case No. ARB(AF)/23/3: acting for the Libyan Investment Authority in an ICSID Additional Facility Arbitration commenced under the Libya-Benelux Bilateral Investment Treaty.
• Acting for a Hong Kong investor in the telecommunications sector in PCCW Cascade (Middle East) Ltd. v. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (ICSID Case No. ARB/22/20), an arbitration commenced under the China-Saudi Arabia BIT.
• Acting for a major telecommunications company in its dispute against a European country in an UNCITRAL arbitration (details not public).
• Acting for the main creditor of an electricity company in an arbitration against a European country arising out of measures taken in the context of the increase in electricity prices, commenced under the Energy Charter Treaty (details not public).
• Acting for a Dutch investor in the banking sector in Jochem Bernard Buse v Panama (ICSID Case No. ARB/17/12), an arbitration commenced under the Netherlands-Panama BIT
• Acting for two Cypriot investors in the real estate sector in Alverley Investments Limited, Germen Properties Ltd v Romania (ICSID Case No. ARB/18/30), an arbitration commenced under the Cyprus-Romania BIT involving the confiscation of assets through criminal proceedings.
• Acting for an Indian investor in the construction sector in Patel Engineering Limited v The Republic of Mozambique (PCA Case No. 2020-21), an UNCITRAL investment treaty arbitration commenced under the India-Mozambique BIT relating to the construction of a railway and harbour in Mozambique.
• Acting for a British investor in the real estate sector in Shokat Mohammed Dalal v United Arab Emirates (ICSID Case No. ARB/19/10), an arbitration commenced under the UK-UAE BIT relating to an investment in a real estate project offshore from Dubai.
• Advising an Australian mining company in the context of an arbitration against a European country regarding a concession for a coke mine (details not public).

Emilie has appeared before several international courts on the basis of her experience in public international law.  She is ranked in the directories in this area and has been appointed to the Attorney General’s B Panel for Public International Law in 2025. Highlights of her recent instructions include:

• Acting for WWF in connection with the ICJ matter obligations of States in respect of Climate Change (Request for an advisory opinion).
• Acting for the African Union in its intervention before the ICJ in the matter of Legal consequences of the separation of the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius in 1965 (Request for Advisory Opinion).
• Acting for Wallonia and Brussels in the context of Belgium’s request for an opinion from the CJEU on the dispute resolution mechanism in the CETA between the EU and Canada (Opinion 1/17).

Emilie is regularly appointed as arbitrator.  Her recent appointments include:

• Sole Arbitrator in an ICC seated in London concerning a dispute under a freight forwarding contract.
• Chair of a tribunal in an ad hoc arbitration seated in France arising out of a shareholder dispute.
• Claimant’s appointee in an ICC arbitration seated in Riyadh arising out of a partnership agreement for the provision of services in Saudi Arabia.
• Sole Arbitrator in an ICC arbitration seated in London arising out of a helicopter lease agreement.
• Sole Arbitrator in an ICC arbitration seated in London relating to an international commodity sale.
• Claimant’s appointee in an ICC arbitration seated in Oman arising out of a contract for the sale of hydrocarbons.
• Respondent’s appointee in an UNCITRAL arbitration seated in Geneva arising out of a contract between a French blue-chip company and an African State.
• Sole Arbitrator in a Swiss Arbitration Centre arbitration seated in Geneva relating to an international commodity sale.

CAREER

2011:

Paris Bar Avocate à la Cour

Registered European Lawyer in England & Wales

2015:

Call in England & Wales

Lecturer at Sciences Po Paris teaching investment treaty arbitration in the Masters course “Litigation and Arbitration”

EDUCATION

LLM in International Business Law (Hons), London School of Economics and Political Science, 2010

Masters in English and North American Business Law (Hons), La Sorbonne, 2009

Masters in Economic Law with major in Litigation and Arbitration (Hons), Sciences Po Paris, 2009

Masters in Public Affairs (Hons), Sciences Po Paris, 2007

Double degree in German and History (Hons), Jussieu and La Sorbonne Nouvelle, 2005

French (native), Italian (fluent), German (fluent), and Spanish (basic)

Member of ICC YAF, YIAG, Supporting Member of the LMAA, the COMBAR Africa Committee.

“Intra-EU Investment Protection and the Rule of Law”, in C. Baltag, A. Stanic (eds.), The Future of

Investment Treaty Arbitration in the EU: Energy Charter Treaty, Intra-EU BITs and Multilateral Investment Court, Wolters Kluwer, 2020

Commentary of Article 17 of the ICSID Convention, in J. Fouret, R. Gerbay, G.M. Alvarez (eds.), The ICSID Convention, Rules and Regulations: A Practical Commentary, Elgar Commentaries Series, 2019

“ICSID provisional measures v. extradition proceedings – the case of Nova Group Investments v Romania”, Lexis PSL Arbitration, 12 December 2017

“How Effective are ICSID Provisional Measures at Suspending Criminal Proceedings before Domestic Courts: The English Example?”, Kluwer Arbitration Blog, 30 September 2017

“CAFTA tribunal corrects award and terminates arbitration (Berkowitz v Costa Rica)”, Lexis PSL Arbitration, 28 June 2017

“Spotlight on OHADA Arbitration following a Recent Decision of the Common Court of Justice and Arbitration”, YAR, Ed. 21, April 2016

GAR Knowhow: Investment Treaty Arbitration – Rwanda chapter, 2015

“Barristers from the Same Chambers Appearing as Counsel and Arbitrator; Independence

Revisited?”, DRI, Volume 5, Issue 2, November 2011

• “Emilie is already operating at silk level. She is extremely impressive. She is one of my favourite counsel to work with. Emilie has unmatched intellect in the PIL investor-state space.” (Chambers & Partners 2027: International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance)
• “Emilie is a breath of fresh air. She is very energetic and enthusiastic, and always wants to fight the client’s corner, leaving no stone unturned. She is very capable, with good written work, and is ultra-responsive.” (Chambers & Partners 2027: International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance)
• “Emilie is really experienced in arbitration. She’s a brilliant support as a junior and a fierce advocate.” (Chambers & Partners 2027: International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance)
• “Emilie is extremely responsive and very user-friendly. She was also very reliable, which helps a great deal, and has been very, very good to work with.” (Chambers & Partners 2027: International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance)
• “Emilie Gonin is an excellent lawyer; very responsive and always willing to go the extra mile.” (Chambers & Partners 2027: Public International Law)
• “Emilie is already operating at silk level and has unmatched intellect in the PIL investor state space.” (Chambers & Partners 2027: Public International Law)
• “She is extremely responsive, very good and very user-friendly.” (Chambers & Partners 2027: Public International Law)
• "Excellent drafting skills; convincing advocacy; motivated team worker." (Legal 500 2027: Public International Law)
• "Emilie is very bright as well as hardworking. She fights hard. She is intelligent and is a robust written and oral advocate. She is not frightened to take on a difficult point or advocate for those much more senior to her." (Legal 500 2027: Commercial Litigation)
• "Emilie is a well-prepared, effective advocate who can think on her feet and respond clearly to tough questions. Definitely a rising star." (Legal 500 2027: International Arbitration: Counsel)
• "Emilie is great, she is a pure arbitration specialist. She understands the arbitration really well, she fights her corner she holds her own and is happy to argue with you, not just saying yes." (Chambers & Partners 2026: International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance)
• "She is incredibly clever, indefatigable, relentless, charming and extremely fun to work with." (Chambers & Partners 2026: International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance)
• "Emilie is super responsive and knows her stuff." (Chambers & Partners 2026: Public International Law)
• "Emilie has a good public international law knowledge." (Chambers & Partners 2026: Public International Law)
• "Emilie Gonin is a strong PIL-focused barrister whose practice centres on bilateral investment treaty arbitrations and other international commercial disputes. She has appeared in several ICSID arbitrations over the past few years, in addition to others in the LCIA, HKIAC, UNCITRAL and the ICC." (Chambers & Partners 2026: Public International Law)
• "Emilie Gonin earns praise for her sophisticated international arbitration practice. She represents both sovereign states and investors in high-stakes investment treaty disputes heard under ICSID and UNCITRAL rules. Additionally, she represents private parties in commercial arbitrations brought under the major procedural rules, including Swiss Rules and those of the ICC, the LCIA and UNCITRAL, among others. Gonin also accepts appointments as arbitrator." (Chambers & Partners 2026: International Arbitration)
• "Emilie is a star practitioner in the arbitration field. Her knowledge of arbitration law and practice is all-encompassing; and her judgment is extremely sound. Highly recommended." (Legal 500 2026: International Arbitration)
• "Very knowledgeable and highly intelligent." (Legal 500 2026: Commercial Litigation)
• "We find Emilie very knowledgeable and user-friendly." (Chambers & Partners 2025: Public International Law)
• "Emilie Gonin is without question a rising star in the English Bar. I am always impressed by her creativity, attention to detail and grasp of the bigger picture." (Chambers & Partners 2025: Public International Law)
• "Emilie is a very impressive barrister. She is super responsive, diligent and incredibly bright." (Chambers & Partners 2025: Public International Law)
• "Emilie's work ethic is just phenomenal. She is very passionate and energetic." (Chambers & Partners 2025: International Arbitration)
• "Emilie can turn a flailing case on its head. Her knowledge of procedural matters is extremely helpful when dealing with a tribunal, and her cross-examination skills are stellar." (Chambers & Partners 2025: International Arbitration)
• "Huge energy and focus on delivering the best possible outcomes - very hard working and committed." (Legal 500: Commercial litigation: 2025)
• "Emilie Gonin – Brick Court Chambers ‘Emilie understands the tribunal and what arguments will and won’t fly with them, is actively involved in strategic considerations and provides insightful experience to junior solicitors - on top of advocacy in English and French." (Legal 500:International arbitration: counsel: 2025)
• "She is a very effective cross-examiner combining law and fact." (Legal 500:Public international law: 2025)
• "Emilie is extremely knowledgeable on public international law and international investment disputes. She is very dedicated, diligent and careful in expressing her views, and does this very efficiently." (Chambers & Partners 2024: Public International Law)
• "Emilie is a superb lawyer, tactician and advocate, and is an absolute delight to work with. Her drafting skills are impeccable – she writes with great clarity and force, in both English and French, and is always mindful to take account of negative facts or law in a clever manner." (Legal 500: International Arbitration Counsel: 2024)
• "She's a massive intellect and can work equally well in English and French." "She is exceptionally competent in investor-state arbitrations and she works really hard." (Chambers & Partners 2023: Public International Law)
• "Emilie is a rising super-star. She is strong across the board. Her written advocacy is always clear and compelling, and reflects very deep thought and insight into the core issues. Emilie's oral advocacy is truly superb. She is extremely poised, sharp, witty, flexible, charming and impassioned." (Legal 500: International Arbitration Counsel: 2023)
• "Emilie is a tremendous advocate and very knowledgeable, particularly on investment treaty arbitration." (Legal 500: Public International Law: 2023)
• “A brilliant lawyer, thorough in her analysis, precise in her drafting and clear in her thoughts. She is a pleasure to work with under any circumstance, including when faced with the stress of a filing deadline or hearing.” (Legal 500: International Arbitration Counsel: 2022)
• “Emilie is a brilliant lawyer, thorough in her analysis, precise in her drafting and clear in her thoughts. She is a pleasure to work with under any circumstance, including when faced with the stress of a filing deadline or hearing.” (Legal 500: Public International Law: 2022)
• “She is pragmatic and knows the process of investor-state arbitration well.” “She can work comfortably in English, French and Italian on European cases with an international element.” “She is on top of the law and shows great client management.” (Chambers and Partners: Public International Law: 2022)
• “She is an excellent and committed junior who is a great team player and a joy to work with, she works seamlessly across French and English, and fights like a tiger for her clients” (Legal 500, Public International Law, 2021)
• A barrister whose “enthusiasm is matched with a razor-sharp mind” (Who’s Who Legal, UK Bar: Arbitration, 2019).