Thierry Lauriol is a recognised specialist in the fields of mining, energy and natural resources law, and in international, commercial and investment arbitration, and OHADA law.
A partner since 1997 and manager of the Energy, Mining and Infrastructure Department, he has almost 30 years’ experience in France, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
Thierry, who has a Doctorate in Law, teaches at Paris II – Panthéon-Assas University, where he co-leads a university diploma dedicated to economic international law in Africa.
Skills
Lawyer since : 1991
Bar. : Paris
Language(s) : French - English - Italian
Training :
- Doctor of law. Thesis: “Les contrats relatifs à l’exploitation des ressources naturelles” (Contracts regarding the exploitation of natural resources) (Paris XI – Paris-Sud University, 1989). First class honours summa cum laude. Prix Henri Capitant award
- Researcher at the Faculty of Law, University of Berkeley (Boalt Hall). Subject: US contract and mining law (1983 – 1985)
- Diploma from the Institute of Comparative Law (Paris II – Panthéon-Assas University, 1983)
- Postgraduate Diploma (DESS) in International Comparative Energy Law (Paris I – Panthéon-Sorbonne University, 1982)
- Postgraduate Diploma (DEA) in Private International Law and International Commercial Law (Paris II, Panthéon-Assas University, 1981)
Member of :
- Energy Law Group (ELG), Chairman and Founder in 1993
- Association Afrique du Barreau de Paris (African Association of the Paris Bar), Chairman and Founder
- Institut international de droit d’expression et d’inspiration française (International Institute for the Right to French Expression and Inspiration) (IDEF)
Publications
- Global Legal Insights – Energy 2023, Chapter France, 2023
- Excessive arbitration claims filed by an impecunious claimant: which remedies? – la semaine juridique générale,, 06/06/2022
- Arbitration: a Poker Game? – Le Monde du droit, 05/11/2022
- France : Oil and Gas Regulation Laws and Regulation 2021 – IGCL, 2021
- Le Règlement d’arbitrage CCJA 2018 . Commentaire article par article
- « L’adaptation des droits africains favorise la globalisation des projets » – Magazine Décideurs, 05/12/2018
- Le Règlement d’arbitrage CCJA, commentaires article par article
- Maître Thierry Lauriol (Cabinet Jeantet, Paris) : « L’Afrique changera encore à une cadence très forte »
- Le droit pétrolier et minier en Afrique
- Energy law in France
- « La rupture unilatérale des contrats d’exploitation »
- L’Ohada, Le temps pour un acte uniforme minier
- « Vers une sécurité juridique renforcée en RDC », Les Echos, Janvier 2011
- « La règlementation minière en Afrique de l’Ouest : une multiplicité des norms », Etudes à la mémoire de Fernand-Charles Jeantet, Juillet 2010
- The International Comparative Legal Guide to: Gas Regulation 2010, Chapter France, GLG, 2010
- « French and Portuguese approaches and perspectives on wind and solar power generation », International Energy Law Review, Issue 1, 2010
Teaching:
Co-Director and Professor of the University Diploma in International economic law of Africa, Paris II – Panthéon Assas University
Professor teaching in the Postgraduate Degree (Master 2) in International economic law, Paris II – Panthéon Assas University
- Assistance to Montero Mining & Exploration Ltd in an ICSID investment arbitration against the Republic of Tanzania following the withdrawal of a mining licence.
- Assistance to AECI Ltd in an ICSID investment dispute with Burkina Faso.
- Assistance to the Republic of Congo in a dispute with Congo Iron and Sundance Resources following the withdrawal of a mining licence for almost US$8 billion.
- Assistance to the Republic of Congo in a dispute with Avima Iron Congo and Greyridge Iron Holding Inc. following the withdrawal of a mining licence for almost US$24 billion.
- Appointment as Chairman of an ICC arbitral tribunal in a dispute between a foreign investor and a national mining company in an African country.
- Appointment as co-arbitrator of an ICC arbitral tribunal in a dispute between several partners in the context of an infrastructure project in Africa.
- Acting as an expert in hydrocarbon law in an ICC arbitration for a dispute in Senegal.
- Assistance to Vicat, a French cement group, against the Republic of Senegal, in an ICSID arbitration based on the violation of equal treatment of foreign investors.
- Assistance to GDF-Suez in an ICSID arbitration, and in the annulment proceedings, against Togo for the expropriation of an electricity company.
- Assistance to the Republic of Burkina Faso in an ICSID arbitration against the French Société d’Investigation de Recherche et d’Exploitation Minière regarding mining investments.
- Assistance to the interests of Lafarge against the Republic of Cameroon in an ICSID arbitration concerning an industrial investment.
- Assistance to BRGM in a dispute with Peru regarding mining investments.
- Acted as mediator in an ad hoc mediation concerning the execution of an association contract concluded between two oil companies for the exploitation of an oil deposit.
- Assistance to a South African company in an ICC arbitration against an African state for non-payment of a public contract.
Best Lawyers in France: 2024 Ranking
The firm is delighted with the ranking of 25 of its lawyers in the following categories: Jean-François Adelle Banking and Finance Law Bertrand Biette Insolvency and Reorganization Law Jacques-Henry de Bourmont Tax Law Thierry Brun Corporate Law Mergers and Acquisitions Law Yvon Dréano Corporate Law Mergers and Acquisitions Law Health Care Law Karl Hepp de […]
Paris | BANK-FINANCE-REGULATORY | LITIGATION – ARBITRATION – MEDIATION | COMPETITION AND ECONOMIC LAW | CORPORATE – M&A – PRIVATE EQUITY | ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES LAW | TAX | REAL ESTATE | MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS | CAPITAL MARKETS AND STOCK EXCHANGE LAW | IP, TECH & DATA | PUBLIC LAW – PUBLIC CONTRACTS | RESTRUCTURING – LAW OF COMPANIES IN DIFFICULTY
Global Legal Insights – Energy 2023, Chapter France, 2023
Overview of the current energy mix, and the place in the market of different energy sources. The French government is facing crucial decisions about its future energy mix due to climate change and the war in Ukraine. France benefits shistorically from decarbonised electricity based on nuclear power, but is now accelerating to set up and […]
Paris | ENERGY
Best Lawyers in France : Rankings 2023
The firm is pleased to have 20 of its lawyers ranked, including 1 new entry in the following categories : Jean-François Adelle Banking and Finance Law Bertrand Biette Insolvency and Reorganization Law Jacques-Henry de Bourmont Tax Law Thierry Brun Corporate Law Mergers and Acquisitions Law Yvon Dréano Corporate Law Mergers and Acquisitions Law Karl Hepp […]
Paris | BANK-FINANCE-REGULATORY | LITIGATION – ARBITRATION – MEDIATION | COMPETITION AND ECONOMIC LAW | CORPORATE – M&A – PRIVATE EQUITY | ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES LAW | TAX | REAL ESTATE | MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS | CAPITAL MARKETS AND STOCK EXCHANGE LAW | IP, TECH & DATA | PUBLIC LAW – PUBLIC CONTRACTS | RESTRUCTURING – LAW OF COMPANIES IN DIFFICULTY
Jeantet advises ØRSTED on the acquisition of german wind turbine developer and operator OSTWIND
Paris, July 25, 2022, Jeantet has advised the Danish group Ørsted on the acquisition of the French business and portfolio of the German group Ostwind, developer, owner and operator of wind and photovoltaic farms, for an enterprise value of €689 million. With the acquisition of Ostwind, Ørsted enters the German and French markets and expands […]
Paris | CORPORATE – M&A – PRIVATE EQUITY | ENERGY | REAL ESTATE | FINANCING | BANK-FINANCE-REGULATORY
Excessive arbitration claims filed by an impecunious claimant: which remedies? – la semaine juridique générale,, 06/06/2022
Check Thierry Lauriol’s and Joséphine Hage Chahine’s latest article thereon published in La Semaine Juridique Générale on 6 June 2022 Read the article
Thierry Lauriol recognized in the Top10 most influential business lawyers in French-speaking Africa
Congratulations to our partner Thierry Lauriol, once again recognised as one of the 100 most influential business lawyers in French-speaking Africa by Jeune Afrique and Africa Business +. Since the creation of this ranking, Thierry Lauriol has been recognised for his activity and expertise in the market, both by governments and public organisations and by […]
Paris, Africa Desk
Arbitration: a Poker Game? – Le Monde du droit, 05/11/2022
Thierry Lauriol, Partner, and Joséphine Hage Chahine, Associate (Arbitration, Energy and Mining Department) explain arbitration as a method of dispute settlement by which the mission of deciding the dispute is entrusted by the parties to one or several persons called “arbitrators” and on its financing.
Paris | LITIGATION – ARBITRATION – MEDIATION
Marine XI arbitration: Congo calls on its favourite duo of lawyers to defend it against WNR – Africa Intelligence, 16/09/2021
Since 12 May, Brazzaville has been the target of proceedings brought by the British company WNR before the Cirdi arbitration tribunal and has chosen two French lawyers whom it knows well to represent it […]
Paris
AECI requests compensation after Ouagadougou’s explosive measures against it – Africa Intelligence, 04/15/2021
South African mining explosives manufacturer AECI has initiated arbitration before the ICRID against the Burkinabe state, which had seized its accounts and brought criminal proceedings against it following a dispute over import tariffs.
Paris | COMMERCIAL AND INVESTMENT ARBITRATION | MEDIATION | ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES LAW | RENEWABLE ENERGY – RE
Jeantet advises Montero Mining and Exploration LTD in its ICSID arbitration proceedings against the Republic of Tanzania
Paris, 12 March 2021 – Jeantet is advising Montero Mining and Exploration Ltd (Montero), a Canadian mining exploration and development company specializing primarily in the exploitation, discovery and development of mining properties, in arbitration proceedings brought against the United Republic of Tanzania (Tanzania) before the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). This dispute […]
Paris | COMMERCIAL AND INVESTMENT ARBITRATION | MEDIATION | ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES LAW | RENEWABLE ENERGY – RE
France : Oil and Gas Regulation Laws and Regulation 2021 – IGCL, 2021
Discover the 2021 contribution of the 16th Oil and Gas Regulation International Comparative Legal Guide – Global Legal Group for France, written by our Energy Law experts Thierry Lauriol and Marine Lecomte
Paris | ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES LAW | RENEWABLE ENERGY – RE
[Ranking] The 100 business lawyers who marked 2019 – Jeune Afrique Business+, 07/17/2020
To better reflect the plurality and richness of practitioners, the overall ranking now includes 100 laureates (out of 350 candidates) as opposed to 50 previously. Another evolution, this edition presents several sub-categories (firm of the year, African firm, litigation, renewals, project, project finance…) each with their champion. Finally, we offer our first ranking devoted solely […]
Paris