Yaye Diabaté

Full Profile

Yaye represents companies and state-owned entities in international arbitration proceedings conducted under the rules of leading arbitral institutions, including the ICC and ICSID. She is particularly active in the construction and engineering, infrastructure, and energy sectors. Yaye frequently advises on arbitrations involving disputes arising from investment protection, international commercial agreements, and design and construction contracts, with a focus on Africa and the Middle-East. Yaye also advises companies on pre-contentious matters. 

Prior to joining the firm, Yaye gained extensive experience in international arbitration at several leading law firms in Paris and Abu Dhabi, where she advised on complex disputes across diverse industries. 

Yaye holds a Master's degree in International Law from the University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, a Master's in International Arbitration from University Paris-Saclay and an LL.M. in Comparative and International Dispute Resolution from Queen Mary University of London. 

Yaye is fluent in French and English. 

Experience

Work includes the representation of:

• Two investors in an ICSID arbitration against Türkiye relating to their investment in the Turkish natural gas and energy sector.
• An international consortium of contractors in ICC arbitration proceedings brought against a project owner in relation to an EPC contract for the construction of an ammonia and urea plant in Algeria.
• A major oil and gas company in relation to multi-billion-dollar defect claims arising from the design of an onshore gas processing facility in Australia.
• An international contractor in a dispute relating to a major urban development project in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• Two international contractors as respondents in an ICC arbitration in London initiated by a Middle Eastern state-owned company, arising out of a contract for the design and construction of a world-class medical facility in the Middle East. The law of the claimant’s state applied. Over US$3.7 billion was at stake.
• An international contractor consortium as claimant in an ICC arbitration against a Middle Eastern state, arising out of the contract for the design and construction of a major infrastructure project in the Middle East. The law of the respondent’s state applied. Close to US$1 billion was at stake.
• An international joint venture as claimant in an ICC arbitration against a Middle Eastern state-owned company, arising out of a contract for the design and construction of a major infrastructure project in the Middle East. The law of the respondent’s state applied. Approximately US$600 million was at stake.
• A heavy equipment supplier and contractor in an arbitration arising out of the construction of a fossil fuel power plant in Africa. The law of the country of the project applied.