Sophie Grémaud

Full Profile

Sophie advises French and international companies, as well as States, in complex international disputes before arbitral tribunals and French courts. She has extensive experience in international commercial arbitration as well as investment arbitration, handling disputes from a variety of sectors such as natural resources, infrastructure, telecommunications, distribution and financial services (including insurance and reinsurance).

She also sits as arbitrator.

Sophie assists her clients at every stage of the arbitration process, whether it is ad hoc or governed by one of the main arbitration rules, including before the French courts (summary proceedings, annulment proceedings, enforcement). 

Sophie has developed an expertise in art-related disputes and is on the roster of arbitrators of the Court of Arbitration for Art. 

She also advises clients on AML-CFT (Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism) regulations and international sanctions.

Sophie is Vice President of the CEFAREA-ARIAS France, the arbitration institution specialised in insurance and reinsurance disputes, and a member of the arbitration commission. 

Sophie is mentioned as “technically excellent” in the Legal 500 (2020). She is also recognised among leading practitioners in the Legal 500 Private Practice Arbitration Powerlist: France (2023) and Best Lawyers in France: Ones to Watch™ (2024). 
 
Sophie is admitted to both the Paris and the New York Bars. She holds an LL.M. from Cornell Law School, as well as a Master's degree in International Trade Law from the University of Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne. She graduated with a LL.B. in English and French law from King’s College London and the University of Paris I Pantheon-Sorbonne.

Associations

• CEFAREA-ARIAS France (Vice-President of the Board, President of the Arbitration Commission)
• Association des Juristes de Panthéon et de King’s College (AJPK), 2006-2007

Experience

Arbitration

• Representing a multinational in an ICC construction dispute in the field of renewal energy 
• Representing a multinational in an ICC arbitration in the infrastructure sector
• Representing a State in annulment proceedings before the Paris Court of Appeal 
• Representing a multinational in an ICC post-M&A disputes in the mining sector 
• Representing a client in a CEFAREA-ARIAS arbitration on insurance coverage issues
• Representing the Republic of Cameroon in ICSID arbitration no. ARB/20/2 regarding an online financial platform aiming at funding community projects in Cameroon.
• Representing a multinational in an ICC post-M&A dispute in the metallurgy sector
• Representing the Republic of Cameroon in the ICSID no. ARB/15/18 annulment proceedings
• Representing a multinational in an ICC dispute arising out of the termination of a distribution contract in the Middle East 
• Representing an insurer in ad hoc arbitration on insurance coverage issues
• Representing a multinational against a State in an ICC dispute arising out of the termination of a contract for the supply and installation of telecommunications equipment in Africa 

Litigation

• Representing energy companies in requesting urgent measures before the Paris Commercial court (International chamber)
• Representing a State in two annulment proceedings before the Paris Court of Appeal 
• Representing a State-owned company in an annulment proceedings before the Paris Court of Appeal 
• Representing an Indian construction company in an annulment proceedings before the Paris Court of Appeal
• Representing the Republic of Yemen in annulment proceedings before the Paris Court of Appeal
• Representing a client enforcing an award in North Africa

Litigation - related to Art

• Representing an art gallery in expert and civil proceedings following damages suffered to its artwork.
• Representing a gem dealer in both expert and civil proceedings against auction house, experts and insurers.
• Representing a client (partie civile) in criminal proceedings involving allegations of organized crime and financing of terrorism. 
• Representing and advising clients on restitution claims.

Advisory

• Advising French and international companies in matters relating to anti-money laundering and counter terrorist financing, as well as to international sanctions

Publications

• "L'arbitrage : une solution adaptée pour les litiges en assurance et réassurance ?" ("Arbitration: a suitable solution for insurance and reinsurance disputes?"), L'Argus de l'Assurance, 19 June 2024
• Co-author of Chapter on Article V(1)(e) Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards, H. Kronke et al., Kluwer - upcoming
• Co-author of a chapter on French law in ICLG Insurance & Reinsurance 2016, 2021, 2022, 2023
• Contribution to the Annual Review of the CEFAREA-ARIAS France: 
  • L'arbitre face à la corruption et au blanchiment de capitaux ( "The arbitrator against corruption and money laundering" ) - 2020
  • Les perspectives des obligations de loyauté et de célébrité ("The perspectives of the duties of loyalty and celebrity") - 2018