August & Debouzy represents French and foreign clients in ad hoc and institutional arbitration proceedings (particularly before the ICC, LCIA, AAA, ICDR, Stockholm Chamber of Commerce, UNCITRAL, AFA, CAP). Such arbitrations concern domestic or cross-border disputes, in which case we work with our secondary offices and our international network of 47 law firms in 22 countries.

August & Debouzy’s lawyers advise on the arbitration of domestic and international commercial law disputes (post-acquisition disputes and shareholder disputes) and industrial disputes (such as international contracts, BOT contracts). Our lawyers also have specific expertise in technical fields such as armament, construction, chemicals, energy or privatisations.

August & Debouzy accompanies its clients at each step of the arbitration proceedings, from choosing an arbitrator, negotiating the mission statement and procedural calendar (by requesting or objecting to a bifurcation of the procedure, for example) to setting up efficient and sophisticated means of legal action aimed at, for instance, finding proof in order to collect elements that will be key to the outcome of the arbitration (e.g., by seeking permission from the domestic courts to gather data from computer servers) or protective measures to ensure the enforcement of a favourable award, both in France and abroad. 

We also assist our clients in the conduct and management all of the subsequent stages of the procedure, when exchanging briefs, interviewing witnesses and experts and pleadings. August & Debouzy’s lawyers have also gained renowned expertise in preparing witnesses and experts for interviews and cross-examinations.

Once an arbitral award has been rendered, we advise our clients on exequatur and enforcement measures or, as the case may be, we assist our clients in initiating or resisting annulment proceedings against the arbitral award. August & Debouzy has a renowned practice in post-award enforcement measures (exequatur, converting protective measures into enforcement measures, and enforcement measures) and appeal procedures before the courts of law against arbitral awards (motions for rescission, revision).