Sébastien Bonnard

Sébastien Bonnard specialises in contract law, in particular in relation to construction partnerships and transactions, and in international law.

He acts as counsel in international arbitration proceedings, both institutional (ICC, ICSID) and ad hoc, as well as in post-arbitral disputes for both private and public operators. He is also an ICC France registered arbitrator. Sébastien Bonnard is also active in complex commercial and real estate litigation.

He also takes part in the negotiation and performance monitoring of construction contracts (EPC contracts, fixed-price contracts, etc.). He is the author of the French Chapter of the PLC Cross-border Constructions and Projects Handbook 2011/12.

Sébastien Bonnard is a lecturer in the International Business Law Master’s 2 degree at University of Paris XI and gives presentations for training courses and conferences on arbitration and alternative methods of dispute resolution. He recently co-authored “La redaction de la clause compromissoire dans l’arbitrage CEFAREA” in the Journal of the Centre Français d’Arbitrage de Réassurance et d’Assurance (n°16).

MAJOR RECENT PROJECTS

Arbitration

• Representing Jordanian and Saudi investors in a dispute relating to a partnership with a public company in the construction and maritime transport sector (pending, ICC arbitration, French/English)
• Representing a government in a dispute relating to the termination of concession contracts (pending, ICC arbitration, French)
• Representing a government in a dispute relating to a motorway construction contract (2011, ICC arbitration, French)
• Representing an automobile industry manufacturer in disputes relating to distribution contracts in North Africa (2011, two ICC arbitration cases, French)
• Representing a government in a dispute relating to a mine exploration and operating contract (2010, ICC arbitration, French)
• Representing an American businessman in a dispute relating to an EPC contract to build a gas processing centre (2009, ICC arbitration, French/English)
• Representing a Middle Eastern construction company in a dispute relating to the financing and construction of a real estate project in North Africa (2008, ICC arbitration, French/English)

Construction

• Air² skyscraper in the La Défense business district in Paris (82,000m²)
• Reconstruction and renovation of historical buildings on the Laennec site in Paris
• Tour First skyscraper in the La Défense business district in Paris (89,000m²)

CAREER

Sébastien Bonnard became a partner at Lacourte Balas Raquin after practising for more than ten years in the arbitration department at Gide Loyrette Nouel.

EDUCATION

• Double Masters degree (DJCE and DESS) in business law and taxation – University of Paris II – Assas
• Master’s in business law – University of Paris II – Assas

REFERENCES

Sébastien Bonnard is listed by Décideurs magazine’s guide and directory to Risk Management, Insurance & Dispute resolution (2012 edition) under the “Arbitration”, “General business litigation” and “Commercial litigation” categories.