The Legal 500

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

TOWER 42, OLD BROAD STREET, LONDON, EC2N 1HQ, ENGLAND
Tel:
Work 020 7786 9000
Fax:
Fax 020 7588 4180
Web:
www.debevoise.com
Email:

Karolos Seeger

Tel:
Work +44 20 7786 9042
Email:
Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

Work Department

Litigation - commercial, arbitration, ADR, mediation, international commercial arbitration, international corporate investigations and defence.

Position

Partner in the firm's international dispute resolution group and international corporate investigations and defence group, based in the London office; his practice focuses on complex litigation and international arbitration matters, internal investigations, in particular regarding compliance with corrupt practices legislation, as well as conducting compliance assessments and creating and implementing appropriate compliance programmes and procedures. Mr Seeger has experience in a variety of international arbitration and English High Court matters in a wide range of sectors, as well as experience in the field of internal investigations, compliance advice and white-collar crime. Recent representations include: Suzuki Motor Corporation as Claimant in consolidated ICC London arbitration proceedings against Volkswagen in respect of a dispute involving a multibillion euro cross-shareholding and arising out of a commercial alliance formalized in December 2009; ferrostaal AG, a global provider of industrial services in plant construction and engineering, in an extensive internal compliance investigation relating to allegations of corruption and other wrongdoing in several jurisdictions; numerous clients on compliance issues arising from the implementation of the new UK Bribery Act, including reviewing and devising compliance manuals and programmes; a leading energy group on potential exposure under previous UK bribery legislation; the late Badri Patarkatsishvilli, a prominent and very wealthy Georgian businessman and presidential candidate, in disputes with the Georgian government and his principal heirs and family in proceedings in six jurisdictions, including in the Chancery Division of the English High Court and the Supreme Court of Gibraltar, concerning substantial assets; Siemens AG's Audit Committee in connection with a worldwide investigation into possible corrupt payments to government officials leading to an early settlement with the US and German authorities; a Occidental Exploration and Production Company in its successful defence to a jurisdictional challenge against a US$75 million UNCITRAL arbitration award brought by the Republic of Ecuador in the English High Court and Court of Appeal; a European media company in a multimillion dollar ICC arbitration sited in Amsterdam regarding its ownership interest in a major television station in the Ukraine, including co-ordinating and participating in related local court proceedings; a multinational petroleum company in an ICC arbitration regarding the construction of a preferential purchase rights provision in an international Joint Operating Agreement based on the 1990 AIPN Model Form; a major US construction and engineering corporation in adjudication and arbitration proceedings in London relating to a delay and disruption claim in connection with a PFI project; a South East Asian defence agent in ad hoc arbitration proceedings in London against a major US defence contractor for wrongful termination.

Career

Spent five years working in the international arbitration, dispute resolution and EU/competition law groups at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer; admitted to practice in England and Wales 2000; Debevoise and Plimpton, London 2003; partner 2008.

Languages

German, Greek, French.

Education

University of Oxford (1996 MA law with law studies in Europe); Institut d'Etudes Européennes, Université Libre de Bruxelles (1997 Diplome d'Etudes Complémentaires and Diplome d'Etudes Spécialisées en Droit Européen).

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Legal Developments by:
Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

  • Anomalies of insurance law

    Although the courts are often at pains to point out that insurance law is merely a subset of general contract law and should be applied without any concession or discrimination simply because the subject matter is insurance, there are, in fact, several aspects that are peculiar to insurance. An understanding of these anomalies will assist in penetrating the sometimes arcane depths of insurance law. They include:
    - Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

Legal Developments worldwide

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  • Jersey Royal Court considers measure of damages for dilapidations claims

    In the absence of any statutory provision in Jersey addressing how dilapidations claims are to be quantified, the Royal Court's decision in JSSL v Barclays has provided some much needed guidance, particularly in circumstances where there is an acceptance that works to redress dilapidations have not been and will not be carried out.
  • English Supreme Court rules on Mistake and Hastings Bass

    On 9 May 2013 the English Supreme Court handed down a unanimous judgment on the seminal cases of Pitt-v- Holt and Futter -v- Futter , with Lord Walker's valedictory judgment conclusively resolving the English position on the rule in Hastings Bass and rescission on the ground of mistake.
  • Getting the breaks

    Shook, Hardy & Bacon currently authors the Insurance section of The In-House Lawyer magazine. For more information and articles from this author click here .
  • Product liability and dietary supplements

    Shook, Hardy & Bacon currently authors the Insurance section of The In-House Lawyer magazine. For more information and articles from this author click here .
  • The calm before 
the storm: are 
you prepared for 
a dawn raid?

    WilmerHale currently authors the Fraud and Corporate Crime section of The In-House Lawyer magazine. For more information and articles from this author click here .
  • International shipment of waste: transporters beware

    Burges Salmon LLP currently authors the Environment and Energy section of The In-House Lawyer magazine. For more information and articles from this author click here
  • Cyprus Shipping Industry : Business as usual. Why despite recent events Cyprus remains an internatio

    Cyprus is the third most populated island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is strategically located at the crossroads of Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Traditionally Cyprus has always been at the heart of the seafaring trade and therefore always functioned as an important centre for trade and commerce. Today as a member of the European Union it remains an optimal business base. It is one of the most attractive locations for foreign investments worldwide. Foreign companies have been given the opportunity to invest and establish business in Cyprus on equal terms with local investors as no distinction is made between foreign and Cypriot companies.
  • FOREIGN EXCHANGE OPERATIONS

    The excellent support system in combination with the ideal jurisdiction provided in Cyprus set the country in the list of the most desirable countries through which you can offer foreign exchange operations. In addition, the accession of Cyprus within the European Union and, most importantly, the extremely beneficial economic advantages available due to the low costs and the outstanding taxation, create a covetable environment for foreign investors.
  • National public order. Adoption of the Draft

    The Presidium of the Supreme Commercial Court of the Russian Federation (hereinafter - SCC RF) adopted by the Informative Letter No. 156 dated the 26th of February, 2013 (hereinafter - the Informative Letter) on Review of the consideration by arbitrazh courts of the cases on the implementation of the public order clause as the ground for rejection of the recognition and enforcement of the foreign court decisions and arbitral awards.
  • China Customs New Interpretation

    For many products, tariff classification can be technically complex, confusing, and subject to multiple interpretations. Often several different Harmonized System Codes ("HS Code") may seem applicable for one given product with different tariff rates. Tariff classification is indeed a process of application of customs classification rules, including customs rulings and decisions, and misclassification may trigger severe legal consequences. The sad fact is, unfortunately, that many companies rely on non-legal professionals to determine the HS Codes for imports or exports. A recent interpretation issued by the General Administration of Customs of China ("GACC") (Circular No. [2012] 495 Shu-Fa-Fa) (the "Interpretation") reinforces the process of tariff classification as a legal matter, and formulates the test as to what counts for regulatory violation if tariff classification rules are improperly applied by the importer or exporter in a given case. If the legal defense is successful, misclassification may only be treated as a non-violation misclassification, with the possible obligation to pay up additional customs duties, if any, but without administrative or criminal consequences. The Interpretation took effect as from February 1, 2013.