Mr Konstantin Christie > Peter & Kim > Geneva, Switzerland > Lawyer Profile

Mr Konstantin Christie

+41 58 317 70 70 kchristie@peterandkim.com

Position

Konstantin Christie is a US-qualified partner, who specializes in complex international commercial disputes and arbitration under international treaties. He has acted in more than 45 arbitrations, stemming from a variety of industries, including oil, gas and electricity, (with a particular emphasis on long-term supply agreements), as well as cases arising from the commodities trading, extraction of natural resources and joint ventures.

Based in Europe for many years, Konstantin often deals with cases under Swiss and other civil laws. In addition, Konstantin regularly works with damages experts and clients in order to evaluate the financial compensation and potential viability of claims, arising out of a treaty or contract. He often represents clients from the CIS region and the Middle East and has significant experience with arbitrations in the Asia-Pacific region, seated in Singapore, Seoul and Tokyo.

Konstantin Christie also served as tribunal secretary in a number of “bet the company” arbitrations under the rules of most leading arbitral institutions (including ICC, SCAI, LCIA, SIAC, ICSID and UNCITRAL) and brings this experience to his appointments and counsel cases.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

• Arbitration
• Joint-Ventures / Consortia
• Investments & BIT
• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Public International Law
• Shareholder Agreements

INDUSTRY SECTORS

• Automotive & Heavy Industry
• Commodities Trading
• Media, Art & Entertainment
• Mining & Metals
• Oil & Gas

REPRESENTATIVE CASES

• Counsel in an ad hoc arbitration between a state-owned enterprise and a sovereign state, involving aspects of public international law, with an amount in dispute of USD several billion.
• Counsel in an ICSID arbitration against an Asian State on behalf of an investor from South East Asia.
• Lead counsel in an ICC arbitration for a major mining and metallurgy consortium with more than USD 500 million in dispute, under Swiss law.
• Counsel in an ad hoc arbitration between a state-owned enterprise and a sovereign state, with an amount in dispute of over USD 150 million.
• Counsel in an ad hoc investment arbitration between a state-owned enterprise and a sovereign state, with an amount in dispute of USD 200 million.
• Representing two respondents from the CIS region in arbitrations in the automotive and agricultural sector, under the ICC and Swiss Rules, subject to Swiss and French law respectively and 4 million EUR and 60 million EUR in amounts in dispute.
• Lead associate in an investment treaty arbitration, US Steel Global Holdings I v. Republic of Slovakia, which ended in favourable settlement for the client, with more than USD 350 million in dispute.
• Counsel to a major energy conglomerate in its price adjustment disputes under long-term supply agreements subject to ICC Rules, under Italian and Swiss law.
• Representing a German client in an ad hoc investment arbitration against a CEE government concerning an expropriation of an enterprise.
• Secretary to the Arbitral Tribunal in an ICC arbitration, seated in Singapore, governed by Thai law, arising out of a dispute in the renewable energy sector (more than USD1 billon in dispute).
• Secretary to the Arbitral Tribunal in an ICC arbitration, seated in Geneva, under Bulgarian substantive law, arising out of nuclear power plant construction (more than USD 1.5 billion in dispute).

RANKING

• 2017-2021 Arbitration: Future Leaders Who’s Who
• 2020 – Legal500 Arbitration EMEA Switzerland, Next Generation Partners

QUOTES

WWL (Future leaders of Arbitration, 2021) says that Konstantin is “outstanding at CIS arbitrations”.

WWL (Future leaders of Arbitration, 2020) says:

Konstantin Christie comes highly recommended as a “smart young lawyer” who “defends his clients in an elegant and effective way”.

Legal 500, 2020 edition says:

Extremely hard-working and smart.
He has brilliant legal skills and abilities, and delivers outstanding results.

> WWL (Future leaders of Arbitration, 2018) says:

Konstantin Christie boasts outstanding expertise in
commercial and investment disputes and is held in
particularly high esteem for his work in the energy sector.

Career

• Partner, Peter & Kim, Geneva (2020 – currently)
• Senior Associate (2016-2017) and Partner, Peter & Partners (2018-2019)
• Associate and Senior Associate, Python & Peter, Geneva (2008-2015)
• Trainee, Shearman & Sterling, Paris, France (2007-2008)
• Trainee, Bose Corporation, Boston, USA (2006-2007)

Languages

English, Russian, French, basic Italian and Croatian

Memberships

• Swiss Arbitration Association below 40 (ASA)
• International Bar Association
• Russia-CIS Arbitration Network
• Young ICCA

Education

• Juris Doctor Degree, Suffolk University, Boston, USA (2004-2007)
• Bachelor of Science Degree, magna cum laude, Northeastern University, Boston, USA (2000-2004)