Charles Kaplan
Partner
Paris
Charles Kaplan is a highly specialized arbitration lawyer based in Orrick’s Paris office. He has conducted arbitrations on EPC Contracts, oil production sharing agreements, gas pricing disputes, tax stabilization agreements, international joint ventures, as well as aircraft development programs, in France and elsewhere.
Highly regarded in the international arbitration market, Charles is consistently recognized as a key practitioner particularly in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. According to Chambers & Partners, clients describe him as an “extremely bright” lawyer on cross-border matters and praise his “commercial insight and dedication.” Ranked among Chambers France’s top International Arbitration lawyers, Charles is said to be “a very good lawyer whose experience in international arbitration is superb.”
In particular, Charles advises French and international energy majors, and industrials. He has extensive experience of arbitration under ICC, ICSID, French Arbitration Association, LCIA and Milan Chamber rules. He regularly sits as arbitrator.
He originally qualified as an English barrister and then as a French avocat. In addition to investment disputes, he has handled civil as well as common law disputes in a number of jurisdictions in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
Before he joined Orrick, he was co-head of an international law firm's Global Arbitration practice and led the Paris Arbitration group.
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Representing over 40 international investors in ICSID proceedings against Romania under the Energy Charter Treaty in a dispute arising out of the country’s overhaul of the incentive regime in favour of renewable energy that investors relied on when deciding to invest in the country’s renewable energy sector.
Representing a US independent oil exploration and production company in a dispute against a North African NOC relating to an oil well in a major oilfield development in North Africa.
Advising a Southern European utility in an ICC arbitration relating to price reviews under long-term agreements for the supply of Liquified Natural Gas and pipeline gas.
Representing a Middle Eastern holding company in a London-based, LCIA arbitration under English law regarding a corporate dispute with a media conglomerate, in a dispute relating to a multi-billion dollar pay-TV station operating in the Middle East.
Representing a German investor in ICSID proceedings against the Kingdom of Spain under the Energy Charter Treaty in a dispute arising out of Spain’s cancellation of the regulatory regime (retroactive cuts of the feed-in tariffs for solar energy plants) that had originally attracted investment in its renewable energy sector.
Acting for a South European major against an Iranian contractor in a dispute concerning a gas production platform offshore Iran.
Acting for a major Middle-Eastern telecom operator in a US$1.2 billion ICC arbitration against another Middle-Eastern telecom operator over control of a joint venture in a North African country.
Representing a French energy major in a Vienna-based ICC arbitration under Austrian law arising out of a long-term gas supply contract with a European supplier.
Representing a Middle Eastern group in a Dubai-based, ICC arbitration against a Middle Eastern retail company relating to the establishment of a department store in a major Middle Eastern shopping complex.
Representing an Italian energy major in a dual language (French and English) Paris-based, ICC arbitration under the law of a North African country arising out of a long-term gas supply contract with a North African supplier.
Representing a European energy major in a French Arbitration Association dispute and expert determination proceedings relating to parallel reviews under two gas supply agreements with another European energy major.
Advising a French energy major in relation to a price review under long-term agreements for the supply of gas to a European country.
