With 35 years of experience in arbitration and more than 170 international arbitration proceedings to its credit, valfor’s arbitration team has a unique expertise in handling complex international and cross-border disputes involving notably large industrial plants (petrochemical, refinery, pipeline, forage, steel, aluminum, automotive, pharmaceutical and medical device), major construction projects (public infrastructure, tourist resorts, hotels, large scale malls, commercial buildings), core services industry (sales, banking and finance, agency, engineering and design) and sports (football, America’s cup, boxing, sponsorship), with an unparalleled caseload and experience in disputes involving international sanctions and State corporations. 

valfor’s experience ranges from commercial and investment arbitrations held under the ICC, Swiss Rules of International Arbitration, LCIA, ICSID, UNCITRAL and PCA to ad hoc arbitrations under State contracts, BITs and the ECT. 

Sophisticated strategy, careful planning, meticulous analysis and unwavering commitment are the key ingredients that allow valfor’s arbitration team to secure the best possible outcome for its clients.   

Core Expertise

  • Counsel to the Parties in domestic and international commercial and investment arbitration, in particular under ICC, Swiss, UNCITRAL, LCIA and ICSID Rules, as well as Ad-hoc arbitration
  • Case management in construction projects and industrial ventures
  • Document production and evidentiary proceedings under civil and common law
  • Expert selection and preparation
  • Ancillary proceedings before State courts in support of arbitration including appointment of arbitrators, interlocutory and interim measures
  • Annulment proceedings before the Swiss Federal Supreme Court
  • Recognition and enforcement of the award including debt collection proceedings
  • Arbitrator

Main contacts

Geneva Homayoon Arfazadeh Ph.D. LL.M
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Team leaders

Zurich Cyrill Süess Attorney-at-Law, lic. iur. HSG, LL.M. Queen Mary University of London
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Bern Rolf Hartmann lic.iur., Attorney-at-Law, M.B.A.
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Geneva Mathieu Granges Dr. Iur., Attorney-at-law
Contact

To the team Arbitration

New partners. Enhanced expertise.

valfor is pleased to announce the addition of six new partners effective 1 January 2025.

The Lausanne-based law firm Mercuris Avocats, led by partners Olivier Cherpillod, Jean-Michel Clerc, Martine Loertscher, and Maxime Rocafort, will join valfor. Their team, specialising in commercial law, tax, and dispute resolution, will integrate valfor’s Pully/Lausanne office.

Deborah Hondius and Nicolas Gurtner will strengthen valfor’s Geneva office, bringing their expertise in litigation, particularly in white-collar crime and contractual matters.

United by a shared philosophy of delivering value beyond legal advice, they all look forward to combining their skills and resources for the benefit of valfor’s clients. This strategic growth reinforces valfor’s position as one of Switzerland’s leading business law firms, with over 80 lawyers practicing across Bern, Geneva, Lausanne, Sion, Zug, Zurich, and Brussels.

With a strong international and interdisciplinary focus, valfor provides tailored legal solutions to meet the specific needs and complexities of each client’s business.

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