François Bordes

Lawyers

Associate
Paris

fbordes@gbsdisputes.com
+33 7 78 84 85 41

François Bordes is an associate at Gaillard Banifatemi Shelbaya Disputes. He previously was a member of Shearman & Sterling’s International arbitration team, where he practiced for six years.

François focuses on arbitration-related litigation and commercial litigation before French courts. He has appeared as counsel in multiple proceedings to apply or defend against the setting aside or enforcement of arbitral awards and foreign judgments. He is notably part of the team representing the heirs of the Sultan of Sulu before the Paris Court of Appeal in setting aside proceedings initiated by Malaysia in relation to a USD 15 billion award rendered in an ad hoc arbitration. He is also heavily involved in enforcement proceedings initiated by the heirs in France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.

EXPERIENCE INCLUDES REPRESENTATION OF:

Arbitration

An international logistics company in an ICC arbitration in Paris brought against the Port Authority of an African State. The dispute arises from a concession agreement related to the management and operation of a container terminal.
Port operator Togo Terminal, Claimant in an ICSID arbitration brought against the Republic of Togo (ICSID Case No. ARB/18/16). The dispute related to a concession agreement.
A Latin American aviation consultancy firm, Claimant in two ICC arbitrations initiated against European aircraft manufacturers. The disputes relate to unpaid invoices and the damages arising from the termination of agency contracts.

Setting aside proceedings

The Heirs to the Sultan of Sulu as respondents in setting aside proceedings initiated by the State of Malaysia before the Paris Court of Appeal to set aside a USD 15 billion award rendered in a contractual dispute.
The majority shareholders in the former Yukos Oil Company as respondents in proceedings initiated by the Russian Federation before the Dutch courts to set aside the USD 50 billion awards rendered in the arbitrations brought by the shareholders against the Russian Federation concerning the expropriation of their investments in Yukos.
An international logistics company as respondent in setting aside proceedings initiated by the Port Authority of an African State to set aside three ICC awards rendered in a dispute arising out a concession agreement related to the management and operation of a container terminal.
Two European companies as respondents in proceedings initiated by a European State before the Paris Court of Appeal to set aside an UNCITRAL award rendered in an arbitration administered by the PCA under an intra-EU bilateral investment treaty.
A North American mining company as applicant in proceedings initiated before the Paris Court of Appeal to set aside an ICC award rendered in a mining dispute against a U.S. subsidiary of a Russian company.
An Asian company in the environmental technology and services as respondent in proceedings initiated by a Middle Eastern State before the Paris Court of Appeal to partially set aside an ICC arbitral award rendered in a construction dispute.
An agency of an Eastern European State as applicant in proceedings initiated before the Paris Court of Appeal to set aside ICC awards rendered in a construction dispute.

Enforcement

The majority shareholders in the former Yukos Oil Company in proceedings initiated in multiple jurisdictions to seek the recognition and enforcement of the USD 50 billion awards rendered in the arbitrations brought by the shareholders against the Russian Federation concerning the expropriation of their investments in Yukos.
The Heirs of the Sultan of Sulu in proceedings initiated in France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands to recognize and enforce the USD 15 billion award rendered in an ad hoc arbitration brought by our clients.
A shareholder of a State-owned South American company in proceedings to enforce an arbitral award in France against a South American State.
An international logistics company in proceedings before Cameroonian courts to seek the recognition and enforcement of an ICC award rendered against the Port Authority of an African State.
An African national company in proceedings initiated before several French courts to challenge enforcement measures conducted against our client pursuant to an arbitral award rendered in an arbitration arising from a contract for a natural gas distribution project in Africa.
Advising a French company regarding a tort case before the Taiwanese courts and recognition and enforcement proceedings in France of a judgment rendered by the Taipei District Court.
A Latin American State-owned entity in proceedings before French courts related to the attachment of its bank accounts by a creditor of the State.
Ukraine, Respondent in a UNCITRAL arbitration brought by PJSC Gazprom, in a dispute concerning the enforcement of a fine issued by the Anti-Monopoly Committee of Ukraine in relation to Gazprom’s breaches of Ukraine’s Competition Law in the performance of a gas transit contract. Benjamin coordinated the global strategy to enforce the fine in multiple jurisdictions.

Commercial Litigation

A European aircraft manufacturer in a dispute before French commercial courts against a component supplier. The dispute arises from the termination of their commercial relationship. French law applies.
A Middle Eastern public authority in a tort liability dispute initiated by businessmen claiming damages for alleged financial losses valued several billion US dollars. French and Turkish law apply.
A French oil and gas exploration and production company in a contractual dispute with an insurance company. French law applies.

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