Sabrina Aïnouz

Partner

Languages spoken
French | English

About Sabrina

Sabrina Aïnouz is a partner in the International Dispute Resolution Group. She represents states, state-owned entities and private sector companies in commercial and investment arbitrations.

Sabrina Aïnouz acts as counsel for states, state-owned entities and private sector companies in investor-state and commercial arbitrations in a variety of fields including oil & gas, mining, construction, telecommunications, agriculture and post-M&A disputes. She has represented clients in arbitrations under all major arbitration rules, including International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), Stockholm Chamber of Commerce (SCC) and UN Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) rules. Sabrina also sits as arbitrator in ICC, ICSID and ad hoc arbitrations, and acts as counsel in enforcement proceedings, as well as in proceedings for the annulment of international awards before French courts.

Sabrina is vice chair of the ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR since July 2024, and ambassador of the ICC Africa Commission since 2021. She acted as a member of the ICC International Court of Arbitration representing Algeria between 2018 and 2024. She was vice president of the Paris Arbitration Week between 2021 and 2024.

Sabrina was recognized among the 10 Next Generation Partners in France by Legal 500 in 2022. Her clients describe her as a “real fighter with expertise in investment arbitration, hardworking professional,” with a “professorial specialist knowledge of public international,” an “unbeatable intellect” and a “capacity for work [that] is phenomenal,” “definitely star in the field (including treaty arbitration)”.

Experience

  • Counsel for Algeria in a US$3.6 billion ICSID arbitration initiated by a Danish oil company, under the Algeria-Denmark BIT, in connection with the alleged expropriation of its rights under a production sharing agreement.
  • Counsel for Sonatrach, the Algerian national oil company, in a US$12 billion UNCITRAL arbitration initiated by US and Danish oil companies in connection with the alleged breach of tax provisions in a production sharing agreement.
  • Counsel for Benin in an ICSID arbitration arising out of the alleged expropriation of a major hotel construction project in Cotonou.
  • Counsel for the Russian Federation in a US$1 billion UNCITRAL arbitration initiated by a US oil major in connection with the alleged breach of profit tax provisions in a production sharing agreement.
  • Counsel for the Republic of Kazakhstan in a multibillion UNCITRAL arbitration against a consortium of oil majors, in connection with the alleged breach by the consortium of a production sharing agreement.
  • Counsel for the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Kazakh NOC in parallel US$7 billion UNCITRAL arbitration and expert determination proceedings against a consortium of oil majors in connection with the alleged breach by the consortium of a production sharing agreement.
  • Counsel for the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Kazakh NOC in a US$4 billion UNCITRAL arbitration against a consortium of oil majors in connection with the alleged breach by the consortium of the profit sharing provisions in a production sharing agreement.
  • Counsel for the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Kazakh NOC in an UNCITRAL arbitration against a consortium of oil majors in connection with the alleged breach by the consortium of the cost recovery provisions in a production sharing agreement.
  • Counsel for Croatia in an ICSID arbitration initiated by a German-Croatian dual national, under the Germany-Croatia BIT, arising out of the alleged expropriation of land property in Croatia.
  • Counsel for Turkmenistan and the Turkmen national petrochemical company in a US$2 billion ICSID arbitration arising out of breaches of a contract for the construction of a potash mining exploration and exploitation complex in Belarus.
  • Counsel for Turkmenistan in a US$275 million ICSID arbitration initiated by a Turkish company, under the Turkey-Turkmenistan bilateral investment treaty (BIT), in connection with the alleged expropriation of its rights under major construction contracts.
  • Counsel for Turkmenistan in a US$65 million ICSID arbitration initiated by a UK company, under the UK-Turkmenistan BIT, in connection with the alleged expropriation of its rights under major construction contracts.
  • Counsel for Turkmenistan in a US$65 million ICSID arbitration initiated by a German national, under the Germany-Turkmenistan BIT, in connection with the alleged expropriation of a poultry business.
  • Counsel for Turkmenistan in a US$50 million ICSID arbitration initiated by a German company, under the Germany-Turkmenistan BIT, in connection with the alleged expropriation of its rights under major construction contracts.
  • Counsel for Turkmenistan in ICSID arbitration initiated by a Turkish company, under the Turkey-Turkmenistan BIT, in connection with the alleged expropriation of its rights under major construction contracts.
  • Counsel for PDVSA, the Venezuelan national oil company, in a US$7 billion ICC arbitration initiated by an oil major in connection with alleged breaches of a production sharing agreement.
  • Counsel for PDVSA in a US$200 million ICC arbitration in connection with alleged breaches of an oil supply agreement.
  • Counsel for a Canadian leading engineering company in connection with an ICC arbitration arising out of alleged breaches of a power plant operation and maintenance contract.
  • Counsel for an oil company in an ICC arbitration and parallel proceedings before the London High Court initiated by an African State national oil company in connection with the acquisition of an oil permit.
  • Counsel for a Saudi industrial group in an ICC arbitration against an Italian fashion house in connection with the termination of a franchising agreement.
  • Counsel for a Russian national in connection with a potential US$600 million UNCITRAL arbitration against an Eastern European State arising out of the confiscation by the state of bonds and monies in violation of the state's obligations under a BIT.
  • Counsel for a multinational mining company in connection with ICSID and ICC arbitrations arising out of the violation by an African State of its obligations following the adoption of a new mining code imposing additional charges upon mining operations.
  • Counsel for a junior mining company in a pre-arbitration dispute with an Eastern European State in connection with the granting by the state of two mining exploitation permits.
  • Counsel for a junior oil company in a pre-arbitration dispute with a West African State arising out of the renewal of the exploration phase of an exploration and production sharing agreement.

Enforcement and Annulment Proceedings

  • Counsel for the Republic of Kazakhstan in ICSID proceedings for the annulment of an arbitral award declining jurisdiction.
  • Counsel for Turkmenistan in ICSID proceedings for the annulment of an arbitral award declining jurisdiction.
  • Counsel for Turkmenistan in ICSID proceedings for the annulment of an arbitral award rendered in favor of a German national.
  • Counsel for an Indian State-owned space company in proceedings for the annulment of an ICC international arbitral award before the Paris Court of Appeals.
  • Counsel for a Mexican State-owned bank in French proceedings for the annulment of an ICC international arbitral award before the Paris Court of Appeals.
  • Counsel for a Mexican airline company in French proceedings for the annulment of an ICC international arbitral award before the Paris Court of Appeals.
  • Counsel for Turkmenistan in French proceedings for the annulment of an exequatur order issued in France.
  • Counsel for Turkmenistan in French proceedings for the release of conservatory attachments over a presidential aircraft in France before the Toulouse Court of Appeals.
  • Counsel for Turkmenistan and a Turkmen state-owned entity in French proceedings for the release of conservatory attachments over bank accounts and company shares held in France before the Paris Court of Appeals.
  • Counsel for PDVSA in connection with the potential enforcement in France of a US$12 billion worldwide freezing order issued by the London High Court (Mareva Injunction).
  • Counsel for a national oil & gas company in connection with the potential enforcement in France of an SCC award rendered against another national oil & gas company.
  • Counsel for an African national oil & gas company in French proceedings for the enforcement of two ICC awards rendered against the African State.

Credentials

Education
  • Paris X, Master II in International Dispute Resolution, with honours, 2004
  • Paris X, Master I in Political Science, with honours, 2003
  • Paris X, Master I in Business Law, with honours, 2002
Admissions
  • Paris, 2006

Recognitions

  • Ranked Excellent for International Arbitration in Décideurs Leaders League 2026 – Dispute Resolution in France

  • Recommended in the Lexology Arbitration Index 2026

  • Recognised in the 2026 Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Litigators guide

Expertise

Services
International Dispute Resolution
Industries
Construction & Engineering Mining Energy & Natural Resources

Publications & Speaking Engagements

  • Speaker, “From conflict to coordination: Bridging the Brussels I Recast gap for EU arbitration”, IBA, October 2026.

  • Speaker, “ICC Advanced Arbitration Academy for Africa”, Dakar, September 2024.

  • Speaker, “Good Faith in Investment Arbitration: What’s different?, 43rd Conference of the ICC World Business Institute”, Paris, November 2023.

  • Speaker and member of the Editorial Board, Algeria Arbitration Day, Algiers, October 2023.

  • Speaker, “Arbitration and Corporations under OHADA law”, Dakar, September 2023.

  • Speaker, “Lagos: Behind the Scenes of the ICC Court – A Mock Scrutiny”, ICC 7th Africa Conference, Lagos, June 2023.

  • Speaker, “State Representation:, Africa Arbitration Academy, London, June 2023.

  • Co-author, “Energy Transition and Renewables in MENA: Key Drivers and Future Prospects for the Dispute Resolution Landscape”, The Oath Legal Magazine, May 2023.

  • Speaker, “Cyprus Arbitration Day, Proper law and Seat of Arbitration for Disputes in the MENA region”, Limassol, February 2023.

  • Speaker, “Energy transition-related Disputes in the MENA Region”, ICC 11th MENA Conference, Abu Dhabi, February 2023.

  • Speaker, “Multiparty Arbitration and Consolidation”, ICC Institute Training on Complex Arbitrations, Abu Dhabi, February 2023.

  • Speaker, “Behind the Scenes of the ICC Court – A Mock Scrutiny, ICC-IFRIQYA North African Arbitration Days”, Tunis, December 2022.

  • Speaker, “ICC World Business Institute Training on the Drafting of Enforceable Arbitral Awards”, Abu-Dhabi, 7 October 2022.

  • Speaker, “ICC World Business Institute 3-day training session to the Tunisian State and Tunisian state-owned entities”, Tunis, 5-7 July 2022.

  • Speaker, “Investor-State Arbitration in Africa”, 2022 Baltic Arbitration Days, Riga, 11-13 June 2022.

  • Speaker, “Investor-State Arbitration ad a Crossraods. What Lies Ahead?”, ABA 2022 Spring Conference, Washington DC, 29 April 2022.

  • Speaker, “Pitfalls of ICC Emergency Proceedings”, Prague Arbitration Day, Prague, 7 April 2022.

  • Author, “Diverse But Not Diverse: enjeux et défis de la diversité dans l’arbitrage international”, Option Droit & Affaires, 23 March 2022.

  • Speaker, “Corruption as a State Defense in ICSID Arbitration”, ICSID-ADGM Joint Conference, Abu Dhabi, 17 March 2022.

  • Speaker, “Disputes in Natural Resources and Infrastructure in Francophone Africa”, ERA Pledge African Sub-Committee, 8 December 2021.

  • Speaker, “GAR Live Question Time: Arbitration in the Middle East, GAR Live Moscow”, October 12, 2021.

  • Speaker, “Africa in Arbitration and Arbitration in Africa”, Paris Arbitration Week, September 22, 2021.

  • Speaker, “The increasing role of expert evidence in infrastructure disputes: A necessary evil?”, ICC 9th MENA Conference February 25, 2021.

  • Speaker, “The Sanitary Crisis: A Turning Point in the Digitalization of Arbitration?”, Aix-Marseille III University/Club de l’Arbitrage Webinar, September 30, 2020.

  • Speaker, “ICC’s Innovative Techniques Aimed at Mitigating the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic, ICC/Legal Doctrine Webinar”, June 23, 2020.

  • Co-author, “Commercial Arbitration: France”, GAR Know-How (2018-2020).

  • Speaker, “Public Tenders and Arbitration: the African Experience”, Paris Arbitration Week, April 1, 2019.

  • Lecturer, “Introduction to International Arbitration”, International Business Development MBA, ICD International Business School, February 2018.

  • Speaker, “50 years of Africa at ICSID: Retrospective and Prospective Views”, ICSID ratione materiae jurisdiction, Institut Afrique Monde, Jus Africa, Paris, March 27, 2017.

  • Speaker, “Skills that make a difference: What it takes to be effective counsel in international arbitration”, Launch of the Young Arbitral Women Practitioners (YAWP), Zurich, April 7, 2016.

  • Speaker, “Investment arbitration and Turkey – Making the best use of it”, Second Annual GAR Live Conference in Istanbul, June 26, 2014.

  • Speaker, “The GAR Live Question Time: investor-state disputes”, First Annual GAR Live Conference in Moscow, March 21, 2019.

  • Moderator, “Investment Arbitration: What Can We Expect in the Next 10 Years?”, 3rd CARDS Tour de Arbitration, Paris, February 5, 2019.

  • Co-author, “ICSID Tribunal’s ratione materiae jurisdiction in light of 50 years of ICSID African Jurisprudence”, 50 Years of Africa at LCSID: Retrospective and Prospective Views, LGDJ, 2019.

  • Co-author, “Mining Arbitration in Central Asia”, GAR Guide to Mining Arbitration, 2019.

  • Speaker, “Investment Arbitration and Africa: Challenges and Perspectives”, Institut Supérieur de Management, Dakkar, May 12, 2018.

  • Speaker, “Structuring Arbitration in Share Purchase and Shareholder Agreements”, Paris Arbitration Week, April 10, 2018.

  • Speaker, “International Arbitration: How to Promote Efficiency and Contain Costs?”, Kazakh National Chamber of Commerce, KPMG Kazakhstan, Astana, March 2018.

  • Lecturer, training programs on international law, arbitration and investment treaties for the Libyan National Oil Corporation, 2016-2017.

  • Lecturer, training programs on international law, arbitration and investment treaties for Sonatrach, the Algerian national oil company, 2010-2012.