Christian specialises in international commercial and investment arbitration. He is New York and English law qualified, having spent five years in New York before returning to Europe. He now splits his time between the firm's London and Madrid offices. He has acted for and advised individuals, corporations and sovereign states in cases arising from all major industry sectors, including under the rules of the ICC, ICSID, LCIA, AAA (ICDR), CAS and UNCITRAL.
Christian regularly appears as an advocate before arbitral tribunals in many different jurisdictions in both English and Spanish. He also frequently lectures on international arbitration.
Christian has a particular focus on disputes related to Latin America, and has authored a number of books, articles and other legal publications including International Dispute Resolution in Latin America: An Institutional Overview (published by Kluwer Law International in 2007, new edition forthcoming in 2012).
Christian has experience in the practice of public international law and of working at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, Washington, D.C.
He is fluent in both English and Spanish and has a working knowledge of Brazilian Portuguese.
Credentials
- a major Spanish infrastructure company in a number of ICC arbitrations regarding a central Asian investment
- a South American NOC in a US$500 million post-acquisition arbitration governed by New York law
- the Governing bodies of tennis in a CAS arbitration in the first match fixing case in tennis
- a South American energy company in a contractual dispute with consortium members arising out of its investment in Bolivia
- a South American corporation in an ICC dispute against a state telecommunications enterprise, and a specialized organization of the United Nations, governed by Swiss law, seat of arbitration in Geneva
- The Republic of Venezuela in a number of oil and gas related investment arbitrations including ConocoPhillips Company and others v. Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (ICSID Case No. ARB/07/30); and Mobil Corporation and others v. Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (ICSID Case No. ARB/07/27)
- The Republic of Venezuela in CEMEX Caracas Investments B.V. and CEMEX Caracas II Investments B.V. v. Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (ICSID Case No. ARB/08/15); and Holcim Limited, Holderfin B.V. and Caricement B.V. v. Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (ICSID Case No. ARB/09/3)
- a Jamaican construction company in an AIA international commercial arbitration with South East Asian contractors
- a German and Peruvian joint venture in an UNCITRAL bilateral investment treaty claim against a South American state
- a number of high profile Russian and American investors in a multi-billion joint venture ICC dispute, governed by English law, seat of arbitration in London
- a major New York Bank in a US$22 billion dispute with the Russian Federal Customs Service, before the Moscow courts
- a leading German infrastructure company in an ICC environmental arbitration with various UK manufacturing companies
- an American manufacturing company in an ICC arbitration governed by Hindu law, seat of arbitration Mumbai
- a number of foreign investors regarding their options following Bolivia’s withdrawal from the ICSID Convention
- a high profile Mexican businessman in proceedings before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights against Mexico
- a major oil company in both ICSID and expert determination proceedings (the latter run in accordance with the ICC Rules of Arbitration), against Bangladesh governed by Bangladeshi law, seat in Washington, D.C.
Accolades
"He's an experienced international arbitration lawyer, especially in handling Latin America disputes," say clients, "plus he's bright, proactive and efficient."
Chambers Latin America 2012
“He is fast becoming a prominent figure in the field and sources say: "He is a hugely talented lawyer."'
Chambers Latin America 2011
“Fluent Spanish speaker Christian Leathley…is tipped for huge success in the sector.”
Chambers Latin America 2010
Selected Publications
- Author of Book: International Dispute Resolution in Latin America: An Institutional Overview, Kluwer Law International (The Netherlands), 2007 and forthcoming 2012 (also to be published in Spanish by Legis (Colombia))
- “The English Arbitration Clause” Instituto Peruano de Arbitraje, 2011 (in Spanish).
- “An Institutional Hierarchy to Combat the Fragmentation of International Law: Has the ILC Missed an Opportunity?” NYU Journal of International Law and Politics, Vol. 40:259, January 2008
- “Gibraltar’s Quest for Self-Determination: A Critique of Gibraltar’s New Constitution” Oregon Review of International Law, 2007, Vol.9, No.1.
- “The Mercosur Dispute Resolution System” October 2003, The Journal of World Investment, Werner Publishing Co. Ltd., Geneva
Positions and Memberships
- Co-Chair of the American Society of International Law (ASIL) Dispute Resolution Interest Group
- Chair of the AIA Investment Arbitration Working Group 2009-2011
- IBA representative at the UNCITRAL Working Group II Sessions on transparency in investment arbitration
- Member of Kluwer Arbitration Editorial Advisory Board since 2009