Arbitration
Recognised arbitration experts in Central and Eastern Europe
Experienced in complex domestic and international arbitration law
When it comes to arbitration proceedings, knowing the law is sometimes not enough; you need a team which knows the rules and which knows the major players in the field. This is a huge advantage when it comes to choosing the right arbitrator and maximising your chance of success.
The experts in our offices in 13 countries act as counsel in domestic and international arbitration proceedings. Additionally, team members have specialised expertise in industry sectors such as energy or construction and infrastructure and fields such as post M&A disputes. The benefit for you? Seamless service and the necessary specialised industry and legal expertise to meet your business needs.
Areas of specialisation
Commercial Arbitration
Our regional team has the knowledge and capacity to advise you on all aspects of domestic and international commercial arbitration proceedings. Many of our cases involve cross-border elements, meaning you benefit from our international network of offices and our ability to deal with international arbitration and multijurisdictional issues effectively.
We have experience acting under major arbitration rules, such as UNCITRAL, ICC and LCIA, as well as those of the national Arbitration Courts attached to the respective Chambers of Commerce in the CEE/SEE region and in ad-hoc arbitration proceedings.
Investment Treaty Arbitration
Whether you are an investor or a sovereign state, we can assist you in arbitration disputes that arise under bilateral and multilateral investment treaties and have experience acting under both the ICSID and UNCITRAL Rules. Prevention is better than cure. If you are an investor, we can also advise you on the structuring and restructuring of your overseas investments to secure investment treaty protection.
Arbitration-related Court Proceedings
We can represent you in all court-related arbitration proceedings; including obtaining interim injunctions to protect your assets both before and during arbitration, representing you in setting-aside proceedings as well as advising on the recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards.
Where enforcement looks particularly difficult or time-consuming, or when assets are split between several countries, our asset tracing experts help identify the most strategically important jurisdictions for you.
Energy Arbitration
Energy is a complex sector; characterised by high investment costs, long-term contracts and state involvement. The stakes are high and consequently, investment treaty arbitration under bilateral or multilateral treaties – especially the Energy Charter Treaty – is common.
To be successful in energy arbitration proceedings you need a team which understands and deals on a daily basis with the complex regulations of the energy industry and which also knows the ins and outs of arbitration proceedings. Our team does both.
Construction & Infrastructure Arbitration
Large construction and infrastructure projects often have an international or regional context. Due to the scale and complexity of such projects, disputes when they happen tend to be multi-party and multi-tier. In addition, disputes rarely centre ‘only’ on legal questions; a sound knowledge of the industry itself is essential.
Our construction arbitration experts are qualified as engineers or certified FIDIC-Adjudicators and have direct industry experience. This, together with the regional coverage of Wolf Theiss, gives us and – more importantly – you an unbeatable advantage.
Leading the legal field
Our lawyers are involved in key transactions and matters across the region, bringing their industry expertise and specialised business knowledge to add value to our clients’ work.
Successfully defended major energy company in investment arbitration against Republic of Croatia
Represented client in €1 billion arbitration dispute over factory damage
Represented client in arbitration involving 3 billion Kč post-acquisition claims
Specialised knowledge in energy, telecoms, infrastructure, construction arbitration law and post-M&A disputes
Arbitration involving major energy company
Our team has represented a major energy company in two arbitration matters against the Republic of Croatia related to the management of Croatia’s incumbent oil and gas company.
Successful client defence
In the first arbitration, we successfully defended the client from Croatia’s attempts to disassemble the corporate governance of the Croatian company and claw-back control over it by relying on allegations of corruption and on false criminal charges Croatia has been pursuing through local courts.
The second arbitration concerns protection of the client’s investment into Croatia before the ICSID, which includes defence against false criminal charges before Croatian courts and challenging various breaches of contractual obligations and other commitments on the treatment of the client’s investment into Croatia.
Czech arbitration proceedings involving factory damage
We have been advising and representing a client in several proceedings relating to a major fire at one of its factories. Currently, we are: representing the client in arbitration proceedings against the presumed responsible party; supervising and coordinating the representation of several persons in criminal proceedings; and advising on matters of Czech law in foreign civil law proceedings.
The matter is particularly demanding, as any arguments used in any of the proceedings must be compatible with different theories of civil law liability across all involved countries.
Arbitration over post-acquisition claims
Our lawyers advised and represented a client in ICC arbitration proceedings related to CZK 3 billion post-acquisition claims arising out of a share purchase agreement.
Get in touch
Whether you need an international team with extensive experience, Wolf Theiss can support your business goals through our profound legal practice.
Related insights
M&A-Transaktionen anders betrachtet: Schiedsgutachter versus Schiedsrichter – worauf kommt es an?
12 June 2025
In vielen Anteils-/Unternehmenskaufverträgen ist vorgesehen, dass bei Streit über die Kaufpreisberechnung ein Schiedsgut...
Read more
Wolf Theiss expands its regional expertise with the promotion of six senior lawyers to counsel
Bucharest, Ljubljana, Vienna, Warsaw, Zagreb, 1 November 2024 – Wolf Theiss has announced the promotion of six senior la...
Read more
Renowned international arbitration and regulatory expert Marie Talašová joins Wolf Theiss
Prague, 7 December 2023 – Wolf Theiss appoints Marie Talašová to strengthen its Dispute Resolution team in Prague. Mar...
Read more
Female Leaders in International Arbitration: Practical Advice and Shared Perspectives
In our newest edition of Wolf Theiss Soundshot, international arbitration specialist Sofia Kovačević from Wolf Theiss Vi...
Read more
Digital proceedings in international arbitration – Lessons learned and future impacts for state courts
The pandemic and climate change have increased the need for digital tools/communication in legal proceedings, both in arbi...
Read more
Marcin Rudnik from Wolf Theiss Warsaw office among 5 lawyers promoted to counsel firm-wide
Warsaw, 14 May 2020 – Wolf Theiss has announced promotions of senior lawyers to counsels. Besides Marcin Rudnik, who spe...
Read more
First successful investment treaty claim over subsidy cuts to renewable energy investments
Since 2013, several investment treaty claims have been filed in the field of renewable energy against European member stat...
Read more
The Wolf Theiss Guide to: Dispute Resolution in Central, Eastern & Southeastern Europe
This 2018 Wolf Theiss Guide to Dispute Resolution in Central, Eastern & Southeastern Europe is intended as a practical gui...
Read more
The Wolf Theiss Guide to: International Arbitration in Central, Eastern & Southeastern Europe
This 2018 Wolf Theiss Guide to International Arbitration in Central, Eastern & Southeastern Europe is intended as a practi...
Read more
New partner at Wolf Theiss: Stefan Riegler to head arbitration practice in Vienna
Vienna, November 16, 2017 – Stefan Riegler is moving to Austria’s largest law firm. Riegler will lead the arbitration ...
Read more
Austrian State Printing House wins with Wolf Theiss in investment protection arbitration proceedings against the Republic of Kosovo
Vienna, 1 August 2016 – In arbitration proceedings relating to the breach of contract on the part of the Republic of Kos...
Read more