Tomas

Manuel Tomas

Partner
Paris

I advise States, public entities and multinationals in complex international disputes across various jurisdictions, notably in the MEA region.

Manuel Tomas is a member of Foley Hoag's International Litigation & Arbitration Department. He has significant experience in commercial and contractual disputes and has developed particular expertise in cases relating to banking, mining, rail and air law, as well as in the field of energy, digital services, petrochemicals, telecom, and joint venture operations.

Manuel has been practicing for more than 10 years civil and commercial litigation along with international arbitration, in the context of ad hoc or institutional arbitrations (ICC, SCC, CMAP, CCJA, ICSID, PCA and UNCITRAL). He also pleads before the local court in the OHADA area and more generally handles many cases with an African focus.

Manuel also has specific expertise in litigation related to arbitration proceedings (exequatur, annulment proceedings, seizure of assets, etc.) the service of judicial or extra-judicial acts abroad as well as than the enforcement in France of foreign judgments.

Finally, Manuel has developed a practice in industrial litigation dealing with liability issues for defective products, industrial risks as well as in the conduct of complex expertise relating to strategic issues for its customers (hydraulic or electrical systems, agrifood, automotive, chemicals).

Related Industries

Related Practices

Education

  • Université Panthéon-Assas (Paris II), Master II in Arbitration, Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution, 2009
  • Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC), University Diploma in International Arbitration and Litigation, 2009
  • Université Paris-Sud (Paris XI), Master II in International Business Law, 2008
  • Université de Paris II Panthéon Assas, Master of International Law, 2007

Bar and Court Admissions

BAR ADMISSIONS
  • Paris

Languages

  • French
  • English

Experience

COMMERCIAL ARBITRATION

  • Assisted a trade association of the world's airlines against a Cameroonian company in an ICC arbitration in the context of a contractual dispute.
  • Assisted a top international logistics company in a CCJA arbitration in the context of a complex and sensitive dispute with a former top manager.
  • Assisted an African state-owned mining company in an ICC arbitration against a German company in the context of a dispute concerning a mining equipment.

ARBITRATION-RELATED COURT LITIGATION

  • Assisted a French multinational telecommunications corporation in resisting the enforcement of an arbitral award rendered in Senegal.
  • Assisted a British bank before the Paris Enforcement Judge and the Paris Court of Appeal in resisting the enforcement of a Panamanian arbitral award.
  • Assisted a Pakistani public company in resisting the enforcement of an arbitral award in France in coordination with an annulment procedure initiated in Pakistan.

INTERNATIONAL LITIGATION

  • Assisted a Mauritian bank before the Enforcement Judge and the Paris Court of Appeal in resisting the enforcement of Malagasy judgements.
  • Assisted a Swiss global energy trading company before the Paris Court of Appeal on a dispute in relation to the implementation of a supply contract of petroleum products in Mauritania.
  • Assisted a Canadian top international engineering design firm in multiple disputes relating to alleged defective works and corporate issues relating to business divestiture.

Publications

  • “Renewable Energies and Investment Arbitration,” International Comparative Legal Guides Investor-State Arbitration 2023 (Fifth Edition)
  • “Book reviews: Overriding Mandatory Rules and Compliance in International Arbitration, Can International Arbitration Stand the Test of Mandatory Rules and Compliance?” ICC Dispute Resolution Bulletin (2022, Issue 2)
  • “Cultural Considerations in Advocacy: French-Speaking Africa,” Global Arbitration Review (October 22, 2019) (with W. Pydiamah)
  • “La clarification attendue du régime applicable à l'appel d'une ordonnance de référé statuant uniquement sur la compétence,” La Lettre des Juristes d’Affaires (October 21, 2019) (with Juliette Lefur and Rémi Kleiman)
  • “Incertitudes quant au régime applicable à l’appel d’une ordonnance de référé statuant uniquement sur la compétence,” La Lettre des Juristes d’Affaires (March 4, 2019) (with Juliette Lefur and Rémi Kleiman)
  • “Le respect des droits de la défense dans le cadre des enquêtes internationales de l’AMF, un contrôle juridictionnel dont la portée demeure incertaine,” Dalloz Actualités (February 25, 2019) (with Martin Brasart and Rémi Kleiman)
  • “Règles d’ordre public régissant les recours en matière de procédure collective et compétence arbitrale,” Option Finance (November 25, 2013)
  • “Coût de l’arbitrage et demandes reconventionnelles,” Option Finance (July 8, 2013)
  • “Clause de médiation préalable et rupture de relations commerciales : une opposabilité sous condition,” Option Finance (November 12, 2012)
  • “L’obligation imposée aux arbitres d’investiguer sur les conflits d’intérêts induits par leur appartenance à un cabinet d’avocat,” Option Finance (September 17, 2012)

Honors & Involvement

INVOLVEMENT
  • Manuel is a member of the French branch of the International Law Association (ILA), of the Comité Français de l’Arbitrage (CFA) and of the Int’l Chamber of Commerce (ICC)

Speaking Engagements

  • Manuel conducts a yearly training on Investment and Investment related disputes to African representatives of energy regulators entitled “Régulation & Marché de l’Energie” (Energy Market and Regulation), which is led under the auspices of the Ecole Nationale des Mines (Mines ParisTech).
  • At the 6th ICC Africa Conference on International Arbitration taking place in Lagos June 1-3 2022, Manuel delivered a training on Award of interest: considerations for awarding compound post-award interest on costs, material and moral damages
  • Manuel participated in May 2022 in the International Colloquium for the Launch of the Activities of the International Center for Arbitration and Mediation of Lomé. He was part of a panel on OHADA law and arbitration in finance and maritime disputes.

Contact Info

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