Chérine, Sophia FTOUKI

Chérine, Sophia Ftouki, is an International Independent Arbitrator, with expertise in International Dispute Resolution and Public International Law, she combines top-tier legal experience with academic experience as Visiting Lecturer at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona, where she taught Investor-State-Disputes Settlement (ISDS). Chérine is a distinguished alumna of King's College London and the Sorbonne-Panthéon Paris I, she holds a Master in International Law, and an LL.M in International Dispute Resolution.

Chérine received a comprehensive dual legal education in both civil and common law, and her experience spans various areas, including Investor-State Arbitration, International Commercial Arbitration, Public International Law, and International Energy Trade Law.

With previous experience as a Global International Arbitration Specialist (Consultant) at an international law firm, she has established herself as a trusted advisor in arbitration, particularly within the energy, maritime, infrastructure, and resources sectors. Her expertise seamlessly blends Public International Law knowledge with commercial acumen. Drawing on a rich background in International Arbitration, she offers valuable perspectives on advisory aspects pertaining to arbitration and post-arbitration proceedings, particularly related to energy and infrastructure projects. Her expertise extends to Investment Treaty Arbitration and safeguarding foreign investments, underscored by robust multi-jurisdictional affiliations, notably within the Middle-East region.

Prior to being independent, Chérine worked for a boutique law firm in London. She predominantly collaborated with the arbitration practice, assisting mainly on US and Latin America contentious and arbitration matters, including various disputes linked to global instability, regulatory changes and financial pressures leading to a range of problems for energy projects, oil and gas facilities, offshore drilling and maritime transactions.

She then joined the Energy & Infrastructures group of a large American global firm in the UK, where she mainly focused on advising clients in the MENA region. She worked on several projects related to construction and shipping industries in the Middle East, advising a variety of stakeholders, including governments, NGOs and corporations. Chérine gained valuable experience in diverse cross-border energy negotiations, which cover both upstream and downstream operations. Her specific focus lies in the areas of energy transition and green energy governmental incentives. In particular, she has knowledge in market access issues, including LNG, green energy (solar, hydrogen), infrastructures and mining disputes, amongst others.

Chérine has contributed to complex and high-value cross-border international investment and commercial arbitrations conducted under leading international arbitration institutions such as ICSID, ICC, LCIA, or through ad hoc arbitrations.

Chérine spearheads initiatives and research on Environmental, Climate Change, and Natural Resources Dispute Resolution. Particularly noteworthy are her leading roles in research projects related to the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) and matters involving sovereign, diplomatic privilege, and immunity in Interstate and Investor-state arbitrations.

In parallel, she operates as a Consultant specialising in Environmental Law & Climate Change Policy. In this capacity, she actively collaborates with a variety of partners to promote international cooperation and provide solutions to global sustainability challenges. She actively engages with a diverse range of partners to foster international cooperation and offer solutions to global sustainability challenges. She collaborates with clients to expedite their climate and sustainability initiatives, assisting them in identifying and leveraging climate innovation, integrating sustainability extensively into their operations, and capture the value they create. This involves forging partnerships with notable organisations such as United Nations bodies, the World Bank, and other international agencies, as well as governmental bodies and regional entities. Chérine is dedicated to engaging with all stakeholders involved in climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts, including businesses, non-profit organisations, academic institutions, and community groups.