Derains & Gharavi and its lawyers are consistently listed as top-tier in rankings in France, Europe, and worldwide by leading legal directories, including Chambers & Partners, Legal 500, and Lexology (formerly Who’s Who Legal)
The firm is the only one in France to have its two founding partners (Yves Derains and Hamid Gharavi) individually ranked among the leaders in the sector and one of the few arbitration boutique firms ranked among the highest bands
The firm’s lawyers are further recognized by clients and peers as leading practitioners, thought leaders, and rising stars in international arbitration and have earned numerous accolades and awards
Below is a selection of the most recent rankings and testimonials about the firmand its lawyers in Legal 500 and Chamber
CHAMBERS & PARTNERS (2024)
The firm is one of the rare arbitration boutiques to be ranked at the top of the rankings by a Band 2 in France (International Arbitration) and Band 5 Europe-wide (International Arbitration) in Global Guide 2024 and Europe Guide 2024:
“Derains & Gharavi is a Paris-based arbitration boutique led by highly regarded specialists who frequently act as counsel or arbitrator on prominent cases. The firm stands out for its work on behalf of private individuals or corporate entities pursuing BIT claims against Middle Eastern or Asian states. It also represents sovereign states from the Middle East and Europe in PCA-administered UNCITRAL or ICSID arbitration brought by European investors. Derains & Gharavi is also seen as an excellent choice to handle Paris-seated commercial arbitration.”
The firm is praised by one referee as being “one of the best worldwide.”
Legal 500 (2024)
The firm is ranked Band 2 and a leading firm in Legal 500’s 2024 Guide in Emea.
Legal 500 describes the firm as follows:
“Derains & Gharavi is one of France’s most respected international arbitration dispute boutiques. Hamid Gharavi is the leading force behind many of the firm’s most high-profile cases. The practice is especially strong in the investment arbitration space and features in a series of high-stakes strategic disputes led against Bahrain in the banking sector, and Libya in the oil industry field. The team’s involvement also extends to many other industry sectors and regions of the world. It notably has a strong investment caseload pertaining to Europe’s renewable energy sector. The team, which acts for state entities, companies and investors, also handles commercial arbitration work linked to various fields TMT, and handles exequatur cases before Dutch and French courts. Other team members include renowned arbitrator Yves Derains, Bertrand Derains and Emmanuel Foy.”
Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners (2024)
Hamid Gharavi is ranked at the very top of the rankings of Legal 500 for France in the Hall of Fame for international arbitration, which is dedicated to the lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Hamid Gharavi is also ranked Band 1 in Chambers & Partners in International Arbitration as counsel and is amongst the lead bands also as counsel and arbitrator in Europe and worldwide as reported in Chambers & Partners:
“Sovereign states and investors regularly mandate Hamid Gharavi for his strength in complex investor-state disputes under ICSID rules. He is also sought after for his prowess in handling annulment proceedings in front of French courts”
“Hamid Gharavi remains a go-to for clients in major investment cases. His respected practice sees him regularly acting in cases with Middle Eastern aspects, both as counsel and as arbitrator.”
Clients and peers say the following about Hamid Gharavi:
“He is hugely experienced and a persuasive advocate.”
“Hamid Gharavi is very good at counsel and efficient.”
“Hamid is a very astute lawyer. He is good at grasping the issues to raise before the tribunal.”
Yves Derains is ranked Band 1 in Chambers & Partners in International Arbitration as arbitrator and is recognized as one of the “most-in-demand arbitrators” in France, Europe, Latin America and worldwide:
“Yves Derains maintains a leading reputation in the arbitration field and acts as chair and co-arbitrator in commercial and investment cases.”
“Former secretary general of the ICC court, Yves Derains of Derains & Gharavi remains a leading figure in the arbitration world for his landmark arbitration cases in Latin America.”
“Yves Derains remains in demand for his role as president and co-arbitrator in both commercial and investor-state disputes. He is revered for handling a variety of rules including those of the ICC, ICSID and UNCITRAL, with expertise in overseeing construction, telecommunications and pharmaceutical disputes.”
Clients and peers also say the following about Yves Derains:
“Yves Derains works on high-stakes, complex arbitrations, and always comes through. He is unflappable.”
“Yves Derains is a very well-respected arbitrator.”
“Yves Derains shows a high level of activity as an arbitrator. He is highly sought after for matters involving Latin American parties.”