Philippe
Cavalieros

Philippe is the Global Head of Simmons & Simmons LLP’s international arbitration practice.

Philippe offers his clients a 360° perspective on international arbitration: he has acted as an Arbitrator in more than 30 cases, worked at the ICC International Court of Arbitration and served as General Counsel in a multinational company, providing him insight into every angle of an arbitration proceeding.

The core of his practice consists in acting as lead counsel in investor-state and commercial arbitrations under the ICSID, UNCITRAL, ICC, and other arbitration rules and in appearing as arbitrator in high-profile cases.

Philippe has been recognised as a world’s leading arbitration specialist and is regularly featured in top tier legal directories such as Global Arbitration Review (GAR) where he was shortlisted in the “Best Prepared and Most Responsive Arbitrator” category in 2016. More recent sources say: "Philippe Cavalieros is a brilliant lawyer. Well-prepared, with good strategic thinking, convincing orally and in writing. He has lots of experience with international arbitration." (Legal 500 EMEA, 2023). Others say: ‘Philippe Cavalieros has immense experience in both ICC and ICSID arbitration’ and has ‘Excellent knowledge of his clients' business and way of working. Very expert approach with reasonable recommendations. Great help in decision making.’ (Legal 500, 2024).

A prolific author on international arbitration, Philippe also regularly lectures in Trinity College, Dublin and the Hague Academy of International Law. He also serves as Vice-Chair to the ICC Commission on Arbitration & ADR, the premier think-tank for international commercial arbitration, comprising more than 1300 arbitration practitioners worldwide.

As an aside, Philippe acts as Judicial Officer for World Rugby, EPCR, and LNR Professional rugby as well as Anti-corruption Hearing Officer for the International Tennis Integrity Agency. As such, he has been recognised as world’s leading sports law specialist by Who's Who Legal Sports & Entertainment in the Sport category. Philippe has notably sat as chair of various high profile World Rugby and EPCR disciplinary matters over the last 10 years.

Philippe has been an Avocat at the Paris bar since 2004 and received an LL.M from Trinity College Dublin. He also holds a Master in European Business Law from the University Paris 2 Panthéon Assas.

Philippe speaks French, English and Hungarian fluently.