Jean-Pierre Harb has been practicing for more than 20 years in the areas of international commercial arbitration and construction law. He routinely represents clients in pre-arbitration phases (including Dispute Adjudication Boards [DABs] and mediations) and acts as lead counsel or co-counsel in ad hoc and institutional international arbitration proceedings (ICC, UNCITRAL, LCIA, ICSID, AAA, SCC, OHADA, CRCICA, DIAC, Swiss Chambers). He also regularly acts as chairman, sole arbitrator, and party-appointed arbitrator in such proceedings. Jean-Pierre has been nominated to the panels of several arbitration institutions and has significant experience working in jurisdictions beyond France, particularly in the Middle East and Africa.
Jean-Pierre conducts arbitration in the fields of civil construction, engineering, procurement, oil and gas projects, aviation, hotel management, development projects, shareholders and joint venture disputes, distribution, and service agreements.
Jean-Pierre is a member of the ICC Commission on Arbitration and of various arbitration institutions.
He has been recognized by Chambers Global, Legal 500, and Who's Who Legal: Arbitration.
Experience
The following represents experience acquired prior to joining Jones Day.
Acted for a construction company in various arbitrations relating to infrastructure projects in the Gulf and in Central Asia.
Acted for an Arab state-owned company in relation to post-award dispute in France.
Acted for a Central Asian bank in ICC arbitration in relation to a dispute over a demand guarantee and the sale of a factory.
Acted for a subcontractor in ad hoc arbitration against the main contractor in relation to caliper and cleaning issues of some sections of the "BTC pipeline."
Represented a French manufacturer of aircraft components in ICC arbitration against a major aircraft company.
Represented an oil & gas company in a dispute with an operator under a share production agreement in the Gulf.
Acted for the designer of a shipyard crane against a Chinese state-owned company in relation to breach of cooperation and confidentiality agreements and ownership of patent.
Acted for a Central Asian state in ad hoc (UNCITRAL) arbitration brought by a Swiss company pursuant to a bilateral investment treaty.
Represented a U.S. franchisor of a coaching program in ICC arbitration brought by a French franchisee.
Represented a major contractor in UNCITRAL arbitration against a Middle Eastern state in relation to the performance of an EPC contract.
Acted for two major airline companies in ICC arbitration involving European competition law issues.
Acted for a major French pharmaceutical company in ICC arbitration related to the termination of a license/distribution agreement.
Represented a major construction company in ICC arbitration brought by a subcontractor in relation to marine infrastructure works in the Gulf.
Acted for a major tobacco company in ad hoc arbitration brought by a licensee.
Acted for a French manufacturer of luxurious perfumes and cosmetics in ICC arbitration against a European distributor.
Acted in ICC proceedings for a Japanese manufacturer of baby car seats against a French supplier in relation to a dispute over defective products.
Represented a U.S. major cocoa company in ICC arbitration brought by a consultant.
Speaking Engagements
- October 19, 2018
Independence and Impartiality of Party Appointed Expert - PMG Seminar - September 20, 2017
From Construction Claims to Arbitration: lessons learned - CIArb/CRCICA Joint Conference - February 29, 2016
Arbitrators’ Responsibilities to Avoid Conflicts of Interest, 31st Annual Joint Symposium of Arbitrators, Queen Mary SIA / ICC Institute - February 11, 2016
Arbitrators and Specialized Knowledge - GAR Live - October 28-November 1, 2015
Emergency Arbitrator: An Arbitrator’s Perspective, UIA 59th Congress - October 25-26, 2015
Effective Management of Construction Arbitration, ICC - Society of Construction Law Annual Conference - May 27, 2015
Emergency Arbitration, ICC Asia Regional Conference - May 25-27, 2015
ICC Asia Regional Conference on International Arbitration - The Role of In-house Counsel in Arbitration Proceedings - February 12, 2015
Emergency Arbitration and Interim Measures, ICC YAF - December 5, 2014
Dispute Resolution in Aeronautics, ICC Conference - October 20-22, 2014
ICC PIDA: Selection and Appointment of Arbitrators - June 27, 2014
Ethics for counsel and parties in international arbitration, Chambre de Commerce franco-arabe - March 10-12, 2014
ICC 2nd annual MENA Conference - December 5, 2013
ICC Young Arbitrators Forum - June 11, 2013
ICC PIDA Training on International Commercial Arbitration - November 19-23, 2011
Claim Procedure under FIDIC Contracts - October 6, 2011
The New ICC Rules - June 9-11, 2011
ICC arbitration rules, ICC Workshop - May 12, 2011
The new IBA Rules on the Taking of Evidence in International Arbitration - April 4, 2011
The Taking of Evidence in International Arbitration, MACI, Versailles University - March 30, 2011
New arbitration rules in France - May 10, 2010
Confidentiality in Arbitration, Petrobras seminar - April 20, 2010
Arbitration in the Gulf, Siemens seminar - June 30, 2009
Privilege and Arbitration - March 26, 2009
Reducing the Costs of Arbitration Proceedings - February 6, 2009
Enforcement of Arbitration Award, Barcelona Bar - January 22, 2007
Take the Witness, Juris Conference
- New York University (LL.M. 2001); University of Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne (DESS 1997); University of Paris II-Panthéon Assas (DEA 1997); St. Joseph University of Beirut (Law Degree 1996)
- Paris
Chambers Global:
Noted for possessing significant experience advising on commercial arbitrations, including construction disputes relating to energy infrastructure; one impressed client comments "he is a brilliant lawyer with in-depth knowledge of the matter he deals with," adding that he "provides excellent client service" (2020)The Legal 500:
Noted as a brilliant lawyer with deep technical knowledge and a practical focus (2020)
- French, English, Arabic