Marie-Claire Argac

Ms. Argac has significant experience representing States and state-owned entities in investor-State and international commercial arbitrations in the oil and gas, mining and renewable energy sectors. Ms. Argac has played a key role in defending the Republic of Kazakhstan in numerous recent and ongoing disputes, including Caratube International Oil Company LLP and Devincci Salah Hourani v. Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as other oil and gas disputes concerning the Karachaganak Field, one of the world’s largest gas condensate fields, which was recently settled on very favorable terms for Kazakhstan. She is also part of the Curtis team representing Romania in a renewable energy case arising from recent regulatory changes in Europe. Ms. Argac is also a key player on the Curtis team defending the Republic of Congo in two commercial arbitrations and a new ICSID arbitration, with total amounts in dispute exceeding USD 25 billion.

A French, British and Turkish national, she is a native French and English speaker, and is dual-qualified in Paris and New York.

She published an article on “The Right to Raise New Arguments on Jurisdiction in Annulment Proceedings” in the ICC Dispute Resolution Bulletin (2021) with partner Simon Batifort.

In addition, she co-teaches a course on international investment law at French University Paris Cité. She regularly intervenes as speaker on panels discussing investment arbitration, including on matters relating to ISDS reform, abusive claims, and defending States in investment arbitration.