People

Guillaume A
Hess

Senior Associate

Abu Dhabi: +971 2 596 7005
ghess@kslaw.com

Guillaume Hess is a member of our Trial & Global Disputes Practice Group, specializing in complex dispute resolution through arbitration, litigation and mediation. He has a particular expertise in representing public and private owners and international contractors in resolving disputes over the construction and the operation of major projects.

While Guillaume primarily focuses on construction disputes, he also has broad experience in general commercial disputes and in investment treaty disputes. He has handled a broad range of arbitration matters under the auspices of most of the major arbitration tribunal rules, including the ICC, LCIA, ICSID, DIFC-LCIA, ADCACC , DIAC, ADCCAC, SICAC and in DIFC Court.

Guillaume studied law both in France and in the State of New York, where he qualified. He has extensive experience in the Middle East and is comfortable working in either a common law environment or in a civil law environment.

Full Bio

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Credentials

LL.M., Cornell Law School

Masters in International Law, University of Paris II, Pantheon-Assas, France, Valedictorian

Maîtrise en droit privé, University of Lille 2, honors

Certificat de Langues Etrangères Appliquées au Droit, University of Lille 2, mention bien

Lincense de Droit, University of Lille 2, mention bien

Dubai International Financial Centre Courts

New York

English

French

Spanish

"Notable Associate"

Legal 500

Recognition

"Notable Associate"

Legal 500

News

Cases & Deals

April 8, 2020
King & Spalding Secures Injunction in English High Court Preventing Expert from Acting in Arbitration

In the News · Source: Commercial Dispute Resolution

October 1, 2019
James Berger, Charlene Sun, Sarah Walker, Ben Williams, Adrian Cole and Guillaume Hess's client alert is referenced in an article highlighting a recent ruling

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Matters

Advising a consortium on issues of force majeure related to the consequence of COVID-19 with respect to the multi-utility Red Sea Utility PPP project in Saudi Arabia

Advising the Masdar/EDF consortium on the 400 MW Dumat Al Jandal Wind IPP PPP project on issues related to force majeure in connection with the consequences of COVID-19.

Technical and Construction Court in England (TCC) - Claimant's counsel successfully secures an injunction preventing an expert firm from acting in an arbitration proceeding (see client alert of 16 April 2020)

Matters

Advising a consortium on issues of force majeure related to the consequence of COVID-19 with respect to the multi-utility Red Sea Utility PPP project in Saudi Arabia

Advising the Masdar/EDF consortium on the 400 MW Dumat Al Jandal Wind IPP PPP project on issues related to force majeure in connection with the consequences of COVID-19.

ICC Arbitration - Respondent's counsel in three proceedings brought by a lump sum build and procure contractor on a petrochemical project is the KSA

LCIA Arbitration - Claimant's counsel in respect of claim for wrongful termination of a construction contract for the design and construction of a power plant in Iraq.

ICC Arbitration - Respondent’s litigation counsel for the construction of the world’s largest new build petrochemical plant in the KSA, with 26 integrated world scale manufacturing plants (that will produce more than 3 million tons of products per year); claims relating to EPC contract claims, defective design and performance and full range of commercial issues

DIFC Courts: Representing Nakheel PJSC in a dispute arising out of the sale and purchase of a large development on the Palm Jumeirah with a total value of AED 980 million.

DIFC Court: First chair for the enforcement of a judgment issued by the Commercial Court in the UK.

DIAC Arbitration: Representing a renowned local developer in a dispute involving the construction of a major reclaimed land project – claim value of approximately AED 3,3 billion.

ICSID Arbitration: Defending a Government in Eastern Europe in a dispute arising out of alleged breaches of international energy treaties.

Ad Hoc Arbitration (seated in the DIFC): Representing a Qatari semi-government company against a Norwegian company in a US$80 million dispute arising out of the management of a joint venture in the context of an offshore oil and gas investment venture.

ICC Arbitration: Representing the Qatari government in multiple disputes arising out of the construction of the US$15 billion project. This engagement includes project counsel services and serving as lead counsel in international arbitrations and ADR proceedings. The Government’s claim in the main arbitration was valued at approximately US$4 billion.

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