November 2024

Panel discussion on Secondary Sanctions and the International Legal Order


The Cambridge Handbook on Secondary Sanctions and International Law
Event link
June 2024

GAR quotes Mercédeh Azeredo da Silveira on the 14th package of EU sanctions against Russia, including the EU’s effort to “neutralize” counter-measures taken by Russia


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January 2024

Dr. Mercédeh Azeredo da Silveira speaks on sanctions and arbitration at an event of the ASA Local Group Zurich


August 2023

Dr. Mercédeh Azeredo da Silveira co-authors a Note on investment claims against Russia and economic sanctions, published in the ICSID Review – Foreign Investment Law Journal

AZHA Avocats is pleased to share the publication of a Note by Dr Mercedeh Azeredo da Silveira and Dr. Yulia Levashova MCIArb on investment claims against Russia and economic sanctions, in the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) Review – Foreign Investment Law Journal.


ICSID Review - Foreign Investment Law Journal
July 2023

AZHA Avocats contributes to the 2023 edition of the Global Arbitration Review Guide on Commercial Arbitration

Dr Mercedeh Azeredo da Silveira and Stephan den Hartog contribute to the 2023 edition of the Global Arbitration Review Guide on Commercial Arbitration. The authors answer 51 questions on the key features of commercial arbitration proceedings in Switzerland.


GAR Know-how Commercial Arbitration - Switzerland
May 2023

Stephan den Hartog authors a Lexis Nexis Case Analysis on a recent decision of the Dutch Supreme Court

AZHA Avocats is pleased to share the recent publication of a Lexis Nexis Case Analysis on the question whether, pursuant to Article 1065 of the Dutch Code of Civil Procedure, a decision by which an arbitral tribunal considers itself incompetent on the basis of the absence of a valid arbitration agreement can be set aside. The Dutch Supreme Court, in its decision of 21 April 2023, answered this question negatively.


Lexis Nexis Case Analysis - Dutch Supreme Court confirms - awards denying jurisdiction cannot be challenged (Plaintiffs v Venezuela)
November 2022

Mercédeh Azeredo da Silveira and Stephan den Hartog discuss the potential ramifications of a blanket ban on legal advisory services

On 1 November 2022, the Kluwer Arbitration Blog published the latest post on sanctions authored by Mercédeh Azeredo da Silveira and Stephan den Hartog, in which they discuss the EU’s eighth package of sanctions against Russia and the potential implications of a blanket ban on legal advisory services.


The EU’s Eighth Package of Sanctions Against Russia and the Potential Ramifications of a Blanket Ban on Legal Advisory Services, Kluwer Arbitration Blog (1 November 2022)
October 2022

Stephan den Hartog speaks on sanctions and international arbitration at the AIJA International Arbitration Annual Conference in Berlin

Partner Stephan den Hartog joined a panel discussion that addressed the impact of sanctions on international arbitration during the International Arbitration Annual Conference, organised by the Association Internationale des Jeunes Avocats (AIJA) and held on 7 and 8 October 2022 in Berlin.


AIJA International Arbitration Annual Conference - Information
September 2022

Mercédeh Azeredo da Silveira speaks at the ASA Conference on Sanctions and their Impact on International Arbitration on 16 September 2022

Partner Dr Mercédeh Azeredo da Silveira speaks at the ASA Conference on Sanctions and their Impact on International Arbitration, held on 16 September 2022 in Bern.


ASA Conference: Sanctions and Their Impact on International Arbitration - Information
Article GAR, Sleepless nights over sanctions (12 October 2022)
August 2022

Partners Mercédeh Azeredo da Silveira and Stephan den Hartog discuss the impact of the EU’s latest package of sanctions on the right of publicly-owned Russian entities to access arbitration

In the latest Kluwer Arbitration Blog post on sanctions against Russia, Mercédeh Azeredo da Silveira and Stephan den Hartog discuss the implications of the EU’s important clarification, in its seventh package of sanctions, on the right of publicly-owned and -controlled entities to access to arbitration.


The EU’s Clarification on Access to Arbitration in its Seventh Package of Sanctions Against Russia: Trivial or Consequential?, Kluwer Arbitration Blog (16 August 2022)
July 2022

Partner Mercédeh Azeredo da Silveira is quoted by GAR on the 7th package of EU sanctions against Russia


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July 2022

Mercedeh Azeredo da Silveira addresses the impact of sanctions against Russia on contracts at a conference hosted by the University of Luxembourg

On 4 July 2022, Partner Mercedeh Azeredo da Silveira addressed the impact of sanctions against Russia on contracts at a conference hosted by the Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance of the University of Luxembourg.


Event website
June 2022

Mercédeh Azeredo da Silveira speaks on the implications of santions against Russia

On 14 June 2022, Mercedeh Azeredo da Silveira addressed the effects of economic sanctions, and in particular the current sanctions against Russia, on commercial contracts during a webinar organized by the Ordre des avocats de Genève.


Event website
June 2022

Mercédeh Azeredo da Silveira admitted to the List of Arbitrators of the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC)

Mercédeh Azeredo da Silveira is now on the List of Arbitrators of the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC). Earlier this year, she was also included in the Panels of Arbitrators of the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration (SCIA) and of the South China International Arbitration Center (Hong Kong) (SCIAHK).


May 2022

Investment Claims Against Russia in the Economic Sanctions Era

The Russian government has adopted a series of retaliatory measures in response to economic sanctions imposed against the Russian Federation since the invasion of Ukraine. Foreign investors that are affected by these retaliatory measures might be able to seek compensation through investor-state dispute settlement proceedings.

Together with Yulia Levashova, Mercédeh Azeredo da Silveira examines in the Kluwer Arbitration Blog the challenges that may be faced by foreign investors in this context, in particular as regards the enforcement of awards against the Russian Federation in today’s economic sanctions landscape.


Investment Claims Against Russia in the Economic Sanctions Era, Kluwer Arbitration Blog (31 May 2022)
March 2022

Mercedeh Azeredo da Silveira authors a case comment for Jus Mundi

Mercedeh Azeredo da Silveira comments on the Paris Court of Appeal decision in the "DNO Yemen AS and others v. The Ministry of Oil and Minerals of Yemen and others" case. This Jus Mundi case comment sheds light on the scope of review of the annulment judge, the notion and scope of French international public policy, and the post-award potential impact of economic sanctions.


DNO and others v. Ministry of Oil and Minerals of Yemen and others - Judgment of the Paris Court of Appeal, 5 October 2021, Jus Mundi (March 2022)
March 2022

Amidst new waves of sanctions against Russia, Stephan den Hartog explores the challenges faced by arbitral institutions in the Kluwer Arbitration Blog

With no clear end to the deplorable and tragic conflict in Ukraine in sight, it seems likely that wide-ranging sanctions against Russia remain in place for the foreseeable future. Stephan den Hartog explores in the Kluwer Arbitration Blog the legal and practical issues that arbitral institutions and parties may face as a result of recently imposed EU and Swiss sanctions against Russia.


Challenges Faced by Arbitral Institutions Amidst New Waves of Sanctions Against Russia, Kluwer Arbitration Blog (23 March 2022)
December 2021

Partners Mercédeh Azeredo da Silveira and Stephan den Hartog contribute to the Kluwer Arbitration Blog

Mercédeh Azeredo da Silveira and Stephan den Hartog have authored a series of posts regarding the potential impact of economic sanctions on arbitral and financial institutions, published in the Kluwer Arbitration Blog.

The series addresses critical issues faced by such institutions as a result of restrictions on transfers of funds under primary and secondary sanctions programmes, including programmes against Iran and Russia, and offers guidance to avoid the obstruction of arbitration proceedings if sanctioned parties are involved.


Asset Freezes and the Payment of Advances on Costs: Are the Proceedings Bound to End Before They Have Even Begun?, Kluwer Arbitration Blog (19 October 2021)
US Secondary Sanctions Against Iran: Why Arbitral and Financial Institutions Should Be Cautious, Kluwer Arbitration Blog (11 November 2021)
US Secondary Sanctions Against Russia: Amidst Rising Tensions, Are Arbitral and Financial Institutions At Risk?, Kluwer Arbitration Blog (11 December 2021)
September 2021

Mercédeh Azeredo da Silveira is profiled by the GAR Arbitrator Research Tool

Mercédeh Azeredo da Silveira's growing practice as arbitrator is featured in the Arbitrator Research Tool of GAR.


Profile Mercédeh Azeredo da Silveira in the Arbitrator Research Tool of GAR
April 2021

Stephan den Hartog takes part in a virtual debate on procedural matters, organized by ICDR Young & International

On 15 April 2021, Stephan den Hartog joined a panel of experienced arbitration practitioners for a virtual debate on summary dispositions and document production, organized by ICDR Young & International. To view a recording of the debate, please follow the link below.


View recording
January 2021

Partner Mercédeh Azeredo da Silveira has been designated by the Government of the Swiss Confederation to serve on ICSID’s Panel of Conciliators, for a period of six years

Mercédeh, who has extensive experience as counsel in investment treaty disputes, is one of eight individuals designated by the Swiss Government to serve on ICSID’s Panel of Arbitrators and Conciliators. The Panel gathers accomplished arbitrators and conciliators who may be considered by parties when making appointments in ICSID cases.


October 2020

Katerina Daskalopoulou joins AZHA as a junior associate

Katerina is a graduate from the Geneva LL.M. in International Dispute Settlement (MIDS) and is admitted to the Greek Bar. She specializes in international arbitration.


September 2020

Dr Mercédeh Azeredo da Silveira is appointed as lecturer at Sciences Po Law School

Mercédeh joins Sciences Po Law School as a lecturer on Economic Sanctions and International Arbitration, in the Master in Economic Law program – Global Governance Studies.


January 2020

AZHA hosts a colloquium on economic sanctions and arbitration

AZHA hosts in Geneva, in partnership with the US firm Akrivis Law Group PLLC, a colloquium on economic sanctions and arbitration, in which leading experts Farhad Alavi, Maya Lester QC, Prof. Regis Bismuth and Dr Mercédeh Azeredo da Silveira express their views on current issues. The event attracts over 60 participants from Switzerland, France, the UK, Luxembourg, Belgium and Italy.


November 2019

Dr Mercédeh Azeredo da Silveira is quoted by GAR on economic sanctions in relation to the PetroVietnam arbitration


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October 2019

Dr Mercédeh Azeredo da Silveira speaks on issues related to economic sanctions at the 18 October 2019 GAR Live Event in Vienna

The Global Arbitration Review publishes an extensive report on the discussion, quoting Mercédeh.


Event website
Read the report
September 2019

Duo launch Geneva boutique

The launch of AZHA is prominently featured in the Global Arbitration Review.


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