Betaneli Arbitration

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A Paris-based, New York qualified independent arbitrator

Ketevan puts years of international arbitration experience at your service.

Ketevan has extensive experience in commercial and investment treaty arbitrations conducted under the major institutional arbitration rules, such as the ICC, SCC, HKIAC, GIAC, and ICSID rules, as well as in ad hoc arbitrations, including under the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules.

Over the past years, Ketevan has worked at top-tier international law firms (with leading international arbitration practices) in Paris and Tbilisi, and at the Ministry of Justice of Georgia, where she handled arbitration matters involving Georgia.

Just one highlight of Ketevan’s work includes forming part of a team that secured a USD 50 billion award for the majority shareholders of the former Yukos Oil Company, the largest investment award in history.

Ketevan is also a former ICC Court member for Georgia; a former Chairperson and member of GIAC Arbitration Council; and a current Board member of the Caspian Arbitration Society.

Dually qualified in New York and Georgia (Caucasian State), Ketevan conducts arbitrations in English, Russian and Georgian. She also speaks French and has notions of Spanish.

Ketevan has been actively contributing to the development of arbitration by sharing knowledge and know-how through different initiatives. This includes regularly speaking at conferences, teaching at a summer school, delivering client presentations, and publishing on a variety of topics related to arbitration and international law. Ketevan has also developed and led written and oral advocacy training courses involving over 100 arbitration lawyers worldwide.

Ketevan has been recognized as “Future leader” by Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration since 2019. 

Arbitration highlights

  • Sole Arbitrator in a dispute under the SCC Arbitration Rules seated in Stockholm. Final Award was rendered in November 2024.

  • Representing the majority shareholders in the former Yukos Oil Company, Claimants in a series of three UNCITRAL arbitrations in The Hague against the Russian Federation in relation to the expropriation of their investment in the company. The claims were brought under the Energy Charter Treaty. The Tribunal ordered the Russian Federation to pay over USD 50 billion in damages, the largest award ever rendered by an arbitral tribunal.

  • Representing the Republic of Lithuania as Respondent in an ICC arbitration initiated by OAO Gazprom. The dispute related to Gazprom’s investment in the Kaunas Heat and Power Plant (Kauno Termofikacijos Elektriné). The proceedings were brought under the 1999 Russia-Lithuania BIT. After Gazprom withdrew the claim, the Republic of Lithuania secured the reimbursement of the entirety of the arbitration costs and of the legal fees and expenses incurred in the proceedings.

  • Representing Viorel Micula et al in an ICSID arbitration brought under Sweden-Romania BIT against Romania, related to the Claimants’ business activities in Romania pertaining to the production and sale of alcoholic spirits in the country.

  • Representing three European chemical companies as Claimants in an ICC arbitration in Paris against the European subsidiaries of a large North American chemical concern. The dispute arose from the confidentiality provision contained in a joint venture agreement formed to manufacture a product used for the production of nylon. French law applied and the languages of the arbitration were both French and English. Settlement was achieved.

  • Representing a European company and its affiliate as Claimants in an arbitration in Hong Kong against an Asian company in the automotive industry, and its affiliate. The dispute arose from an agreement for the manufacture and distribution of automobiles in a CIS State. The arbitration was conducted under the UNCITRAL Rules and administered by the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC).

  • Representing Georgia as Respondent in an ICSID arbitration brought by Karmer Marble Tourism Construction Industry and Commerce LLC (ICSID Case No. ARB/08/19).

  • Representing Georgia as Respondent in an UNCITRAL (ad hoc) arbitration brought by Ina Gudavadze under the Georgian Foreign Investment Law, related to the alleged taking of a TV station and a park (in the hills of Tbilisi) without receiving compensation.

  • Advising a Georgian company in relation to a potential ICC arbitration concerning the purchase and installation of warehouse facilities in Georgia.

  • Representing a Ukrainian premier league basketball club as Respondent against a US professional basketball player and his sports agents in an arbitration under the FIBA Rules.

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