Karel Daele

Karel Daele specialises in international arbitration, focusing on both investor-state arbitration (ICSID, PCA, ad hoc) and commercial arbitration (LCIA, ICC, CEPINA, UNCITRAL). His broad expertise covers sectors such as oil and gas, mining, energy, public infrastructure works (water distribution, ports, border post operations), real estate and construction, technology and telecoms.

Since 2012, Karel has been consistently ranked in all the major legal directories including Chambers and Partners, Legal 500, GAR 100, Who's Who Commercial Arbitration and Expert Guides Commercial Arbitration. Most recently he was profiled on Who's Who legal 2022 as a global leader in international arbitration. He is dual qualified, trilingual and accepts appointments as arbitrator and adjudicator.

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Career

Since 2022	Partner, Taylor Wessing (London)
2012 - 2021	Partner, Head of International Arbitration, Mishcon de Reya LLP (London)
2006 - 2012	Partner, Mkono & Co Advocates (Tanzania)

2004 - 2004	Counsel, Wilmer Hale (Brussels)
2002 - 2004	Senior Associate, Freshfields (Brussels)
1996 - 2002	Trainee and associate, Stibbe (Brussels)

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Education

2016	Admitted as a solicitor, England and Wales
2009	Diploma International Arbitration, Queen Mary University (UK)
1999	Qualified as a solicitor, Brussels

1996	Admitted as a solicitor, Brussels
1996	LLM European Legal Studies, Exeter University (UK)
1995	Master degree law, Ghent University (Belgium)
1992	Bachelor degree law, University of Ghent (Belgium)

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Publications

'Challenge and Disqualification of Arbitrators in International Arbitration', Second Edition, Kluwer Law International, in preparation (2022)

'Investment Treaties and Investor-State Arbitration under the ICSID Convention', in L. Bosman, 'Arbitration in Africa: A Practitioner's Handbook' (2021)

'The Standard for Disqualifying Arbitrators Finally Settled and Lowered – Case Comment Saint Gobain v. Venezuela and Blue Bank v. Venezuela', 29(2) ICSID Review-Foreign Investment Law Journal (2014)

'Arbitrating and Mediating Disputes – Benchmarking arbitration and mediation regimes for commercial disputes related to foreign direct investment', World Bank 2013 Report (contributor)

‘Investment Arbitration Involving African States’, in L. Bosman, Arbitration in Africa: A Practitioner’s Guide (2013)

'Getting to grips with the EU's approach to BITs', 8(4) Global Arbitration Review (2013)

'The New EU Policy on Foreign Direct Investment', International Comparative Legal Guides Arbitration 2013

'All for a BIT of FDI', 4(3) CDR Commercial Dispute Resolution (2013)

'Challenge and Disqualification of Arbitrators in International Arbitration' (2012), Kluwer Law International

'Investment treaty arbitration: similar challenges, different outcome‘, Global Arbitration Review, 21 March 2012

Memberships & Associations

Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales, Solicitor of the Courts of Belgium, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Member, LCIA (London Court of International Arbitration, African Users' Council), ICCA (International Council for Commercial Arbitration), ICC (Commission on Arbitration and ADR), IBA (Internal Bar Association, Arbitration Subcommittee & Africa Regional Forum).

Additional languages

English

French

Dutch

German (basic)

Expertise

Services and Groups Disputes & investigations Environmental, social & governance (ESG)International arbitration Africa group

Experience

Emergency arbitrator football sponsorship rights	Acting as sole arbitrator in an ICC emergency arbitration between a sports brand and a professional football club.
Dispute over carried interests in Ugandan infrastructure project	Acting for the claimant in an UNCITRAL arbitration over carried interests and success fees.
Container terminal concession Belgium	Acting for the Kingdom of Belgium in treaty arbitration.

Mining assets North Macedonia	Acting for the claimant in treaty arbitration against Rep. North Macedonia.
Oil exploration St Lucia	Acting for the claimant in contract arbitration against St. Lucia.
Hotel and resort development Caribbean	Acting for hotel developer in dispute with a Caribbean State over investment obligations.

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Awards

Chambers and Partners UK 2023	International Arbitration (commercial arbitration) - Band 6: Karel Daele of Taylor Wessing has a broad practice, straddling both investor-state and commercial international arbitrations. He acts on behalf of claimants and respondents in disputes, often arising out of Africa. "Karel is a brilliant legal strategist with strong commercial sensibilities. He's also adept at handling complex international arbitration matters." "He has the ability to absorb all the specific information on the case and translate it into strong legal submissions."
Chambers and Partners UK 2023	Africa wide, dispute - Band 2: "Karel Daele is well versed in investor-state disputes and regularly acts for clients from the energy and mining sectors. He has expertise in ICSID, ICC, LCIA and PCA proceedings. He is based in London." "Karel Daele has a lot of Africa-related work."
Who's Who Legal 2022	International Arbitration - Recommended
Chambers Global 2022 - Africa wide disputes	"He's a heavyweight for sure. You've got some people who dedicate their life to Africa - Karel is one of them, he is devoted to it and is a busy guy." "He has a lot of experience and knows the market and its major players well."
Legal 500 2021	International arbitration: "The practice, which is headed up by Karel Daele, works across the banking and finance, telecoms, power, commodities, real estate and natural resources sectors, among others"
Chambers Global 2021	International arbitration: Commercial arbitration and investor-state arbitration: "He demonstrated an excellent understanding of the issues arising from litigation with African countries and was first class to work with"
Legal 500 2020	"Karel Daele has the ability to take complex matters and to present them in a simple and direct way. Great understanding for the business. Ability to lead case-strategy and case-management. Very efficient in the deliverables thus reducing on costs. Highly experienced in International Arbitration with both private and government entities’"
Legal 500 2019	Listed in the Private Practice Powerlist: Africa specialists
Chambers Global 2018	"London-based Karel Daele is widely renowned for his work in investor-state disputes, with notable experience in contentious matters concerning the infrastructure and energy sectors. His litigious prowess attracts praise from interviewees"
Chamber Global 2017	"Highly regarded for his experience in international arbitration matters, with particular aptitude in investor-state disputes in the energy and infrastructure sectors. Commentators acknowledge that he is a real "talent" and is doing "some big and important litigation" in this space"
Legal 500 UK 2016	"Karel Daele is superb'; 'fantastic to work with"

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