Anne Véronique Schlaepfer
Anne Véronique Schlaepfer
Anne Véronique is praised for being incredibly smart, very efficient and very responsive and another source describes her as absolutely tenacious and she is very good at managing the process and understanding the big picture to achieve the results the client wants.
Biography
In 2015 Anne Véronique founded the White & Case arbitration practice in Switzerland, which she has been leading ever since.
Before joining White & Case, she was a partner at a leading Swiss law firm (2002-2015), where she co-chaired the arbitration department for several years.
Counsel in arbitration proceedings
Anne Véronique has acted as counsel in more than 150 arbitration proceedings (see list attached). She is rated as one of the ten most influential arbitration counsel in Switzerland. Her expertise, experience and sense of strategy is widely recognized.
In particular, she has very broad experience in construction arbitration, having represented parties in disputes relating to major projects around the globe (for example in the EU, UK, South America, Australia, Middle East), such as refineries, petrochemical plants, biomass and infrastructure projects.
As lead counsel, she has managed cross-border teams of lawyers and experts and parallel proceedings before arbitral tribunals and state courts (notably relating to IP aspects of construction disputes). Among others, she obtained the dismissal of hundreds of million dollar claims against EPC contractors for alleged delays and defects.
Anne Véronique also has broad experience in disputes relating to the mining industry, notably among joint venture partners, relating inter alia to the management of the joint venture, the determination of reserves and the calculation of royalties and profit shares.
In addition, Anne Véronique has represented energy companies in various disputes (for instance gas price disputes). She has also published in this field, notably on the particularities of price determination in the gas sector and on the impact of res judicata on long term energy contracts.
More broadly, Anne Véronique has represented companies active in the pharmaceutical field, in the nuclear industry and in the delivery of inspection, testing and certification.
She has also represented parties before Swiss Courts, including the Swiss Federal Tribunal in annulment proceedings, and gives legal opinion on Swiss law (particularly Swiss arbitration law).
Arbitrator
Anne Véronique regularly sits as arbitrator in various types of disputes (construction, post M&A, pharmaceutical etc.) under the auspices of different institutions (ICC, Swiss Rules, LCIA, SCC, DIAC, CAM-CM etc.).
She is listed on the panel of arbitrators of the British Virgin Islands International Arbitration Centre.
Development of international arbitration; role in arbitral institutions and organisations
Anne Véronique is engaged in the development of arbitration. She was involved in the revision of the Swiss Rules and the ICC Rules and participated in the development of soft law in the field of arbitration.
She was one of the experts consulted by the Swiss Parliament for the revision of Chapter 12 of the Private International Law Act (parliamentary session of May 2019, Comité des affaires juridiques du Conseil National)
Anne Véronique is active in various arbitration institutions and associations:
- Delegate of the Arbitration & ADR Committee of the ICC Switzerland (current) and member of the Nomination Commission of the ICC National Committee in Switzerland (current)
- Member of the ICC Executive Board (2016-2022)
- Vice-President of the ICC Court (2015-2021)
- Co-Chair of the Arbitration Committee of the IBA (2015-2016)
- President of the Arbitration Court administering Swiss Rules arbitrations (2010-2013)
- Member of the LCIA Court (2015-2018)
- Member of inter alia ASA, ICCA, London International Arbitration Club.
Experience
Construction/infrastructure cases
- Representation of the EPC contractor in a dispute against the owner relating to the construction of a refinery in the EU (ICC arbitration). This dispute related to delays and raised various issues notably regarding the application of limitations of liability. More than EUR 300 million in dispute.
- Representation of the EPC contractor in a dispute against the owner relating to the construction of a nitric acid plant in Australia (mediation, followed by ICC arbitration). This dispute related to delays and defects; it raised various issues relating to design, confidential information, condition precedent, limitation of liability, res judicata. More than USD 250 million in dispute.
- Representation of the EPCm contractor in a dispute against the owner relating to the construction of a refinery in the EU (ICC arbitration). This dispute related to delays and change of design. More than EUR 200 million in dispute.
- Representation of the EPC contractor in ICC arbitration relating to the construction of a biomass plant in the UK. This matter is currently pending. More than GBP 200 million in dispute.
- Representation of the EPC contractor in a dispute against a sub-contractor in a dispute relating to the construction of a nitric acid plant in Australia. This dispute related to the termination of a subcontract. It raised issues of delays and disruption, repudiation, quantum meruit determination of damages. More than USD 100 million in dispute.
- Representation of the EPC contractor in a dispute against a sub-contractor in a dispute relating to the construction of a nitric acid plant in Norway. This dispute related to the termination of a subcontract. It raises issues relating to delays and disruption, as well as the application of a clause limiting liability. More than EUR 50 million in dispute.
- Representation of the leader of a consortium formed for the purpose of carrying out a large infrastructure project in Turkey against the other members of the consortium. This dispute notably raises issues of damage calculation and foreseeability, as well as issues of consent and ratification of contractual documents.
Energy cases
- Representation of the buyer in a gas price dispute between two major European players (UNCITRAL arbitration). This matter raised various issues of interaction between contracts and relating to the res judicata effect of previous awards. EUR 1 billion in dispute.
- Representation of the seller in a dispute relating to the design and supply of wind turbines. More than USD 100 million in dispute. This dispute notably involved issues of damage calculation and a tribunal's power to reduce lumpsum damages.
- Representation of the buyer in a gas price dispute between two major European players (SCC arbitration). This matter raised, inter alia, issues relating to the application of a clause of hardship.
Mining cases
- Representation of companies specialised in the mining industry in several ICC arbitration proceedings relating to the development and exploitation of mines in Africa. These disputes raised issues of contractual interpretation and performance of cooperation agreements.
- Advice to an investor, party to a joint venture, the purpose of which is the exploitation of mines in Africa in the re-negotiation of certain aspects of the parties' contractual framework.
Pharma cases
- Representation of the inventor of a specific treatment in a dispute relating to a licence and know-how agreement. This dispute involved inter alia issues of know-how determination, competition law, entitlement to royalties. Amount in dispute over USD 200 million.
- Representation of the developer of a specific treatment in a dispute relating to a joint venture agreement. Amount in dispute over USD 100 million.
Select additional cases
- Representation in several arbitration proceedings (essentially ICC arbitrations) of an inspection company relating to the performance of inspection contracts and collateral management agreement.
- Advice and representation of the seller in ICC proceedings in post-merger disputes.
- Representation of an Algerian Company in a dispute relating to the design and supply of a production line in the textile industry. This matter raised issues relating to warranty claims.
"Thought Leaders - Arbitration"
Ranked, Chambers Europe 2010-2025, Band 1, Arbitration (International) and Arbitration Counsel (Switzerland):
"Anne Véronique Schlaepfer very much has a big-picture understanding of disputes."
"Anne Véronique Schlaepfer is very smart, experienced and immersed in the Swiss market. She is a pleasure to work with and is responsive and down to earth."
"Anne Véronique Schlaepfer is honest and to the point, which I appreciate. She is good in terms of getting to the bottom line and what it is we are trying to accomplish."
Lexology Index, 2019-2025
Chambers Global 2023 – 3 years ranked
"Anne Véronique moves into the top band of Arbitration Counsel this year following impressive work representing international clients in ICC construction arbitrations. She also assists clients with joint venture and contractual disputes and is particularly popular with clients from the energy and transportation sectors."
Arbitration Counsel in Switzerland - Chambers Global 2023
"Anne Véronique is a brilliant lawyer".
Global Leader – Arbitration 2023
"She has an excellent understanding of how to present complex matters, such as in construction disputes"
Global Leader – Arbitration 2023
"The best arbitrator for construction arbitration"
Global Leader – Arbitration 2023
"She is almost omniscient!"
Global Leader – Arbitration 2023
"Leading individuals"
The Legal 500 EMEA 2022
"Anne Véronique Schlaepfer, main partner and mentor of the team is a force of nature. She breathes law and strategic thinking."
Testimonials - The Legal 500 EMEA 2022
"White & Case had certain partners carrying a big hearings load (six in particular – one of the busiest was Anne Véronique Schlaepfer)."
Global Arbitration Review methodology relating to the determination of the GAR awards in March 2022
Under the leadership of "superb lawyer" Anne Véronique Schlaepfer, White & Case S.A. "really goes the extra mile for clients" and has extensive knowledge of construction disputes and arbitrations relating to the energy, shipping and transportation sectors.
Dispute Resolution: Arbitration, Legal 500 2022
Named, 36 White & Case Partners Named Among Best Women in Business Law, Women in Business Law Guide, 10th edition, Legal Media Group, 2020
Chambers Global and Europe
Anne Véronique is praised for being "incredibly smart, very efficient and very responsive" and another source describes her as "absolutely tenacious" and "she is very good at managing the process and understanding the big picture to achieve the results the client wants".
Anne Véronique's recent speaking engagements include:
"Conference Towards the New French Arbitration Law: A Code", Paris Arbitration Week, 8 April 2025 (Paris).
"What is the impact, if any, of geopolitical crises on the way in which international arbitrators adjudicate disputes?", 40th ICC SIA QMUL Annual Joint Symposium of Arbitrators, 27 March 2025 (Paris).
"Oral versus written advocacy: counsel and tribunal perspectives", 13th ICC MENA Conference on International Arbitration, 10 February 2025 (Abu Dhabi).
"Arbitrating in the MENA region: Dos and Don'ts", Dubai Arbitration Week 2024, 11 November 2024 (Dubai).
"Good faith: the elephant in the room", GAR Live: Civil Law Summit conference, 9 October 2024 (Madrid).
"The IBA Guidelines on Party Representation in International Arbitration", Special session of the IBA Arbitration Committee, 13 March 2024 (Geneva).
"How the arbitral process affects the availability and effectiveness of monetary and non-monetary relief", 35th Annual ITA Workshop and Annual Meeting, 15 June 2023 (Texas).
"Introduction à l'arbitrage", Association des Etudiant-e-s en Droit de l'Université de Genève, 25 April 2023 (Geneva).
"The Arbitration Act 1996: no kind of fault nor flaws? Three problems on jurisdiction and the applicable law of the arbitration", Brick Court Chambers Commercial Law Conference 13 October 2022 (London).
"Les conseils et utilisateurs de l'arbitrage en France et en Suisse : demandes, attentes et déceptions", ASA/AFA, ODAGE and Barreau de Paris Conference, 7 October 2022 (Geneva).
"Oral Argument – what is it, why do it and what can go wrong?", 34th Annual ITA Workshop and Annual Meeting, 16 June 2022 (Texas).
"Arbitrage multipartite : les nouveautés en matière de jonctions d'arbitrage et d'intervention de parties additionnelles", ASA and SAC Conference, 14 June 2022 (Webinar).
"Timebars in construction contracts : Civil Law / Common Law comparison", AFDCI International Chapter, Paris Arbitration Week, 1 April 2022 (Webinar).
"What the rules don't tell you - A Series of Practical Webinars Probing Arbitral Institutions Part II: Swiss Chambers' Arbitration Institution (SCAI)", ABA conference, 16 February 2021 (Webinar).
"Nouveau règlement ICC : Êtes-vous prêts?", ICC France, 16 December 2020 (Webinar).
"Arbitration and human rights", IBA 2020 - Virtually Together Conference, 5 November 2020 (Webinar).
"Covid-19 related claims", The Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic - 10th Annual Investment Treaty Arbitration Conference, 1 October 2020 (Prague).
"Arbitrage et déontologie", ASA Groupe genevois, 28 November 2019 (Genève).
"What happens when parties from different cultures bring different expectations and practices to a cross-border proceeding?", College of Commercial Arbitrators Annual Conference, 4 October 2019 (San Francisco).
"Enforcement, Setting Aside And Related Treaty Claims: A View From Europe", ICC Conference on Arbitration & ADR, 10 May 2019 (Geneva).
"Compliance na Arbitragem Comercial Internacional: Violação de deveres de compliance como causa da disputa arbitral", XV Conferência International De Arbitragem Do Rio De Janeiro, 7 May 2019 (Rio De Janeiro).
"L'autre Europe de l'Arbitrage: La prise en compte des droits de l'homme dans l'arbitrage", PAW Annual Conference – Etat de l'Arbitrage en Europe, 2 April 2019 (Paris).
"The GAR Live: Question Time for arbitrators", 5th Annual GAR Live Paris conference, 29 November 2017 (Paris).
"Abuse of Process and International Arbitration: In what circumstance has abuse of process been invoked in international arbitration?", 32nd Annual ICC SIA QMC Joint Symposium of Arbitrators, 7 March 2017 (Paris).
"Arbitration and Rules of Law in times of change in Latin America: Welcoming Remarks and roundtable on Powers of arbitrators", ICC event with the support of the IBA Arbitration Committee, 23 August 2016 (Sao Paulo).
"Evidence in Arbitration", focusing in particular on the topic of "Expert evidence in international arbitration", IX Congress Commercial Arbitration Center, Portuguese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 2-3 July 2015 (Lisbon).
"Costs in International Arbitration", conference co-chair and held the closing remarks at the end of the conference, conference presented by the IBA Arbitration Committee, supported by the IBA European Regional Forum, 18-19 June 2015 (Munich).
"Subconscious Influences in International Arbitration", focusing in particular on the topic of "Oral advocacy, subconscious influences, and differing cultural expectations", 27th Annual ITA Workshop, 17-19 June 2015 (Dallas).
"The evolution of arbitration in the last decade", focusing in particular on the topic of "Conflicts of interest in international arbitration", 10th International Conference of the Club Español del Arbitraje, 8-10 June 2015 (Madrid).
"Expert Witnesses", focusing in particular on the questions of "What makes an effective party-appointed expert?" and "To what extent should the Tribunal invite the parties to present expert witness testimony in a certain way, e.g. in the form of a joint report or reports/schedules of material agreements and material disagreements?", 11th Annual Leading Arbitrators' Symposium, Juris Conferences LLC on the "Conduct of International Arbitration", 30 March 2015 (Vienna).
"A retrospective and a forecast of the future of investment arbitration", member of the Organising Committee and held the closing remarks at the end of the conference, 18th Annual IBA International Arbitration Day / ICSID's 50th Anniversary, 26-27 February 2015 (Washington DC).
"New Developments in International Commercial Arbitration 2014. Adaptation of Contracts by Arbitrators: the Example of Gas Price Revision Disputes", CEMAJ (French acronym for Research Center on Alternative and Judicial Dispute Resolution Methods), an interest Center of the University of Neuchâtel Faculty of Law, 14 November 2014 (Neuchâtel).
"New challenges in arbitration in the Asia Pacific region: Harmonising arbitration laws in the Asia Pacific region", session co-chaired at the IBA Annual Conference, 23 October 2014 (Tokyo).
"Are we getting value?", addressing in particular the issue of arbitrators' fees and what is expected from them, GAR Live, 7 May 2014 (London).
"A Plea for Precision: The Burden of Proof in International Arbitration", ICCA Congress 2014 "Legitimacy: Myths, Challenges, Realities", 7 April 2014 (Miami).
IBA Guidelines on Party Representation in International Arbitration, Swiss Arbitration Association (ASA Group Zurich), 5 November 2013 (Zurich).
Recognition and enforcement of awards, session co-chaired at the IBA Annual Conference, 11 October 2013 (Boston).
Courts and International Commercial Arbitration: Is the United States Becoming an Outlier?, addressing in particular the topic of: "The Interrelationship between Courts and International Arbitration in Leading Arbitral Jurisdictions", Symposium held at the George Washington University Law School, 26 September 2013 (Washington DC).
"Pour plus d'efficacité et de flexibilité en arbitrage : l'exemple du règlement suisse d'arbitrage international ("swiss rules")", addressing in particular the topics of: emergency arbitrator, preliminary measures and expedited procedure, Conference organized by the French "commission arbitrage international", 9 July 2013 (Paris).
"Conduct of International Arbitration: challenging arbitrators and preparing witnesses", 9th Annual Leading Arbitrators' Symposium, Juris Conferences LLC, 25 March 2013 (Vienna).
"Swiss Rules of International Arbitration and Commercial Mediation: a strong support to efficient commodity trading", Alternative Dispute Resolution for Commodity Trading Shipping and Finance (ACT) Conference, Geneva Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services (CCIG), 26 February 2013 (Geneva).
Anne Véronique regularly publishes on international arbitration. A list of a selection of her publications is below.
"Construction of renewable energy facilities: current challenges", in: J William Rowley KC, Doak Bishop and Gordon E Kaiser (eds.), GAR's Guide to Energy Arbitrations, 6th edition 2025.
"Drafting Arbitration clauses in M&A Agreements", Amy C. Kläsener (ed.) GAR's The Guide to The M&A Arbitration, 5th edition 2024, pp. 10-19.
"Les applications du précédent en arbitrage international : le précédent dans le cadre de la même affaire ou d'affaires liées (aspects substantiels)", Charles Jarrosson & Claire Debourg (ed.), Revue de l'arbitrage, Vol. 2023, Issue 1, pp. 21-36.
"Energy Disputes – Switzerland", in: Holly Stebbing and India Furse (eds.), Lexology, Getting The Deal Through, 2023, pp.110-130 (co-authored with Alexandre Mazuranic).
"Does the collection of information about arbitrators impede arbitral appointments?", in: Leadership, Legitimacy, Legacy: A Tribute to Alexis Mourre, 2022, pp. 231-236.
"Drafting Arbitration clauses in M&A Agreements", Amy C. Kläsener (ed.) GAR's The Guide to M&A Arbitration, 4th edition 2022, pp. 9-19 (co-authored with Alexandre Mazuranic).
"Direct and Re-Direct Examination", in: Stephen Jagusch QC, Philippe Pinsolle and Alexander G Leventhal (eds.), GAR's The Guide to Advocacy, Law Business Research Ltd, 5th edition 2021, pp.70-84 (co-authored with Vanessa Alarcón Duvanel).
"Striking the Right Balance: The Roles of Arbitral Institutions, Parties and Tribunals in Achieving Efficiency in International Arbitration", in: Bahrain Chamber for Dispute Resolution, International Arbitration Review, Vol. 2, no. 2, December 2015, Kluwer Law International, pp. 329-341 (co-authored with Marily Paralika).
The Burden of Proof in International Arbitration, in: A.J. van den Berg, ed., Legitimacy: Myths, Realities, Challenges, ICCA Congress Series no. 18, Kluwer Law International, 2015, pp. 127-133.
"Adaptation of Contracts by Arbitrators: the Example of Gas Price Revision Disputes", in: Müller/Rigozzi/Besson (eds.), New Developments in International Commercial Arbitration 2014, Schulthess Juristische Medien AG, 2014, pp. 105-119.
"Offers in International Arbitrations and their Impact on the Allocation of Costs: A Focus on Sealed and Final Offers", in: Arbitration: The International Journal of Arbitration, Mediation and Dispute Management, Volume 80, Issue 4, 2014, pp. 405-412, co-authored with Alexandre Mazuranic.
"Jurisdiction and admissibility: a subtle distinction, not always easy to make in international arbitration", in: Les Cahiers de l'Arbitrage = The Paris Journal of International Arbitration, Issue 2, 2013, pp. 327-336.
"La motivación de los laudos en arbitraje comercial internacional y en arbitraje de inversion", in: Liber Amicorum in honour of Yves Derains & Bernardo Cremades, Instituto Peruano de Arbitraje, 2013, pp. 1411-1435 (co-authored with Anne-Carole Cremades).
"The Role of the Institution at the Commencement of the Proceedings", in: P. Habegger et al. (eds.), Arbitral Institutions under Scrutiny, ASA Special Series No. 40, Huntington, N.Y.: Juris, 2013, pp. 55-63.
"Institutional versus Ad Hoc Arbitration", in: Geisinger/Voser/Petti (eds.), International Arbitration in Switzerland: A Handbook for Practitioners, 2nd ed., The Hague: Kluwer Law International, 2013, pp. 13-24 (co-authored with Angelina M. Petti).
"The Revised Swiss Rules of International Arbitration", in: Revista de Arbitragem e Mediação. São Paulo: Editora Revista dos Tribunais (ed.), vol. 9, n. 35, October-December 2012, pp. 215-224 (co-authored with Philippe Bartsch).
"Swiss Supreme Court: arbitral tribunal competent to make new award after original award annulled", in: PLC Arbitration, July 2012 (co-authored with Philippe Bärtsch).
