Associate

Hugo Varenne

International Arbitration

Paris +33 1 53 53 88 25

hvarenne@mayerbrown.com

Overview

Hugo Varenne represents clients in commercial and investment arbitrations arising from different economic sectors and industries, with a focus on mining, energy, pharmaceuticals, and ESG.

Hugo regularly acts as counsel in international arbitration proceedings governed by ICSID, PCA, ICC, LCIA, UNCITRAL and SCC rules.

Prior to joining Mayer Brown Hugo worked at a top-tier international arbitration group in Paris and London.

In addition to his native English and French, Hugo speaks Spanish.

Experience

A leading North-American pension fund in a post-M&A ICC arbitration relating to a portfolio of renewable energy projects in Mexico*
A leading Latin American pharmaceutical business in an ICC arbitration seated in London, governed by English law and Colombian law, in a dispute related to a distribution agreement*
The Republic of Colombia in two ICSID arbitrations under the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement relating to the adoption of certain regulatory measures in the gold mining sector intended to protect páramo (moorland) ecosystems; one of the arbitrations concluded with a total victory for Colombia, the second is pending*
Three Mexican companies in an ICC arbitration against the EPC contractor and asset manager of their renewable energy-producing facilities; the three Mexican companies won c. $100m in damages*

The Republic of Colombia in an ICSID arbitration against Aris Gold under the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement; the dispute relates to Colombia’s alleged failure to evict illegal miners in a gold mining concern located in the northwest of Colombia, and a host State’s obligation to guarantee full protection and security to a foreign investor*
The Republic of Colombia in an ICSID arbitration against South32 under the UK-Colombia bilateral investment treaty; the dispute relates to royalty payments arising out of the exploitation of one of the world’s largest open-pit ferro-nickel mines*
The State of Ukraine in an SCC arbitration in which the claimants claimed more than US$6 billion for alleged breaches of the ECT; the tribunal unanimously dismissed the case, which was the largest ever brought against Ukraine, for lack of jurisdiction*
A technology company in an ICC arbitration against a key supplier concerning a tortious conspiracy and the non-conformity of products with contractual specification; the technology company won a significant award of damages*
A national oil company in a range of complex PSC, JOA, and supply disputes valued in the multiple billions of dollars*
A Swiss financial holding company in relation to an expropriation claim against a Western African State*

* Experience gained prior to joining Mayer Brown.

Related Services & Industries

Services

Industries

Education

BPP University Law School, Legal Practice Course
BPP University Law School, Graduate Diploma in Law
McGill University, BA - Honours Philosophy, Minor in Economics

Admissions

Paris
England and Wales

Languages

French
English
Spanish

Professional & Community Involvement

Member of the ICC Young Arbitrators and ADR Forum (YAAF)
Member of the Young and International (Y&I) group of the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR)
Hugo regularly writes for leading arbitration publications and has moderated panels at arbitration events