Clifford Chance
Marie Berard leads the London International Commercial Arbitration Group.
With over 20 years' experience, Marie acts as counsel for multinational corporations on a wide range of international arbitration proceedings pursuant to the major institutional rules (including LCIA, ICC) and ad-hoc arbitrations under UNCITRAL Rules.
Marie's work spans many economic sectors, with particular emphasis on the energy, oil & gas, construction and finance sectors.
Marie also sits as a sole arbitrator, panel member and chair. In May 2021, she was appointed a member of the LCIA Court for a term of 5 years. She is also the Vice President of the LCIA European Users' Council, a former member of the ICC UK Arbitration and ADR Committee, and ICC UK Selection Subcommittee. In July 2023, Marie was appointed as a Director of the LCIA Board and Vice President of the LCIA European Users' Council for a second term of 3 years.
Marie has been recommended by Who’s Who Legal Arbitration in its 2022 publication and featured in the 2019 Legal 500 International Arbitration Powerlist UK.
Marie regularly speaks on international arbitration at conferences and delivers guest lectures at Universities.
Private Equity
With over 700 private equity lawyers across our offices we support our clients throughout the world's major financial centres and emerging markets.
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- Representing a leading Nigerian oil company in anti-suit injunction proceedings in the English courts restraining USD 1 billion claim relating to an oil mining lease brought by its JV partner in the Nigerian courts in breach of arbitration
- Representing a global energy technology company in UNCITRAL Arbitration (London) in relation to contract and deceit claims under Saudi law brought by its Saudi partner relating to a JV for the manufacture of energy recovery generators
- Representing the world's largest shipbuilding company in an LMAA arbitration (London) regarding the termination of the construction of an accommodation vessel in Korea (English law)
- Representing a leading global banking consortium in LCIA (London) arbitration proceedings involving a USD 1.2 billion loan guarantee linked to a Russian company within a large Russian industrial conglomerate. Successfully navigated anti-suit measures in London to prevent parallel litigation in Moscow, safeguarding the integrity of the arbitration agreement
- Representing a lessor of an aircraft in in LCIA (London) arbitration proceedings involving claims against Russian lessee and UAE guarantor in relation to the loss of an aircraft detained in Russia since the country's invasion of Ukraine
- Representing a consortium of Chinese banks in LCIA (London) arbitration proceedings regarding a claim under a facility agreement against a borrower in connection with a real estate development in East London
- Representing a high net worth individual in a shareholder dispute with a Russian oligarch concerning a joint venture holding valuable real estate in Moscow in hard-fought LCIA London arbitration proceedings for unfair prejudice; successfully resisting English Court challenges against the arbitration award under s. 67 (jurisdiction) and s.68 (serious irregularity) of the 1996 Arbitration Act; and defeating a related claim in the English High Court claiming an interest in the JV and a share of assets
News and client work
Contact details
- Clifford Chance, London
- +442070062435
- Email me
- Follow me on LinkedIn
- Speaks English and French
- Practice area Litigation, dispute resolution & risk management
- Sector Banks, Energy & resources, Oil & gas
Career and qualifications
- Université de Paris I La Sorbonne (Maîtrise en Droit Privé) 1998
- King's College London (LLB) 1998
- Admitted as a solicitor in England & Wales 2002
- Joined Clifford Chance 2000
- Partner since 2012
Professional bodies
- LCIA Court Member
- Vice President of the LCIA European Users' Council
- City of London Law Society (CLLS) Arbitration Committee
- International Arbitration Institute
- Arbitral Women
- Former member of ICC UK Nominations Sub-Committee
Awards and citations
- “Marie Berard combines a rare mix of intelligence, strategic thinking and interpersonal qualities. She will fight tooth and nail for her clients. ”
Legal 500 2024 - “Marie lands arguments and evidence with force and conviction.” “Marie is particularly impressive in cross-examination
International Arbitration: UK Wide: Commercial Arbitration: Chambers UK 2024 - Marie Berard offers substantial expertise in commercial disputes. She has an impressive track record acting for clients across the financial services and telecoms sectors in LCIA arbitrations.
"She’s an outstanding team leader and someone you want on your side."
"Marie is very experienced and clients love her."
Chambers and Partners UK 2023 - International Arbitration: Commercial Arbitration - "Marie Berard is distinguished as “a superstar” and “a strong leader” renowned for her “great depth of experience” in international proceedings".
Who’s Who Legal Arbitration 2022 - Marie Berard offers substantial expertise in commercial disputes. She has an impressive track record acting for Russian clients across the financial services and telecoms sectors in LCIA arbitrations.
"She's very impressive and very good with clients." "She's an excellent lawyer. She is very commercial and very smart." "She's very calm under pressure."
Chambers & Partners 2021 International Arbitration - UK-wide - "Marie will make extremely well thought out and logical decisions. She is a leader, a fantastic decision maker and calm under severe pressure."
Chambers & Partners UK 2021
- "Marie Berard is super cool-headed and incredibly efficient. She regularly handles commercial arbitrations on behalf of energy and construction companies, among others".
International Arbitration: UK-wide: Commercial Arbitration: Chambers UK 2020
- "Marie Berard is an incredibly bright and very intellectual practitioner who stands out for her calm approach to complex international commercial arbitration disputes".
Who's Who Legal Arbitration 2019