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Ukrainian, Russian, English, Swedish
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EXPERTISE
For over two decades, Pavlo Byelousov has specialised in international arbitration and litigation, with a particular focus on investment, commercial, and energy-related disputes. He is regularly instructed to advise and represent clients in investment disputes and related settlement negotiations with states under bilateral investment treaties, the Energy Charter Treaty, and other international instruments.
He also represents and advises clients on commercial issues and regulatory framework in oil and gas, natural resources, conventional and renewable power generation projects.
As a practising advocate, Pavlo frequently appears before arbitral tribunals under a range of arbitration rules and represents clients in court proceedings, including before the Supreme Court. He has acted as arbitrator in over 70 international arbitrations in Ukraine and abroad, both as a party- and institution-appointed arbitrator and as chair. Also, Mr Byelousov has been engaged as a Ukrainian law expert for litigation, out-of-court and arbitral proceedings abroad, including Cyprus, Germany, Norway, Singapore, the UK.
Pavlo possesses unique expertise and and an impeccable track record in setting aside and enforcement of foreign judgments and awards proceedings in Ukraine and other jurisdictions.
EDUCATION
- Institute of International Relations, Kyiv International University, Law (Specialist) Degree (LLM-equivalent) in Private International Law (2004).
- Law Department, Kyiv International University, Master of Intellectual Property Law (2006).
- The Hague Academy of International Law, the Hague (the Netherlands), Course on Private International Law (2016).
- British Law Center, Diploma (Merits) in English Law and Legal Skills (2024)
EXPERIENCE
Arbitration
- representing the Ukrainian largest oil and gas company, Naftogaz, and its subsidiaries in an investment treaty arbitration under UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules in a dispute against the Russian Federation over the expropriated assets in Crimea
- representing a leading Ukrainian electricity company in an investment treaty arbitration under UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules in a dispute with the Russian Federation arising from the expropriation of the investor’s assets in Crimea
- representing the client in an “ad hoc” arbitration under the 1976 UNICITRAL Arbitration Rules against Eastern European State involving the state’s breach of the obligations under the Energy Charter Treaty
- representing one of the leading European entertainment industry holdings in an investment treaty arbitration under UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules in a dispute with Ukraine
- advising and representing a tobacco company in the pre-arbitration settlement negotiations with the state in an investment dispute over the sanctions imposed by the antimonopoly authorities in Ukraine
- representing Ukrainian and Singaporean subsidiaries of the largest Asian integrated agro-industrial group in parallel arbitral proceedings before the ICAC Ukraine, initiated by the clients, and the International Commercial Arbitration Court at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation (MKAS Russia), initiated by a Russian company to the complex disputes involving over USD 70 million
- acting as a Ukrainian law counsel for Naftogaz in SCC Arbitrations in gas pricing disputes involving over USD 75 billion and SCC Arbitration in a gas transit dispute with Gazprom involving over USD 16 billion. As the overall outcome, the gas sale contract was significantly amended in line with Naftogaz’s claims, and Gazprom was ordered to pay a net amount of USD 2.56 billion to Naftogaz
- representing a Ukrainian gas production company in SCC arbitration in a dispute regarding termination of a joint activity agreement in the Ukrainian oil and gas development area
- acting as a Ukrainian law counsel in SCC Arbitration in a tariff revision dispute under long-term gas transportation contract with a gas supplier
- representing one of the largest Ukrainian gas production company in LCIA against a UK based distributor regarding supply of a gas exploration equipment and damages incurred in the result of seller’s default
Litigation
- representing Ukrainian subsidiary of a major Turkish construction, mining and energy holding in a dispute, in commercial litigation arising out of а dispute with a Ukrainian state enterprise in charge of purchasing electricity from wind energy producers
- representing Forbes Media (USA) in proceedings on recognition and enforcement of an arbitral award on termination of the license agreement for the use of Forbes trademarks in Ukraine
- acting for a major European bank in a series of litigations initiated by Ukrainian depositors against the client in Ukrainian courts (up to the Supreme Court)
- advising and representing the receivers appointed by the London Commercial Court of English High Court of Justice for the worldwide assets of Mukhtar Ablyazov in multi-dollar fraud proceedings as well as the companies being under the receivers’ control in a series of court proceedings in Ukraine over the dissipated assets
- representing Norwegian bank before Ukrainian courts in the proceedings on recognition and enforcement of a USD 17 mln ad hoc arbitral award in Ukraine
- representing a Latvian bank in dozens of court proceedings before Ukrainian courts and state authorities on recovery from Ukrainian debtors over USD 14 million
ADMISSION / MEMBERSHIP
RECOGNITION
Pavlo has been repeatedly recommended and highly ranked for his work in international arbitration and litigation by reputable international and local legal rankings, such as Chambers Global / Europe, The GAR 100, Global Restructuring Review, Best Lawyers, The Legal 500, Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration and Commercial Litigation, Client Choice Awards, Top 100 Best Lawyers of Ukraine: Clients’ Choice, Ukrainian Law Firms 2009-2023. A Handbook for Foreign Clients, etc.
In 2018, Pavlo was awarded “The Best Lawyer in Arbitration” in Ukraine by the Legal Awards. In 2019 he was named as the exclusive winner of the Arbitration & ADR category for Ukraine by the Client Choice Awards. Best Lawyers 2017 – 2024 lists Pavlo Byelousov among the leading Ukrainian experts for Arbitration and Mediation, International Arbitration. In 2020 Pavlo received by the “Lawyer of the Year” award by The Best Lawyers in Ukraine for his work in International Arbitration. Pavlo was recognized by The Legal 500’s Arbitration Powerlist: CIS & Caucasus 2020 and inducted into the elite of the Leading Practitioners in Arbitration that are deemed the gold standard by the business.
In 2020 Pavlo received the “Lawyer of the Year” award by The Best Lawyers in Ukraine for his work in International Arbitration.
CITATIONS
“Partner Pavlo Byelousov is an incredibly hard worker and a master at work with fact witnesses”.
Legal500 2024 (Dispute Resolution)
“Pavlo Byelousov is bright and efficient lawyer oriented on results and always thinking out-of-box to exceed expectations. His approach is based on predicting adverse outcomes and preventing them.”
Legal500 2024 (Energy)
“Pavlo Byelousov is well regarded for handling high-impact international arbitration cases within the energy sector. His expertise includes commercial as well as investment arbitration”.
Chambers Global 2025 (Dispute Resolution: International)
“Pavlo Byelousov is a really smart arbitrator with a great standing. I would particularly rate his judgement and ability to anticipate what a client wants to hear.”
Chambers Global 2025 (Dispute Resolution: International respondent)
“Pavlo is very talented, mindful and knowledgeable”.
Chambers Global 2025 (Dispute Resolution: International respondent)
“Pavlo Byelousov gets directly at the root of the disputed issue not only from a legislative but also from a commercial perspective… [He is] “an accomplished cross-examiner of legal experts”.
Global Arbitration Review, GAR 100 2024
