Speaker details

Biography

For over twenty years, Olivier Caprasse (born 1972, Belgium) has been actively involved in arbitration as arbitrator, counsel and academic. He has seated as party-appointed arbitrator, chairman or sole arbitrator, in various part of the world under various set of rules. The type of cases he handles covers a wide array of matters and sectors. His experience as an arbitrator led him to apply the law of different laws or international rules. He has seated in commercial as well as investment arbitrations, acting as arbitrator in domestic and in international arbitrations under classic arbitral proceedings as well as under expedited procedures or as emergency arbitrator. After having worked for many years as Of Counsel in one of the most highly reputed law firm in international arbitration, Olivier Caprasse formed Caprasse Arbitration in 2017 with a view to, as arbitrator, reducing conflicts of interest as far as possible and, as counsel, working with maximum flexibility. Chambers 2017 described him as «very well reasoned, pragmatic and smart – he’s an excellent arbitrator, according to sources. He is particularly noted for his expertise in arbitrations related to insurance, joint ventures, contracts, and, post-M&A matters». Chambers 2018 notes that according to sources, he is «the ideal arbitrator» who «is internationally renowned» and «a great legal mind who is not afraid to take decisions». Who's Who Legal 2018 (as well as in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022) includes him in Thought Leaders-Arbitration and notes that according to sources he is a «Brilliant lawyer» who «deserves to be recognised as a leader in the field of arbitration» and declares that sources are impressed by his «intellect and sound judgement». Considered as « a renowned arbitrator with significant experience », sources also say that he «has great finesse, is very hard working and very intellectually honest » and «truly excellent, very efficient, with a very down-to-earth style and very friendly» (Chambers 2021) that «He is super fast, has an amazing capacity of analysis, is extremely efficient and is always available» (Chambers 2020) and «a first-class arbitrator» (Chambers 2022). He has been appointed «Lawyer of the Year in Arbitration and Mediation in Brussels 2021-2022» by Best Lawyers. Olivier is a member of the ICC Court, the ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR and has been one of the experts for Belgium in the UNCITRAL working group II on arbitration and conciliation. He served as expert to the Minister of Justice before the Belgian Parliament in the 2013 reform of Belgian arbitration law. Professor at the Universities of Liège (ULiege) and Brussels (ULB), he acted as Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Liège from 2008 to 2012. He is the author of more than 140 publications.