Manuel Tomas
Manuel Tomas, attorney at the Paris Bar, is a partner at FIDAL, where he heads the firm’s international arbitration practice.
With nearly fifteen years of experience, he advises and represents multinational corporations, sovereign states, and public entities in high-stakes and complex disputes. His practice covers both institutional and ad hoc proceedings, spanning commercial and investment arbitration. Manuel also regularly appears before local courts in the OHADA region and manages cases throughout the Middle East and Africa.
His sectoral expertise notably includes banking, mining, energy, digital services, and telecommunications.
In addition to his practice, Manuel frequently publishes on legal issues and speaks at international conferences.
Day 3 Thursday 22 May 2025
War, Energy and Arbitration: Rethinking Risk Allocation in a volatile Region
This panel examines how armed conflict and geopolitical volatility influence risk allocation in energy disputes, covering both commercial arbitration and investment arbitration. Speakers will discuss contractual tools (such as force majeure provisions), enforcement challenges, and the nuances of arbitration procedures that cater to volatile contexts. Drawing on real-world cases, the panel will highlight best practices for drafting contracts, managing unforeseen crises, and adapting both commercial and investment arbitral mechanisms to address disruptions caused by war and political upheaval.