Christoph
Brunner

Prof., Dr. iur., LL.M.
Partner

cbrunner@peterandkim.com +41 58 317 70 50
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Bar admission
Bern, 1994
Nationalities
Swiss
Languages
German, English, French
Location
Bern

PROFESSIONAL
PRACTICE

Christoph Brunner is a full time partner and has been practising dispute resolution for over 20 years. He has acted as counsel, presiding arbitrator, sole arbitrator, co-arbitrator and legal expert in more than 90 international commercial arbitrations governed by various institutional and ad hoc rules. He has acted as arbitrator under the substantive laws of Switzerland, England, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, California (among others), and the CISG. His range of expertise covers in particular M&A, joint ventures, construction/infrastructure projects, sales, distribution and agency contracts, enforcement of arbitral awards and international legal assistance.
He is recommended for arbitration in Chambers, Global Guide and Europe, and in Who’s Who Legal, including "Thought Leaders". He is considered by clients and his peers as an «excellent, knowledgeable and fair» lawyer (WWL, 2017). Dr. Brunner also regularly acts as counsel in procedures before state courts in Switzerland, especially in international and complex cases, including procedures before the Swiss Supreme Court. He is a member of the ICC Swiss Commission of Arbitration, the Court of the Swiss Chambers Arbitration Institution and titular professor at the University of Bern.

Areas of
Expertise

  • Arbitration / Litigation
  • Commercial Contracts
  • Distribution / Agency
  • General Civil Law
  • International Sales / Construction
  • Joint Ventures / Consortia
  • Mergers & Acquisitions
  • Private International Law

Industry
Sector

  • Construction & Engineering Icon Construction & Engineering
  • Commodities Trading Icon Commodities Trading
  • High-tech Products Icon High-tech Products
  • Fashion & Luxury Goods Icon Fashion & Luxury Goods
  • Electricity Supply Icon Electricity Supply
  • Pharmaceutical & Biotech Icon Pharmaceutical & Biotech
  • Who’s Who Legal (WWL): Thought Leaders – Arbitration 2018. Please click here

 

  • Chambers, Global Guide 2019: “Sources report that he has a “profound knowledge of Swiss law and is calm and well prepared”.”

 

  • WWL (arbitration, 2019) says: Christoph Brunner is recognised for his “very balanced approach as arbitrator”, and stands out for his “very profound knowledge” when it comes to disputes across the construction sector.

 

  • WWL (arbitration, 2018) says: The “outstanding” Christoph Brunner boasts “a strong presence in the arbitration space” where he is widely considered “a brilliant lawyer and advocate”.

 

  • WWL (litigation, 2018) says: Christoph Brunner is highly respected for his expertise in complex international litigation as well as his specialist knowledge of M&A and construction disputes.
  • Lead-partner in an ICC arbitration relating to a major joint venture infrastructure project.
  • Co-lead partner in two related arbitrations, under the ICC Rules and Swiss Rules, respectively, representing a major Turkish building contractor against an Eastern European  state entity (total amount in dispute USD 60 million).
  • Lead partner in setting aside proceedings against the ICC Award and securing an important win for the client at the Swiss Supreme Court level, resulting in a seminal decision on aspects of res judicata under Swiss law.
  • Counsel for a UAE Claimant against multiple Respondents in attachment and enforcement proceedings of a DIAC award in Switzerland.
  • President in an ICC arbitration involving a M&A / purchase price adjustment dispute.
  • President in a VIAC arbitration involving a Turkish Claimant against a German Respondent concerning the construction and supply of clinics in Russia.
  • Sole Arbitrator in an ICC arbitration concerning a sale of commodities.
  • Sole Arbitrator in an ICC arbitration relating to the supply and installation of high-tech machinery and equipment.
  • Co-arbitrator in an ICC arbitration appointed by one of the largest global energy players in a dispute involving the gas sector.
  • Partner and Counsel, Python & Peter (2001-2015)
  • Associate at two major Swiss law firms based in Geneva (1997-2001)
  • Lecturer for commercial law and international arbitration, University of Bern (since 2006)
  • Doctorate in Law (Dr. iur.), University of Bern (1996)
  • Master of Laws (LL.M.), University of California at Berkeley (1996 – 1997)
  • ICC Swiss Commission of Arbitration
  • Member of the Court of the Swiss Chambers’ Arbitration Institution (SCAI)
  • LCIA European Users’ Council
  • German Institution of Arbitration (DIS)
  • International Arbitration Institute (IAI) Paris
  • Swiss Arbitration Association (ASA)
  • List of arbitrators of Alternative Dispute Resolution for Commodity Trading, Shipping and Finance (ACT)
  • ELArb
  • Swiss and International Bar Association
  • International Association of Boalt Alumni

  • Christoph Brunner has published several books and numerous articles on commercial law and international arbitration. In particular, he is the author of the well-known treatise “Force Majeure and Hardship under General Contract Principles” (Kluwer Law International, 2009) and author and editor of a Commentary on the CISG (2nd edition 2014; English edition, Kluwer, 2019).