Melanie Van Leeuwen

Melanie van Leeuwen is a founding partner of Vanguard International Dispute Resolution.

Since 1996, Melanie has been practising international arbitration exclusively. She has solid experience as counsel and arbitrator in both commercial and investment arbitration, conducted under all major sets of arbitration rules (ICC, LCIA, LCIA-MIAC, ICSID, SCC, ICDR, UNCITRAL, PCA, DIAC, NAI, SIAC, CEPANI and Swiss Rules) and governed by various procedural and substantive laws. She has handled over 150 arbitrations as counsel and arbitrator concerning disputes arising out of international commercial contracts, cross-border investment, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, construction projects and investment protection under international law. She has been particularly active in the sectors of energy, mining, media, information and communication technology, construction and engineering, real estate, aviation and infrastructural and defence projects. She also regularly represents clients in annulment, enforcement and consolidation proceedings before the Netherlands state courts.

Melanie has been appointed to the ICSID panel of arbitrators by the Kingdom of the Netherlands. At present, she is serving as chair of the ICC Commission on Arbitration, as co-chair of the ICCA-IBA Joint Task Force on Data Protection in International Arbitration, and as a board member of the Swiss Arbitration Association.

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Experience as arbitrator in investment arbitration

• President in an ICSID arbitration between two US claimants and the Republic of Armenia arising out of an alleged investment in the real estate sector (ICSID/ARB/1736).
• President in a PCA-administered UNCITRAL arbitration initiated by a Slovenian claimant and a Central-European State arising out of the purchase of the assets of a former State-owned enterprise (PCA Case No. 2019-09).
• Co-arbitrator in an SCC arbitration brought by a Dutch claimant against an Eastern European State about a dispute arising from an alleged investment in the renewable energy sector.
• Co-arbitrator in an ICSID arbitration between three claimants and the Gambia arising out of an alleged investment in the shrimp farming sector (ICSID ARB/18/10).
• Co-arbitrator in an ICC arbitration brought by a Belgian investor against an African State about an alleged investment in the gold sector.
• Member of an ICSID ad hoc committee hearing the annulment application of the Republic of Madagascar against an award issued in favour of two Belgian and a Luxembourg investor.
• Co-arbitrator in an  UNCITRAL arbitration brought by two Spanish claimants against a Middle-Eastern State arising out of an alleged investment in the health sector.
• Co-arbitrator in a PCA-administered UNCITRAL arbitration brought by Dutch investors against an Eastern-European State concerning an investment in the gaming industry.

Experience as counsel in investment arbitration

• Representing an Asian State in a PCA-administered UNCITRAL arbitration against three African companies over a dispute arising out of an alleged investment in the satellite telecommunication and technology sector.
• Representing a Mediterranean investor in an ICSID arbitration against a Central Asian State over a dispute arising from an investment in the oil transshipment sector.°
• Representing Belgian investors in an ICSID arbitration against a Balkan State over a dispute concerning an investment in the touristic real estate sector (ICSID Case No. ARB/13/12).
• Representing a poultry producer against a Central Asian State in an UNCITRAL arbitration pursuant to that State’s Foreign Investment Law.°
• Representing a European investor against an Eastern European State in an ICSID arbitration over a dispute in relation to an investment in the duty-free industry.°
• Representing the Republic of Estonia in an ICSID arbitration against a number of Finnish and German banks in relation to an investment in the fishing industry.

_{° These counsel cases were handled as mandates of previous firms, prior to founding Vanguard International Dispute Resolution.}

Experience as arbitrator in commercial arbitration

• President in two consolidated ICC arbitrations between a US industrial group and a European defense group about the development and production of products for aviation engines.
• President in an ICC arbitration between an international petrochemical group and an oil field service provider arising from an incident in the provision of liner hanger services on a drilling rig.
• President in an ICC arbitration between an instrumentality of an Eastern European State and a construction company about a road construction project.
• President in an ICC arbitration between an African affiliate of an oil major and a European manufacturer about the engineering, procurement, supply, construction and commissioning of catenary anchor leg mooring (CALM) buoys.
• President in an ICC arbitration between a Belgian manufacturer of crop protection products and a Japanese agro chemical company arising out of a share purchase agreement.
• President in an ICC arbitration between a sovereign State and a CIS Contractor concerning a highway construction project.
• President in an ICC arbitration initiated by claimants from Africa and the Channel Islands against an African state-owned mining company about a dispute concerning a joint venture in the gold mining sector.
• President in an ICC arbitration concerning a post-M&A dispute between a US provider of health information technology solutions and a German industrial manufacturing group.
• President in an ICC arbitration between a Polish real estate investor and a global construction and property development conglomerate about the acquisition of professional real estate.
• President in an ICC arbitration between a Luxembourg-based construction company and a Dutch tank terminal arising out of a FIDIC Yellow Book Contract for the design and construction of eight storage tanks in the port of Rotterdam.
• President in an ICC arbitration between a West-African company and a West-African state regarding a contractual dispute relating to a hydroelectric power project.
• President in an ICC arbitration between a European power generation company and an American technology development and manufacturing company about a dispute arising out of contractual arrangements for the design, manufacturing and delivery of casks for the transport and storage of nuclear waste.
• President in an ICC arbitration between a Spanish provider of telecommunication services and the telecommunication authority of a Latin American State and the State itself.
• President in an ICC arbitration between bankruptcy estate of an oil processing company and an international commodity trader in relation to the performance of a trademark transfer agreement.
• President in an ICC arbitration between a services provider from the Marshall Islands on the one hand and a Greek and a Danish company on the other, concerning a shipping dispute.
• President in an ICC arbitration between a Spanish satellite operator and an international space company over a dispute arising under a satellite launch services agreement.
• President in an ICC arbitration between an African container terminal and an African construction company about the constructions of terminal buildings and facilities.
• President in an ICC arbitration between a French mining and energy group and a Namibian company about an anticipated sale/purchase of shares in a desalination plant.
• President in five consolidated LCIA arbitrations between a BVI-based supplier of rotary wing aviation solutions and a general aviation company providing air transportation services for the defence, oil, logistics and government sectors.
• President in an LCIA-administered UNCITRAL arbitration about a shareholders dispute between the partners of a consortium active in the exploitation, development and production of hydrocarbons in Brazil.
• President in a LCIA arbitration concerning a dispute between a Swiss buyer and an Iranian seller over the sale and purchase of copper.
• President in an SCC arbitration between a Dutch events company on the one hand and a Turkish museum and a Turkish exhibition organizer on the other, concerning the breach of an exhibition and service agreement in the cultural sector.
• President in an NAI arbitration between a sovereign State and a consortium of infra structure developers concerning a railway and road construction project.
• President in an NAI arbitration between a Dutch energy company and a German energy group arising out of the acquisition of a company selling and suppling power and gas to businesses and consumers.
• President in an NAI arbitration between a private equity fund and a chemical major about a post-SPA dispute, following waste water discharges of the acquired chemical production facilities.
• President in an NAI arbitration between a provider of on demand internet streaming media and a cable provider.
• President in an NAI arbitration between a construction company and an energy company about a heat storage facility.
• President in an NAI arbitration about an oil and gas production sharing agreement.
• President of an ad hoc tribunal in an arbitration brought by a European defense contractor against an international organization in relation to a dispute arising out of a services contract.
• President of an ad hoc tribunal in an arbitration concerning a dispute between the joint venture partners of a joint venture of consulting engineers arising out of the design, construction, installation and operation of a centralized traffic control system for the ministry of transport of a Southern African State.
• Co-arbitrator in an ICC arbitration between a Middle Eastern construction company and an international energy group about the construction of a solar energy farm.
• Co-arbitrator in an ICC arbitration between a Turkish joint venture and a Middle Eastern construction group about the construction of an airport in Africa.
• Co-arbitrator in an ICC arbitration between a French financial services provider and an Eastern European industrial group about a first demand bank guarantee.
• Co-arbitrator in an ICC arbitration between a Dutch claimant and a German respondent in a post-acquisition dispute in the food-delivery sector.
• Co-arbitrator in an ICC arbitration between two European pharmaceutical companies about the consequences of the termination of a collaboration in the field of prescription oral contraceptives.
• Co-arbitrator in an ICC arbitration between a multinational group in the rail industry and an Austrian developer of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems arising out of a series of contracts concerning a light train project.
• Co-arbitrator in an ICC arbitration between an African State and a Chinese company concerning the design, engineering, manufacturing and delivery of agricultural machinery.
• Co-arbitrator in an ICC arbitration between a German provider of oil country tubular goods and related services and a Venezuelan company active in the petroleum, petrochemical and hydrocarbons  industry concerning a dispute arising out of a series of SPAs.
• Co-arbitrator in an ICC arbitration between a multinational dredging company and a Spanish-Portuguese construction consortium about a port project in West-Africa.
• Co-arbitrator in an ICC arbitration between a French technology supplier in the food-processing industry and a Serbian sugar manufacturer arising out of the sale and purchase of ion exchange and chromatography equipment.
• Co-arbitrator in an ICC arbitration between a French energy major and an international renewable energy group about the joint development of tidal turbine technology.
• Co-arbitrator in an ICC arbitration between Lebanese, Dutch and French joint venture partners concerning the control over the joint venture and its oil storage terminal and jetty facilities in Turkey.
• Co-arbitrator in an ICC arbitration about a shareholders dispute between a Dutch and an Austrian joint venture partner, active in the Brazilian off-shore drilling industry.
• Co-arbitrator in an LCIA arbitration between claimants from the BVI and Serbia against a Luxembourg respondent arising out of the acquisition of a supermarket chain in the Balkans.
• Co-arbitrator in an LCIA arbitration between a Russian bank and a Cypriot company arising out of a Put Option Agreement.
• Co-arbitrator in three LCIA arbitrations between an Italian manufacturer and an English buyer over the sale and purchase of gas turbine sets.
• Co-arbitrator in two parallel UNCITRAL arbitrations concerning a dispute between an Asian artist and a European music producer over the production of the artist’s music and the management of her business interests.
• Co-arbitrator in a UNCITRAL arbitration concerning a dispute between a British buyer and a Romanian seller over the sale and purchase of steel.
• Co-arbitrator in two consolidated Swiss Rules arbitrations over a dispute between a Swiss bank and a number of Swiss, Dutch, Cypriot and Russian Respondents active in inspection, certification and collateral management services.
• Co-arbitrator in an NAI arbitration between a Dutch Owner and a Finnish Contractor arising out of an engineering procurement and construction management (EPCM) contract for a PTA production facility.
• Co-arbitrator in an NAI arbitration between a railway construction company and the national railway infrastructure authority.
• Co-arbitrator in two NAI arbitrations between a Dutch franchisor and a number of Dutch and Belgian franchisees about the exploitation of franchises in the DIY sector.
• Co-arbitrator in an NAI arbitration between an energy multinational and an EPC contractor about the design and construction of a pilot chemical plant.
• Co-arbitrator in an NAI arbitration between a sports gear multinational and its MEA distributor.
• Co-arbitrator in an NAI arbitration between a Brazilian trading company and a Dutch supplier arising out of an agency agreement for machinery and equipment for the textile industry.
• Co-arbitrator in a NAI arbitration about a post-SPA dispute between the seller and the purchaser of a dairy and cheese business.
• Co-arbitrator in an NAI arbitration between a Dutch investment company, a Swiss holding company and a Romanian estate concerning a post-SPA dispute.
• Co-arbitrator in an NAI arbitration between two Dutch companies concerning wind energy generation.
• Co-arbitrator in a NAI arbitration between a distributor from the United Arab Emirates and a Netherlands based coating manufacturer regarding a dispute arising out of a distribution agreement concerning aerospace coatings in the Middle East.
• Co-arbitrator in an ad hoc arbitration between two JOA parties concerning financial rights and obligations arising under the joint operation agreement.
• Sole arbitrator in an LCIA-MIAC arbitration between three Cayman Islands-based investment vehicles against a Mauritian respondent concerning the provision of financial and/or administrative services.
• Sole arbitrator in an LCIA-MIAC arbitration between a company from Mauritius and a group of companies from La Réunion about the supply and distribution of seafood.
• Sole arbitrator in an ICC arbitration between a French and an Algerian consortium partner concerning the design, construction and operation of a water treatment facility in Algeria.
• Sole arbitrator in an ICC arbitration concerning a dispute between a French publishing house and a German information and communication technology provider over a joint venture, providing online patent services.
• Sole arbitrator in an ICC arbitration between an Indian supplier and a German contractor over the procurement of conductor cables for a cross-border high voltage electricity transmission line.
• Sole arbitrator in an LCIA arbitration between an Anglo-Swiss multinational commodity trading and mining company and a Polish supplier about the fiscal implications of copper supplies.
• Sole Arbitrator in an LCIA arbitration arising out of a license and services agreement between an English supplier and a Saudi company concerning software applications for the automotive industry.
• Sole arbitrator in an NAI arbitration between a Dutch bio-energy provider and a Belgian wood supplier over a dispute arising out of sale purchase agreement.
• Sole arbitrator in a NAI arbitration between a Dutch satellite services provider and an Asian daily.
• Sole arbitrator in a NAI arbitration between a Dutch satellite services provider and an African broadband network operator.
• Sole arbitrator in a NAI arbitration over a dispute between a British agent and a Dutch flavors and fragrances manufacturer arising out of an agency agreement.
• Emergency arbitrator in an ICC arbitration instituted by a Korean EPC contractor against an owner of cogeneration power plants in the Middle East.
• Emergency arbitrator in an NAI arbitration between a European specialist chemical supplier and a global producer of ammonia and nitrogen-based products with respect to a supply and trade agreement for the supply of ammonia
• Emergency arbitrator in a NAI arbitration instituted by a subcontractor against the main contractor concerning the construction of the European data center for the world’s largest internet search engine.

Experience as counsel in commercial arbitration

• Representing a European media group in a dispute against a multinational content provider about licensing fees on worldwide revenues generated with television formats under licensing and content agreements.
• Representing a CIS gas major in several arbitration-related proceedings in the Netherlands.
• Representing an international organization in an UNCITRAL arbitration against a Turkish contractor about an airport construction project in Africa.
• Representing an international organization in an UNCITRAL arbitration against an African provider of logistics and transportation services.
• Representing a Benelux real estate development group in a CEPANI arbitration against a Belgian real estate developer about the development of a number of commercial and residential real estate projects in Belgium.
• Representing an Indian company in an ICC arbitration against a Spanish sustainable energy group about a power transmission line in Brazil.
• Representing a Montenegrin company in an LCIA arbitration against an Austrian bank in a dispute concerning loan facility arrangements.
• Representing an aluminum smelter and a bauxite mining company in an UNCITRAL arbitration against a Cypriot investor in a €300 million post-privatization shareholders’ dispute.
• Representing a Greek bank in an ICC arbitration over a post-acquisition dispute with a French bank.
• Representing a power plant manufacturer in an ICC arbitration with a German electricity major about a €500 million natural gas combined cycle power plant project in Turkey.
• Representing a European contractor in ICC arbitration against a American software giant concerning a dispute arising out of a malfunction of the control system of a co-generation power plant.
• Representing a major Dutch bank in a CEPANI arbitration against two Belgian banks concerning a post-acquisition dispute.
• Representing a medical equipment supplier in an ICC arbitration against one of the world’s leading medical equipment manufacturers over a dispute arising out of a contract for the sales of medical equipment and the provision of related services in the Middle East.°
• Representing a Scandinavian multinational in a SCC arbitration against a Lebanese company over a dispute arising out of a consultancy arrangement in relation to a petrochemical project in Saudi Arabia.
• Representing a Dutch company in an ICC arbitration against a French aviation company over the sale, purchase and construction of a private aircraft.
• Representing Europe’s largest commercial broadcasting group in several NAI arbitrations against a multinational media group, in a post-acquisition dispute concerning the acquisition of a number of Dutch commercial television and radio stations.
• Representing a Netherlands-based engineering firm in a SIAC arbitration against a petrochemical major over the engineering and manufacturing of a number of heat recovery generators for a project in Singapore.
• Representing a Netherlands-based engineering firm against a French environmental group in an ICC arbitration over the construction and engineering of a desalination plant in Dubai.
• Representing a Netherlands-based engineering firm in related proceedings before the Dutch State courts against a subcontractor from Dubai.
• Representing a French construction major in an ICC arbitration against a Mexican construction major concerning the control over a joint venture.
• Representing two aluminum majors in a series of disputes (NAI arbitrations, proceedings before the Dutch State courts and the European Court of Justice) against the Dutch incumbent electricity production and distribution companies arising out of the liberalization of the European and Dutch electricity markets.
• Representing a Dutch pension fund in an ICDR arbitration against an US-based multinational investment group concerning the investments made in one of its funds.
• Advising numerous foreign investors on the investment protection afforded by international law.
• Representing a Dutch manufacturer of poultry breeding equipment against a Libyan agent in setting aside proceedings concerning an arbitral award rendered between those parties.
• Counsel in numerous other annulment, enforcement and consolidation proceedings before the Netherlands state courts.

_{° This counsel case was handled as mandate of a previous firm, prior to founding Vanguard International Dispute Resolution.}

Experience as counsel in arbitration-related litigation

• Representing a major gas producer in enforcement proceedings aimed at the recognition and enforcement of several SCC awards in the Netherlands.
• Representing an Asian State in setting aside proceedings against a British energy company, leading to the annulment of an investment award following the discovery of tax fraud.
• Representing an Asian State in annulment proceedings against African claimants aimed at the annulment of an investment treaty award following the discovery of fraud in the procurement of a concession in the satellite telecommunications sector.
• Representing an Asian State in revocation proceedings against African claimants aimed at the revocation of investment treaty awards following the discovery of fraud in the procurement of a concession in the satellite telecommunications sector.
• Representing an Asian State in revocation proceedings against African claimants aimed at the annulment of a decision of the Hague Court of Appeal upholding an investment treaty award, following the discovery of procedural fraud in the setting aside proceedings that lead to that decision.
• Representing a Dutch manufacturer of poultry breeding equipment against a Libyan agent in setting aside proceedings concerning an arbitral award rendered between those parties.
• Counsel in numerous other annulment, enforcement, revocation and consolidation proceedings before the Netherlands state courts.

• ICC Advanced Training | Master Class for Arbitrators | 2011
• National Institute for Trial Advocacy, New York | Trial Skills Course | 2000
• Nederlandse Orde van Advocaten | Professional Education Dutch Bar Association | 1998
• Erasmus University Rotterdam | LL.M. | 1996

Melanie is listed as a ‘Global Elite Thought Leader’ in the Lexology Index 2025.

• Who’s Who Legal describes Melanie as “a Dutch superstar in Paris, who is lauded as an outstanding professional and great personality”, noting that “she is the best of the best.”
• Chambers Europe ranks Melanie in the category of Most in Demand Arbitrators, describing her as “a real powerhouse with a very strong presence and a sharp sound legal mind.”
• Legal 500 lists Melanie as “an excellent strategist who has a profound knowledge of investment law and impresses by the outstanding quality of her written and oral pleadings.”

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