About Me
Stephanie Saidy is a Counsel in the disputes team of Alalim Legal, based in the Hague. She specializes in international law and offers comprehensive counsel in both contentious and advisory matters. Stephanie is experienced in international dispute resolution. She brings a wealth of expertise from prestigious institutions such as the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague and specialized international law firms.
Stephanie’s practice includes high-stakes, multijurisdictional cases spanning diverse sectors including energy, infrastructure, and aviation. From representing clients in arbitration proceedings under prominent rules like ICC, UNCITRAL, NAI, CIETAC to advising on complex legal matters involving sovereign entities, she specializes in tackling challenges at the intersection of law, lobbying and diplomacy.
Stephanie serves as a trusted coordinating counsel, adept at orchestrating cross-border legal strategies to ensure optimal outcomes for clients across various jurisdictions. Additionally, her proficiency in legal Arabic, French and English enables seamless communication and collaboration on a global scale.
With a commitment to delivering strategic guidance and policy advice, Stephanie is trusted by foreign investors to navigate regulatory landscapes and mitigate risks in volatile political environments.
- Adv. LL.M.: International Dispute Settlement and Arbitration – Leiden University, the Netherlands (2019)
- Public International Law Course – The Hague Academy of International Law – the Netherlands (2017)
- Private International Law Course – The Hague Academy of International Law – the Netherlands (2017)
- Master 1 in Lebanese and French Private Law – Université Saint Joseph de Beyrouth, Lebanon (2017)
- Bachelor in Lebanese and French Law – Université Saint Joseph de Beyrouth, Lebanon (2015)
World Bank Projects
- Successfully acted for an EU-based company in a Switzerland-seated ad hoc arbitration proceeding under the UNCITRAL rules against a former Soviet State regarding the implementation of World Bank Projects. The Final Award was voluntarily complied with by the sovereign entity, following lengthy negotiations.
Oil and Gas Industry
- Advising a European-based oil producer on how to avoid potential disputes with public authorities regarding its producing oil plants in a Middle Eastern State and how to prepare for the effects of the political and legislative instability, as well as the various potential outcomes of an internal conflict.
- Acting as coordinating counsel for an oil and gas company in the annulment and resisting enforcement of several interrelated arbitration awards against a sovereign entity, including advice on international humanitarian law, as well as UN and EU sanctions.
Coordinating Top-tier Multi-jurisdictional Legal Teams
- Strategic advice to company (and its external legal counsel) operating in the Middle East on negotiating and lobbying with the government amid the discussion of new draft laws that may affect its operation and revenue substantially.
Aviation Industry
- Representing a North American company in a Switzerland-seated ICC arbitration against a Middle Eastern sovereign entity involving the sale of multi-million-dollar rescue aircraft, leading to a favorable award on jurisdiction. Merits phase still pending.
- Providing legal and strategic advice, and representing a GCC investor in the acquisition of an Italian aircraft manufacturer through a tender governed by Italy’s Golden Power Regulation.
- Assisting the arbitrary tribunal in drafting procedural documents in a Saudi seated SCCA arbitration.
- Assisting an AI-powered start up for airport security in negotiations with investors and eventually obtaining their first government contract.
US Sanctions
- Advising a highly specialized Dutch manufacturer on US sanctions imposed on an LNG pipeline project.
CISG
- Representing a Caribbean-based company against a Dutch manufacturer in a Netherlands-seated arbitration conducted under the NAI rules concerning the international sale of a complex multi-million-euro machine, specifically regarding its non-conformity.
Industrial Projects
- Representing an EU-based company in an industrial dispute against a China-based corporation concerning steel supply in a China-seated arbitration conducted under the CIETAC Arbitration Rules, eventually reaching a favorable settlement by means of mediation.
- Beirut Bar Association
- International Law Association (ILA)
- Dutch Arbitration Association (DAA)
- German Arbitration Association (DIS)
- Arbitral Women
- Young ICCA
- Arabic (Native Proficiency)
- English (Native Proficiency)
- French (Native Proficiency)
- Dutch (Limited)
- German (Basic)