Andrew Tetley

Andrew is a French avocat and English solicitor with broad experience in commercial litigation, international arbitration, and project work. Andrew previously practised for over 10 years in New Zealand as a barrister and solicitor, after a number of years with a leading firm of solicitors in the UK. Andrew now has over 10 years’ professional experience in Paris, in near balance with his common law experience. Alongside his principal work in arbitration, Andrew appears in French civil and administrative courts, including at the appellate level. He is also a Solicitor-Advocate (Civil Advocacy) and therefore has rights of audience in all higher courts in England.

Since 2012, Andrew has been the New Zealand Alternate Member on the ICC Commission on Arbitration at the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris, and was a member of the ICC Task Force on Arbitration and Financial Institutions.

Since 2015, Andrew has also been the New Zealand Member of the ICC International Court of Arbitration, where he is regularly solicited to sit. He has reviewed hundreds of ICC awards in this capacity. Andrew’s mandate was renewed in 2018. The Court has global supervisory jurisdiction over all ICC arbitral awards and the ICC arbitral process generally. This appointment recognises Andrew’s 25 years’ involvement in arbitration, including ICC, LCIA, LMAA, GAFTA, RSA, CAMP, UNCITRAL, ad hoc, and ancillary court proceedings, with emphasis on transport and trading (ranked in The Legal 500, 2018).

As well as conducting contentious matters, Andrew also advises and assists clients in general commercial matters, both transactional and pre-contentious. Andrew has particularly broad experience in French-speaking Africa, where he has assisted clients with contentious and transactional matters, as well as with significant local regulatory investigations in various areas of legal inquiry. Andrew has handled matters in well over a dozen African states for international clients.

Andrew has advised and represented individuals, corporations, and nation states. Clients have entrusted Andrew with major litigation and regulatory matters, with amounts in issue up to US$3 billion or where important points of principle or matters of strategic significance are at stake.

In the Paris market, among other local practitioners of Anglo-Saxon heritage, Andrew’s balanced dual, front-line, civil, and common law experience stands out.

Recognised by the major independent legal directories, Andrew’s recent accolades include:

A client praises the “very special” French team at Reed Smith, particularly partner Andrew Tetley and associates Aurélie Lopez and Diana Stekhnovych – GAR 100,16th Edition, March 2023
Another client called the firm “driven, adaptive, creative and goal-focused” and said Tetley was “tenacious and creative in pursuing solutions” – GAR 100,16th Edition, March 2023

Experience

Representative matters

Acted for an Asian investment group in the framework of two LCIA arbitrations against former shareholders of a mining company related to an important phosphate deposit in Africa (seat in London, English spoken).

Acting on a multi-billion-dollar ICC arbitral claim in relation to a dispute over ownership of a company with oil and gas concession in an African State, and related damages.

Advised and represented a French creditor on recovery in a cross border insolvency situation involving a chain of sale transactions across France, Germany and Holland

Acting on a multi-billion-dollar ICC arbitral claim in relation to a dispute over ownership of a company with oil and gas concession in an African State, and related damages.

Advised and represented a French creditor on recovery in a cross border insolvency situation involving a chain of sale transactions across France, Germany and Holland

Advised on a number of GAFTA trade arbitrations

Advised major aircraft manufacturer on option aircraft obligations under master purchase agreement

Advised Spanish bank on the form of a refund guarantee governed by French law in the context of an asset sale and purchase agreement

Represented and advised a shipowner in London arbitration on a charter party dispute

Advised on claim against director of Liberian company brought before French courts

Represented and advised a Danish company on the sale of its water valves division including the sale of shares of various manufacturing and distribution companies and assets across three continents, to a US listed acquirer

Advised leading class society on indemnity provisions in its contract of services

Advised on the arrest in France of an aircraft for unpaid fuel supplies

Advised trading client on the French import and customs regulations in relation to petroleum products

Advised and represented a client on a jurisdictional challenge before the French courts

Advised consultant engineering company on aspects of French liability issues and insurance law in connection with prospective construction projects and related contracts

Advised airline on matters of French competition law applicable in French overseas territories

Advised and coordinated litigation in Russia, the Caribbean, China and France in respect of foreclosure proceedings brought by a well-known Russian state owned bank

Represented and advised in shareholders’ dispute involving a classic yacht located in France

Represented and advised major US bank on ship repossession claim

Represented and advised shipowner in London arbitration in connection with a ship sale and purchase dispute

Advised a major aircraft manufacturer on liability issues arising from significant product and operational integrity matters, and on general commercial litigation issues.

Advised and represented Algerian owner on the negotiation and conclusion of a sale and purchase agreement for a luxury yacht

Advised well-known insurer on personal injury claim and related conflicts of laws issues

Advised on Swiss arbitration proceedings involving significant claims under a number of sale contracts

Advised major French transport company on potential claims arising out of the insolvency of the chartering entity to its subsidiary, and possible defensive action

Represented and advised major oil company confronted with the international insolvency of a significant client liner operator

Represented and advised shipowner in insolvency situation with regards to its fleet of ships and various claims made against them

Advised major exporter on insurance aspects of significant fruit damage claims, including professional indemnity and D&O risks

Advised major French transport company on bareboat arrangements of its subsidiary

Advised and represented a Japanese owner in a claim brought in France against its vessel for unpaid fuel supplies

Advised and represented a well-known US financial institution to secure recovery of its USD80m claim under an ISDA master agreement in the restructuring of a major container ship operator based in France

Advised and represented Asian investors on infrastructure and fisheries projects in Mauritania and Morocco

Advised and represented the Russian Federation in proceedings brought against Australia before the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea

Advised major French transport company on aspects of restructuring arrangements involving a liner service out of French mainland ports

Advised and represented a number of clients on vessel arrest proceedings in France, including procuring release of a number of arrested vessels

Advised on drafting of master supply agreement for a wind turbine supplier

Acting for an Asian investment company in an LCIA arbitration relating to a shareholder dispute over rights of first refusal in relation to the shares in an SPV incorporated to exploit a natural resource asset valued at $2 billion.

Recognitions

Listed as a Next Generation Partner in The Legal 500 EMEA for France: Dispute Resolution – International Arbitration, 2023-2025, and as a Leading Partner for France: Shipping, 2024-2025
Awarded the Plume d’Or in the International Issues and Business Affairs – General Press category, Business & Legal Forum, 2020
Selected through peer review for inclusion in The Best Lawyers™ in France for Maritime Law, 2021-2024; International Arbitration, 2024; and for Transportation Law, 2024

Credentials

Education

University of Limoges, 2005, Masters Degree, French Company and Commercial Law
University of Birmingham, 1989, LL.B., Law with French, Two final year prizes – JF Gregg Memorial Prize and Brougham Prize