Bianca Vasilache is an associate in the International Arbitration practice, with experience in international investment treaty and commercial arbitration. Bianca advises on general commercial disputes and complex infrastructure, engineering and energy disputes. She has particular experience in Africa and South-East Asia.

Prior to joining Shearman & Sterling, she practiced in the International Arbitration team of a Magic Circle firm.

Arbitration

• An oil & gas major on its defence of hundreds of local court proceedings in South-East Asia in relation to employee and contractor rights, its potential commercial arbitration claims under production sharing contracts and contractor agreements, its potential investment-treaty claims under different BITs, its stakeholder engagement strategy, its internal policies in relation to employees and contractors, and its case management processes.
• A Middle Eastern oil & gas company on the enforceability of the commercial framework created under a production sharing contract governed by English law and several related agreements.
• A heavy equipment supplier and contractor in relation to a highly complex construction arbitration arising out of two fossil fuel construction megaprojects in Africa. The law of the country of the projects applies.
• The Kingdom of Morocco in its defense of an ICSID arbitration claim brought by a Swedish investor under the Sweden‑Morocco bilateral investment treaty, in relation to the operation of the only oil refinery in Morocco.*
• A number of individuals and their companies in their LCIA claim for breach of contract, termination and repudiation as well as their defense to counterclaims, in relation to the separation of a business venture.*
• A bank and an African coal mining company in their defense on jurisdiction in an UNCITRAL arbitration relating to non-payment of debt.*
• The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (“CIMA”) in a successful disciplinary action under the CIMA arbitration rules against one of its members, in relation to fraudulent tax evasion.*
• A hotel in relation to third-party funding for enforcement proceedings in Africa and the Middle East.*

Litigation

• A number of pension funds in their judicial review application in the English courts, in relation to proposed changes to the retail price index.*
• The AIRE Centre in its UK Supreme Court intervention in an immigration case.*

Pro Bono

• A communication to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights for the International Service for Human Rights.
• An exceptional case funding matter for Together with Migrant Children.
• Romanian-to-English translations for an investigation of the US Department of Justice.
• Individuals in their benefits appeals before the Social Security and Child Support Tribunal.*
• Toynbee Hall Women’s Legal Clinic.*

*Denotes prior firm experience

Publication

• “The Yukos saga: Making sense of the English rules on stay of enforcement and security,” Jus Mundi Blog, 29 June 2021