Diana Akikol

Diana Akikol

Partner
Dr. iur., Attorney at Law

Location

Geneva

Contact

Direct phone: +41 58 658 30 61
diana.akikol@walderwyss.com

Curriculum Vitae


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Areas of activity: Commercial Contracts Arbitration

Diana Akikol leads the Geneva International Arbitration Group.

Drawing on over 20 years of experience as an advocate, Ms. Akikol represents multinational corporations, national companies, states and state-owned entities in international arbitration proceedings under the major institutional rules and ad-hoc arbitrations under the UNCITRAL Rules. Additionally, she acts for clients in arbitration-related proceedings before the Geneva courts.

Ms. Akikol is also an accomplished arbitrator, having sat as tribunal member (often as president) in more than 60 arbitrations seated in various jurisdictions (Geneva, Zurich, London, Paris, Berlin, Vienna, Istanbul, Hong Kong, etc.) and conducted under a variety of rules (including ICC, Swiss, LCIA, HKIAC, VIAC and DIS).

Ms. Akikol’s practice spans a wide range of matters, with a particular focus on sales of goods, commodities and energy trading, mergers & acquisitions, shareholder agreements, joint ventures, construction and engineering, agency, licence and distribution agreements, as well as services and consultancy agreements.
Ranked as a leader in her field, both in Europe and globally, Diana Akikol “impresses peers with her mastery of complex technical facts and very profound legal knowledge” (Who's Who Legal Arbitration 2019) and is described as “very quick in understanding and very dedicated” (Chambers Global 2020). She is recommended as “one of the best Swiss arbitration lawyers” (Who's Who Legal Global Leader 2023), “a very strong practitioner” (Who's Who Legal 2020 Switzerland Arbitration) and “a highly intelligent and accurate arbitrator” (Who's Who Legal Arbitration Future Leaders Partners 2018).

Ms. Akikol serves as ICC Court member for Switzerland. She is also a member of the ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR, the Arbitration Commission of ICC Switzerland, the Board of the Swiss Arbitration Association (ASA), a Court member of the Swiss Arbitration Centre, and a member of the Board of the Vienna International Arbitral Centre (VIAC).

Ms. Akikol has published a doctoral thesis on the warranty regime under Swiss law and the UN Sales Convention (CISG) and co-authored a commentary on the CISG. She regularly speaks and publishes in the arbitration field. Several of her contributions deal with award set aside proceedings before the Swiss Federal Supreme Court. She recently co-authored a commentary on the Swiss International Arbitration Act.

Ms. Akikol holds a law degree from the University of Fribourg and a doctorate degree from the University of Lucerne, both summa cum laude. She was admitted to the bar in 2002, ranked first of her class. Ms. Akikol started her professional career as law clerk on the Superior Court of Berne, Switzerland (2002-2005) and completed her PhD as a visiting scholar at the University of Michigan Law School (2005-2006), before specializing in international arbitration with another Swiss national law firm (2007-2014). She successfully continued her arbitration practice as a co-founder of a Geneva-based business law boutique (2014-2020) before joining Walder Wyss in 2020.

Diana Akikol is fluent in English, French and German (native).

Commentary on Article 180a and 180b of the PILS

Real Estate Sale and Purchase Agreements - Risks Associated with the Payment of the Broker's Commission by the Buyer / Bankruptcy of a Tenant of Business Premises / Liquidated Damages and Penalties in International Construction Agreements

Liquidated Damages and Penalties in International Construction Agreements

International Arbitration 2021: Switzerland - Trends and Developments

Hearing, Award; Annulment Proceedings

Disclosure, Objection, Challenges – the View from the Swiss Courts

Setting Aside of Arbitral Awards – the Swiss Perspective

Hearing, Award; Annulment Proceedings

Emergency Arbitrator Proceedings

Commentary on Articles 45 to 48 CISG

Arbitration Law Reform in Switzerland

Lies- fraud and deceit – what are counsel’s duties in arbitration’s defence?

Public Policy and Judicial Review – Switzerland

Provisional Measures; Annulment and Enforcement of Awards

The GAR Live Symposium

Arbitrating Future Claims

Recent Swiss Decisions on Applications for Annulment of an Award

The New ICC Expedited Arbitration Rules

Interim and Emergency Relief; Enforcement of International Arbitral Awards

The planned revision of Chapter 12 of the PILA

Setting Aside Proceedings in Switzerland

Arbitration in Switzerland

Recent Swiss Case Law on Arbitration

The New York Convention in a Nutshell

The Fundamentals of Arbitration and the Arbitral Process

The Proceedings before the Arbitral Tribunal

Interim Relief in International Arbitration

Recent Important Supreme Court Decisions on Arbitration

Conduct of small and medium sized arbitrations

Commentary on Articles 45 to 48 CISG

Latecomers and quitters: devices to persuade non-participating respondents to engage with the arbitration and dealing with withdrawing respondents

Recent Swiss Case Law on Arbitration

Review of the Recent Case Law of the Swiss Federal Tribunal

The Swiss Case Law on Arbitration in 2010

The Swiss Case Law on Arbitration in 2009

The Swiss Case Law in the period from 1 September to 31 December 2008

Recent Swiss Case Law on Arbitration

The Seller’s Warranty Liability for Defective Goods - Swiss Code of Obligations and UN Sales Convention

Recognitions


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