Dr. Markus Schifferl LL.M. (UCL)

Markus Schifferl is a specialist in international and domestic arbitration and contentious proceedings before the national courts.

Work Highlights

Markus regularly represents clients before ICC, VIAC, UNCITRAL, DIS and ad-hoc arbitral tribunals as well as before Austrian Courts, including the Austrian Supreme Court and the Austrian Constitutional Court. Markus also sits as arbitrator – including as chairperson – among others under the ICC, VIAC and DIS Rules. His focus is on disputes regarding technology, plant engineering, construction, energy related matters, chemical industry, joint-ventures, corporations and private foundations, post-M&A and European competition law. His recent work-highlights include:

• Representation of a Czech energy company in an ICC arbitration against state owned energy companies regarding a joint-venture for the building and operation of a coal power plant (amount in dispute EUR 60 million)
• Representation of an oil & gas multinational in an ICC arbitration against a pipeline operator concerning long-term capacity contracts (amount in dispute EUR 55 million)
• Representation of an American chemical engineering firm against a CEE industrial group regarding the use of a patented chemical process (amount in dispute USD 50 million)
• Representation of a large Austrian multinational in four interrelated ad-hoc arbitrations regarding the validity of various strategic corporate decisions (amount in dispute EUR 40 million)
• Representation of an Italian gas trader in ad-hoc arbitral proceedings against a German multinational regarding the revision of gas storage contracts (amount in dispute EUR 15 million)
• Representation of a South European plant-engineering manufacturer in proceedings on the annulment of an arbitral award (amount in dispute EUR 40 million)
• Representation of a market-leading furniture manufacturer and retailer in an ICC arbitration against an Austrian supplier regarding damages for breach of contract (amount in dispute EUR 5 million)
• Representing an Austrian energy company in VIAC arbitration proceedings concerning the construction of a hydropower plant in Turkey
• Representation of a minority shareholder before Austrian Courts regarding the ownership of 40% of the shares in a large Austrian company (amount in dispute EUR 800 million)
• Representation of a German plant engineering company in an VIAC arbitration against a Belarussian dairy producer regarding the construction, installation and commissioning of a production line for dairy products
• Representation of an Austrian multinational before the Austrian Constitutional Court concerning the constitutionality of the Austrian Squeeze-Out Act
• Representation of an oil & gas multinational before the Austrian Constitutional Court concerning questions of the constitutionality of arbitration related issues
• Representation of an Austrian multinational before Austrian Courts including the Austrian Supreme Court in the squeeze-out of a minority shareholder (amount in dispute EUR 10 million)
• Representation of an Austrian plant engineering company in various proceedings before Austrian Courts (amounts in dispute up to EUR 3 million)
• Appointment as presiding arbitrator in a VIAC arbitration regarding plant engineering issues (amount in dispute EUR 4 million)
• Appointment as presiding arbitrator in a DIS arbitration regarding an M&A transaction (amount in dispute EUR 400,000)
• Appointment as co-arbitrator in a VIAC arbitration regarding the building of hydro-power plants (amount in dispute EUR 10 million)
• Appointment as co-arbitrator in a VIAC arbitration regarding a post M&A dispute (amount in dispute EUR 5 million)
• Appointment as co-arbitrator in a VIAC arbitration regarding a price revision clause (amount in dispute EUR 2 million)
• Appointment as sole arbitrator in a VIAC arbitration concerning a post M&A dispute (amount in dispute EUR 1 million)
• Appointment as sole arbitrator in an ICC arbitration regarding the delivery of ammunition (amount in dispute USD 500,000)

Rankings | Awards

Markus is ranked in various legal directories, among others:

• Chambers Global 2024: “”Markus is a key player in arbitration.” “He’s an excellent lawyer. He is very thorough and efficient.”
• Chambers Global 2023: „Markus Schifferl of bpv Huegel is particularly active in arbitration pro-ceedings focusing on the oil and gas industry. He also advises on disputes relating to intellectual property and corporate conflicts. One interviewee lauds: “His energetic approach really is the main thing that stands out. He really digs deep.” Another source adds: “He’s very approachable, with excellent communication skills, and always well prepared.””
• Who´s Who Legal 2024 – Thought Leader: “Markus is an outstanding strategist” “Mr Schifferl is a charismatic and persuasive arbitration specialist who is also practical and commercial in approach” “He impresses as smart, diligent, and integrated thinker when it comes to complex arbitration disputes”
• Who´s Who Legal 2024 – Recommended: “Markus is very responsive, practical and business-minded” “He is a very diligent and well-prepared arbitrator”
• Legal 500 – current: “Markus Schifferl is known for his experience in energy-related disputes. In addition he is an in-demand arbitrator.“ „Markus Schifferl belongs to the top arbitration lawyers of his generation.“
• JUVE 2024 – Recommended: “Markus Schifferl is particularly active in arbitration proceedings, where he is in demand both as a party representative and as an arbitrator. However, clients also rely on his expertise before state courts. “
• Benchmark Litigation 2024 – Litigation Star

Memberships

ICC, ArbAut, ASA, DIS

Professional Experience and Education

bpv Hügel Attorneys at Law (since 2021); ZFZ Zeiler Attorneys at Law (2015-2021); Torggler Attorneys at Law (2007-2015); Schönherr Attorneys at Law (2005-2007)

Dr. iur. (University of Vienna 2006); LLM (University College London 2004); Mag. iur. (University of Graz, 2002); Sciences-Po Paris (2001)

Languages

German, English, French (working knowledge)

Publications and Presentations

Markus regularly speaks on international arbitration conferences. He is also a lecturer at the University of Applied Sciences in Vienna.

He has published many contributions, mainly in the field of arbitration: