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WHO'S WHO
Ifriqya Online Directory
An added value Directory of North African International Arbitrators & ADR practioners verified and qualified by IAF.
Sana Belaïd
Arbitrator & Mediator
Nationality: Tunisian
Sana is an international arbitrator and mediator, with a proven track record in managing complex disputes and transactions across various legal systems and cultures. With a robust academic foundation in Paris and Tunis, her expertise is further recognised through her accreditation as a CEDR Mediator, her roles as Member of the ICC Court of Arbitration and as Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.
Sana has led significant arbitration proceedings and negotiations, particularly in the ICT (Technology) and oil & gas sectors, during her tenure as Senior Associate with Coudert Brothers and White & Case in Paris, and as Senior Counsel at Cisco in Dubai. Her arbitration experience spans the Middle East, North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Europe, where she has handled high-stakes disputes and represented governments and multinational companies in numerous arbitrations, both institutional (mainly ICC) and ad-hoc.
- 2006 – 2024: Senior Legal Counsel – Cisco (Dubai, UAE)
- 2004 – 2006: Senior Associate, International Arbitration Department, White & Case LLP (Paris, France)
- 2001 – 2004: Senior Associate, International Arbitration Department, Coudert Brothers (Paris, France)
- Represented a Japanese company in negotiations with Yemeni public entities: led negotiation meetings and led efforts to settle amicably a construction dispute; negotiated and drafted a settlement agreement under Yemeni law.
- Represented clients in major petroleum arbitrations in Russia, involving, amongst other questions, obstruction of an acquisition using pre-emption rights under Russian law (value US$ 600 million).
- Worked on a construction arbitration related to a major project in Algeria (involving the liability of sub-contractors under Algerian law).
- Represented a South African company in a construction dispute in Libya (value US$ 1 billion).
- Represented an Asian government on a major arbitration related to suspected payment of commissions in two Asian countries and Europe. The arbitration involved court proceedings in France and Switzerland (value US$ 600 million).
- Regularly represented a UK Oil & Gas company in disputes with African governments and state-owned companies.
- Regularly advised major multinational oil & gas companies operating in Africa, and more particularly in the North African region (research, exploration, exploitation contracts).
- 1996: Comparative Law (cum laude), Université Paris-Panthéon-Assas (Paris, France)
- 1995: Public International Law (first in class), Université Paris-Panthéon-Assas (Paris, France)
- 1991-1995: Master’s in Law (with distinction) Faculté des Sciences Juridiques, Politiques et Sociales de Tunis (Tunis, Tunisia)
- 1991: Baccalauréat Literature, (presidential prize) (Tunis, Tunisia)
- 2024: Associate Certified Coach (“ACC”), International Coach Federation (“ICF”)
- 2023: A Certified Privacy Professional. IAPP Certification (International Association of Privacy Professionals): Information Privacy Professional /Europe (CIPP/E)
- 2022: An Accredited Mediator. CEDR Accredited Mediator (Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution)
- 2015-2019: A Qualified & Certified Coach. CTI (“Coaching Training Institute”): Qualification & Certification HOGAN Certification
- ORSC (Organization & Relationship Systems Coaching Institute) Qualification in Team Coaching. Certification in co-facilitation: “Alchemy, the Art & Science of Co-Facilitation”
- A Cisco TMBC certified coach: Strength Coaching & Standout Debriefing
- 2024: Confirmed “Member” of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb)
- 2024: Admitted as “Member” of the ICC World Business Institute
- 2024: Elected “Delegate” of the ICC Commission on Arbitration & ADR (2024-2027 Term)
- 2021 – 2024: Member of the User Council of the Swiss Arbitration Association (« ASA »)
- 2022 – present: Co-founder and current Treasurer of Ifriqya Arbitration Forum
- 2018-2024: Member of the ICC International Court of Arbitration
- 2010-2013: Lead of the ICC Young Arbitrators’ Forum – Middle East
- 2012: Admitted at the Paris Court of Appeals
- 2001: Admitted at the Tunis Court of Appeals
- Arabic (native)
- French (fluent)
- English (proficient)
