Nicolas Demigneux
Paris Managing Partner & Head of Commercial Litigation, Paris
Nicolas is a leading litigation and insurance expert, guiding clients through complex commercial and international disputes.
Paris Managing Partner & Head of Commercial Litigation, Paris
Nicolas is a leading litigation and insurance expert, guiding clients through complex commercial and international disputes.
Languages - English, French
Jurisdictions - France, New York
Nicolas is the Managing Partner of Stephenson Harwood’s Paris office and local Head of Litigation and Arbitration. As a leading expert on commercial and contractual disputes and insurance litigation, he brings clients strategic insight, sharp legal expertise, and a results-driven approach to resolving complex disputes.
Nicolas supports a diverse range of clients, including major French and international companies, navigating disputes in sectors such as transport, life sciences, energy, construction, private capital, and arts.
Nicolas' practice spans litigation and arbitration, where he acts as both counsel and arbitrator, ensuring clients achieve favourable outcomes in high-stakes disputes. Nicolas’s strategic approach, industry connections and deep understanding of private international law make him a sought-after advisor for cross-border challenges, including representing clients in complex project disputes and contractual negotiations.
Clients appreciate Nicolas’s ability to uncover solutions that drive success, valuing his sharp legal acumen, negotiation skills and commitment to their interests. His work with prominent names like EURAZEO, RSA, HSBC, IMPAX, QATAR MUSEUMS, MAERSK and SUEZ highlights his capacity to manage intricate legal landscapes, providing clarity and direction in even the most challenging situations.
Maersk Line A/S
Advising and representing Maersk Line in various French court proceedings against multiple companies of the Bolloré Logistique group (China, South Korea, Philippines, Singapore, Spain, Italy, etc.) and its insurers in connection with the losses resulting from a large scale fire on board Maersk Honam in the Arabian Sea, causing the death of five sailors and the total loss of the major part of an 8,000 containers cargo.
Venezuelan state owned oil and gas company
Representing a Venezuelan state-owned oil and gas company in domestic court proceedings for urgent conservatory measures in support of ICC arbitration in relation to an offshore drilling contract dispute.Monegasque mega-yacht owner
Representing a Monegasque client - owner of a €140 million mega-yacht - and their insurers in a high-stakes dispute concerning indemnification for extensive fire damage caused during renovation works in France by a German subcontractor. Our support included managing the court-ordered survey process and handling the proceedings on the merits, ensuring comprehensive protection of the client’s interests throughout.
Transfer of shares and deprivation of assets
Advising and representing a Singaporean trust company and a Mauritius private company in a €120 million dispute following the sale of their interests in a Congolese mining company and the following fraudulent divestment of its assets.Global leader in facility management
Advising and representing a global leader in facility management against its insurers in connection with a dispute over the coverage of the consequences of a large scale fraud following the acquisition of one of its competitors in the US.Global enforcement of US decisions and asset tracing
Advising and representing the owner of an international commodity trading company to trace assets and recover damages for breach of contract and fraud in relation to a complex “pump and dump” scheme; and to enforce NY decisions in France and Monaco. Assistance included piercing the veil of various holding and shell companies in Monaco.Transasia commodities investment
Representing a commodities investment firm in a multi-jurisdictional fraud and asset tracing case. Transasia had been fraudulently induced into entering into a $22 million coal purchase agreement that in fact formed part of a "pump and dump" scheme set up by the shareholders of a US company listed on the Nasdaq, Newlead Holding Ltd.SUEZ
Representing SUEZ, a world leader in waste management and water treatment in court survey and protracted litigation proceedings against contractors and insurers, relating to major construction defects of the core control systems of one of its strategic waste storage and management plant in France.Defence and security company
Acting on behalf of a defence and security company against a power generation and rail transport equipment service company. This concerned a claim relating to the development of an integrated automated data communication system for a Brazilian railway company and associated construction works.Transportation partners
Representing Transportation Partners, Ciel Voyage and Lion Air in connection with various disputes related to the renegotiation of aircraft leasing agreements, including multiple challenges of attachments proceedings.
