ICC Opens in Sao Paulo

On May 4th the ICC International Court of Arbitration announced the expansion of its operations in Latin America with the launch of a new case management team in Sao Paulo. The ICC global network has over six million members in more than 100 countries.

The creation of an International Court of Arbitration team in Sao Paulo is another step in the strengthening of ties between the institution and Brazil. In 2014 ICC Brazil was established as a joint operation with the National Confederation of Industry, with the aim of giving a greater voice to Brazilian companies in global discussions, by organizing events, representing companies in the United Nations and liaising between the governments and companies that participate in the group.

ICC Brazil is led by Daniel Feffer, Robson Braga de Andrade, Nelson Salgado, Olavo Machado Junior, Ricardo Diniz and Antonio Correa Meyer.

Daniel Feffer: Graduated with a degree in business management from Mackenzie University. He started his professional life in 1977, as assistant to the Office of the Ministry of Culture of the State of Sao Paulo. From 1982 and 1984, he worked in the law firm Idel Aronis as an intern. He is currently the CEO of Suzano Holding S/A.

Robson Braga de Andrade: Has been the CEO of Orteng Equipamentos e Sistemas Ltda, a company that produces equipment for the  energy, oil, gas, mining, sewage, telecommunications and transportations sectors. In 2002, he became  CEO of the Federations of Industries of the State of Minas Gerais and remained in the office until 2010, when he left  to lead the National Confederation of Industry.

Olavo Machado Junior: Graduated as an electrical engineer from the Polytechnic Institute of the Catholic University of Minas Gerais in 1972. He is currently president of the Federation of Industries of the State of Minas Gerais.

Ricardo Diniz: A professional comfortable in leadership positions, he was hired as the CEO of Reuters in 1997, where he remained until 2008. He became the CEO of the Young Presidents’ Organization, but left the position after one year. In 2012, he became the vice chairman of Bank of America and is currently the vice president of the Brazilian Association of Investment Banks.

Antonio Corrêa Meyer: Founder of the Machado Meyer law firm, he graduated law from Sao Paulo University in 1969 and went on to work in New York in 1974 at the law firm Wender Murase & White.

The new operation of the ICC in Brazil reflects the growing relevance of Brazilian arbitration, whilst increasing competition in the market. Other players in this segment include the CCBC (Brazil – Canada Chamber of Commerce) and CAMARB (Brazilian Chamber of Corporate Arbitration).

Currently, Brazil is the third largest country in terms of participation in the ICC. It represents 30% of the total of America and the Caribbean. Of the 966 cases registered by the ICC in 2016, 123 arose from Brazilian enterprises, involving approximately $100 million. The main sectors were energy, construction, telecommunications and finances.

Commenting on the inauguration of the Sao Paulo office,  President of the ICC, Alexis Mourre said: “Reinforcing the presence of the ICC in Brazil is a direct response to the constant expansion of arbitration in the Latin American market and a continuous effort to bring the services of the ICC closer to Latin American users thereof.”

C.S.