Joséphine
Hage Chahine
Counsel
Joséphine Hage Chahine, co-head of Jeantet’s Middle East Desk, acts as counsel in international arbitration and litigation proceedings, with a dedicated practice in shipping and international trade law: contracts for the carriage of goods by sea, bills of lading, charter parties, chartering, international sale of goods and Incoterms. She appears before the leading arbitral institutions (ICC, CAMP, CIAP, CMAP, LCIA, CRCICA, DIAC, CCJA) and also acts in the energy, natural resources, infrastructure, construction and banking sectors.
Her litigation practice covers disputes arising from the performance of charter parties, demurrage claims, cargo loss and damage, as well as issues relating to bills of lading, international sales (CIF, FOB and other Incoterms) and documentary credits. She also acts in post-award proceedings (setting aside, enforcement and stay of enforcement of arbitral awards) before the French courts, sits as arbitrator and is regularly appointed administrative secretary to arbitral tribunals.
As co-head of the Middle East Desk, Joséphine also deploys specific expertise in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Leveraging her in-depth knowledge of the region’s economic dynamics and legal frameworks, she assists investors, industrial companies, and maritime trade actors with their cross-border operations and the resolution of their disputes involving this strategic geographic area.
She is fluent in Arabic, French and English.
Background
Lawyer since : 2013
Bar. : Beyrouth (2013) - Paris (2017)
Language(s) : French - Arabic - English
Training :
- PhD in private law (“risk transfer contracts: a new category of contracts?”) – University of Panthéon-Assas (Paris II), 2016
- Masters II in Private and Business law Saint-Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon
- Masters I in Business Law- Saint-Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon–in cooperation with University of Lyon III, Jean Moulin, 2009
- Double LLB in Lebanese and French law – Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon, 2009
Member of :
- ICC Young Arbitrators Forum (YAF)
- London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA)
- Young International Arbitration Group (YIAG)
- Association Française d’Arbitrage (AFA)
- Woman’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA)
- Société de Législation Comparée (SLC)
Publications
- Option Finance, “Force majeure, hardship and MAC clauses: three key tools to master in times of crisis”
- “Middle East – A Region in Motion” – Insight from the Middle East Desk: MENA Legal & Market Overview, Second Semester 2025
- The Breach of a Mediation Clause Can Go Unpunished Under French Law: What to do? – Kluwer Arbitration Blog, 03/07/2023
- Excessive arbitration claims filed by an impecunious claimant: which remedies? – la semaine juridique générale,, 06/06/2022
- Arbitration: a Poker Game? – Le Monde du droit, 05/11/2022
PUBLICATIONS:
- The breach of a mediation clause can go unpunished under French law: what to do? (co-author), Kluwer arbitration Blog, 3 July 2023, https://arbitrationblog.kluwerarbitration.com/2023/07/03/the-breach-of-a-mediation-clause-can-go-unpunished-under-french-law-what-to-do/
- Le sauvetage des sentences arbitrales par l’exequatur partiel, Revue de l’arbitrage, 2022, n°3, p1113, 21 October 2022
- La médiation en Iran : bilan et perspectives (co-auteur), International Journal of Arab Arbitration (IJAA), volume 14, n°1 – 2022, p.19, 30 September 2022
- The specificities of Lebanese arbitration law in comparison with French arbitration law, Horizons du droit, Bulletin n° 35 – April 2022.
- The Acceleration of the Development of International Business Mediation after the Singapore Convention, European Business Law review, Volume 32, n°4,25 August 2021, pp. 769-800
- UN and EU Sanctions Versus US Sanctions: Two Different Yardsticks Commentary on the Decision of the Paris Court of Appeal (International Commercial Chamber) (5th Pole, Chamber 16) of 3 June 2020, No. 21/2020, Journal of International Arbitration, Volume 38, Issue 1 (2021), pp. 71 – 82. January 29, 2021
- Singapore Convention Series: The “Sharia-Compliance” Requirement to Safeguard Enforcement of Mediated Settlements in the MENA Region (co-written with David Lutran), Kluwer Mediation Blog; http://mediationblog.kluwerarbitration.com/2020/09/30/singapore-convention-series-the-sharia-compliance-requirement-to-safeguard-enforcement-of-mediated-settlements-in-the-mena-region/. September 30, 2020
- Mediation: a Culturally Well-Established Dispute Resolution Mechanism in the MENA region gaining in momentum (co-written with David Lutran), International Journal of Arab Arbitration, Volume 12, No. (1), 2020, p.23. September 14, 2020
- L’influence du droit français dans la zone MENA, Revue internationale de droit comparé, 2020-2, pp.1-9. July 22, 2020
- Commentary of the Cairo court of appeal’s decision of 3 June 2020 setting aside the “Al-Kharafi” award, JusMundi
Blog; https://blog.jusmundi.com/commentary-on-the-cairo-court-of-appeals-decision-in-al-kharafi-vs-libya/. 15 Juillet 2020
- Transnational Public Policy in Investment Arbitration, Wiki Note, JusMundi, https://jusmundi.com/en/document/wiki/en-transnational-public-policy. July 8, 2020
- Le droit des contrats au secours d’une clause « pathologique » de renonciation au recours en annulation, AJ Contrat, 2020, n°6, p.280. June 15, 2020
- Fast track arbitration: a time-efficient procedure that could hinder the award? Jus Mundi
Blog; https://blog.jusmundi.com/fast-track-arbitration-a-time-efficient-procedure-that-could-hinder-the-award/. 29 Mai 2020
- « Une redéfinition des contours de l’arbitrabilité du litige », Bulletin juridique des assurances, n°61. January/February 2019
- Les contrats de transfert de risque : une nouvelle catégorie de contrats ? 2016, LGDJ-Le Point Delta. November 2016
CONFERENCES:
- Access to Legal Education for Arab Women, Conference organized by the New York State Bar Association and the Milan Bar Association, Milan Courthouse, 19 April 2024
- Cross examination of a financial expert : user’s guide and mock case, conference organized by NERA during Paris arbitration week 2024, 20 March 2024
- Maritime arbitration in Algeria, moderator, Algiers arbitration Day, First Edition, Algiers, Algeria, 23 October 2023
- How to resolve disputes away from jurisdictions and arbitral tribunals? The ADRs, their combination and the practical guidelines to implement them, Joint conference between the French Council for investors in Africa and Jeantet, 26 Sepember 2023
- Investment arbitration landscape in the context of the Energy transition , 7Th Energy Law Group Event, Paris, 12 May 2023
- Le droit OHADA, cadre judiciaire en faveur de l’activité économique et de la stabilité judiciaire des affaires : Quel bilan ? Colloque organisé par la Mauritius Commercial Bank, à l’occasion du trentième anniversaire du traité de l’OHADA ,Port Louis, Maurice, 12 April 2023
- L’arbitrage sur mesure : le démarrage de la procédure (mesures d’urgence et répartition des frais), Paris Arbitration Week, Cabinet Jeantet , 28 March 2023
- Procédure arbitrale et procédure collective: l’impossible cohabitation, Centre de médiation et d’arbitrage de Paris (CMAP), 11 October 2022
- Investment contracts in Africa during political crises: what legal response?, Jeantet Law firm. 27 June 2022
- Third-party Funding in the MENA region, Levantine Arbitration Association, 26 March 2022
- 27 January 2022: The specificities of Lebanese arbitration law in comparison with French arbitration law, Seminar of the French Association of doctors-of-laws (AFDD) on the “outreach of Lebanese law”
- Arbitration in the Greater-China region: a comparative analysis with French law and the example of maritime disputes, Webinaire, in partnershipl’Ecole de Formation du Barreau (EFB) and la Société de Législation Comparée.June 15, 2021
- L’arbitrage international : présentation générale et approche comparée, Webinaire, (EFB), January 28, 2021
- L’influence du droit français dans la zone MENA : Le système juridique libanais : exemple réussi de « greffe » du droit français,Webinaire, Société de législation comparée, Paris, France, May 28, 2020
- Le développement de la médiation commerciale internationale après la convention de Singapour et ses retombées sur l’arbitrage, 27ème Forum Mondial des Centres de Médiation,Milan, January 18, 2020
- Le système juridique libanais contemporain : un exemple de transposition du droit français, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), Université de Londres, December 6, 2019
- Le droit des contrats au secours d’une clause pathologique de renonciation au recours en annulation, Université Paris I, Panthéon-Sorbonne., September 20, 2019
- Arbitrage et Assurance : une redéfinition de l’arbitrabilité, Université Paris I, Panthéon-Sorbonne, October 29, 2018
- Exécution contre Annulation : le recours en annulation contre les sentences arbitrales doit-il être conservé afin de garantir l’ordre public dans les pays arabes ?ICC YAF, Beyrouth, Liban, September 20, 2018
- La sécurisation de l’exécution des sentences arbitrales, Ordre des avocats de de Beyrouth, Liban, June 19, 2018
Newsletter – Middle East Desk
France has firmly established itself as a premier destination for Middle Eastern investors. A stable legal framework, a mature private equity market, high-quality infrastructure and a dynamic innovation ecosystem make it ideally positioned for long-term investment strategies. This aligns closely with the diversification and globalisation objectives pursued under the various Vision 2030 programmes across the […]
Option Finance, “Force majeure, hardship and MAC clauses: three key tools to master in times of crisis”
In a context of increasing geopolitical and economic uncertainty, companies must anticipate the impact of crises on their contractual relationships. In Option Finance, Joséphine Hage Chahine and Ali Baydoun, Counsels and Co-Heads of Jeantet’s Middle East Desk, analyse the key contractual mechanisms available to parties facing exceptional circumstances: force majeure, hardship and Material Adverse Change […]
Middle East Desk
Jeantet’s Middle East Desk at Vision Golfe 2026
Joséphine Hage Chahine and Ali Baydoun, co-heads of our Middle East Desk, attended Vision Golfe 2026 on 18–19 June, organized by Business France, under the auspices of the French Ministry of Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty and the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. Hosted at the Ministry of Economy and at the […]
Middle East Desk
Newsletter Shipping – Middle East Desk
In a context of heightened geopolitical tensions and disrupted trade routes, the shipping industry is facing increasing operational, contractual and insurance-related challenges. We are pleased to share the first edition of Shipping Insights, prepared by Joséphine Hage Chahine and Ali Baydoun, Co-Heads of our Middle East Desk, offering practical and strategic perspectives on the current […]
Middle East Desk
The Middle East Desk at the “Investing in Iraq – Strategic Vision and Opportunities” conference, organised by the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq and the Franco-Arab Chamber of Commerce
Joséphine Hage Chahine and Ali Baydoun, representatives of Jeantet’s Middle East Desk, attended the “Investing in Iraq – Strategic Vision and Opportunities” conference, held on 15 January 2026 in Paris, and jointly organised by the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in France and the Franco-Arab Chamber of Commerce. The event brought together institutional representatives, […]
“Middle East – A Region in Motion” – Insight from the Middle East Desk: MENA Legal & Market Overview, Second Semester 2025
The Middle East continues to transform at an unprecedented pace. With bold regulatory reforms, strategic investments in energy, transport, and technology, and a strong drive to diversify Gulf economies, the region remains a key player on the international stage. Discover our MENA Legal & Market Overview – Second Semester 2025, featuring insights from Joséphine Hage […]
The Middle East Desk of Jeantet at the Conference of Paris
Ali Baydoun and Joséphine Hage Chahine, representatives of Jeantet’s Middle East Desk, took part in the Conference of Paris, held on 16–17 December. The conference provided a high-level forum to address global economic, geopolitical and legal challenges in a rapidly evolving international environment. The discussions strongly resonated with developments in the Middle East, a region […]
Business France – Vision Golf 2025
On June 17–18, 2025, Jeantet, represented by Ali Baydoun and Joséphine Hage Chahine, Counsels and Co-Chairs of the Middle East Desk, took part in Vision Golfe 2025, organized by Business France in Paris. Bringing together more than 1,200 participants from both the public and private sectors, this major event positioned Paris as a strategic hub […]
Middle East Desk
Jeantet at the France – Türkiye Business Forum
On October 14, 2025, Jeantet, represented by Ali Baydoun and Joséphine Hage Chahine, Counsels and Co-Chairs of the Middle East Desk, took part in the France–Türkiye Business Forum organized by Business France in Paris. The event brought together numerous business leaders to explore cooperation opportunities between France and Türkiye, and to discuss key economic and […]
Middle East Desk
Newsletter – Investing in France : Managing a French Company as a Foreign Executive: Visa Requirements Explained
France stands out as a prime destination for Middle Eastern investors, combining a dynamic economy, an innovation-driven ecosystem, and dedicated support measures aligned with the Gulf countries’ Vision 2030. At the same time, setting up or expanding in France brings practical challenges for business leaders, from residency and visa requirements to choosing the right legal […]
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Free Zones: a Gateway to the Middle East
The GCC has become a global trade and investment hub, with innovation-driven free zones offering vast opportunities for investors—while requiring foresight and legal expertise. To view the Newsletter, please download it using the button at the top right.
Middle East Desk | CORPORATE – M&A – PRIVATE EQUITY | ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES LAW
Jeantet strengthens its presence in the Middle East with the opening of its Middle East Desk
Paris, June 2, 2025 – Established in Paris for over 100 years, with a solid and recognized international reputation, Jeantet is pleased to announce the launch of its Middle East Desk, a new offering designed to support French and Middle Eastern companies in their cross-border projects. This strategic initiative aims at providing high-level legal expertise […]
Middle East Desk