Cosmin Vasile

Practice Focus

Dr. Cosmin Vasile, managing partner of ZRVP and head of the firm’s Arbitration Practice Group, has extensive experience of more than 21 years in handling cross-border disputes and boasts already an outstanding track-record of around 100 international arbitration proceedings as counsel and arbitrator conducted under various laws and sets of arbitration rules, including ICC, LCIA, CAM, SCC, VIAC, UNCITRAL, ICSID and CICA.

Cosmin has successfully coordinated an impressive number of significant and mission critical disputes for his clients, often in the glare of media attention. Winning groundbreaking awards for his clients in Romania has brought him international recognition and a well-deserved place among the best arbitration practitioners worldwide, being held in esteem for his work as a counsel. As one of the leading experts in construction, capital markets, privatization and energy arbitrations in Romania, Cosmin is called upon to provide legal counsel to both government institutions and private companies. Outside these areas of specialization, Cosmin has acted in cases concerning a wide range of commercial contracts in various industry sectors. Cosmin regularly sits as arbitrator in domestic and international proceedings. Since 2011, he has joined the group of arbitrators of the Bucharest Court of International Commercial Arbitration attached to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Romania. Since 2015, he is a Member of the Court College in the same institution.

In court, Cosmin has an impressive record, being popular among major domestic and international corporations for advice in high-profile commercial, administrative-contentious, public procurement and capital markets disputes. During the last years, he has focused on cross-border litigations, international private law matters and a wide range of commercial disputes in various industry sectors, such as construction, energy, privatization, M&A. Cosmin also acts for a significant client roster in intellectual property matters, being a highly regarded IP litigator in both patent and trademarks.

Cosmin was the ICC YAF Regional Representative for the Europe and Russia chapter for the 2017–2019 mandate, during which time he was responsible with the promotion and development of the dynamic global network of young arbitration talent. He regularly speaks and publishes on topics related to arbitration, and is newsletter editor for the Mediation Committee of the International Bar Association (IBA), as well as a member of the Dispute Resolution International Board in the same association. He holds a doctorate degree from the University of Bucharest, and defended his doctoral thesis on the topic “The Applicable Law in the Ad Hoc Commercial Arbitration” (2011). Cosmin is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators in London (FCIArb) since 2012, and holds a diploma in International Arbitration from this institute. He has been awarded the Certificate of the ICC Advanced Arbitration Academy for Central and Eastern Europe and the Certificate of the International Academy for Arbitration Law (Paris).

Cosmin Vasile is an international arbitration ace who is well-equipped to advise patrons before, during and after contentious trademark proceedings.

(WTR 1000 ǀ 2020)

Cosmin Vasile is praised for his strategic approach and commercial awareness with one client stating: “His advice is always cut-through, giving us the best available option. “Another client describes him as a “perfect orator,” whilst another adds that he is “clear-headed, determined and extremely eloquent in court.”

(Chambers and Partners ǀ 2020)

An impressive lawyer with great attitude.

(WWL Arbitration ǀ 2021)

He has strong expertise in construction and engineering arbitrations.

(WWL Arbitration ǀ 2021)

A leader in international arbitration in Romania.

(WWL Arbitration ǀ 2021)

A star.

(WWL Arbitration ǀ 2021)

Cosmin Vasile is a renowned litigator with more than 19 years of experience representing a broad range of clients in cross-border construction and engineering disputes.

(WWL Litigation ǀ 2021)

Vasile is an international arbitration ace who is well-equipped to advise patrons before, during and after contentious trademark proceedings.

(WTR 1000 ǀ 2020)

Cosmin Vasile is the most talented litigator from the young generation, with astonishing results both in courts and in arbitration, with solid international experience.

(Legal 500 EMEA ǀ 2020)

Head honcho Cosmin Vasile is not only an accomplished IP litigator, but also a seasoned strategist whose solutions are invariably cost conscious and commercially oriented.

(WTR 1000 ǀ 2021)

Cosmin Vasile is “a market leader from all perspectives” who is well known for his “strong construction practice”.

(WWL Commercial Litigation ǀ 2021)

Cosmin Vasile is a star in the arbitration market, say peers who note he is experienced and reliable, and has a great attitude.

(WWL Arbitration ǀ 2020)

According to sources, he “gives robust and very commercial advice,” as well as being “adept at international arbitration proceedings.” Clients also add: “He is really great from a strategic point of view.”
(Chambers and Partners | 2019)

A client comments: “His ample experience allows him to assess the case from a wide point of view and to approach the important moments of the proceedings pragmatically. He is responsive, proactive and open to challenges.”

(Chambers and Partners | 2022)

“Cosmin is really a go-to arbitration lawyer in Romania. I tell everyone: if you have an issue in Romania, go to him.”

(Chambers and Partners | 2023)

Ingo Steinwender of CA Immobilien Anlagen used Vasile for a VIAC dispute over a construction project and calls him “a first-class dispute resolution lawyer, capable of managing complex cases with great tactical judgement”.

(GAR 100 ǀ 2023)

The responsive and proactive Cosmin Vasile gains plaudits for his reliability, determination and understanding of facts in a wide array of construction and other commercial disputes.

(WWL Arbitration | 2019)

Cosmin Vasile is always the first name on the team sheet. He is an enforcement ace who is adept at alternative dispute resolution as well as conventional courtroom proceedings; approaching cases like chess games, he plans for all eventualities and is never wrong-footed.

(WTR 1000 | 2019)

A brilliant mind who stands out for his ‘excellent strategic skills and commercial awareness.

(Chambers and Partners | 2018)

“An excellent professional who deals with the difficult cases’”

(Legal 500 | 2017)

Cosmin Vasile has complete mastery of the law from a substantial standpoint as well as from a procedural one and was repeatedly commended as a strategy guru.

(WWL Future Leaders in Arbitration | 2017)

Clients appreciate his “no-nonsense approach and his direct communication style.

(Chambers and Partners | 2017)

Clients say he “is a sharp and realistic lawyer and we feel 100% confident in his analysis and solutions”

(Chambers and Partners ǀ 2016)

Main Areas of Expertise

Dispute Resolution, Alternative Dispute Resolution
Investment Arbitration
Civil Procedure
Enforcement
Private International Law
Intellectual Property
Administrative and Fiscal Litigation
Public Procurement

Accolades

Top Ranked in Dispute Resolution (Tier 1)
(Chambers and Partners | since 2007)
Band 1 in Dispute Resolution: Arbitration
(Chambers and Partners | since 2022)
Band 1 in Dispute Resolution: Litigation
(Chambers and Partners | since 2021)
Leading Individual in Dispute Resolution
(The Legal 500 EMEA | since 2021)
Recommended practitioner (Global Leader, Thought Leader) in International Arbitration
(Who’s Who Legal: since 2017)
Recommended practitioner (Thought Leader) in Commercial Litigation
(Who’s Who Legal: 2023)
Recommended practitioner in Transport – Aviation Contentious
(Who’s Who Legal: since 2021)
Recommended practitioner in International Arbitration
(Who’s Who Legal: Future Leaders in Arbitration | 2017)
Recommended arbitration practitioner in GAR 100
(since 2016)
Dispute Resolution Star in International Arbitration / Construction / Commercial and Transactions
(Benchmark Litigation | since 2018)
Recommended lawyer in Intellectual Property
(Managing Intellectual Property, Best Lawyers, IP Stars | WTR 1000)
Client Choice Award 2020: Litigation
(Lexology | February 2020)
IP Stars, Romania: Patent star
(Managing Intellectual Property ǀ 2019)
IP Stars, Romania: Trade mark star
(Managing Intellectual Property ǀ 2019)
Ziarul Financiar Special Award 2018 for outstanding accomplishments in the field of international litigation
(Lawyers’ Awards Gala, Bucharest | September 2018)
Recognized in Arbitration & Mediation, Litigation
(Best Lawyers ǀ since 2012)

Education

BA in Law, Faculty of Law, University of Bucharest | 2001
LL.M in Public Law, National School of Political and Administrative Studies | 2002
Psychology and Pedagogy Studies, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bucharest | 2003
Post-graduate Studies in Private Law, Faculty of Law, University of Bucharest | 2004
Ph.D in Law, Thesis “The applicable Law in the ad-hoc Commercial Arbitration”, Faculty of Law, University of Bucharest | 2011
Diploma in International Arbitration, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, London | 2012
Certificate ICC Advanced Arbitration Academy for Central and Eastern Europe | 2015
Diploma International Academy for Arbitration Law, Paris | 2016
Diploma Reimagining Strategy: Applying Design Thinking To Your Organization, Harvard Business School, Boston, Massachusetts ǀ 2020

Professional Associations & Memberships

National Association of Romanian Bars
International Bar Association
The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, London (Member, Fellow)
International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) (Arbitrator and Conciliator)
The London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA)
Institute for Transnational Arbitration (Member of the Advisory Board)
Stockholm Chamber of Commerce, SCC Arbitrators’ Council (Member of the Council)
Young International Arbitration Group, Court of International Arbitration, London
China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC) (Arbitrator)
The Court of International Commercial Arbitration attached to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Romania (Member of the Court College, Arbitrator)
ICC Young Arbitrators Forum
International Council for Commercial Arbitration
International Arbitration Institute (IAI Paris)
Dispute Resolution International Board, IBA
The Alternative Banking Dispute Resolution Centre (Conciliator)

Publications

The Supreme Court of Justice Held That Non-Governmental Organisations Of Public Interest Can Organise Institutional Arbitration “Only If Authorised By The Lawmaker”
Romanian Arbitration Journal 2, page 34 | 2024
“Practitioner’s Guidelines to the Rules of Arbitration of the Court of International Commercial Arbitration Attached to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Romania”
Wolters Kluwer Romania | 2020
“Construction Arbitration”, Romania Chapter
Global Arbitration Review, GAR Know How Series | 2020
“Construction Arbitration in Central and Eastern Europe: Contemporary Issues”
Wolters Kluwer ǀ 2019
“The Law Approving the Termination of the intra-EU Bilateral Investment Treaties: Premises, Status Quo and Perspectives”
Universul Juridic Magazine no. 3 | 2017
“Eyes on Romania as it Enacts a Law Approving the Termination of all Intra-EU Bilateral Investment Treaties”
Young ICCA Blog | 2017
“Challenge for Clarification of the Scope, Meaning and Application of an Arbitral Award”
Romanian Arbitration Journal | 2016
“Admissibility of the Appeal against the Decisions to Reject the Action for Setting Aside an Arbitral Award”
Juridice.ro | 2016
“A Survey regarding the Approach of the Romanian Courts to the Notion of Public Policy in the Context of Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards and in Proceedings for Setting Aside Arbitral Awards”
Juridice.ro | 2016
“Arbitration in Romania”
Lexology Navigator | 2015
“Absolute Nullity of the Arbitral Convention Concluded without Notary Public Authentication. An Extravagance of the NCPC”
Romanian Arbitration Journal issue no. 4, volume 32, page 1 | 2014
“Considerations on the Possibility to Enforce a Binding but not Final DAB Decision, through an Interim or Partial Arbitral Award, Analysed from the Perspective of the Romanian Law”
Romanian Arbitration Journal issue no. 3, volume 31, page 1 | 2014
“New Arbitration Rules of the Bucharest Court of International Commercial Arbitration,”
Practical Law | 2014
“New Arbitration Rules of the Bucharest Court of International Commercial Arbitration”
Practical Law Multi-Jurisdictional Guide | 2014 – 2015