Augustin specialises in international arbitration, including commercial and investment treaty arbitration. His main area of focus is on the extractive industries, specifically energy and mining. His practice spans the full life cycle of projects, from exploration and development to production, processing, marketing, and downstream operations, and extends to related joint ventures, infrastructure, and cross-border investments, with a strong emphasis on matters involving Europe and Africa.
He has acted in numerous international arbitrations, both institutional (including before the ICC, SCC, CCJA and ICSID) and ad hoc. He brings recognised experience in disputes involving States, State-owned entities and private sector participants across Europe and Africa, under a range of legal systems reflecting both civil law and common law traditions. He regularly engages with issues specific to the African context, including regulatory and local content frameworks, resource governance, and investor-State relations.
Augustin regularly publishes on international law and arbitration, and notably contributes to the Revue des revues of the Journal du droit international (Clunet).
Recognition
Ranked as Future Leader
Who’s Who Legal, Arbitration, 2023
Ranked as Future Leader
Who’s Who Legal, Arbitration, 2022
“Augustin’s expertise and knowledge in the case is particularly advanced. Particular emphasis should be placed on his skills to prepare witnesses for the proceedings. Patience, empathy capacity, perfect process (case) management, ability to establish mutual trust between client and legal representative.”
Legal 500, Dispute Resolution: Arbitration, Key Lawyer, 2021
Ranked Future Leader
Who’s Who Legal, Arbitration, 2021
Recent conferences
African Arbitration Association - African Arbitration Association - 5th Annual Conference
AUGUSTIN BARRIER, Speaker, Panel 4: ESG in investment arbitration
Douala, 10 October 2024
University of Geneva - Symposium on Investors’ Obligations
AUGUSTIN BARRIER, Speaker, The Landscape of Laws, Compliance with National and International Law
Geneva, 16 May 2024
African Public Procurement Network (Réseau africain de la commande publique) - 3rd General Assembly
AUGUSTIN BARRIER, Speaker, Presentation of a report to the African Development Bank on arbitral seats in Africa
Abidjan, 12 December 2023
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Current professional memberships
- Co-Founder of the Swiss Chapter of ENERAP (Energy Related Arbitration Practitioners)
- Member of Young Mining Professionals (YMP) Switzerland
- Member of ICC Young Arbitrators Forum (YAF)
- Member of LCIA Young International Arbitration Group (YIAG)
- Member of African Arbitration Association (AfAA)
- Member of ASA below 40
Career history
- Partner, LALIVE, Geneva, 2025 – present
- Counsel, LALIVE, Geneva, 2020 – 2024
- Associate, LALIVE, Geneva, 2016 – 2020
- Associate, Dentons Europe, Paris, 2014 – 2016
- Associate, Bredin Prat, Paris, 2010 – 2014
Academic qualifications
- Master in Litigation, Arbitration & ADR, Paris-Panthéon-Assas University, 2009
- Master in Economic Law, Sciences Po, Paris, 2008
- Bachelor of Law, Panthéon-Sorbonne University, Paris, 2007
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