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China Irwin

Counsel

Admission

New York, 2011

Nationality

American

Languages

English , French

Geneva

35, Rue de la Mairie
P.O. Box 6569
1211 Geneva 6
Switzerland

Contact

+41 58 105 2000 cirwin@lalive.law

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Practices

Areas of focus

Construction & Infrastructure

China Irwin joined LALIVE in 2015. Her main area of practice is international arbitration, including both commercial and investment treaty arbitration, with a focus on complex disputes involving major construction projects, consortium and joint venture agreements, and issues arising in the transportation and energy sectors. She has acted as counsel in numerous arbitration proceedings under various procedural rules, including the ICC Rules, LCIA Rules, Swiss Rules, and UNCITRAL Rules.

She is the Managing Editor of Construction Law International, the quarterly magazine of the International Bar Association’s International Construction Projects Committee. She is also a member of several professional associations, including the Society of Construction Law and the Swiss Arbitration Association (ASA), ASA below 40.

Prior to joining LALIVE, China Irwin practiced international arbitration at an international law firm in Geneva (2011-2014).

China Irwin holds a J. D. (Juris Doctor) from the University of Virginia School of Law (2010), where she participated in a dual-degree program with the Institut d’Études Politiques de Paris (Sciences Po), through which she also earned a Master in Global Business Law. She received her B.A. summa cum laude from Vanderbilt University (2007).

Thought Leaders Global Elite - Construction - Under 45 2023

Who's Who Legal, 2023

China Irwin is highlighted as “an eloquent and highly skilled construction lawyer” with an excellent understanding of all aspects of construction law.

Who’s Who Legal, Future Leaders Non-partners in Construction, 2022

Listed among the leading construction lawyers

Who’s Who Legal, Future Leaders in Construction, 2021

Listed among the leading construction lawyers

Who’s Who Legal, Future Leaders in Construction, 2020

Listed among the leading construction lawyers

Who’s Who Legal, Future Leaders in Construction, 2019

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Commentary on Article 45 of the Swiss Rules of International Arbitration

Joachim Knoll, China Irwin, 2023

In: Tobias Zuberbühler, Christoph Müller, Philipp Habegger (Eds.), Swiss Rules of International Arbitration, Schulthess Verlag, Juris, 3rd ed. 2023, pp. 601-609

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The new FIDIC Green Book Short Form of Contract explained

Sam Moss, China Irwin, Lea Murphy, 2022

Lexology (online), 10 February 2022

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Claims Procedure and Dispute Resolution under the Revised FIDIC Conditions

Bernd Ehle, China Irwin, 2019

Construction Law International, Vol. 14, Issue 1, November 2019

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Model for dealing with geotechnical uncertainty: FIDIC Emerald Book for underground works

China Irwin, Sam Moss, 2019

International Law Office, Newsletter (Construction), 29 July 2019

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FIDIC Around the World – Switzerland

China Irwin, Laura Azaria, 2019

Construction Law International, Vol. 13, Issue 4, January 2019

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Employer termination of a construction contract

Sam Moss, China Irwin, 2018

International Law Office, Newsletter (Construction), 5 November 2018

Claim Submissions and Dispute Resolution under the New FIDIC Conditions of Contract

China Irwin, 2018

LALIVE Blog, 16 May 2018

Official FIDIC Regional Contract Users’ Conference: Europe, Middle East and Africa

The FIDIC Green Book 2021 - helping you manage project risk with less resources

11/05/2023 Webinar China Irwin Panelist

For more information, see the programme.

LALIVE / Geneva-Society

Lunch Talk: Introduction to Arbitration in Construction Disputes

02/05/2023 Webinar Bernd Ehle, China Irwin Speaker

For more information, see the flyer.

ICDR Young & International

International Construction Arbitration: Core Concepts for Arbitration Practitioners Webinar 4: Delay, Disruption, and Acceleration

02/11/2021 Webinar China Irwin Panelist

For more information, see the programme.

Thai Arbitration Institute

Investment Treaty Arbitration in the Construction Sector

30/06/2021 Webinar China Irwin Panelist

For more information, see the programme.

European Law Students’ Association (ELSA)

4th Summer ELSA Law School Geneva on Arbitration

17/07/2019 Geneva China Irwin Speaker: Introduction to Construction Arbitration

For more information, see the programme.

ISTAC & LALIVE

Turkish-Swiss Arbitration Day

09/05/2019 Istanbul China Irwin Panelist: Differences between Turkish and Swiss law on hotly debated construction law issues such as liquidated damages vs penalties, notice requirements, or treatment of delays

For more information, see the programme.

Young International Construction Practitioners (YConstruction)

The new FIDIC Rainbow: What does it mean for construction arbitration?

18/10/2018 London China Irwin Moderator

For further information, see the programme

LCIA & Young International Arbitration Group (YIAG)

Tribunal Secretaries: An insight behind the curtain

19/09/2018 Zurich China Irwin Panelist

For further information, see the programme

ASA Below 40

Spring Seminar - Construction arbitration

08/06/2018 Geneva China Irwin Speaker: The use of procedural tools, including bifurcation, in construction arbitration

For further information, see the programme.

Society of Construction Law (SCL) / Society of Construction Law Astra Ireland

Construction 2020: How Well Has It Worked and What Might Follow?

16/02/2018 Dublin China Irwin Panelist: Future trends in public infrastructure projects

For more information, see the programme.

11 Jan 2022

Sam Moss and China Irwin appointed as officers of the IBA’s International Construction Projects Committee

18 Dec 2020

Who’s Who Legal recognises 19 LALIVE practitioners in its arbitration guide 2021

29 Oct 2018

LALIVE promotes four to Counsel

07 May 2018

LALIVE Newsflash: Construction