Matthias Scherer

Partner, Zurich

+41 58 105 2100 

mscherer@lalive.law

Matthias Scherer

Matthias is one of the world’s most experienced arbitration lawyers, with three decades of practice representing parties in complex international disputes. A “Leading Individual” and “a prominent name for investor-state arbitrations”, Legal 500, Matthias has acted as counsel in over 200 arbitrations and ADR proceedings under various arbitration rules (ICC, ICSID, Swiss Rules, LCIA, UNCITRAL, VIAC, CAS, SCC), governed by both civil and common law procedural and substantive laws. In addition, he represents parties in arbitration -related court proceedings, especially in the challenge of commercial and investment treaty arbitral awards before the Swiss Supreme Court.

Matthias is also hailed as one of the “most in demand arbitrators”, in Chamber’s Global, and is a member of the ICSID panel of arbitrators, regularly appointed by parties and major arbitral institutions (including the ICC, Swiss Arbitration Centre, ICSID, LCIA, SCC, DIAC, VIAC and Danish Institute of Arbitration).

Recognition

Ranked Band 1
Chambers and Partners Global and Europe Guides, Arbitrators (Switzerland), 2026

Ranked Band 2
Chambers and Partners Global and Europe Guides, Arbitration Counsel (Switzerland), 2026

Ranked Band 2
Chambers and Partners Global Guide, International Arbitration: Most In Demand Arbitrators (Europe wide), 2026

“If my life were at stake and I needed an arbitrator or counsel, he would be my choice. He has so much charisma and is very clever. Astonishing.”
Chambers Global, International Arbitration: Most In Demand Arbitrators (Band 2), Europe-wide, 2026

Matthias Scherer comes highly recommended for his vast experience and deep knowledge of high-stakes construction disputes, both domestically and abroad.
Lexology Index, Thought Leader – Construction, 2026

 

Recent publications

Editor-in-Chief, ASA Bulletin, Journal of the Swiss Arbitration Association (quarterly)

Fair and Equitable Treatment and Full Protection and Security Standards in Light of the Arbitral Jurisprudence on Tax Matters
MATTHIAS SCHERER
In: Tax Matters in International Investment Arbitration (Ed. Danon/Ziegler/Wuschka), Kluwer 2026

Challenging Investment Treaty Awards in Switzerland: Mission (Almost) Impossible? A review of the Swiss Supreme Court decisions rendered over the period 2019-2024
MATTHIAS SCHERER, CATHERINE A. KUNZ, LAURA AZARIA
In: 42 ASA Bulletin 4/2024 (December)

Commentary on Article 182 (arbitral procedure) and 184 (evidence) of the Swiss Private International Law Act
MICHAEL E. SCHNEIDER; MATTHIAS SCHERER, 2021
In: Honsell/Vogt/Schnyder/Berti (Eds.), Das Internationale Privatrecht (Basler Kommentar), 4th edition (Fifth edition (2027) in preparation)

Recent conferences

University of Lausanne - Tax Matters in International Investment Arbitration
MATTHIAS SCHERER, Speaker, The FET Standard and Tax-Related Investment Disputes: From Systemic Integration to “The Global Tax Standards” Approach—Practical Examples
Lausanne, 2 June 2026

UNIVERSITE PARIS II -ASSAS - Cours de Diplôme Universitaire Du Contract Management
MATTHIAS SCHERER, Speaker, Contract Management, Preuve and Arbitrage
Paris, (Recurring yearly since 2018), 4 May 2026

ICC Institute of World Business Law - ICC Institute Training on Complex Arbitrations in Miami
MATTHIAS SCHERER, Co-host and coach, Training on complex arbitrations
Miami, 30 October 2022

Read more

Current professional memberships

  • Member of the ICSID Panel of Arbitrators
  • Member of the Council of the ICC Institute of World Business Law
  • Member of the Disciplinary Commission of the Gymnastics Ethics Foundation

Career history

  • Partner, LALIVE, 2002 – present

Academic qualifications

  • LLM in European Law, University of Lausanne, 1993 – 1994
  • Law School/bar exam, University of Bern, 1985 – 1992
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