Emmanuel Jolivet, PhD
General Counsel
Biography
A distinguished legal expert in international arbitration, commercial law, and governance, Emmanuel Jolivet has over two decades of experience shaping international trade law and global dispute resolution practices. Since 2012, he has served as General Counsel for both the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and its International Court of Arbitration, where he has played a pivotal role in developing and enforcing arbitration policies that influence international business law. His leadership extends across multiple jurisdictions, holding key positions in Singapore, London, and the United States, where he has overseen institutional governance, commercial crime prevention, and arbitration policy development.
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Beyond his role as General Counsel, Emmanuel is an influential figure in international legal circles. He has been instrumental in ICC initiatives, serving as Director of the Asia Regional Office, Director of the ICC Academy (the educational and training affiliate of ICC), and Non-executive Director of ICC Commercial Crime Services in London. Additionally, he has played a critical role in the ICC’s liaison with the United Nations (UN) as Director of the ICC UN Observer Mission in New York.
Emmanuel’s expertise has been recognized by government institutions, including his recent appointment by the French Minister of Justice to a working group reviewing French arbitration law. His work has also extended to shaping arbitration frameworks at the United Nations Commission for International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) and international contract law at UNIDROIT, contributing to the elaboration of globally-recognized legal norms.
A dedicated academic, Emmanuel has contributed extensively to legal scholarship, teaching at prestigious institutions, such as The Institut de Droit des Affaires Internationales (IDAI) in Cairo, Sciences Po Paris, the University of Lorraine, and the University of Versailles Paris Saclay. He has authored numerous publications, ranging from arbitration to international contract law, and has delivered a plethora of keynote speeches, and he has participated as a panelist, speaker, and moderators at high-profile conferences such as Paris Arbitration Week.
With a PhD in Private Law from the University of Montpellier I—where his award-winning dissertation explored the Incoterms Rules framework—Emmanuel is an established thought leader in international business law and dispute resolution. His commitment to the field is further reflected in his advisory roles, editorial contributions to arbitration journals, and his active participation in pioneering reforms.
