Case Details

Groupe Pizzorno Environnement v. Kingdom of Morocco (ICSID Case No. ARB/23/34)

Subject of Dispute:

Waste management services
Economic Sector:

Water, Sanitation & Flood Protection
Instrument(s) Invoked:

BIT Morocco - France 1996
Applicable Rules:

ICSID Convention - Arbitration Rules

(a) Original Proceeding

Claimant(s)/Nationality(ies):

Groupe Pizzorno Environnement (French)
Respondent(s):

Kingdom of Morocco (Moroccan)
Date Registered:

August 11, 2023
Date of Constitution of Tribunal:

March 12, 2024

Composition of Tribunal

President:

Klaus SACHS (German) - Appointed by the Parties
Arbitrators:

Nassib G. ZIADÉ (Chilean, Lebanese) - Appointed by the Claimant(s)
Karim HAFEZ (Egyptian) - Appointed by the Respondent(s)

Party Representatives

Claimant(s):

Bird & Bird, Paris, France
Respondent(s):

A&O Shearman, Paris, France
Naciri & Associés – Allen Overy Shearman Sterling, Casablanca, Morocco
Ministère de l’Intérieur du Royaume du Maroc, Rabat, Morocco
Ministère de la Justice du Royaume du Maroc, Rabat, Morocco
Ministère de l’Economie et des Finances du Royaume du Maroc, Rabat Morocco
Language(s) of Proceeding:

French
Status of Proceeding:

Pending
Latest Development:

January 14, 2025 - The Tribunal issues Procedural Order No. 2 concerning the Respondent’s request to address the objections to jurisdiction as a preliminary question; as a result, the preliminary objections are joined to the merits of the dispute.

(a) Original Proceeding

Published Decisions

Procedural Order No. 1

Available on the ICSID Website

Procedural Order No. 1 (April 11, 2024) French (Original)

(a) Original Proceeding

Date	Development
August 11, 2023	The Secretary-General registers a request for the institution of arbitration proceedings.
October 29, 2023	Following appointment by the Claimant, Nassib Ziadé (Chilean/Lebanese) accepts his appointment as arbitrator.
November 10, 2023	Following appointment by the Respondent, Karim Hafez (Egyptian) accepts his appointment as arbitrator.
March 12, 2024	Following appointment by agreement of the parties, Klaus Sachs (German) accepts his appointment as presiding arbitrator.
March 12, 2024	The Tribunal is constituted in accordance with Article 37(2)(a) of the ICSID Convention. Its members are: Klaus Sachs (German), President, appointed by the parties; Nassib G. Ziadé (Chilean/Lebanese), appointed by the Claimant; and Karim Hafez (Egyptian), appointed by the Respondent.
April 4, 2024	The Tribunal holds a first session by video conference.
April 11, 2024	The Tribunal issues Procedural Order No. 1 concerning procedural matters.
July 31, 2024	The Claimant files a memorial on the merits.
October 23, 2024	The Respondent files a request to address the objections to jurisdiction as a preliminary question pursuant to ICSID Convention Article 41(2) and ICSID Arbitration Rule 44.
December 4, 2024	The Claimant files observations on the request to address the objections to jurisdiction as a preliminary question.
December 16, 2024	The Tribunal holds a hearing on the request to address the objections to jurisdiction as a preliminary question.
January 14, 2025	The Tribunal issues Procedural Order No. 2 concerning the Respondent’s request to address the objections to jurisdiction as a preliminary question; as a result, the preliminary objections are joined to the merits of the dispute.