Case Details

Djamel Ben Ferha v. Kingdom of Belgium (ICSID Case No. ARB/24/15)

Subject of Dispute:

Sports
Economic Sector:

Other
Instrument(s) Invoked:

BIT Belgium-Luxembourg - Algeria 1991
Applicable Rules:

ICSID Convention - Arbitration Rules

(a) Original Proceeding

Claimant(s)/Nationality(ies):

Djamel Ben Ferha (Algerian)
Respondent(s):

Kingdom of Belgium (Belgian)
Date Registered:

May 24, 2024
Date of Constitution of Tribunal:

October 7, 2024

Composition of Tribunal

President:

Loretta MALINTOPPI (Italian) - Appointed by the Parties
Arbitrators:

Hamid G. GHARAVI (French, Iranian) - Appointed by the Claimant(s)
Hélène RUIZ FABRI (French) - Appointed by the Respondent(s)

Party Representatives

Claimant(s):

Mayer Brown International, Paris, France
Respondent(s):

Foley Hoag, Paris, France
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Language(s) of Proceeding:

French
Status of Proceeding:

Pending
Latest Development:

October 31, 2025 - The Respondent files a counter-memorial on the merits and objections to jurisdiction.

No References Available.

(a) Original Proceeding

Date	Development
May 24, 2024	The Acting Secretary-General registers a request for the institution of arbitration proceedings.
July 17, 2024	Following appointment by the Claimant, Hamid G. Gharavi (French/Iranian) accepts his appointment as arbitrator.
August 7, 2024	Following appointment by the Respondent, Helene Ruiz Fabri (French) accepts her appointment as arbitrator.
October 7, 2024	Following appointment by agreement of the parties, Loretta Malintoppi (Italian) accepts her appointment as presiding arbitrator.
October 7, 2024	The Tribunal is constituted in accordance with Article 37(2)(a) of the ICSID Convention. Its members are: Loretta Malintoppi (Italian), President, appointed by agreement of the Parties; Hamid Gharavi (French/Iranian), appointed by Claimant; and Helene Ruiz Fabri (French), appointed by Respondent.
November 27, 2024	The Tribunal holds a first session by video conference.
December 2, 2024	The Tribunal issues Procedural Order No. 1 concerning procedural matters.
March 6, 2025	The Claimant files a memorial on the merits.
April 24, 2025	The Respondent files a request to address the objections to jurisdiction as a preliminary question.
May 9, 2025	The Claimant files observations on the request to address the objections to jurisdiction as a preliminary question.
June 13, 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 objections to jurisdiction are joined to the merits of the dispute.
October 31, 2025	The Respondent files a counter-memorial on the merits and objections to jurisdiction.