Bio

Diana Akikol leads the Geneva International Arbitration Group. Drawing on over 20 years of experience as an advocate, Ms. Akikol represents multinational corporations, national companies, states and state-owned entities in international arbitration proceedings under the major institutional rules and ad-hoc arbitrations under the UNCITRAL Rules. Additionally, she acts for clients in arbitration-related proceedings before the Geneva courts. Ms. Akikol is also an accomplished arbitrator, having sat as tribunal member (often as president) in more than 60 arbitrations seated in various jurisdictions (Geneva, Zurich, London, Paris, Berlin, Vienna, Istanbul, Hong Kong, etc.) and conducted under a variety of rules (including ICC, Swiss, LCIA, HKIAC, VIAC and DIS). Ms. Akikol’s practice spans a wide range of matters, with a particular focus on sales of goods, commodities and energy trading, mergers & acquisitions, shareholder agreements, joint ventures, construction and engineering, agency, licence and distribution agreements, as well as services and consultancy agreements. Ranked as a leader in her field, both in Europe and globally, Diana Akikol “impresses peers with her mastery of complex technical facts and very profound legal knowledge” (Who's Who Legal Arbitration 2019) and is described as “very quick in understanding and very dedicated” (Chambers Global 2020). She is recommended as “one of the best Swiss arbitration lawyers” (Who's Who Legal Global Leader 2023), “a very strong practitioner” (Who's Who Legal 2020 Switzerland Arbitration) and “a highly intelligent and accurate arbitrator” (Who's Who Legal Arbitration Future Leaders Partners 2018). Ms. Akikol serves as ICC Court member for Switzerland. She is also a member of the ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR, the Arbitration Commission of ICC Switzerland, the Board of the Swiss Arbitration Association (ASA), a Court member of the Swiss Arbitration Centre, and a member of the Board of the Vienna International Arbitral Centre (VIAC). Ms. Akikol has published a doctoral thesis on the warranty regime under Swiss law and the UN Sales Convention (CISG) and co-authored a commentary on the CISG. She regularly speaks and publishes in the arbitration field. Several of her contributions deal with award set aside proceedings before the Swiss Federal Supreme Court. She recently co-authored a commentary on the Swiss International Arbitration Act. Ms. Akikol holds a law degree from the University of Fribourg and a doctorate degree from the University of Lucerne, both summa cum laude. She was admitted to the bar in 2002, ranked first of her class. Ms. Akikol started her professional career as law clerk on the Superior Court of Berne, Switzerland (2002-2005) and completed her PhD as a visiting scholar at the University of Michigan Law School (2005-2006), before specializing in international arbitration with another Swiss national law firm (2007-2014). She successfully continued her arbitration practice as a co-founder of a Geneva-based business law boutique (2014-2020) before joining Walder Wyss in 2020. Diana Akikol is fluent in English, French and German (native).