International Disputes Specialist: Infrastructure, Construction & Energy
Melis Acuner is a highly respected international disputes lawyer with over 20 years of experience advising on some of the world's most complex and high-value infrastructure, construction, and energy projects. She has acted in some of the largest international arbitrations in the energy and construction sectors worldwide, in particular in the Middle East.
Melis has received recognition and accolades from multiple organisations for her exceptional work in arbitration, including being named a Future Leader in Arbitration by Lexology (formerly Who’s Who Legal) since 2016, quoting peers and clients who state she “is a great lawyer and very well regarded for international arbitration,” “she is hardworking, diligent and creative,” and “she always puts the client first and is known to develop solid and constructive relationships with her clients.” Chambers Global has ranked Melis for international arbitration since 2020, recognising Melis as a prominent and notable practitioner, noting that “Melis is excellent - she's able to handle the most demanding clients.” Furthermore, her practice was also recognised by The Legal 500 for its expertise in international arbitration and she has been featured in their “International Arbitration Powerlist UK” since 2019.
Her clients include sovereigns, multinational corporates, state-owned entities, and family offices, with disputes spanning Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, Asia, and Latin America. She is particularly known for her expertise under FIDIC contracts (1999 and 2017 editions), and regularly advises on matters involving delay and disruption, variations, termination, defects, force majeure, and performance risk, across international arbitration, Dispute Adjudication Boards (DABs), expert determination, mediation, and cross-border litigation.
Mega-Project and Infrastructure Experience
Melis has acted on disputes in over 40 jurisdictions, with a cumulative dispute value exceeding USD 70 billion, including:
- Energy and renewables – solar, wind, thermal, hydro, hydrogen, and grid infrastructure
- Oil & gas – upstream and midstream infrastructure, LNG terminals, pipelines, and power export systems
- Construction & infrastructure – airports, roads, ports, metros, bridges, and regional transport networks
- Urban development – mixed-use residential, commercial, hospitality, and institutional projects
- Telecoms and data infrastructure – fibre networks, connectivity platforms, and data centres
- Multi-package programme delivery – interface-heavy procurement and complex delivery structures
She is frequently retained during project execution to shape claims strategy, coordinate with delay and quantum experts, and position clients for effective dispute resolution.
Dispute Resolution & Sector Expertise
- International arbitration under ICC, LCIA, DIAC, ICSID, UNCITRAL, and ad hoc rules
- Extensive experience with FIDIC Red, Yellow, and Silver Books, EPC and bespoke contracts
- Major energy sector disputes involving pricing, delivery failure, and force majeure
- Dispute Adjudication Boards (DABs), expert determination, and multi-tier resolution mechanisms
- Delay and disruption analysis, valuation, variation and termination claims
- Investment treaty arbitration involving infrastructure and public–private projects
- Skilled in enforcement, sovereign immunity, and parallel proceedings
- Experienced across both civil and common law jurisdictions
- Representing a global energy corporation in an LCIA arbitration against a sovereign state regarding contractual and construction matters exceeding USD 800 million in value.
- Representing a global energy corporation in a dispute arbitration against a sovereign state regarding contractual and construction matters exceeding USD 400 million in value.
- Representing a global energy corporation on insurance coverage matters stemming from a commercial dispute exceeding USD 100 million in value.
- Leading representation of a major steel manufacturer in ICC arbitration concerning European plant decommissioning operations and construction-related issues, including delay and disruption. Additionally providing counsel on ancillary contractor disputes.
- Serving as counsel to a consortium of International Oil Companies (IOCs) in an LCIA arbitration exceeding USD 500 million against a construction company involving delay and disruption claims
- Representing a construction and engineering conglomerate in confidential ICC arbitration proceedings against a sovereign state.
- Serving as counsel in multiple Swiss Rules arbitrations representing a major conglomerate regarding contractual construction disputes concerning steel product deliverables.
- A Middle Eastern oil and gas company in multiple multibillion dollar LCIA arbitrations regarding steel development and construction.
- United Capital Partners Group on parallel arbitration and multijurisdictional litigation proceedings relating to interests in VKontakte, Russia’s largest social online networking service. The matter was settled in September 2014 following the US$1.47 billion sale of a stake in VK.Com Limited to Mail.Ru Group Limited.
- An Eastern European company in connection with a dispute in excess of €1 billion arising out of its shareholding in a telecoms company in the Middle East; - an international investment bank in connection with the subprime crisis involving high value multijurisdictional proceedings in the U.S. and U.K.
- A European investment bank in relation to claims for portfolio losses arising out of an investment management agreement with a Cyprus entity.
- An Eastern European company in connection with a multibillion dispute under the Energy Charter Treaty.
- An international hedge fund in connection with a dispute arising out of an investment management agreement subject to LCIA arbitration with a seat in London.
- A Spanish and Dutch company faced with the nationalization of its Venezuelan subsidiary subject to arbitration under the ICSID rules; and
- A telecommunications company in connection with a dispute subject to ICC arbitration with the seat in Geneva.
- Served as counsel in LCIA arbitration for Crescent Petroleum and Dana Gas against Kurdish Regional Government in a multibillion 8-year dispute under English law.
- Served as counsel in an LCIA arbitration for Crescent Petroleum and Dana Gas in a shareholder dispute with MOL.
- Served as counsel in an LCIA arbitration for Crescent Petroleum and Dana Gas in a shareholder dispute with OMV
- Served as counsel in an LCIA arbitration for Crescent Petroleum and Dana Gas in a JVA dispute.
- Served as counsel in an LCIA arbitration for Crescent Petroleum and Dana Gas in a commercial gas supply dispute.
- Represented specialised shipping finance entity in charter party agreement and guarantee dispute.
- Successfully acted on behalf of 8 Claimants (subsidiaries of MAP) in the Commercial Court and successfully concluded proceedings against 8 Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) of, and an additional subsidiary of, the Teekay Tankers group ("TK"), one of the world’s largest marine energy transportation companies.
- Served in a dispute for a major international bank in a multibillion subprime dispute against a German bank before the English Courts.
- Successfully secured dismissal of claims against Sheikh Baz Karim in US Courts.
- Serving as counsel to a major steel manufacturing corporations in LMAA arbitration regarding maritime transportation disputes.
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Paris Bar School
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Pantheon-Assas, Paris II
(D.E.A. (postgraduate diploma) in International Law, including International Arbitration and Construction) -
London School of Economics
Strasbourg University
(Masters in Commercial and European Law)
- England & Wales
- Paris
- French
- Turkish
- Spanish
- Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP (London):
- Partner
- Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates (London):
- European Counsel
- White & Case LLP (Paris):
- Associate
- Recognised in Legal 500 UK as a Recommended Lawyer for International Arbitration, 2025.
- Ranked in Chambers Global, Arbitration (2020 -2025), with peers and clients stating: “Melis is excellent - she's able to handle the most demanding clients".
- John B. Quinn, Firm Founder and Chairman: “Melis has outstanding credentials and a track record for winning cases.”
- Richard East, Senior Partner at Quinn Emanuel London: “Melis is a fantastic lawyer with a material practice and will no doubt contribute to the continued growth of the Quinn London office.”
- Stephen Jagusch KC, Global Chair of International Arbitration: “With her charisma, dynamism and great client relationships, Melis is sure to thrive as a member of our team.”
- Recognised in Lexology (formerly Who’s Who Legal) as a Future Leader for International Arbitration, 2016 – 2024, with clients and peers commenting:
- "She is a great lawyer and very well regarded for international arbitration."
- "She is hardworking, diligent and creative."
- "She always puts the client first and is known to develop solid and constructive relationships with her clients."
- Recognised in Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Litigators guide for International Litigation & Investigations, 2023-2024.
Quinn Emanuel London Construction Law Panel, London (June 2025) – Speaker on Procedural Efficiency in Major Infrastructure Disputes
GAR Live, Istanbul (2024) – Panellist on Construction Arbitration in Emerging Markets
GAR Live Damages, London (2023 & 2024) – Speaker on FIDIC Valuation and Energy Claims
Speaker at Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), Global Arbitration Review (GAR), and Regional Legal Forums on Infrastructure and Energy Disputes
Guest Lecturer in Construction Law, King's College London
Guest Lecturer in International Dispute Resolution, Queen Mary University of London
"Pandemic-Era Practical Considerations When Invoking and Interpreting Material Adverse Effect and Chance Clauses", The Journal of PLI Press, Vol. 5 (2021)
Member, Society of Construction Law UK, LCAR Arbitration Group