Counsel work

While working as counsel in arbitral proceedings between 1996 and 2017, Mika advised clients in a large number of commercial disputes relating e.g. to sale of goods, distribution and agency, construction and engineering, joint ventures and shareholders’ agreements, mergers and acquisitions, banking and finance, insurance and reinsurance, IP and TMT, delivery of IT systems and competition law infringements.

Mika has a proven track record in representing companies in international arbitrations governed by the FAI, ICC, SCC, DIA, LCIA, SCAI, SIAC and UNCITRAL Rules. He is also well versed in investment treaty disputes, especially under the ICSID Rules. Further, Mika has acted as counsel in many domestic ad hoc and administered arbitration proceedings as well as in complex litigation cases before the Finnish state courts, the European Commission and the CJEU.

Arbitrator work

Mika is a renowned international arbitrator. He has served as sole, presiding, party-appointed and emergency arbitrator in more than 100 arbitrations conducted under various sets of rules and different applicable laws, in various arbitral seats and across different business sectors. Parties in these proceedings have originated from five continents and more than 30 jurisdictions.

Anonymized examples of past arbitrator appointments:

Under the ICC Rules:

– Cypriot company v. German company, engineering dispute related to the construction of a production line, ICC Rules, Swedish law (sole arbitrator)

– Russian entity v. German company, dispute arising out of a construction and engineering contract, ICC Rules, Swedish/Russian law (chairperson)

– Irish company v. Finnish company, software copyright and licensing dispute, ICC Rules, Irish/Finnish/EU law (co-arbitrator)

– Norwegian company v. Finnish company, dispute arising out of an engine delivery contract, ICC Rules, Finnish law (co-arbitrator)

– Russian company v. Finnish company, dispute related to the termination of a construction contract, ICC Rules, Finnish law (co-arbitrator)

– Romanian company v. Finnish company, dispute arising out of a construction and engineering contract, ICC Rules, Finnish law (co-arbitrator)

Under the SCC Rules:

– Kazakh company v. Russian entity, dispute arising out of a contract for satellite launch services, SCC Rules, Swedish law (chairperson)

– Latvian company v. Latvian company, dispute related to the termination of a construction contract, SCC Rules, Latvian law (chairperson)

– Swedish company v. German company, dispute arising out of a share purchase agreement, SCC Rules, Swedish law (sole arbitrator)

– Swiss company v. Malaysian company, dispute arising out of an arms trade contract, SCC Rules, Swedish/Swiss law (sole arbitrator)

– Swedish company v. UK company, dispute arising out of an advertising contract, SCC Rules, Swedish/English law (sole arbitrator)

– Russian entity v.  Austrian company, dispute arising out of a sale of goods contract, SCC Rules, CISG/Swedish law (sole arbitrator)

– Swedish company v. Cypriot and Polish companies, dispute related to the termination of a licensing agreement, SCC Rules, Swedish/Polish law (sole arbitrator)

– Estonian, Polish and French companies v. Estonian company, dispute arising out of a construction contract and calling on an on-demand bond, SCC Rules, Estonian law (emergency arbitrator)

Under the DIA Rules:

– Singaporean company v. Danish and US companies, dispute arising out of a shareholders’ agreement, DIA Rules, Danish law (chairperson)

– Danish company v. German company, dispute arising out of a share purchase agreement, DIA Rules, Danish law (chairperson)

– Norwegian entity v. German company, dispute arising out of an engine manufacturing contract, DIA Rules, Danish/Norwegian law (chairperson)

– Swedish company v. Danish company, dispute arising out of a supply and manufacturing contract, DIA Rules, Danish law (chairperson)

– Danish company v. Dutch entity, dispute arising out of a loan agreement, DIA Rules, Danish law (sole arbitrator)

Under the UNCITRAL Rules:

– Italian company v. Finnish company, engineering dispute related to the construction of a production line, UNCITRAL Rules, Finnish/Italian law (chairperson)

– Slovenian company v. UK company, dispute arising out of a reinsurance agreement, UNCITRAL Rules, English law (co-arbitrator)

Under the FAI Rules:

– Finnish, Swedish and Norwegian companies v. Luxembourgish company, dispute arising out of a liability insurance contract, FAI Rules, Finnish law (chairperson)

– Finnish entity v. Finnish company, dispute arising out of a contract for the construction of a nuclear power plant, FAI Rules, Finnish law (chairperson)

– Finnish company v. Finnish company, dispute arising out of a contract for IT hosting services, FAI Rules, Finnish law (chairperson)

– Finnish companies v. Finnish companies, dispute arising out of a share purchase agreement, FAI Rules, Finnish law (chairperson)

– Finnish and Swedish entities v. Finnish company, dispute arising out of a share purchase agreement, FAI Rules, Finnish law (sole arbitrator)

–  Finnish company v. Brazilian company, dispute arising out of an agency agreement, FAI Rules, Finnish/Brazilian law (sole arbitrator)

– Finnish company v. Finnish subsidiary of a Dutch company, dispute arising out of a construction and engineering contract, FAI Rules, Finnish/Swedish law (sole arbitrator)

– Swedish company v. Finnish entity, dispute arising out of a contract for air medical services, FAI Rules, Finnish law (sole arbitrator)

– US company v. Luxembourgish company, dispute arising out of a liability insurance contract, FAI Rules, Finnish law (co-arbitrator)

– Finnish company v. Swedish company, dispute arising out of a liability insurance contract, FAI Rules, Finnish law (co-arbitrator)

– Finnish company v. Finnish subsidiary of an UK company, dispute related to a gas supply contract, FAI Rules, Finnish law (co-arbitrator)

– Finnish company v. Finnish companies, dispute arising out of a shareholders’ agreement, FAI Rules, Finnish law (co-arbitrator)

– Finnish entity v. Finnish company, dispute regarding an auditor’s liability for damages, FAI Rules, Finnish law (co-arbitrator)

Finnish ad hoc cases:

– Finnish company v. Finnish entity, insolvency-related dispute arising out of a company restructuring, ad hoc, Finnish law (chairperson)

– Finnish company v. Finnish company, dispute arising out of a cooperation agreement, ad hoc, Finnish law (sole arbitrator)

– Finnish company v. Finnish companies, dispute arising out of company bylaws, ad hoc, Finnish law (co-arbitrator)

– Squeeze-out proceedings under the Finnish Companies Act regarding the redemption of minority shares in Caverion Oyj, ad hoc, Finnish law (chairperson; the award is public)

– Squeeze-out proceedings under the Finnish Companies Act regarding the redemption of minority shares in Ramirent Oyj, ad hoc, Finnish law (chairperson; the award is public)

– Squeeze-out proceedings under the Finnish Companies Act regarding the redemption of minority shares in Silmäasema Oyj, ad hoc, Finnish law (chairperson; the award is public)

– Squeeze-out proceedings under the Finnish Companies Act regarding the redemption of minority shares in Basware Oyj, ad hoc, Finnish law (sole arbitrator; the award is public)

– Squeeze-out proceedings under the Finnish Companies Act regarding the redemption of minority shares in Oy Polar Mills Ab, ad hoc, Finnish law (sole arbitrator; the award is public)

– Squeeze-out proceedings under the Finnish Companies Act regarding the redemption of minority shares in Normet Group Oy, ad hoc, Finnish law (co-arbitrator; the award is public)

Rankings and accolades

Mika is consistently listed as the leading Finnish arbitration lawyer in all the major international legal directories, including e.g. Chambers, Legal 500 and Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration.

Chambers awarded Mika a unique “Star Individual” ranking each year since 2014 until he gave up counsel work in 2018. He remains listed in the “Most in Demand Arbitrators” category.

In 2018, Mika was inducted to The Legal 500 EMEA Hall of Fame. It highlights individuals who have received constant praise by their clients for continued excellence and who have been recognized by Legal 500 as one of the elite leading lawyers for seven consecutive years.

Below is a sample of quotes from legal directories describing Mika’s qualities as counsel and arbitrator:

• “[…] highlighted for his arbitration experience in areas such as construction, M&A and intellectual property” (Chambers Global 2023)
• “Israel-based Mika Savola is held in high esteem for his arbitration practice. Sources laud him as a ‘superb arbitrator,’ with a market commentator asserting that Savola is ‘one of the best.’” (Chambers Global 2021)
• “Independent arbitrator Mika Savola is praised by sources as ‘excellent’ and ‘first rate’ for his arbitration work. Commentators also state that he has ‘lots of experience’ and is ‘an unusually diligent person.’” (Chambers Global 2019 / Finland and Israel)
• “Mika Savola recently relocated to Israel after a long career at Finnish law firm, Hannes Snellman, where he was one of Finland’s most respected disputes lawyers, and a top choice for arbitration… He enjoys a fantastic reputation as a lawyer who is ‘very experienced, pragmatic and quickly understands the big picture.’” (Chambers Global 2018 / Israel and Finland)
• “Mika Savola is renowned for his international arbitration expertise across various industry sectors… ‘He’s the number one dispute resolution practitioner in Finland… He’s very responsive, has a brilliant legal mind and is extremely hard working.’” (Chambers Global and Chambers Europe 2017)
• “Clients appreciate his breadth of knowledge and scientific approach to complex disputes.” (Chambers Global and Chambers Europe 2013)
• “… ‘a great character and a great lawyer’ who always ‘thinks one step ahead of the competition’…” (Legal 500, 2013)
• “… a client favourite for his experience and ‘tactical expertise’.” (Legal 500 EMEA 2010)
• “‘He is thorough, tough and strong-minded litigator and would go through a stone wall if he had to,’ clients say.” (Chambers Global and Chambers Europe 2010)
• “One client remarked on his capability to deal with all ambushes attempted by the disputing party yet never loses sight of commercial realities.” (PLCWhichLawyer Yearbook 2009)
• “Mika Savola garners respect for his resilient, ‘hands-on approach’, likening him to ‘a terrier that just won’t let go of the ball’.” (Chambers Global 2007)
• “He wins plaudits for his perseverance, hard work and thorough approach, ‘he will leave no stone unturned’, say peers.” (Chambers Global 2006)
• “… highly regarded for his contentious aptitude…” (Legal 500, 2004)

CV

For further details on Mika’s experience and accolades, please see his full professional CV: