text: François Holmey - Carter-Ruck
  François has a wide-ranging practice in public international law, international human rights, international sanctions, commercial and investment arbitration, business and human rights, ESG and international environmental law. He also advises on media, intellectual property and commercial matters.
  François has substantial experience in public international law and international dispute resolution, including ICSID, ICC, UNCITRAL and ad hoc arbitrations, and matters before the United Nations and the World Trade Organization. He also has significant experience of litigation in the EU courts, both in the General Court and the Court of Justice, as well as the English courts, including the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. He has also acted in other dispute resolution forums, such as the Advertising Standards Authority and the EU and UK Intellectual Property Offices.
  Prior to joining Carter-Ruck, François worked for a leading international law firm. He has done pro bono work for the Varda Group, Just Fair, the Free Representation Unit, the Waterloo Legal Advice Service and Lawyers Without Borders, and has previously interned with UNESCO.
  François completed a Masters in Mathematics and Philosophy at the University of Oxford (with First Class Honours), as well as the Graduate Diploma in Law and Legal Practice Course at BPP Law School in London (both with distinction). He also holds a Masters in International Law, Development and Globalisation at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London (with distinction and best overall performance in his year).
  François is a Solicitor-Advocate (Higher Courts Civil Proceedings) of England and Wales.
  François is bilingual in French and English and has a good understanding of Spanish.
  François is highlighted as a key lawyer in the Legal 500 2022. He is a regular lecturer and contributor to key publications.
  François is highlighted as a 'key lawyer' for Public International Law in the Legal 500, 2022
  François lectures on public international law, business and human rights, and investment arbitration on the LLM programme of the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London
  Law 360 – How EU Proposal Would Affect Corporate Sustainability Duties (March 2022) – analysing the EU Commission's proposal for a directive on corporate sustainability due diligence
  Law Society Gazette (January 2020) – analysing the new arbitral rules for business and human rights disputes
  Advising Al Jazeera Media Network in its ICSID arbitration proceedings against the Arab Republic of Egypt under the 1999 Bilateral Investment Treaty between Qatar and Egypt
  Advising an Embassy on state and diplomatic immunity
  Advising a former Head of State and their family in relation to challenges to EU sanctions before the Council of the European Union, the European General Court and the Court of Justice
  Advising Al Jazeera Media Network in relation to a large range of media and regulatory matters, including pre-broadcast work and diversity matters for the Network's channels
  Advising the beIN Media Group, one of the largest sports and entertainment broadcasting networks in the world, on a number of media matters
  Advising an environmental think tank on media matters
  Prior to joining Carter-Ruck, François' experience included:
  Advising on ICC, UNCITRAL and ad hoc arbitrations in relation to breaches of substantial commercial agreements, including licence agreements
  Advising on commercial and fraud claims before the High Court, as well as one of the largest patent cases ever litigated in the UK in the High Court and the Court of Appeal
  Advising an environmental NGO regarding its policy proposals to the World Trade Organization regarding fisheries subsidies and ocean protection in accordance with UN Sustainable Development Goal 14
  Advising on and assisting with an extensive human rights report submitted by Just Fair to the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
  Advising Penguin Random House on media and copyright matters
  Successfully representing the Royal Academy of Arts in trade mark opposition proceedings and on appeal, enabling the registration of its key 'RA' logo
  Advising a large airline company in relation to a complaint brought by a competitor before the Advertising Standards Authority