Home / People / Prof. Dr. Klaus Sachs

Prof. Dr. Klaus Sachs

Partner
Rechtsanwalt

Portrait ofKlaus Sachs

Prof. Dr. Klaus Sachs

Partner
Rechtsanwalt

Contact
CMS Hasche Sigle
Nymphenburger Straße 12
80335 Munich
Germany
Languages German, English, French, Italian, Spanish

Klaus Sachs is one of Germany’s most distinguished experts for national and international arbitration with more than 25 years of experience as counselor and arbitrator in more than 200 institutional and ad hoc arbitrations under DIS, ICC, LCIA, SCC, CRCICA, JCAA, SCAI and ICAC rules as well as Swiss, Vienna and UNCITRAL rules.

He has particular expertise handling disputes arising out of joint ventures, M&A and other corporate activities. Klaus also regularly acts in proceedings related to licence and cooperation agreements as they often occur in the industrial plants construction and energy sectors.

Acting as chairman and co-arbitrator in so far 15 investment disputes under ICSID and UNCITRAL rules as well as acting as chairman in the third arbitration proceeding USA vs. Canada regarding the Softwood Lumber Agreement are examples of his outstanding work and experience.

Klaus joined CMS in 1985 and became a partner in 1987. He started his legal career with Schilling, Zutt & Anschütz in 1977 before joining the Paris office of Curtis, Mallet-Prévost, Colt & Mosle for four years. Klaus is an honorary professor for arbitration at the University of Munich and co-editor of the German arbitration journal SchiedsVZ.

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„über jeden Zweifel erhaben, einfach top“, Wettbewerber; v.a. Schiedsrichter

JUVE Handbuch, 2023/2024

„Oft empfohlen“ für Konfliktlösung

JUVE Handbuch, 2023/2024

"He is an excellent partner leading his senior team to great effectiveness, having efficiency in mind.", client

Chambers Europe, 2023

"Klaus Michael Sachs is very experienced.", client

Chambers Europe, 2023

"His competence and experience are absolutely outstanding.", client

Chambers Europe, 2023

Listed as star idividual

Chambers Europe, 2023

Listed as notable practitioner

Chambers Europe, 2023

Listed as notable practitioners

Chambers Global, 2023

"His competence and experience are absolutely outstanding.", client

Chambers Global, 2023

"Klaus Michael Sachs is very experienced.", client

Chambers Global, 2023

"He is an excellent partner leading his senior team to great effectiveness, having efficiency in mind.", client

Chambers Global, 2023

Listed for Arbitration / Dispute Resolution / Mediation

Deutschlands beste Anwälte 2023 – Handelsblatt in Kooperation mit Best Lawyers

Listed for Conflict Resolution

Deutschlands beste Anwälte 2023 – Handelsblatt in Kooperation mit Best Lawyers

Listed for Conflict Resolution

Deutschlands beste Anwälte 2023 – Handelsblatt in Kooperation mit Best Lawyers

Listed for International Arbitration

Deutschlands beste Anwälte 2023 – Handelsblatt in Kooperation mit Best Lawyers

Leading Individual for Arbitration

The Legal 500 EMEA, 2023

Leading individual for Arbitration

The Legal 500 EMEA, 2021

Lawyer of the Year for International Arbitration

Deutschlands beste Anwälte 2021 – Handelsblatt in Kooperation mit Best Lawyers

Listed for Conflict Resolution

Deutschlands beste Anwälte 2021 – Handelsblatt in Kooperation mit Best Lawyers

"Outstanding practitioner with a vast amount of experience in presiding over large international arbitrations. He is particularly experienced in complex investment and shareholder disputes."

Chambers Global, 2021

Listed as notable practitioner

Chambers Europe, 2021

"Sources heap praise on CMS Hasche Sigle's Klaus Michael Sachs, lauding him as 'one of the best arbitrators' in the international market who is 'in a class of his own'."

Who's Who Legal 2021 – Arbitration

Listed as "Thought Leader Global Elite"

Who's Who Legal 2021 – Arbitration

"exceptionally experienced and competent in arbitration", competitor

JUVE German Commercial Law Firms 2021 (GCLF)

"Recommended" for Dispute Resolution

JUVE German Commercial Law Firms 2021 (GCLF)

"eminent authority", competitor

JUVE German Commercial Law Firms 2020 (GCLF)

"Klaus Michael Sachs is highlighted as a 'phenomenal, well-prepared practitioner' and 'an excellent arbitrator who brings great attention to detail'."

Who's Who Legal 2020

Listed for Arbitration / Dispute Resolution / Mediation and Conflict Resolution

Deutschlands beste Anwälte 2020 – Handelsblatt in Kooperation mit Best Lawyers

"Klaus Michael Sachs is widely held in high esteem for his outstanding expertise in arbitration, regularly presiding over highly complex and politically sensitive investor-state disputes."

Chambers Europe, 2022

"star", client

Chambers Europe, 2022

Listed as notable practitioner

Chambers Europe, 2022

Listed as Star Individual

Chambers Europe, 2022

"star", client

Chambers Global, 2022

Listed as notable practitioner

Chambers Global, 2022

Listed as Star Individual

Chambers Global, 2022

"The team around Prof. Dr. Sachs is characterized by a high level of seniority. The interaction of team members and thus the integration of their respective areas of focus in different areas of law is above average. The teamwork both within the law firm and the cooperation and communication with the client is ideally implemented. Each skill level can contribute optimally to the result of the consultation, which means that the overall result is the best possible.", client

The Legal 500 EMEA, 2022

"Prof Dr Klaus Sachs: outstanding judgment, extremely confident in team leadership, client contact and in hearings, which makes a show unncessary.", client

The Legal 500 EMEA, 2022

Leading individual for Arbitration

The Legal 500 EMEA, 2022

"cooperation based on mutual trust, high quality", competitor

JUVE German Commercial Law Firms 2022 (GCLF)

"Recommended" for Dispute Resolution

JUVE German Commercial Law Firms 2022 (GCLF)

„über jeden Zweifel erhaben, einfach top“, Wettbewerber; v.a. Schiedsrichter

JUVE Handbuch, 2023/2024

„Oft empfohlen“ für Konfliktlösung

JUVE Handbuch, 2023/2024

"He is an excellent partner leading his senior team to great effectiveness, having efficiency in mind.", client

Chambers Europe, 2023

"Klaus Michael Sachs is very experienced.", client

Chambers Europe, 2023

"His competence and experience are absolutely outstanding.", client

Chambers Europe, 2023

Listed as star idividual

Chambers Europe, 2023

Listed as notable practitioner

Chambers Europe, 2023

Listed as notable practitioners

Chambers Global, 2023

"His competence and experience are absolutely outstanding.", client

Chambers Global, 2023

"Klaus Michael Sachs is very experienced.", client

Chambers Global, 2023

"He is an excellent partner leading his senior team to great effectiveness, having efficiency in mind.", client

Chambers Global, 2023

Listed for Arbitration / Dispute Resolution / Mediation

Deutschlands beste Anwälte 2023 – Handelsblatt in Kooperation mit Best Lawyers

Listed for Conflict Resolution

Deutschlands beste Anwälte 2023 – Handelsblatt in Kooperation mit Best Lawyers

Listed for Conflict Resolution

Deutschlands beste Anwälte 2023 – Handelsblatt in Kooperation mit Best Lawyers

Listed for International Arbitration

Deutschlands beste Anwälte 2023 – Handelsblatt in Kooperation mit Best Lawyers

Leading Individual for Arbitration

The Legal 500 EMEA, 2023

Leading individual for Arbitration

The Legal 500 EMEA, 2021

Lawyer of the Year for International Arbitration

Deutschlands beste Anwälte 2021 – Handelsblatt in Kooperation mit Best Lawyers

Listed for Conflict Resolution

Deutschlands beste Anwälte 2021 – Handelsblatt in Kooperation mit Best Lawyers

"Outstanding practitioner with a vast amount of experience in presiding over large international arbitrations. He is particularly experienced in complex investment and shareholder disputes."

Chambers Global, 2021

Listed as notable practitioner

Chambers Europe, 2021

"Sources heap praise on CMS Hasche Sigle's Klaus Michael Sachs, lauding him as 'one of the best arbitrators' in the international market who is 'in a class of his own'."

Who's Who Legal 2021 – Arbitration

Listed as "Thought Leader Global Elite"

Who's Who Legal 2021 – Arbitration

"exceptionally experienced and competent in arbitration", competitor

JUVE German Commercial Law Firms 2021 (GCLF)

"Recommended" for Dispute Resolution

JUVE German Commercial Law Firms 2021 (GCLF)

"eminent authority", competitor

JUVE German Commercial Law Firms 2020 (GCLF)

"Klaus Michael Sachs is highlighted as a 'phenomenal, well-prepared practitioner' and 'an excellent arbitrator who brings great attention to detail'."

Who's Who Legal 2020

Listed for Arbitration / Dispute Resolution / Mediation and Conflict Resolution

Deutschlands beste Anwälte 2020 – Handelsblatt in Kooperation mit Best Lawyers

"Klaus Michael Sachs is widely held in high esteem for his outstanding expertise in arbitration, regularly presiding over highly complex and politically sensitive investor-state disputes."

Chambers Europe, 2022

"star", client

Chambers Europe, 2022

Listed as notable practitioner

Chambers Europe, 2022

Listed as Star Individual

Chambers Europe, 2022

"star", client

Chambers Global, 2022

Listed as notable practitioner

Chambers Global, 2022

Listed as Star Individual

Chambers Global, 2022

"The team around Prof. Dr. Sachs is characterized by a high level of seniority. The interaction of team members and thus the integration of their respective areas of focus in different areas of law is above average. The teamwork both within the law firm and the cooperation and communication with the client is ideally implemented. Each skill level can contribute optimally to the result of the consultation, which means that the overall result is the best possible.", client

The Legal 500 EMEA, 2022

"Prof Dr Klaus Sachs: outstanding judgment, extremely confident in team leadership, client contact and in hearings, which makes a show unncessary.", client

The Legal 500 EMEA, 2022

Leading individual for Arbitration

The Legal 500 EMEA, 2022

"cooperation based on mutual trust, high quality", competitor

JUVE German Commercial Law Firms 2022 (GCLF)

"Recommended" for Dispute Resolution

JUVE German Commercial Law Firms 2022 (GCLF)

„außergewöhnl. erfahren u. kompetent“, Wettbewerber)

JUVE Handbuch, 2022/2023

„Oft empfohlen“ für Konfliktlösung

JUVE Handbuch, 2022/2023

Relevant experience

  • Chairman in ICC arbitration related to a joint venture dispute in the telecoms sector (value of the dispute: over EUR 2,5 billion)
  • Chairman in ICC arbitration related to M&A warranty claims (value of dispute: over EUR 300 million)
  • Chairman in ICC arbitration related to a gas price revision claim (value of dispute: over EUR 1 billion)
  • Co-arbitrator in a number of ICC, DIS and SCC arbitrations related to large-scale plant construction, gas price revision claims, joint venture disputes and distribution agreements
  • Chairman in a number of ICSID arbitrations related to claims filed by investors against Pakistan, Venezuela, Korea and Serbia
  • Co-arbitrator in several ICSID and UNCITRAL proceedings related to investment arbitration cases and claims against Egypt, Spain, Italy and Senegal
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Memberships & Roles

  • ICCA governing board
  • Board member of the German Institution of Arbitration (DIS)
  • Board member of the Swiss Arbitration Association (ASA)
  • Listed on the ICSID panel of arbitrators
  • FIA Contract Recognition Board
  • Working Group for drafting the IBA Guidelines on Conflicts of Interest in International Arbitration
  • Former vice president of the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
  • Former vice president of the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA)
  • Former vice chair of the International Bar Association (IBA), Committee D
  • Former board member of the Chamber of Arbitration of Milan
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Publications

  • "A comparison of the recognition and enforcement of foreign decisions under the 1958 New York Convention and the 2019 Hague Judgments Convention", DeGruyter, Berlin/Boston 2020, co-author Marcus Weiler
  • "Neue Techniken in der Handelsschiedsgerichtsbarkeit", in: Salger/Trittmann, Internationales Schiedsverfahren, Praxishandbuch, C.H. Beck, 2019
  • "Internationales Schiedsverfahren, Praxishandbuch", C.H. Beck, 2019
  • "Zur Group of Companies Doctrine und der Auslegung der subjektiven Reichweite von Schiedsvereinbarungen – Welches Recht ist anwendbar?" in: Festschrift für Siegfried H. Elsing, Werner F. Ebke, Dirk Olzen, Otto Sandrock (eds.), Verlag Recht und Wirtschaft, 2015, pages 475-491
  • Commentary on §§ 1042 to 1050 of the Code of Civil Procedure in Arbitration in Germany – The Model Law in Practice, Karl-Heinz Böckstiegel, Stefan Michael Kröll and Patricia Nacimiento (eds.), Wolters Kluwer, 2015, page 241 et seq.
  • "Die Rechtsfigur der "adverse inferences" in der internationalen Schiedsgerichtsbarkeit", in Beweis im Schiedsverfahren, Eberl (Hrsg.), Nomos Verlag, 2015, pages 129-148
  • "Mock Arbitrations" in: Arbitration Insights, Essays in Honour of Neil Kaplan, Hong Kong, 2012, pages 339-354
  • "Overriding Mandatory Provisions Before Arbitral Tribunals – Some Observations", in Liber Amicorum Bernd von Hoffmann, Gieseking-Verlag, 2012, pages 1051-1065
  • "Protocol on Expert Teaming: A New Approach to Expert Evidence", in ICCA, Congress Series No. 15, Arbitration Advocacy in Changing Times, Wolters Kluwer, 2011, pages 135 - 148
  • "Expert Evidence under the 2010 IBA Rules", International Arbitration Law Review, Thomson Reuters (legal) Limited and Contributors, Vol 13 Issue 5 2010
  • "Diverging Concepts of the Principle of Competence-Competence", New Developments in International Commercial Arbitration, Publisher Christoph Müller and Antonio Rigozzi (Eds), Schulthess Editions Romandes 2010
  • "Fast-Track Arbitration Agreements of MAC Clauses", Liber Amicorum Bernardo Cremades, Publisher M.Á Fernández-Ballesteros and Davíd Arias, eds., La Ley, Wolters Kluwer 2010, p. 1051
  • "Settlement efforts in arbitration", Revista de Arbitragem e Mediação 2010, p. 161
  • "La portée du contrôle exercé par les tribunaux étatiques allemands sur les sentences arbitrales relatives au droit communautaire de la concurrence", Gazette du Palais, Les Cahiers de l'Arbitrage, 2008/2, pages 3 et seq. 2008
  • "La portée du contrôle exercé par les tribunaux étatiques allemands sur les sentences arbitrales relatives au droit communautaire de la concurrence", Gazette du Palais, Les Cahiers de l'Arbitrage 2008, p. 3 ff
  • "Die Wahl der richtigen Verfahrensregeln", Taktik im Schiedsverfahren, Wissenschaftlicher Gesprächskreis Schiedsrecht München, Dr. Otto Schmidt Verlag 2008, p. 153-180
  • Commentary on §§ 1042 to 1050 of the Code of Civil Procedure, Arbitration in Germany – The Model Law in Practice, Kluwer Law International 2007, p. 1042-1050, Publisher Karl-Heinz Böckstiegel, Stefan Michael Kröll and Patricia Nacimiento
  • "La protection de la partie faible en arbitrage", Gazette du Palais, Les Cahiers de l'Arbitrage, 2007/2, pages 22 et seq. 2007
  • "Time and Money: Cost Control and Effective Case Management", Pervasive Problems in International Arbitration, Kluwer Law International 2006, p. 103-115, Co-editor Loukas A. Mistelis and Julian D.M. Lew, eds.
  • "Les mesures provisoires dans l'arbitrage en droit allemande", Médiation et arbitrage, Loic Cadiet, Thomas Clay and Emmanuelle Jeuland, eds., LexisNexis, Paris, 2005, pages 387 et seq. 2005
  • "The interaction between expert determination and arbitration", ASA Special Series No. 24, Arbitration of Merger and Acquisition Disputes, Kluwer Law International 2005, p. 235 ff
  • "Schiedsgerichtsverfahren über Unternehmenskaufverträge - unter besonderer Berücksichtigung kartellrechtlicher Aspekte", German Arbitration Journal (SchiedsVZ), 3/2004, pages 123 et seq., Beck 2004, p. 123 ff
  • "Use of documents and document discovery: "Fishing Expeditions Versus Transparency and Burden of Proof", German Arbitration Journal (SchiedsVZ) No. 5, Beck 2003, p. 193 ff
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Lectures list

  • "Who really wants to settle the dispute?", ICC Young Arbitrators Forum, Rio de Janeiro, Dezember 2009
  • "Place of arbitration: Does it matter?", CIArb/ICC Conference, Tunis, Oktober 2009
  • "Praktische Durchführung des Schiedsgutachtenverfahrens und Besonderheiten bei internationalen Verfahren", DIS Herbsttagung, Hamburg 2006 und Wien 2007
  • "Protection of the weak party in arbitration", 6th Congress of the Brazilian Arbitration Committee, Salvador do Bahia, November 2006
  • "Comments on the new Italian Arbitration Law", Italian Bar Association, Rome 2006
  • "Arbitration and Insolvency", IBA Insolvency Comittee, Athens 2006;
  • "Practical aspects of Polish-German arbitration proceedings", German-Polish Chamber of Commerce, Warsaw, 2005
  • "Harmonisation of Arbitration Rules", Place de Droit 2005, Paris
  • "Time and Money in International Arbitration", 20th anniversary of the School of International Arbitration, Queen Mary University, 2005
  • "Standardisation of arbitration rules or competition for the best system?", 3rd Petersberger Schiedstage 2005
  • "The interaction between expert determination and arbitration proceedings", ASA 2005 Basel;
  • "How to accommodate divergent cultural expectations", IBA 2004 International Arbitration Day Sao Paolo
  • "Arbitration on M&A contracts – including specific consideration of competition law aspects", DIS 2003 Köln
  • "Recognition and Enforcement of Arbitral Awards", IBA 2003 San Francisco
  • "Fishing Expeditions” Versus Transparency and Burden of Frankfurt (March 2003) Proof", DAJV Symposium
  • "The extension of arbitration clauses to non-signatory parties", AAA Symposium Montreal (April 2002)
  • "The validity and scope of arbitration clauses", IBA Brussels 2002 Int. Arbitration Day
  • "The extension of an arbitration clause to a non-signatory party", DIS 2001 Dresden
  • "Interim Measures in Arbitration in Germany", IBA 1999 Barcelona;
  • "Implementation of the UNCITRAL Model Law Worldwide - The New German Arbitration Act 1998 and How it Will Affect Arbitration in Germany", IBA 1998 Vancouver
  • "The Enforceability of Awards Nullified in their Country of Origin", ICCA 1998 Paris
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Education

  • 1977: Admitted as a lawyer
  • 1976: PhD
  • 1975: Trainee with Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, Rome
  • 1975: Second state examination in law
  • 1973: First state examination in law
  • Law studies in Cologne and Heidelberg
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Expertise

Feed

04/12/2023
International arbitration law and rules in Germany
German State Courts are arbitration friendly. The jurisdiction for almost all arbitration related issues is concentrated at the Higher Regional Courts. Their attitude is to support arbitration proceedings...
Expert Guide Dispute Resolution
27/12/2022
Green light from European Commission: CMS advises German government on...
Stut­tgart/Brus­sels – State-owned gas trader SEFE Securing Energy for Europe GmbH (SEFE) can continue to operate as an integrated midstream gas company and pursue its chosen realignment strategy after...
Deals
16/11/2022
Comprehensive advice on securing energy supply in Germany
Ham­burg/Stut­tgart – Struggling gas company Securing Energy for Europe (SEFE) has been transferred to the ownership of the Federal Republic of Germany in order to secure German gas supplies. SEFE is...
Deals
19/09/2016
CMS Get-together at the IBA Annual Meeting 2016, Washington, DC
Thank you to 650 guests who attended our get-together reception on the occasion of the IBA Annual Meeting in Washington, DC. You will find below the profiles of our CMS delegates at the IBA. We look forward...
Event Legal
21/08/2013
CMS Hasche Sigle becomes German member of Arbitration Chambers Hong Kong
Hong Kong – Commercial law firm CMS Hasche Sigle recently joined Arbitration Chambers Hong Kong as the German tenant. The Arbitration Chambers bring together experts in international arbitration from...
Press releases
24/02/2010
CMS partner Dr Klaus Sachs appointed member of Formula 1 disputes panel
Munich – The International Court of Arbitration of the Paris-based International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has appointed CMS partner Dr Klaus Sachs to the Contract Recognition Board, the committee that...
Press releases