A dual-qualified lawyer in both New York and Australia specialising in domestic and international commercial arbitration, investor-State and inter-State dispute resolution, Nastasja has experience advising and representing private and sovereign entities in dispute resolution proceedings conducted under an array of arbitration rules, primarily across the construction, renewable energy and natural resources sectors.
Nastasja also has specific expertise in public international law and responsible business practices advisory work. She regularly advises States, inter-governmental and non-governmental organisations and corporate entities on the interpretation of, and compliance with, obligations arising under international law instruments and customary international law.
Nastasja has previously practiced at leading international law firms in Paris and as a legal officer at the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs in New York. She also undertook research and teaching roles with a leading international law scholar and former president of the American Society of International Law, Professor José Enrique Alvarez.
Nastasja holds two Master of Laws degrees (from the London School of Economics and the NYU School of Law), and is a member of the American Society of International Law and the International Bar Association.
Key deals
CPB Contractors and John Holland
Acted for CPB Contractors and John Holland in anti-arbitration injunction proceedings before the Victorian Supreme Court, raising questions of arbitral jurisdiction, the operation of the agreed dispute settlement mechanism, and the appropriate forum for resolving disputes concerning Melbourne’s A$4.9 Billion West Gate Tunnel Project.
Kingdom of Bahrain
Successfully represented Bahrain in an ICC arbitration under a contract to design, build and operate a waste-to-energy facility, which raised complex issues concerning the financing of major projects in the Middle East amid the Arab Spring and in the aftermath of the global financial crisis, as well as technical questions regarding environmental risks involved in generating energy from waste.
Consortium of energy companies
Successfully represented a consortium of energy companies in a confidential ICC arbitration commenced by a Middle-Eastern state government concerning well design and processing facility construction issues, raising questions regarding the environmental impact of operations, handover and good oilfield practice obligations.
International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons
Advised the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize recipient, on obligations of States in respect of nuclear non-proliferation and the 2017 Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
Sovereign client
Advised an Asian State with respect to obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and other relevant treaties concerning the conservation of marine resources.
Private clients
Advising corporate entities regarding risks of investing in areas of disputed sovereignty and areas under occupation.