Dr. Christian Knütel
Partner Corporate & Finance
Languages
English, Italian, French, German, Spanish
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Overview
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Experience
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Credentials
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Insights and events
Best Lawyers Germany, 2013–2015Recommended lawyer for Project Finance and Development Practice
Christian Knütel advises on national and international energy and infrastructure projects, particularly in the field of offshore wind; his advice covers all project phases - from project development and the relevant contracts for works, supply and services to project financing. He works closely with the Regulatory, Banking, Litigation/Arbitration and M&A practice groups and coordinates international projects with foreign colleagues.
A particular focus of his work, which has been growing for years, is on project-related claims management and advice on project-related litigation, including representation in DAB, mediation, arbitration and court proceedings in Germany and abroad, again with a special focus on offshore wind. Clients appreciate, among other things, Christian Knütel's technical expertise, his reliable assessment of the prospects of success of legal disputes as well as his negotiating skills and assertiveness.
In addition to various other publications on project and energy/infrastructure topics, Christian Knütel is co-editor and author of the "Legal Handbook Project Financing and PPP" (2nd edition 2008) and author of the chapter on project contracts for offshore wind farms in the standard text book on legal issues relating to plant construction "Legal Handbook Plant Construction", 2nd edition Munich 2020.
Christian Knütel is honorary General Counsel of the World Forum Offshore Wind (www.wfo-global.org).
JUVE Handbook, 2018/2019Recommended lawyer for the energy sector: Transactions/Financing.
Representative experience
Representation of an employer in a dispute with a contractor on the failed installation of offshore wind foundations incl. enforcement of claims against insurances and certification agencies
Representation of OEM in DAB and mediation proceedings reg. several claims and counterclaims on delays, interferences and approx. 10,000 alleged faults of turbines of a major offshore windfarm
Representation of several sea cable manufacturers in the defence against claims based on alleged serial defects in certain cables and accessories
Representation of a sea cable manufacturer in an ICC arbitration regarding alleged serial defects
Representation of an employer in construction disputes with a WTG manufacturer and a BoP contractor in relation to a major offshore wind farm in Taiwan
Representation of a turbine manufacturer in a DAB proceeding relating to the conditions for an extension of a service agreement
Representation of an OEM in connection with several serial defects of wind turbines relating to several offshore windfarms in Germany
Representation of an international BoP contractor on claims management in connection with an EPCI agreement for over 100 offshore wind foundations in the UK
Advising Baltic Power on the development and EUR 4.4 bn project financing of the 1.14GW Baltic Power OWF in Poland (IJ Global Renewable Energy Deal of the Year 2023, PFI Europe Deal of the Year 2023)
Advising Northland Power and Yushan Energy on the development of the 1GW Hai Long offshore wind farm in
Taiwan (PFI Asia-Pacific Offshore Wind Deal of the Year 2023)
Advising Merkur Offshore on the development and project financing of the 400 MW Merkur OWF (IJ Global OW Award 2016; Restructuring Award 2016 (PFI); PF Intl 2016 Ren. Deal Award (emeafinance 2016)
Advising various developers on the developemnt of offshore wind farms in Taiwan, Germany, Poland and South Korea
Credentials
- Second State Exam in Law, Berlin, 2001
- Dr. iur., University of Hamburg, 1999
- First State Exam in Law, University of Hamburg, 1997
- University of Rome, 1995
- University of Freiburg, 1994
- DIS Deutsche Institution fur Schiedsgerichtsbarkeit
- WFO - World Economic Forum Offshore Wind Energy e.V.