Aapo Saarikivi
Partner, Helsinki
Complex Construction, Corporate Investigations & Compliance, Dispute Resolution, Energy & Infrastructure
Contact
Assistant information
Aapo Saarikivi heads Roschier’s Dispute Resolution practice in Finland. Having represented clients in many of the largest high-stakes cases on the market, Aapo has extensive experience of arbitration, litigation, mediation and dispute board proceedings, as well as other forms of alternative dispute resolution in Finland and internationally. Aapo further provides strategic advice on claims management and the settlement of business disputes in a broad range of contentious settings. He also serves as arbitrator in domestic and international arbitrations. Aapo’s arbitration track record includes cases seated in all four Nordic jurisdictions, and major international hubs such as Paris, Geneva and Singapore.
Aapo‘s experience spans a variety of sectors, with a special emphasis on energy & industrial projects, telecoms and construction. He also has considerable experience of cartel damages actions on a national, EU and global level. Aapo has further litigated and arbitrated M&A and corporate disputes, contentious finance and insolvency matters, and disputes relating to international trade & transport, agency & distribution, tax & customs and foreign investment.
Recognitions
Aapo has been recognized as one of the leading experts in arbitration, litigation and dispute resolution in Finland by international legal directories such as Chambers Europe/Global, The Legal 500 and Lexology Index. Lexology Index recommends him in arbitration and commercial litigation and ranks him as “Thought Leader” in arbitration (2024).
This is what clients say about Aapo:
“Aapo is exceptionally analytical in dealing with complex multi-jurisdictional matters and is very easy to work with. He’s a real team player.”
– Chambers Global 2024, Dispute Resolution
“He is very organised, into the details, calm and on top of things. He is just excellent.”
– Chambers Global 2024, Dispute Resolution
“He is an excellent lawyer, including in the class action space. He has a comprehensive understanding of Finnish law as well as a familiarity with European law too.”
– Chambers Global 2024, Dispute Resolution
“Aapo Saarikivi is a very solid professional who listens to the customer and provides concrete solutions for the matter at hand.”
– Chambers Global 2024, Dispute Resolution
“Aapo is very clear and sees the big picture.”
– Chambers Global 2024, Dispute Resolution
“Aapo offers solid performance and a client-minded approach.”
– Chambers Global 2023, Dispute Resolution
Work highlights
Aapo Saarikivi’s experience includes advising:
- Nokia as lead counsel in multiple arbitrations under the ICC, SCC, FAI and other arbitration rules and a variety of substantive laws relating to, e.g., IT services, patent licensing, component sourcing and network deliveries;
- Finnish nuclear company Fennovoima in five parallel ICC arbitrations against Rosatom group companies arising as a result of the termination of an EPC Contract for the turnkey delivery of the Hanhikivi-1 nuclear power plant, with claims valued at several billion euros;
- A Finnish energy company as lead counsel in six parallel domestic arbitrations and court cases relating to liabilities arising from a joint venture power plant, valued at EUR 70 million;
- A multinational technology provider in three parallel SCC, DIA (Danish Arbitration Institute) and OCC (Oslo Chamber of Commerce) arbitrations over the delivery of a network platform, with claims valued in excess of EUR 100 million;
- Claimant in multiple concurrent FAI arbitrations concerning cartel damages claims valued at USD 800 million;
- The owner in relation to a major ICC arbitration over delays and disruption on a significant power plant project, including complex negotiations leading to a global settlement between the parties;
- Claimant in emergency arbitrator proceedings under the SCC Rules relating to unpaid deliveries of natural gas with claims valued at USD 250 million;
- A Finnish corporation as defendant in a cartel damages action before the Finnish courts initiated by a Belgian claims vehicle, with claims exceeding EUR 100 million;
- An international bank in relation to multiple disputes arising out of the bankruptcy of its customer, and in securing the bank’s rights in connection with the bankruptcy.
Career
Roschier (2007-), Partner since 2016
Bredin Prat /Paris, Visiting lawyer (2012)
Memberships
Member of the Finnish Bar Association
Member of the International Bar Association
Member of the Finnish Arbitration Association
Member of the Swedish Arbitration Association (SAA)
Member of the ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR
ICC YAF, regional representative (2017-2019)
Young Arbitration Club Finland (YACF), chair (2014-2015), founding board member (2012-2013)
Education
University of Helsinki, LL.M. (2007)
Finnish Arbitration Academy (2014)
SAA Training Program for Arbitrators (2016-2017)
Languages
English, Finnish, French, Swedish
The Legal 500An outstanding litigator who capably handles litigation and arbitration in Finland and around the world.