Christophe Cougnaud Partner, Legal Services

Qualifications

• French qualified lawyer (“Avocat”)
• Postgraduate Master’s Degree in Business law (“DJCE”) - Cergy-Pontoise University (France) 
• Bachelor of laws LLB (London - United-Kingdom)
• FIDIC Module 1 (Practical Use of the 2017 FIDIC Conditions of Contracts Red and Yellow Book), FIDIC Module 2 (Claims under FIDIC 1999 + 2017 update), FIDIC Module 4 (Contract Management and Administration Course), FIDIC Module 5 (EPC/Turnkey Projects Course - Silver Book), FIDIC Module 6 (Design, Build and Operate Projects - Gold Book).
• MCIArb - Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Module 1 (International Arbitration), Dispute Board Administration & Practice (Dispute Resolution Board Foundation - DRBF).

Background

• After practicing for more than 10 years in major British and French law firms in France, Christophe has worked 5 years in Vietnam in a top ranked law firm before joining Forvis Mazars as a Partner, where he develops the International Construction Project & Energy practice.
• In Vietnam, Christophe provides practical advice on international construction projects (metro lines, water, infrastructures and bridges) and assistance on operational matters to Vietnamese and international clients across a wide range of industry sectors. Over the last 5 years, Christophe has advised different stakeholders on the 3 Metro line projects in Vietnam (Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City) and upcoming line in HCMC. He handles all aspects of international contractual work, from negotiation (bidding process) to drafting (EPC contracts, FIDIC Red, Yellow, Gold, Silver, White, Green and Pink Books), supporting clients’ day-to-day operations and strategic business activities (claims on extension of time, additional costs, variation, suspension, payment, termination, bank guarantees, price escalation). His main practice areas also includes risks analysis and alternative dispute resolution.
• Christophe is recognized as an international expert by the Society of Construction Law Vietnam (SCL-V). He is a frequent speaker at international conferences on construction and infrastructure projects (CCCDR 2023 and CCCDR 2024) and is also a lecturer for an International Master’s Degree Program at HCMC University of Law on the topic of Infrastructure, Construction and Alternative Dispute Resolution.