Profile

Boris Vittoz is an expert in international arbitration, both as counsel and arbitrator, as well as commercial litigation, including debt collection and enforcement proceedings. He also advises clients in crisis management and in relation to sports as well as trust and estate disputes.

Experience

Boris Vittoz has been practicing international arbitration and litigating before State courts for over 20 years. As an arbitration practitioner, Boris has been involved in around 60 cases in various capacities. Boris mainly acts as counsel, but he also regularly sits as arbitrator in commercial cases, including as Sole Arbitrator or President. He was an arbitrator at the Court of Arbitration for Sports in Lausanne (Switzerland) and a member of the Arbitration Court of the Swiss Arbitration Centre during six years.

Boris’s practice focuses on international commercial disputes of various types across a range of industries; he is also frequently involved in sports and trust and estate disputes. His practice includes ancillary and enforcement proceedings, such as enforcement of foreign awards/judgements in Switzerland, attachment proceedings pertaining to assets located in Switzerland and bankruptcy proceedings. Boris has successfully led international teams composed of foreign lawyers and experts in high-value cases across several jurisdictions.

Boris’s experience includes crisis management situations for clients facing simultaneously multiple legal, governance and other challenges, such as investigations from foreign authorities and international institutions, disputes among internal bodies and with investors, debtors and employees involving arbitration, civil, disciplinary, criminal and other court proceedings in various fora.

On top of his Swiss law expertise, Boris holds a postgraduate diploma in EC and European law delivered by the University of Paris I, which included the study of European competition law.

Recent appointments include:

  • (i) lead counsel in relation to the enforcement of a CHF 65M ICC award in various jurisdictions, including Switzerland, the UK and the Cayman Islands;
  • (ii) counsel for a Swiss life science company in a Swiss-based post M&A arbitration;
  • (iii) co-arbitrator in an ICC arbitration involving issues related to sanctions against Russia;
  • (iv) lead counsel for a foreign pharmaceutical company before Swiss courts in relation to a distribution agreement of pharmaceutical products with a value in dispute of around CHF 60 million;
  • (v) acting for an African conglomerate operating petroleum refineries in West Africa in relation to the enforcement of claims against a company in Switzerland;
  • (vi) counsel for a life science company in a multi-million dispute related to the financing of heavy medical equipment.
2005 Admitted to the Swiss Bar
2002 DEA, University of Paris I (Panthéon-Sorbonne)
2001 Law Degree, University of Lausanne
Best Lawyers 2025
The Legal500 EMEA 2024 – Recommended
Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration Future Leaders – Partners 2024
WHO’S WHO LEGAL: GLOBAL LEADERS – SPORTS 2023
Who’s Who Legal: Global Leaders – Sports 2022
Who’s Who Legal: Switzerland – Sports & Entertainment 2022
Who’s Who Legal: Future Leaders – Commercial Litigation 2021
  • Swiss Arbitration Association
  • Geneva Bar Association
  • Swiss Bar Association
2023 Partner, Niederer Kraft Frey, Geneva
2022 Partner, law firm, Geneva
2021 Member of the Ethics Commission of the International Squash Federation
2020 Arbitrator at the Qatar Sports Arbitration Tribunal
2016 Member of the Court, Swiss Arbitration Centre
2013 Arbitrator at the Court of Arbitration for Sport
2013 Co-Chair ASA Vaud Group, Swiss Arbitration Association
2011 Founding Partner, law firm, Lausanne
2007 Associate, law firm, Geneva
2003 Trainee and then Associate, law firm, Geneva

French

English

Market Perception

«Frank Spoorenberg and Boris Vittoz are first-class practitioners.»
Legal 500 2024 – Dispute Resolution: Arbitration
«He thinks creatively and is able to use foreign law techniques to further his client’s case. Boris has excellent people skills. He is calm, legally strong and knows how to perform in legal hearings.»
Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration Future Leaders – Partners 2024
«Boris is incredibly skilled and meticulous in his approach. He is a very strong sports arbitrator. He is very thorough and strategic – one of the best practitioners in the jurisdiction.»
Who’s Who Legal: Switzerland – Sports & Entertainment 2023

Events

23.05.2023

Acquisitions immobilières commerciales et industrielles

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Firm News

18.01.2023

NKF continues to grow and opens new offices in Geneva

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14.06.2022

NKF, Tavernier Tschanz and a team of partners from Python join forces

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Speaking Engagements

01.05.2022

Lois étrangères“ et arbitrage international

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01.08.2021

Some Specific Aspects of Football Arbitration in Front of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)

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01.11.2019

International Commercial Arbitration : Confidential or Not?

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