Skip to main content
School of Law
  1. School of Law
  2. People
  3. PhD students
  4. Items

Thomas Lehmann

Thomas

PhD Student

Email: t.g.p.lehmann@qmul.ac.uk

Profile

Thesis title

International Investment Law and Climate Change: Revaluing the Legitimate Expectations of Energy Investors in Net Zero Investment Disputes

Supervisors

Summary of research

The dissertation examines the legal impact of International Climate Change Law on Net Zero energy investment disputes arising from the frustration of investors' legitimate expectations. Owing to extensive research on the interpretation and application of legitimate expectations, the dissertation advocates for a public international law approach allowing for the factual integration of climate change law in the valuation of investors’ expectations.  The research is conducted in three stages. First, it provides contextual knowledge on energy, energy investment protection, and the emergence of investment disputes due to the Net Zero transition. Second, it explores the theoretical aspects of the fair and equitable treatment standard and legitimate expectations and analyses how arbitral tribunals applied the latter in renewable investment disputes. Last, it evaluates the enforceability of climate change law, the foreseeability of Net Zero policies, and their implications for energy investors’ right to protected expectations.

Biography

Thomas is a PhD candidate and élève-avocat with a solid research background, industry, and teaching experience in International Public and Private Law. His research goal is to help bridge the gap between International Investment and Climate Change Law. 

Thomas graduated top of his class (summa cum laude) with an LL.M. in ‘Global Business Law and Governance’ from Paris-1 Sorbonne and City University of Hong Kong. He holds a Master 1 in International and European Law from Toulouse-Capitole University (summa cum laude), a bachelor’s in history and social sciences from Humboldt University Berlin (magna cum laude), and a bachelor’s in law from Paris-1 Sorbonne University.  

Thomas has extensive professional experience in international law, interning for top-ranked arbitrators and law firms. Prior to his legal vocation, he worked as a political advisor and parliamentarian assistant in the French Parliament.

Publications

  • Co-author, ‘After Vattenfall, A Science-Based Proposal to Account for Climate Change and Biodiversity in Energy Arbitrations’ (2021) 39 ASA Bulletin 2 286.
  • ‘Police Powers Doctrine: a reliable State Defense in times of Covid-19?’ (2021) 18 Brazilian Journal of International Law 2 73.

Research

Back to top