Valts Nerets is co-head of the Dispute Resolution & Risk Management practice, known for his strategic, business-minded approach to complex disputes. With over a decade of experience in international arbitration and litigation, Valts advises clients on cross-border matters involving private international law, international trade, and foreign law issues. He is one of the few legal professionals in Latvia with deep expertise in transport and maritime law, and he is also a passionate scholar and practitioner of international investment law.

Valts is a recognised practitioner in the current Global edition of Chambers & Partners and the current edition of Legal 500 has recognised him as “Next Generation Partner”.

He regularly represents clients in disputes involving foreign law before Latvian courts and arbitration tribunals, and provides expert opinions on Latvian law for proceedings abroad. His practice includes assisting with the recognition and enforcement of foreign and EU court judgments, arbitral awards, and interim measures, including freezing orders and European account preservation orders.

In the field of investment arbitration, Valts served as counsel for E energia in Latvia’s first-ever ICSID arbitration, securing a favourable award for the investor against the Republic of Latvia. He also represented one of Central and Eastern Europe’s largest insurance groups in a successful arbitration before the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce (SCC) in 2018.

Valts advises clients in regulated sectors, particularly in transport and maritime law, where he handles negotiations, disputes, ship arrests, vessel transactions, and shipbuilding contracts. Notably, he provided legal support in the sale of the Regina Baltica ferry—one of Latvia’s rare large-scale vessel transactions involving a ship of over 18,000 gross tons.

With a strong international outlook and a commitment to excellence, Valts continues to shape the legal landscape in Latvia and beyond through his work in arbitration, litigation, and regulatory advisory.

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Latvian Bar Association
• The Court of Arbitration of the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI)
• The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (MCIArb)
• Riga International Commercial Arbitration Court (RICAC)

Education

• Riga Graduate School of Law, Latvia (LLM in Transborder Commercial Law, with distinction)
• University of Latvia, Latvia (LLB, LLM)
• City Law School, City University London (summer school in maritime law)

Work

• E energija v the Republic of Latvia

By a decision of 8 April 2020, a special committee of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) rejected an application by Latvia to annul the award of 2018 by the ICSID arbitral tribunal. After protracted efforts, Lithuanian investor E energija will finally receive compensation of EUR 3.1 million for being forced out of the heat supply market in Latvia. Read more >

• Construction dispute client v Former contractual partner

We represent a client before Stockholm’s Chamber of Commerce Arbitration Institute (SCC) during arbitration proceedings against its former contractual partner. The dispute is governed by the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG). Read more >

• One of Europe’s leading aircraft engine and industrial gas turbine producers v Latvian company

We are representing one of Europe’s leading aircraft engine and industrial gas turbine producers in an arbitration dispute with a Latvian company. The dispute arose over a licence agreement for the broadcasting rights of a significant European sports event. Read more >