Dr. Christian Knütel | Hamburg | Hogan Lovells

Dr. Christian Knütel

Partner Corporate & Finance

Languages

English, Italian, French, German, Spanish

Knuetel Christian

Dr. Christian Knütel
Knuetel Christian
  • Overview
  • Experience
  • Credentials
  • Insights and events
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Recommended lawyer for Project Finance and Development Practice

Best Lawyers Germany, 2013–2015

Christian Knütel advises on national and international energy and infrastructure projects, particularly in the field of offshore wind; his advice covers all project phases - from project development and the relevant contracts for  works, supply and services to project financing. He works closely with the Regulatory, Banking, Litigation/Arbitration and M&A practice groups and coordinates international projects with foreign colleagues.

A particular focus of his work, which has been growing for years, is on project-related claims management and advice on project-related litigation, including representation in DAB, mediation, arbitration and court proceedings in Germany and abroad, again with a special focus on offshore wind. Clients appreciate, among other things, Christian Knütel's technical expertise, his reliable assessment of the prospects of success of legal disputes as well as his negotiating skills and assertiveness.

In addition to various other publications on project and energy/infrastructure topics, Christian Knütel is co-editor and author of the "Legal Handbook Project Financing and PPP" (2nd edition 2008) and author of the chapter on project contracts for offshore wind farms in the standard text book on legal issues relating to plant construction "Legal Handbook Plant Construction", 2nd edition Munich 2020.

Christian Knütel is honorary General Counsel of the World Forum Offshore Wind (www.wfo-global.org).

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Recommended lawyer for the energy sector: Transactions/Financing.

JUVE Handbook, 2018/2019

Representative experience

Representation of an employer in a dispute with a contractor on the failed installation of offshore wind foundations incl. enforcement of claims against insurances and certification agencies

Representation of OEM in DAB and mediation proceedings reg. several claims and counterclaims on delays, interferences and approx. 10,000 alleged faults of turbines of a major offshore windfarm 

Representation of several sea cable manufacturers in the defence against claims based on alleged serial defects in certain cables and accessories

Representation of a sea cable manufacturer in an ICC arbitration regarding alleged serial defects

Representation of an employer in construction disputes with a WTG manufacturer and a BoP contractor in relation to a major offshore wind farm in Taiwan

Representation of a turbine manufacturer in a DAB proceeding relating to the conditions for an extension of a service agreement

Representation of an OEM in connection with several serial defects of wind turbines relating to several offshore windfarms in Germany

Representation of an international BoP contractor on claims management in connection with an EPCI agreement for over 100 offshore wind foundations in the UK

Advising Baltic Power on the development and EUR 4.4 bn project financing of the 1.14GW Baltic Power OWF in Poland (IJ Global Renewable Energy Deal of the Year 2023, PFI Europe Deal of the Year 2023)

Advising Northland Power and Yushan Energy on the development of the 1GW Hai Long offshore wind farm in
Taiwan (PFI Asia-Pacific Offshore Wind Deal of the Year 2023)

Advising Merkur Offshore on the development and project financing of the 400 MW Merkur OWF (IJ Global OW Award 2016; Restructuring Award 2016 (PFI); PF Intl 2016 Ren. Deal Award (emeafinance 2016)

Advising various developers on the developemnt of offshore wind farms in Taiwan, Germany, Poland and South Korea

Credentials

Education
  • Second State Exam in Law, Berlin, 2001
  • Dr. iur., University of Hamburg, 1999
  • First State Exam in Law, University of Hamburg, 1997
  • University of Rome, 1995
  • University of Freiburg, 1994
Memberships
  • DIS Deutsche Institution fur Schiedsgerichtsbarkeit
  • WFO - World Economic Forum Offshore Wind Energy e.V.

Recognition

Public Sector: PPP

Legal 500 EMEA

2018-2019
Real Estate and Construction: Construction (including construction litigation)

Legal 500 EMEA

2018-2019
Banking and Finance: Project Finance

Legal 500 EMEA

2018-2019
One source describes Christian Knütel as purposeful and pragmatic. He acts on both domestic and cross-border projects, with a particular focus on offshore wind farms, offering expertise in project financing and regulatory issues, as well as representation in disputes.

Chambers Europe

2019
Recommended lawyer for the energy sector: Transactions/Financing

JUVE Handbook

2018/2019
Extremely savvy lawyer who thinks along with his client and has a great problem-solving attitude, according to one impressed interviewee. Market commentators also note his expertise in technical contracts, equity agreements and financing issues.

Chambers Europe

2018
Christian Knütel gives the right advice.

Legal 500

2018
Christian Knütel has a broad knowledge and plenty of project expertise.

Legal 500

2017
Clients say: He performed an absolutely outstanding job of getting people on board. He is excellent at keeping calm under intense pressure, especially during negotiations, where he did a really great job.

Chambers Europe

2015
The US publisher Best Lawyers ranks Christian Knütel among the best lawyers in the field of project financing and development.

Best Lawyers

2014 – 2020
Clients praise his ability to understand the business we do and also to drive things forward and give correct advice.

Chambers

2014
Banking and Finance: Project Finance, Germany, Recommended

Legal 500 EMEA

2019-2020