Carlos González-Bueno Catalán de Ocón

International arbitration

Carlos González-Bueno Catalán de Ocón

Partner · International arbitrator

cgb@gonzalezbueno.com · +34 91 781 35 88

Languages: Spanish, English, German, French, Portuguese

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International arbitrator and founding partner of González-Bueno (2004). He has sat as president, sole arbitrator and co-arbitrator, and acted as counsel, in ICC, ICDR, AAA, CAM, CIMA and ad hoc proceedings seated in Madrid, Paris, London, Dubai, Rio de Janeiro, Lima, Bogotá and New York. He works in Spanish, English and Portuguese. He was previously a State Attorney, Director General of the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office, and Undersecretary of Industry and Energy and of Science and Technology.
25
ICC arbitrations
21
CAM arbitrations
16
CIMA arbitrations
Band 1
Chambers, Arbitrators Spain

Key matters

Experience

Arbitral institution panels

  • Panel of arbitrators at the International Centre for Settl ement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) (2026–2032)
  • Panel of arbitrators at the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR)
  • Database of neutrals of the London Court for International Arbitration’s (LCIA)
  • List of Practitioners in Int. Arbitration at the Vienna Int. Arbitration Centre’s (VIAC)
  • Panel of arbitrators at the Arbitral Centre of Arb. of the Lima Chamber of Commerce (CCL)
  • Panel of arbitrators at the Kuala Lumpur Regional Centre for Arbitration (KLRCA)
  • Panel of arbitrators at the Korean Commercial Arbitration Board (KCAB)
  • Panel of arbitrators at the Centre for Commercial Arbitration (CAC-CCIP)
  • Panel of arbitrators at the Madrid Court of Arbitration’s (CAM)
  • Panel of international arbitrators Civil and Mercantile Court of Arbitration’s (CIMA)
  • Arbitrator of the Spanish Court of Arbitration (CEA)
  • Panel of arbitrators at the Centre for Arbitration and Med. Amcham Brasil (AMCHAM)
  • Panel of arbitrators at the Chamber for Mediation and Arbitration of ACIF (CMAA)
  • Panel of arbitrators at ARBITAC.
  • Arbitrator on the CAMES (Chamber of Specialized Mediation and Arbitration) list.

Memberships

  • Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb)
  • Spanish and Ibero-American Arbitration Club (CEIA)
  • ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR
  • International Arbitration Institute Paris (IAI)
  • Portuguese Arbitration Association (APA)
  • Madrid Bar Association (ICAM)
  • Brazilian Arbitration Committee (CBAr)

Recognition

  • 2026 Most in Demand Arbitrators, Global Market Leaders (Band 3). A ranking of only 54 individuals worldwide.
  • 2026 Arbitrators, Spain (Band 1). Listed since 2013.
  • 2026 Highly Recommended Spanish arbitrator.
  • 2026 “Excellent” Spanish arbitrator.

ICSID

  • Panel of arbitrators (2026–2032).

What the directories say

Carlos González-Bueno is one of the most recognised arbitrators in Spain. This is due to his extensive international experience and his in-depth knowledge of procedural and arbitration law.
Chambers Global 2026
Carlos is straightforward, practical and pleasure to work with. His performance is superb and he's a top arbitrator in Spain.
Chambers Global 2026

Sectors

Energy
oil and gas, renewables, electricity, nuclear
Construction and infrastructure
highways, desalination, railways, dams
M&A and corporate
share purchases, joint ventures, shareholders' agreements
Banking and finance
complex financial products, litigation funding
Real estate and hotels
Industry and supply
aeronautics, machinery, telecoms

Seats

Madrid · Paris · London · Berlin · Dubai · New York · Mexico City · Santo Domingo · Bogotá · Lima · Rio de Janeiro

Career

  • 2004–present: Founding partner, González-Bueno SLP
  • 2002–2004: Partner, IberForo Madrid
  • 2000–2002: Undersecretary of State, Ministry of Science and Technology
  • 1998–2000: Undersecretary of State, Ministry of Industry and Energy
  • 1997–1998: Director General, Spanish Patent and Trademark Office
  • 1994–1997: State Attorney
  • Teaching: CEU San Pablo University (2025–2026), ICADE (2015–2022)

Education

  • 1994: State Attorney (on leave)
  • 1992: Law degree, Comillas Pontifical University (ICADE)
  • 1991: Deutsches Abitur
  • Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb)

Publications and talks

Publications

  • “La adopción de medidas cautelares en el exequátur de laudos extranjeros”, Anuario de arbitraje 2024, M.J. Menéndez (coord.), Civitas (09/2024).
  • “40 Under 40 International Arbitration (2024)”, C. González-Bueno (ed.), Dykinson (2024) (02/2024).
  • “Hacia una mayor eficiencia en el arbitraje como consecuencia del COVID -19”; Anuario de arbitraje 2022, M.J. Menéndez (coord.), Civitas (05/2022).
  • “La responsabilidad del árbitro y la acción de anulación”; Anuario de arbitraje 2021, M.J. Menéndez (coord.), Civitas (06/2021).
  • “40 Under 40 International Arbitration (2021)”, C. González-Bueno (ed.), Dykinson (2021) (05/2021).
  • “Cuantificación y asignación de costas: su impacto en la eficiencia arbitral “, El Arbitraje y la Buena Administración de la Justicia, F. Risueño, J.C. Fernández Rozas (eds.), Tirant lo Blanch (09/2019).
  • “Eficiencia y proceso debido en el arbitraje “, Anuario de arbitraje 2018, M.J. Menéndez (ed.), Civitas (06/2018).
  • “40 Under 40 International Arbitration (2018)”, C. González-Bueno (ed.), Dykinson (2018) (05/2018).
  • La Ley Mercantil, Wolters Kluwer, Issue 35: “Garantías procesales en el arbitraje de equidad” (04/2017).
  • Spain Arbitration Review Issue 28: “El nuevo Reglamento de la CCI (2017) " (03/2017).
  • “La renuncia a la acción de anulación tras Tabbane v. Suiza”, Anuario de Arbitraje 2017, M.J. Menéndez (ed.), Thomson Reuters (2017).
  • “Comentarios al Reglamento de la Corte Civil y Mercantil de Arbitraje “, J.C. Fernández Rozas, F. Ruiz Ruisueño (eds.), Iprolex (2016).
  • “Third party funding: cautio judicatum solvi” Anuario de arbitraje 2016, G. Jiménez- Blanco (ed.), Civitas (2016).
  • Spain Arbitration Review Issue 24: “Anti-Suit Injunction: Where does Gazprom leave us?” (01/2016).
  • “The Spanish Arbitration Act: a commentary”, C. González-Bueno (ed.), Dykinson (2016).
  • Lexology: “CIAR: a new arbitral center” (07/2015).
  • Kluwer Arbitration Blog: “More Than a Friend of the Court: The Evolving Role of the European Commission in Investor-State Arbitration” (01/2015).
  • “Comentarios a la Ley de Arbitraje”, C. González-Bueno (ed.), Consejo General del Notariado (2014).
  • Kluwer Arbitration Blog: “Third Party Funding Again Under the Spotlight” (10/ 2014).
  • Kluwer Arbitration Blog: “Is the focus of investment state arbitration switching from Latin America? If so to where?” (07/2014).
  • “Comentarios a la Ley y al Reglamento de Marcas”, C. González-Bueno (ed.), Civitas (2003).
  • “Comentarios a la Ley de Hipoteca Mobiliaria y Prenda sin Desplazamiento”, C. González-Bueno, Aranzadi (1996).

Speaking engagements

  • LATAP EU Fourth Annual Conference: Arbitrating with the State in Latin America: Current Trends and Practical Insights (09/2026, Paris, English).
  • CIARb – Prova Documental na Arbitragem Ibero -americana: Produção de documentos em arbitragem (07/2026, Lisbon, Portuguese).
  • X Jornadas de Arbitraje of the Universidad Externado de Colombia: Impacto constitucional en el arbitraje (06/2026, Bogotá, Spanish).
  • Pre 12.º Open Week de Arbitraje: Arbitraje en portugués: Arbitragem envolvendo a Administração Pública no Brasil (05/2026, Madrid, Portuguese).
  • XX Congreso Internacional de Arbitraje IPA: ¿Principio de flexibilidad vs. reglas pactadas por las Partes o establecidas en el Reglamento? (04/2026, Lima, Spanish)
  • II Edición Diálogos Ibéricos de CEIA y APA (02/2026, Madrid, Spanish).
  • Congresso “Meios de Resolução Alternativa de Litígios (RAL)”: Os meios RAL num cenário global (11/2025, Lisbon, Portuguese).
  • VIII Congresso de Arbitragem do CAM AMCHAM: Arbitragem na Prática (11/2025, São Paulo, Portuguese).
  • 4th ICC Iberian Arbitration Day: The Ibero-American Arbitration: Navigating Law, Language, and Local Practice (10/2025, Madrid, Portuguese).
  • NOVA Summer School on International Arbitration: Multi-Party Arbitration (07/2025, Lisbon, English).
  • Pre 11.º Open Week de Arbitraje: Arbitraje en portugués, una ventana de oportunidades: Brasil y Arbitraje, presente y futuro (05/2025, Madrid, Portuguese).
  • XIX Congreso Internacional de Arbitraje IPA: Iura novit arbiter: aplicación y límites (04/2025, Lima, Spanish)
  • Open Week de Arbitraje 2024: La problemática de los costes del arbitraje (05/24, Madrid, Spanish).
  • XVIII XIX Congreso Internacional de Arbitraje IPA: How does AI affect the role of international arbitrators? (04/24, Lima, Spanish).
  • Paris Arbitration Week: Lusophones’ Arbitration Meeting - Arbitration, Crime and Criminal Proceedings: What is Expected from Counsel and Arbitrators? (03/2024, Paris, Portuguese).
  • Paris Arbitration Week: Arbitration with State Entities at the Brink: What Lays Ahead? (03/2024, Paris, English).
  • XV ICC International Costa Rica Congress: Arbitraje Eficaz: Herramientas y Obstáculos (02/2024, Costa Rica, Spanish).
  • 3rd ICC Iberian Arbitration Day: News from the ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR and its Task Forces (11/2023, Lisbon, Portuguese).
  • V International Conference Peru - Spain Peruvian Institute of Arbitration (IPA): Arbitration and Judicial/ Constitutional Control (10/2023, Madrid, Spanish).
  • XVI Congreso de Comércio e Indústria Portuguesa - Commercial Arbitration Centre: From Theory to Practice, from the Right to Arbitration to the Duties of the Actors (07/2023, Lisbon, Portuguese).
  • XVII International Congress - Spain Peruvian Institute of Arbitration (IPA): Current and future of international arbitration: Legislative reforms, trends and controversial issues. Artificial Intelligence (04/2023, Lima, Spanish).
  • IV Peruvian Institute of Arbitration (IPA) International Conference Perú - Spain: Existe un estándar de motivación en los Laudos Arbitrales (06/2022, Online, Spanish).
  • III Peruvian Institute of Arbitration (IPA) International Conference Perú - Spain: Las medidas cautelares en el arbitraje y el apoyo judicial para su correcta ejecución (11/2021, Online, Spanish).
  • XX webinar Peruvian Institute of Arbitration (IPA): ¿Cuáles son los principios procesales aplicables al arbitraje? (03/2021, Online, Spanish).
  • II Peruvian Institute of Arbitration (IPA) International Conference Perú - Spain: El Código de buenas prácticas del Club Español y Iberoamericano de Arbitraje (10/2020, Online, Spanish).
  • XI ICC International Costa Rica Congres: Arbitraje en Transporte. Reglas de Rotterdam, Incoterms 2020 (10/2020, Online, Spanish).
  • I Peruvian Institute of Arbitration (IPA) International Conference Perú - Spain: El Control constitucional de los Laudos Arbitrales. El amparo contra laudos arbitrales (11/2019, Lima, Spanish).
  • IX Arbitration Seminar: ICC Arbitration: particularities and novelties (06/2019, La Paz, English).
  • Spanish and Ibero-american Arbitration Club (CEIA): The impact of China’s Belt and Road Initiative on Arbitration (03/2019, Madrid, English).
  • IX Congress on Arbitral Institutions, Madrid Bar Association: Efficiency and due process in arbitration (02/2019, Madrid, Spanish).
  • V International arbitration congress Barcelona: Witness non-protection: efficient evidentiary hearings (10/2018, Barcelona, English).
  • I Conference on arbitration and mediation in art and cultural heritage: Comparative advantages of Arbitration and Mediation in the resolution of conflicts related to Art and Cultural Heritage (06/2018, Madrid, Spanish).
  • III Foro Español Arbitraje ICC: El arbitraje en temas Tributarios (09/2017, Madrid, Spanish).
  • Korean Commercial Arbitration Board: Construction arbitration in Latin American context (09/2017, Seoul, English).
  • II Congreso de la Abogacía Madrileña: Eficiencia y diversidad en el arbitraje (04/2017, Madrid, Spanish).
  • Centro Internacional de Arbitraje, Mediación y Negociación (CIAMEN): Conducción eficiente del arbitraje comercial internacional (12/2016, Madrid, Spanish).
  • Real Academia de la Jurisprudencia y Legislación: La renuncia a la acción de anulación del Laudo (11/2016, Madrid, Spanish).
  • XI Congreso del Spanish and Ibero-american Arbitration Club: Enforcements of awards under TTIP (06/2016, Madrid, English).
  • Association for International Arbitration: The recent approach on security for costs in TPF arbitral proceedings (06/2016, Brussels, English).
  • II Open de Arbitraje (AEADE): El orden público como motivo de anulación de laudos. (05/2016, Madrid, Spanish).
  • L’arbitratge al Principat d’Andorra: Particularidades del arbitraje en la resolución de conflictos: su dimensión internacional (04/2016, Andorra la Vella, Spanish).
  • Corte de Arbitraje de Madrid: Seminario sobre Determinación y Prueba de Daños (04/2016, Madrid, Spanish).
  • Club Español y Iberoamericano de Arbitraje; Capítulo Internacional de Nueva York y Washington, D.C.: Expropiación indirecta y ejercicio legítimo del poder regulatorio (12/2015, Madrid, Spanish).
  • III Congreso de jueces y Árbitros (Corte de Arbitraje de Madrid): Aliados en la resolución de disputas comerciales: Consecuencias de la anulación del Laudo, amicus curiae y responsabilidad (11/2015, Madrid, Spanish).
  • Fundación para la Investigación sobre el Derecho y la Empresa (FIDE), Análisis de la experiencia del Juzgado de 1ª Instancia 101 de Madrid (11/2015, Madrid, Spanish).
  • Fundación para la Investigación sobre el Derecho y la Empresa (FIDE), Actividad constructora, obra civil, industrial y edificación: Jurisdicción y Arbitraje en la construcción (07/2015, Madrid, Spanish).