Maciej Durbas, PhD, LL.M., MCIArb

partner

At Kubas Kos Gałkowski since

2011

Maciej is a true expert in arbitration, he focuses on each detail of the case and produces fair and just outcomes.

- Lexology Index: Arbitration 2025

Languages

English

Experience

Attorney at law, LL.M., MCIArb. Expert in the field of arbitration. Arbitration Practice Co-leader. He handles complicated disputes, including cross-border proceedings in various sectors. Has represented clients in international arbitration proceedings with the value of the dispute ranging from several thousand to several hundred million Euro. Moreover, he has acted as an assistant to the arbitrator or tribunal’s secretary on many occasions. He also acts in the capacity of an arbitrator, including the presiding arbitrator. Member of the Arbitration Committee of the Confederation Lewiatan Court of Arbitration. Listed on the VIAC practitioner list and the list of Recommended Arbitrators of the Court of Arbitration at the Polish Chamber of Commerce in Warsaw, the Court of Arbitration at the Polish Confederation Lewiatan, the Construction Court at the Association of Consulting Engineers and Surveyors in Warsaw, as well as the arbitration database of the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA).

Advises clients also in the area of the real estate law, both in court, administrative, and administrative court proceedings (with a particular emphasis on reprivatisation disputes), as well as in transactions. He has also participated in transactions and proceedings in the scope of real estate law (sale, lease, investment processes).

Deputy Chair of the Civil and Commercial Litigation Practice Section at the Krakow Bar Association. Member of the Editorial Board (Editorial Board) of the Czech (& Central European) Yearbook of Arbitration. Defended his doctoral thesis on arbitral jurisdiction at the Chair of Civil Law at the Jagiellonian University in Krakow with honours.

He has been preparing Jagiellonian University students participating in the Willem C. Vis Moot international arbitration competition for many years with significant achievements.

Honors and Awards

  • Distinction in the Lexology Index: Client Choice as Global Elite Thought Leader in the category Client Choice – Arbitration

 

  • Distinction in the Lexology Index: Arbitration 2025 ranking in the Future Leaders category
  • "Maciej is a true expert in arbitration, he focuses on each detail of the case and produces fair and just outcomes"
  • "He has extensive experience in international commercial arbitration"
  • "He is internationally recognised and smoothly combines substantive law knowledge with experience in procedure"

 

  • Recommended lawyer in Chambers Global 2024 and Chambers Europe 2024 ranking in Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (Up and Coming)

 

  • Distinction in the Who’s Who Legal Arbitration 2024 ranking in the Future Leaders category

 

  • Recommended lawyer in Jus Connect ranking in Most Transparent Arbitration Practitioners & Practices category (Third)

 

  • Distinction in the Who’s Who Legal Arbitration 2023 ranking in the Future Leaders category

 

  • Distinction in the Expert Guides Rising Stars 2022 in the Commercial Arbitration category

 

  • Distinction in the Who’s Who Legal Arbitration 2022 ranking in the Future Leaders category

 

  • Distinction in the Expert Guides Rising Stars 2021 in the Commercial Arbitration category

 

  • Distinction in the Who’s Who Legal Arbitration 2021 ranking in the Future Leaders category

 

  • Distinction in the Expert Guides Rising Stars 2020 in the Commercial Arbitration category

 

  • Distinction in the Who’s Who Legal Arbitration 2020 ranking in the Future Leaders category

 

  • Distinction in the Who’s Who Legal Arbitration 2019 ranking in the Future Leaders category

 

  • Distinction in the Gazeta Prawna ranking - Rising Stars 2015

Membership

  • SCC Arbitration Institute
  • Caspian Arbitration Society
  • Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb)
  • Young Austrian Arbitration Practitioners (YAAP)
  • Young Arbitration Practitioners in Poland (YAPP)
  • Rising Arbitrators Initiative (RAI)
  • The Krakow Bar Association (ORA Kraków)
  • Arbitration and Meditation Center of Armenia (AMCA)
  • Permanent Arbitration at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia
  • Young European Federation for Investment Law and Arbitration (EFILA)
  • Young Austrian Arbitration Practitioners
  • Arb | Aut Austrian Arbitration Association

Education

2024
Diploma Course for International Arbitrators, SCC Arbitration Institute

ICC Advanced Arbitration Academy for Eastern Europe

2021

defended doctoral thesis with honors at the Jagiellonian University

2017

doctoral studies in social sciences, legal sciences, discipline: law, Faculty of Law and Administration, Jagiellonian University

2015

entry onto the list of attorneys

 

European and Asian Legal Studies LL.M., University of Vienna, University of Hong Kong

2011

Master's degree: Law at the Faculty of Law of Administration at Jagiellonian University

2010

coach for the Jagiellonian University Team in the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot competition, winner of honourable mention for preparing a procedural letter

 

School of Continental Law: The Foundation for Continental Law, Paris, Sorbonne

2009

member of the Jagiellonian University Team in the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot competition, winner of an individual honourable mention for oration

 

scholarship recipient of the Republic of France - University of Orléans, France scholarship

 

School of French Law: University of Orléans and Jagiellonian University

Contact

maciej.durbas@kkg.pl

+48126194089

Personal interests

does jogging, mountain hiking, downhill skiing, and ski touring